Celebrating Barbara Browning: A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation at CCRP
April 8, 2025
A Decade of Dedicated Service
After well over a decade of dedicated service, CCRP bids a fond farewell to our Associate Director Barbara Browning, whose mentorship, innovation, and commitment to community transformation have left an enduring mark on our organization and the communities we serve.
Since joining CCRP in 2013, Barbara has been a driving force behind numerous initiatives designed to bring about significant community change. Her extensive work in Del Norte County, where she traveled over 350 times, helped build deep and meaningful relationships that continue to strengthen community partnerships today.
Leadership Philosophy and Team Building
"I always view people as a whole person, not just somebody doing a job," Barbara reflects. "I strive to empower the next generation of leaders by providing them with the tools and support they need to build skills to be successful."
Barbara's leadership philosophy has shaped CCRP's organizational culture in profound ways. Since 2016, she has participated in virtually every hiring decision, carefully building a collaborative team based on skill sets, fit for the work, and the ability to be great colleagues. Her approach to leadership emphasizes empowerment, creating an environment where everyone can work at their full potential.
Impactful Projects and Innovative Methods
As a trained facilitator in Collaborative Innovation, Barbara has led impactful projects including The Youth Training Academy and, Building Healthy Communities, and Health Career Pathways work in Del Norte County. Her contributions extend far beyond project management to include the development of new methods and tools that have revolutionized CCRP's operations – from human-centered design approaches to results-based accountability frameworks, a robust dashboard, and sophisticated tracking and funding forecasting systems.
Barbara's unique ability to ask thoughtful, thought-provoking questions has broken tons of ice and encouraged deeper reflection at countless meetings, community events, and presentations. Her mentorship has been invaluable to many colleagues, supporting their professional growth and development while strengthening CCRP's partnerships with key partners including Del Norte Unified School District, local healthcare providers, College of the Redwoods, and the Yurok Tribe.
Strategic Efficiency and Resource Management
One of Barbara's most valuable qualities has been her strategic approach to resource management. She has a remarkable ability to identify when a project would benefit from outside expertise, making timely decisions about when to delegate or bring in specialized support. This discernment allowed her to maintain focus on core objectives while ensuring the highest quality outcomes. By identifying the simplest, most effective paths forward and eliminating unnecessary complexities, Barbara helped CCRP maximize its impact. Her thoughtful approach to workload management and priority-setting has become an integral part of our organization’s operational philosophy.
A Tribute from CCRP
Colleagues have shared heartfelt reflections on Barbara's impact. Dawn Arledge, CCRP’s Executive Director who’s worked closely with Barbara says:
"Barbara has been part of CCRP's fabric for 12+ years. As Associate Director, she brought in and led projects, mentored staff and partners, and facilitated difficult conversations. Her gift for listening and weaving ideas together, along with her readiness to support others, leaves a lasting mark on all who worked with her. Barbara, we'll miss you and continue your good work!"
Amanda Peçanha Hickey, Research and Policy Director adds:
"I'll miss Barbara's incredible ability to nurture projects, people, and places, as evidenced by her work in Del Norte County. She made us all better collaborators and teammates. Her personal connection to our work was evident—we could always count on having a 'good cry' over inspirational moments with community partners. Barbara, you are irreplaceable!"
And Alannah Smith, Operations Director notes:
"Barbara's dedication to mentoring staff has been unmatched. Her ability to listen, advise, and take action is remarkable. She has a gift for bringing people together and building relationships that sparked amazing projects. Barbara, your legacy at CCRP will endure. It's been a privilege working with you—thank you, and we all wish you the very best in your retirement!"
Rich Background and Future Plans
Before joining CCRP, Barbara spent 10 years running her own professional organizing, training, and facilitation business, OrderWithin, following roles as an Operations Director in the non-profit sector and a 20-year career as a massage therapist. This diverse background, complemented by her B.A. in psychology from Cal Poly Humboldt, has enabled her to bring a unique blend of skills to CCRP's operations and community initiatives.
As Barbara embraces retirement, she looks forward to returning to her healing skills, gardening, growing herbs, touring in her Eurovan with her husband Ron and her labradoodle Paco, and playing the ukulele. She also plans to continue her passion for Romance languages and other creative pursuits.
A Lasting Legacy
Barbara's legacy at CCRP is woven into the fabric of our organization, reflected in our strategic vision, operational excellence, and the strong, collaborative team that continues to carry forward her commitment to community change. While we will miss her daily presence, her influence will continue to guide and inspire our work for years to come.
