Teresa Barnhill
Teresa Barnhill is an accomplished senior leader, award-winning strategist, and independent consultant specializing in leadership development, workforce training, and executive coaching. As CEO and Principal Consultant of ATB Consulting, LLC, she partners with leaders across industries—including law firms, manufacturing, education, and nonprofit organizations—to cultivate inclusive leadership practices and create practical, actionable career development plans. Teresa combines strategic vision with servant leadership, helping individuals and organizations thrive by aligning people, purpose, and measurable outcomes.
Teresa’s professional focus centers on designing experiential, adult-learning-driven curricula that equip leaders to "lead all people well." She believes leadership can be exercised from any seat in an organization and emphasizes the alignment of personal and professional goals. Her DEI philosophy prioritizes giving everyone a fair opportunity while connecting inclusion efforts to tangible business results. Throughout her career, she has created onboarding programs to reverse attrition among underrepresented populations, developed global DEIB scorecards, and implemented multicultural marketing strategies that increased engagement and revenue.
With over 20 years of experience, Teresa’s career spans education and corporate leadership. She began as a teacher at the secondary and community college levels before transitioning into corporate roles at Hallmark, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, VML, and DXC Technology, where she served as Global Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her work has consistently focused on advancing equity, cultivating talent, and driving organizational success. Following her tenure at DXC, Teresa launched her consulting practice full-time, bringing her extensive expertise to a diverse range of clients. She holds a Master of Science from East Carolina University and a certificate in Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies from Cornell University, and she continues to advance inclusive leadership practices and workforce development strategies across industries.
• Certificate, Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
• East Carolina University - BS, English
• Graduate, Leadershp Memphis
• American Marketing Association Princeville
• Volunteer (BackSnack Packer at Hallmark)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for helping people and influencing others to achieve their full potential. My career began in education, teaching middle and high school students as well as at the community college level, and that experience of guiding and empowering others has shaped every role I’ve held since. Over the years, I have held leadership positions at Hallmark, where I served as editorial director, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in their marketing division, and as Global Director of Diversity and Inclusion at DXC Technology. Each of these experiences has contributed to my ability to consult, coach, and develop leaders and workforces today, and I am inspired every day by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through my work.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to protect your spirit. I’ve learned that maintaining your energy, focus, and well-being is essential to leading effectively, influencing others positively, and sustaining a long and fulfilling career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Protect your spirit by ensuring your work aligns with your values; lead from wherever you are and pursue lifelong learning to expand impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are balance, growth, and nurturing others. I find fulfillment in helping people succeed professionally while also dedicating time to personal passions, such as gardening, reading, growing my own vegetables, and supporting my husband’s food truck business by managing the books. These activities ground me, foster creativity, and remind me of the importance of care, patience, and intentionality in everything I do.