Chief Executive

Barbara Blackwell – Chief Executive of Principia

Barbara Blackwell was appointed Chief Executive of Principia in July 2022, following four years serving as Principia’s Chief Advancement Officer and a year as Acting Chief Planning Officer.

With extensive experience in educational administration, management, and fundraising, Barbara has held leadership roles at private liberal arts colleges and independent secondary schools. She is a proven consensus builder and strategic decision-maker, skilled in team building, program development, and innovation.

Barbara earned a bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Her career includes progressively demanding positions, including serving as Vice President for Development and Donor Relations for the Pittsburgh Foundation, Vice President for Advancement at Washington & Jefferson College, Director of Development for Lake Highland Preparatory School, and Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver. She has extensive experience working with boards and leading institutional change.

She and her husband, Rob, live on the School campus with their dog, Duffy. Their daughter, Grace, graduated from Principia Upper School in 2020. As Chief Executive, Barbara is responsible for strategically leading and managing Principia, shaping the institutional vision in partnership with the Board of Trustees and the two campus heads (Head of School and College President). While she oversees the effective operation of both campuses and shared services units as a single institution, primary responsibility for the educational programs rests with the Head of School and College President.