Barbara A. Baker-Greer
Barbara A. Baker-Greer, MBA, DBA Candidate, is an accomplished business professional with extensive experience in consulting, IT, procurement, finance, and vendor management. Throughout her career, she has successfully implemented cost-saving initiatives, including reducing operating budgets by $5.3 million and negotiating long-term contracts that optimize both resources and vendor relationships. Known for her expertise in high-dollar negotiations, SOX compliance, and strategic planning, Barbara has consistently driven efficiency and innovation across complex organizational operations. Barbara’s leadership is defined by her ability to build and inspire high-performing teams. She has a proven track record of guiding accounting, finance, and procurement professionals toward achieving ambitious revenue and operational goals, all while maintaining a commitment to continuous professional development. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with a focus on Leadership, along with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance, Barbara remains dedicated to expanding her knowledge and applying best practices to her work. Currently, Barbara works as a Sr. Payroll Specialist III for the Seminole County Public Schools Transportation Department under Executive Director Stan McKenzie and a direct report to Transportation Payroll Manager Cheryl K. Morris. In this role, she is responsible, along with her manager and two peers, for approxiamately 500 bus drivers, monitors, and staff members in tracking data transmission, acting as a district HR liaison, manual time manipulation, reporting, and ad hoc assignments. Outside of her corporate roles, Barbara serves as a Notary Public for the State of Florida, supporting clients with document authentication and financial services. Additionally, she is a highly active member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Senior Pastor Charles Jones where she proudly serves as a Sunday School Teacher, Youth Ministry Volunteer, ACC & Mass Choir Member, and Missionary Team Member. Barbara is recognized for her problem-solving skills, precision decision making, responsiveness, and ability to foster positive professional relationships. Refered to as a "business chameleon," Barbara’s combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and leadership makes her a valuable asset to any organization seeking to optimize operations and achieve measurable results.
• Notary of the Public - FL
• Walden University
• Ursuline College
• Dean’s List
• Summa Cum Laude
• NSLS Honor Society
• Who's Who in America
• National Honors Society
• Presidential Student Award
• Antioch MBC Youth Leadership
• SCPS Diversity Team
• SCPS Transportation Wellness Committee
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to assertive Christian faith-based principles and the ability to align them succinctly to my professional career. I have been given a great deal of latitude and autonomy to "spread my wings" to show my truest skill sets throughout the course of ny career. Oftentimes the essence of an individual is diminished, hidden, or limited to achieve the ultimate success being sought after. However, I have had the liberty to exhibit my worth and tenacious character through the career challenges I have faced. Success is truly what you make of the good, bad, and the ugly of your career path.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is finish what you started even if you fell during the process. Teach yourself that failure is the foundational base of career success. Your ability to build on that base stems from you recognizing the inadequacies of yourself, taking proper measures to fix them, and continuous reconfiguration accordingly. You have to know yourself first before you can assist, teach, and/or lead others. Your personal success can make or break the successes of others; always serve others through serving the BEST YOU available.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would tell young women entering the field is to always advocate for themselves and commit to continuous personal growth. Building your skills, speaking up for your ideas, and staying curious will help you thrive in any environment. ALWAYS be willing to agree, have adaptability, and embrace change even if it is not your first train of thought. Utilization of these concepts, as well as many others, are major components in this field that cannot be avoided, overlooked or worked around. You must possess the willingness to incorporate them to arrive at the end goal. So remember: strike hard, fast, and direct, but ultimately STRIKE!
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges of the field right now are allowing the status quo to define your outcomes. Advancements in technology, such as AI, and new wave applications are phenomenal ideas in any given field today. However, the focus should always be on "Where does MY skill set(s) fit into the grand scheme of the process(es)?" This attitude will afford you great opportunities to tailor your approach(es) to an ever changing world significantly while you yet maintain steady control. Be defined by the field to a point, but not to give up your true identity. Self-worth is an invaluable element that frames and shapes who you are!
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value of both my work and personal life is the reliance on and guidance of my Christianity. I use my Christian views to direct my professional life on my personal conduct, handling a difficult task, person(s), or given situation. I often place myself, deeply, into whatever is presented to arrive at the greatest outcome feasible. At the end of each day, I want others to see, hear, and know that the encounter with Barbara was presented as amicable because I was amiable in my demeanor. First AND last impressions are so extremely important everywhere now because of the culture we are in. Everyday life, social media platforms, etc. can often cast lights of you, either in a good or bad way, which can lead to hurting or helping you. Therefore, you should challenge yourself more so than and far beyond what others do. What people see of you should be what they also get from you!!