In October 2022, Barbara retired as the Director of the Samaritan Early Learning Center, a 5-Star Spark-rated child development center in Lincoln City. She had been the Director since 2021. Before this position, she was the Director of the Lincoln Commission on Children and Families. She is a Board member of Samaritan House in Lincoln County, whose mission is to shelter, educate, and guide homeless families with children toward independent living.

Barbara is a mother of three daughters and is lucky enough to have her youngest living with her. She has lived in Newport for over 38 years and loves to cook, entertain, travel, and run races, where she can dress in costumes, especially if they are at Disneyland. During the summer, Barbara spends as much time as possible on her property on the Alsea River with family and friends.