Her Story
About Barbara
Barbara McVeigh serves as founder and director of the California Carter Initiative based in Fairfax, California. She established the initiative on October 1, 2017, as a grassroots effort to celebrate and reframe President Jimmy Carter's legacy of peace, diplomacy, and environmental initiatives through events, city and county proclamations, and international cultural projects such as a proposed statue of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in San Francisco. McVeigh earned a degree in literature from San Francisco State University and previously worked as a journalist and talk show producer at KQED Radio, built creative teams in the commercial sector, and created documentary films including The Man Behind the White Guitar, which won international awards. She attributes her success to mentors including Michael Krasny, J. Michael Kelly, Jose Netto, her mother Deborah Santana, and Felicia Gaston, who inspired her to follow her authenticity and pursue work driven by love rather than financial gain. Her values center on honesty, trust, giving, and uplifting positive stories through the arts and community building.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Barbara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the people in my life who inspired me, like Michael Krasny, J. Michael Kelly who worked in the Carter administration, Jose Netto who taught me to be an artist, my mother, Deborah Santana, and Felicia Gaston. These individuals trusted me and gave me opportunities that allowed me to follow my passions and create impactful work.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Follow your authenticity. Follow who you are. Don't do it for money. Do it for love. A lot of that came from Jose Netto who taught me how to be an artist and to let go of things I felt I had to hold onto. I walked away from a wealthy marriage to do what I loved, and that love went into projects that had real impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Thank you, we need the healers, people who believe in the best of humanity. Keep shining that light because that light will diminish the darkness. Believing in the best of people and in yourself that you can make a positive impact. Go for it, don't stop, and find your tribe. Listen to the people who say yes.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In honor of my dad, honesty - being as honest as you can even if it hurts. Putting the love out into the world. Trusting people. And giving, because when you give it creates and it's time to return what has been given to us.
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