For Barb Snyder, leadership has never been about titles—it’s always been about service.
As Vice President of HR Strategy and Consulting at OneDigital, Barb’s work centers on helping organizations and people grow with intention. Her passion lies in solving complex problems, removing barriers to success, and helping leaders rediscover purpose and joy in their work. “I love it,” she says simply—and you can feel that conviction in everything she does.
Beyond her professional role, Barb also serves as President of the Prescott Area HR Association (PAHRA), a SHRM affiliate dedicated to supporting HR professionals and business leaders through education, resources, and community awareness. Her involvement is rooted in a deep belief that strong businesses build strong communities.
Originally from Montana, Barb and her husband chose Prescott Valley for its rural lifestyle and sense of connection. Growing up on dirt roads surrounded by rodeos, cows, and open land shaped her values early on. Today, they live that same lifestyle on their small artisan ranch, where they raise and sell grass-fed, hormone-free beef to local families—fully embracing the beauty of small-town life in Yavapai County.
Community isn’t just something Barb supports—it’s something she lives. From Bible study friendships at Heights Church to her work on the PAHRA board, her contributions are deeply personal. “This is a dream come true for me,” she shares. “I remember a time when I dreamed of having the problems I face today—and that’s some kind of blessing.”
Barb believes strong women leaders lead by listening—truly listening—beyond the noise. As mothers, partners, professionals, and volunteers, women often juggle competing demands. The most effective leaders, she says, stay grounded in service. “Show me a successful female leader and I’ll show you someone with a team of successful soldiers following her into battle each day.” When leaders focus on meeting the needs of others, trust, loyalty, engagement, and joy naturally follow.
One of Barb’s proudest accomplishments is how she transformed a life-defining challenge into a source of strength. Born profoundly deaf, she relied on lip reading for the first 33 years of her life—an experience that sharpened her ability to observe, listen deeply, and adapt. When she finally found technology that allowed her to hear, she describes the world as exploding into technicolor. That same resilience and focus now fuel her leadership and impact.
Being underestimated has also shaped her leadership style. Rather than reacting emotionally, Barb leads with preparation, data, and thoughtful questions. “Being underestimated almost makes me smile now,” she says. “If they don’t get it after the facts, that’s a them problem.”
Today, Barb is most excited about sharing her story on stage. Through speaking engagements filled with humor and honesty, she connects her hearing-loss journey to universal lessons about overcoming self-doubt and mental noise. “Everyone has head trash,” she explains. “Mine just came with a volume issue.”
And while many are surprised to learn about her hearing loss, Barb credits her parents’ early investment in speech pathology and education for giving her the tools to thrive—proof that support, belief, and perseverance can change the trajectory of a life.
Barb Snyder is living proof that leadership doesn’t require the loudest voice—just the clearest purpose.
