Her Story
About Wendi
Wendi Barlow is a seasoned learning consultant, facilitator, and coach with more than 25 years of experience helping individuals and organizations build stronger leaders through impactful learning and development. She began her career as a high school teacher before transitioning into adult and higher education, where she taught business communication, public speaking, and professional writing. Her passion for connecting education with workplace success led her into workforce development and corporate learning, ultimately establishing her as a trusted expert in leadership, management, and professional development. Wendi earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale and completed graduate coursework in Workforce Education and Development with a focus on instructional design. She has also earned numerous professional certifications, including Insights Discovery Accreditation and SLII Qualified Facilitator.
In 2001, Wendi joined Accenture, where she played a key role in large-scale train-the-trainer initiatives at the company's Global Training Center, developing facilitators and supporting leadership and behavioral development programs for thousands of professionals. Following leadership roles in organizational development, she founded Wendi Barlow Consulting, LLC in 2009, where she has spent more than 15 years partnering with Fortune 500 companies and mid-sized organizations across manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, and professional services. Her clients have included Infineon Technologies, Cornell University, The Campbell's Company, and Accenture, delivering blended learning journeys that integrate instructor-led training, virtual learning, coaching, and peer collaboration to create lasting behavioral change and measurable business results.
Beyond her consulting practice, Wendi is an active contributor to the learning and organizational development community. She serves as Director of Membership for the Community of Organizational Development in Chicagoland (CODIC), is a longtime member of the Mississippi Valley ATD chapter, and has volunteered as a reviewer for the International Coaching Federation Converge Conference and as a judge for the Chief Learning Officer Learning Elite Awards. Guided by the values of stewardship and inclusiveness, Wendi is passionate about preparing the next generation of leaders while creating safe environments where coaching, mentoring, and continuous learning can thrive. She remains committed to designing practical, engaging learning experiences that empower professionals to apply new skills long after the training has ended.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Wendi
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay adaptable and maintain a growth mindset. Be open to learning, embrace change, and continue investing in yourself through training, certifications, and professional development. Staying relevant is essential in an evolving field. I believe in practicing what I preach—I even maintain my teaching certification, despite only using it for one year, because I value lifelong learning and keeping my credentials current.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is ensuring organizations continue to invest in learning and development, especially during times of change or economic uncertainty. At the same time, these challenges create opportunities to embrace new learning methods, strengthen virtual and blended learning, and make leadership development more accessible. I believe that investing in continuous learning at every level of an organization leads to stronger people, better leaders, and long-term success.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are stewardship and inclusiveness. I believe in preparing and empowering the next generation of leaders by sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and creating opportunities for growth. I also value fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where people feel safe to learn, collaborate, and help one another succeed.
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