Barbara has been a host and announcer on many VOA programs. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Washington, D.C. She was educated at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and the University of Sussex in England.
Before joining VOA, Barbara worked as a legislative assistant for a United States congressman and at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris. She finds great satisfaction combining her interest in international affairs with her love for performance. Barbara has performed in VOA's radio drama series and on stage in the Washington area.