Leadership Greater Topeka 2022: VIRGINIA BARNES

Photo by: Braden Dimick

IF YOU COULD OWN STOCK IN A TOPEKA BUSINESS, WHICH WOULD IT BE?

I think it would be exciting to own stock in one of the animal health companies that comes out of the Plug and Play startup work that is going on here in Topeka.

WHAT’S AN ACHIEVEMENT THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?

In my role as director of Blue Health Initiatives here at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, I had the opportunity to assemble a team of public health and policy experts, design and launch the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative in eight communities across the state in 2016. Since this initiative was launched, we have expanded to 24 communities, given out almost $14 million in grants, passed over 300 policies that support health in schools, worksites, healthcare and government organizations, and built community assets that increase access to healthy lifestyles.

INSPIRING LEADER CHARACTERISTICS?

I am inspired by leaders that are willing to listen and who encourage their team to speak up when they have an idea or disagree with a course of action. The best leaders I have worked with have inspired leadership as an activity throughout their organizations.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR FUTURE LEADERS?

Don’t be afraid to participate. If you have been invited to the table it is because you bring value, so speak up!