About Barbara C. Perez

Barbara Perez is an accredited Executive Coach with the Certified Coaches Alliance and is a member of the International Coaching Federation beginning in August, 2023. In addition to Executive Coaching, she is a Certified Career Coach and a Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach. Barbara was trained as a Coach after leaving the YWCA in the summer of 2022. Barbara has both for-profit companies and non-profit organizations as clients currently. Barbara is deeply committed to assisting executives in developing themselves into the strongest leaders possible.

Barbara Perez joined the YWCA Greater Cincinnati as President/CEO in August 2015. She followed a 42-year veteran of the YWCA and provided a seamless transition for the staff, Board and the community. Under her leadership the organization’s budget grew from $7M to $9.5 M, the organization launched many new advocacy efforts, made a recommitment to the racial justice work and increased its fundraising initiatives.  

Barbara came to the YWCA with more than 35 years of experience leading nonprofit organizations. She previously served as the Chief Mission Officer for the Arthritis Foundation serving a five-state region, after serving as the President/CEO for the Ohio River Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation for seven years. Prior to that she held leadership positions with the Butler and Hamilton County Mental Health Boards, Central Clinic and Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health.  

One of Barbara’s greatest strengths is identifying a vision, creating the strategies, and leading a diverse team to successfully achieve its goals. Throughout her career Barbara has developed and led numerous programs to serve the needs of children, women and families with economic, physical, and mental health challenges. She has a deep commitment to inclusion and has demonstrated that by her work at the YWCA but also by chairing and participating on the Inclusive Leadership Committee for the Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cincinnati program for seven years.  

Barbara is married to Steve Gillen, an intellectual property attorney, and they have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren. They live in the Columbia Tusculum neighborhood.  

"Barbara was my executive coach through Queen City Game Changers, a program designed to accelerate the advancement of emerging female leaders. She provided me with a valuable perspective as someone who has successfully led organizations through significant change management. Barbara guided me in areas of my professional career focused on decision-making and effective communication. During my time working with Barbara, I was recognized by leadership for outstanding performance, earned a professional certification, and elected to take on a new project—all of which I attribute to the leadership development and insights Barbara provided."

Diane Chu

Corporate Supply Chain Manager, The Kroger Co.