HBA Staff Spotlight: Barbara Bull Recognized for Mission-Driven Impact

At the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), our mission is powered by a passionate and dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes. Through our HBA Staff Spotlight Series, we’re celebrating the dedicated individuals who bring #HBAimpact to life. This monthly feature shines a light on the talent, the heart, and the purpose fueling our organization. Each spotlight offers an introduction to the individuals who help realize the HBA’s vision, Creating Healthcare Leaders for Life. In this series, we share our staff stories, contributions, and the unique perspectives they bring to the HBA’s global community. 

This month, we are pleased to recognize Barbara Bull, Senior Director, Member and Volunteer Experience. 

Barbara joined the HBA in 2007 as a part-time contract employee and transitioned to a full-time staff role in 2009. She began her journey as an event database specialist, working closely with chapters on their signature and special events. Over the years, Barbara has held a variety of roles supporting chapter operations and Members, eventually advancing to her current position. Today, Barbara leads the Member Experience team, overseeing all aspects of component operations. She ensures compliance with the HBA’s standards and processes while providing leaders with the resources they need to succeed in their roles. 

“Barbara is an incredible and dedicated leader, whose willingness to help others inspires everyone around her,” said Amy Crolius, the HBA’s Chief Operating Officer. “She sets the standard for excellence and working with her is a privilege. Barbara has always been committed to engaging, retaining, and empowering member leaders and ensuring they feel valued, supported, and prepared to lead. Through her vision and leadership, she’s built an incredible team that continues to elevate the member experience and make #HBAimpact every single day.” 

Barbara has been instrumental in shaping the HBA’s new operating model and leading the organization’s expansion into new geographies. Her responsibilities include developing implementation timelines and identifying key leaders to support these initiatives. She continues to play a critical role in driving the HBA’s global growth, ensuring that the member experience remains at the highest standard. 

Learn more about Barbara below, in her own words: 

Q: What has your work with the HBA meant to you both personally and professionally? 

Before joining the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), I spent 24 years in a completely different industry: electronic distribution. It was a high-pressure environment, and as a woman leader, I often found myself navigating a culture that leaned more toward intimidation than empowerment. There was little support for women’s advancement, and even less recognition of our leadership potential. After leaving that chapter behind, I pursued my real estate broker’s license. 

Not long after, I partnered with a colleague to launch our own real estate brokerage and school. We built a thriving business until the 2007 real estate and mortgage market crash. We held on as long as we could but eventually had to let it go. That’s when a good friend, who was working at the HBA at the time, introduced me to a new opportunity. I started as a contractor, supporting projects here and there. And you can see where that led. I’m still here today! 

Working for the HBA has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional journey. It has not only deepened my commitment to advancing leaders, but also transformed how I think about leadership, community, and impact. What makes the HBA extraordinary are the people. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside passionate volunteers, visionary colleagues, and members who bring their whole selves to this community. From launching new locations to supporting global expansion efforts, I’ve seen how our shared values are not just ideals, but daily practices. I’ve grown not just as a professional, but as a person. In short, working for the HBA has meant being part of something bigger than myself. It means showing up every day to help others rise, and in doing so, rising too. 

Q: What are some of your favorite HBA memories and milestones? 

Leadership In Practice: Equanimity Under Duress: Back in 2011, I had the honor of working alongside some truly visionary leaders to bring to life one of the most impactful 12-week programs I’ve ever been part of. At the time, I didn’t fully realize just how ahead of its time this program was: both in the platform we used and the depth of the content we delivered. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of the role I played in bringing this program to life. It not only left a lasting impact on participants, but it also shaped how I approach leadership to this day: with calm, clarity, and compassion, even under pressure. 

HBANext: A New Operating Model: When I reflect on one of the most transformative initiatives I’ve led at the HBA, I think back to the moment we realized the organization was ready to grow again. At that time, the HBA hadn’t opened a new location in years. But the need was clear: our mission was resonating globally, and we had passionate Member Leaders and Corporate Partners eager to bring the HBA to new communities. I had the privilege of leading this initiative from the staff side, working alongside a group of visionary Member Leaders. Together, we developed a model that would allow us to expand without overwhelming our teams: a model that was both scalable and sustainable. This initiative reminded me that growth doesn’t need to be heavy; it just has to be intentional. When you combine a clear vision with the right structure and passionate people, you can create something truly lasting. 

Geographic Expansion: As global interest in the HBA’s presence grew, I was able to step back into a growth mindset and help lead the development and refinement of our geographic expansion strategy. Working alongside a dedicated team, we defined the evolution from grassroots interest to formal branch development: leveraging data from Corporate Partners and population trends to guide our decisions. Since launching the branch model, we’ve successfully expanded into 24 new locations across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM. This growth reflects not only the strength of our model but also the collaborative spirit and strategic alignment across the HBA’s staff and volunteer leaders. 

Q: Please share any interests or accomplishments outside of work you'd like to be included in your Staff Spotlight 

My greatest accomplishment is my family. I have been married to my husband Don for 45 years and we have two children, Jeremy and Jennifer. As many who know me will share, my grandchildren are my world. I have two granddaughters, Elizabeth (16) and Riley (14), and one grandson, Buddy (4). All of my time outside of work is devoted to my family.  

Thank you, Barb, for your tireless dedication to the HBA’s global mission!