Founder & Principal

​​​​From the heart of the Hot Delta of Bourbon Mississippi, and the gold mines of the blue grass state, Fort Knox Kentucky, and fresh from an extended stay on the economy in Germany, Barbara A. Washington stepped into the Gateway City three decades ago. With a heaping helping of Southern hospitality and a dash of European flair, Washington has the unique ingredients for success in the world of public relations, fund-raising, and special events. She is an accomplished motivational speaker, vocalist, and a public relations and special events professional.​

Washington is a public relations veteran. Her affiliation with Mathews-Dickey spanned more than 30 years, first as a volunteer and later as its longtime vice-president of public relations and special events. Washington served as the official Club spokesperson, directing and managing communications with the Club’s key audiences. This encompassed members and parents, staff, volunteers and alumni, corporate sponsors, funding institutions such as the United Way of Greater St. Louis, community leaders, and the general public. To accomplish her goals, Washington managed and directed a professionally-skilled volunteer force of 250 individuals of diverse professional backgrounds to assist with fund-raising, program development, and publicity. Washington’s special skill in non-profit fundraising is spinning a shoestring budget into a profitable event. In the early years of building the public relations and special events department, she developed a knack for forging partnerships with corporate communications professionals and public relations firms to spread positive messages about the organization. Prior to joining Mathews-Dickey, Washington worked in financial institutions, economic development, and convention planning. Washington has studied journalism and communications at Fontbonne University, St. Louis University and the Maryland Extension University in Nuremberg,West Germany. She also has earned the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation, the hallmark of achievement in the events industry bestowed by ISES.

 Work History

Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club, VP/PR & Special Events

General American Life Insurance Co., Conference Planner

Regional Commerce & Growth Association (RCGA), Administrative Assistant

Gardner Advertising (Advancers), Executive Assistant to the President

Personal Development

Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), International Special Events Society

Hickey Business School, St. Louis, MO

Arthur J. Kennedy Skills Center, St. Louis, MO

General Public Relations and Business coursework at Fontbonne University, Saint Louis University and Forest Park Community College

Professional Memberships

Zonta Club of St. Louis, Yellow Rose Chair and Current Member

International Special Events Society (ISES) Member

Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis, Board of Directors and

“Media Person of the Year” Dinner General Chair 

National Association of Female Executives, Member

Missouri Community Service Commission, Commissioner

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

National Society of Fund Raising Executives

National and Missouri Federation of Press Women

 Awards & Recognitions​

• Silver Medal Award and a Proclamation declaring “Barbara Washington Day in St. Louis” by Mayor Francis L. Slay.
• Selected as Organization Planner of the Year Finalist for the Event Solutions Spotlight Award Committee.
• First woman inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of fame.
• Elected Vice President of Membership and President for International Special Events Society — MO Chapter;
• Appointed and served a 20 year term to Board of the Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis.
• Received BJC Health System’s Spirit of Women Award by actress Linda Evans
• Mosby Yearbook’s Times-Mirror Division President ‘s John Francis Dill Covey Leadership First Things First Quadrant II Time Management Conference in New York candidate.
• ​​Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Salute to Women in Leadership Award
• NAACP Benjamin Hooks Award
• ISES (International Special Events Society) - St. Louis Chapter Icon, President and Best Non-Profit Event Louis Award
• Gertrude E. Rush Award by the National Bar Association
• ​Presidential Motorcade protocol handler for President Barack Obama
• St. Louis American Non-Profit Executive of the Year Award
• University of Missouri’s Hellenic Spirit Athena Award
• National Federation of Press Women — Missouri Affiliate Quest Award
• Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis Catfish Award
• Governor Mel Carnahan’s Council on Physical & Health Fitness Leadership Award
• Washington Times American Leadership Conference — Certificate of Recognition
• United Way of Greater St. Louis Outstanding Torch Lighter Award, Star Communicator and Volunteer Center Certification
• Webster University, Lindenwood University and St. Louis University Award

​​Awards & Certificates

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• Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Salute to Women in Leadership Award
• NAACP Benjamin Hooks Award
• ISES (International Special Events Society) - St. Louis Chapter Icon, President and Best Non-Profit Event Louis Award
• First Non-Lawyer to receive the Gertrude E. Rush Award by the National Bar Association
• ​Coordinated Presidential Motorcade drivers at the request of Secret Service from President Barack Obama
• St. Louis American Non-Profit Executive of the Year Award
• Archway Chapter of The Links Salute to Outstanding Women Leader Award
• University of Missouri’s Hellenic Spirit Athena Award
• National Federation of Press Women — Missouri Affiliate Quest Award
• Annie Malone Children’s & Family Service Center Woman Advocate Award
• The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Alpha Nu Chapter Citation Award
• Top Ladies of Distinction Confluence Chapter “Achieving Excellence, One Step Beyond Community” Service Award
• Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis Catfish Award
• Older Women’s League (OWL) “Woman of Worth” Award​
• Phi Delta Kappa Humanitarian Award
• Governor Mel Carnahan’s Council on Physical & Health Fitness Leadership Award
• Lafayette High School and Pattonville High School Excellence in Achievement and Dedication Award​
• Anheuser-Busch KATZ Community and You Award Leadership Conference Award
• Washington Times American Leadership Conference — Certificate of Recognition
• United Way of Greater St. Louis Outstanding Torch Lighter Award, Star Communicator and Volunteer Center Certification
• Webster University, Lindenwood University, and St. Louis University awards for volunteerism.