Barry has a rich and varied background uniquely suited to supporting Catholic schools. Originally trained as a city planner, he felt drawn to theological studies, studying as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of San Francisco before finding his home in Catholic education. He recently completed a 28-year career at Junípero Serra, a single gender boys high school in San Mateo, California where he served as theology teacher, tennis coach, academic dean, principal and for the last 5 years, as president.
Serra flourished under Barry’s guidance, and he both advanced the school and successfully set the stage for future growth.
Working closely with the Board of Regents and the building and finance committees, he planned, fundraised and executed 5 projects at Serra totalling approximately $30 million. His city planning experience proved invaluable in the work. Barry skillfully navigated the governmental regulatory environment impacting campus development and uses critical path decision-making to execute projects. He collaborated with the board, design teams, and diocesan officials to align strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and the building design processes. As a result, he completed all of the building projects on time and on budget. The results are powerful - clear expectations, ongoing success, timely results, and effective financial management. The community and financial partners respond enthusiastically to this leadership.
Barry led Serra in successfully executing the $38 million Always Forward Capital Campaign, the largest campaign in school history. Always Forward achieved 125% of the fundraising goal set by the feasibility study. Barry personally solicited 5 of the campaign’s 7, seven-figure gifts, including the largest capital gift of $7.5 million. The campaign doubled the school’s endowment to over $22 million. Projects included robotics, classrooms, major infrastructure upgrades, a baseball field, and the landmark Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation. Throughout his tenure as president and while engaging in the capital campaign, Serra’s increased annual parent and alumni giving by over 80% and the school’s fundraising gala to raise over $1 million on a yearly basis.
He executed major planning exercises, including a comprehensive strategic plan, Transforming Lives, a comprehensive school master plan, Ensuring the Future, and a facilities improvement plan. He inaugurated signature student learning programs including Serra Global - to connect students throughout the world - and the Design Led Innovation program. He further expanded counseling services for student health and wellness, and expanded Campus Ministry leadership. School accreditation assessments scored Serra at the highest possible ranking for over a decade.
Barry is deeply invested and brings a wealth of experience in the Catholic educational mission. His theological training, and 22 years of academic leadership and demonstrated success in school advancement, allows him to provide holistic guidance to school leadership and Boards as they navigate complex issues.
However, Barry believes that the most meaningful marker of success throughout his career has been seeing boys grow into outstanding young men - who know that they are made in the image and likeness of our God, who love deeply, who seek mercy, fight for justice and go out in the world to make a difference for the good in the world.
Barry earned his BS City Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, an MA Theology from St Patrick’s Seminary, and his Doctorate in Catholic Educational Leadership from the University of San Francisco. He loves fly fishing, cycling, downhill skiing and historical biographies. He lives with his wife Susie, also an educator, in San Mateo, California.
