Deborah Barker joined Cahaba River Society in 2024 as Interim Executive Director, and is working closely with our board of directors, staff, and volunteers to develop a strategic plan to build on the organization’s 36-year legacy of protecting the Cahaba River. 

Deborah has extensive experience in local and national non-profit, international manufacturing, and government.  Her varied resume gives her a unique perspective supporting growth and revenue development. 

Deborah started her non-profit career with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in 2005 as the South Texas Chapter’s Director for the Team In Training Campaign. Managing multiple campaigns and building several Texas markets, including Austin, she was promoted to Executive Director of the chapter in 2013. Deborah moved to Connecticut as Executive Director of the Connecticut Westchester Hudson Valley chapter on special assignment in 2017. There, she rebuilt the struggling market for the permanent Executive Director. Deborah completed her time at LLS as Region Vice President of the Midwest, managing fifteen chapters, 150+ staff, and $60M in revenue. She continued her non-profit work at March of Dimes, where she served in multiple Interim Executive Director roles supporting markets in the West. Most recently, she served as the interim CEO for Mission Capital in Austin, Texas, supporting the organization through a CEO search. She has provided both interim leadership and organizational assessment support, including revenue staff, board, and structure.

Deborah has developed and implemented strategic planning with the goal of providing organizations with the tools they need to grow and prosper. She also has extensive management, organizational assessment, and board and volunteer development experience. She excels at supporting mission-driven work, revenue growth, staff, and change management.

Deborah permanent home is in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband Jim. She is blessed to have her son and his family close by as well. She enjoys hiking, time with family and friends, reading, and traveling. She has currently visited ten countries and has a bucket list of many more. Deborah’s philanthropic interests include cancer research, veterans, conservation, and food insecurity.