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    BPI Expert Faculty

    Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D

    Principal and Senior Consultant

    HUMANED and Sibson Consulting

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.With over 35 years of experience, she consults for public, land-grant, private, and research universities.
    • 2.She serves as a consultant educator for the National Science Foundation's COACh program, focusing on faculty development.
    • 3.Dr. Butterfield is a past president of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).
    • 4.She has authored three books on topics related to organizational development and higher education.

    About Dr.

    Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D is a Principal at HUMANED and Senior Consultant at Sibson Consulting, and an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, known for her extensive experience in higher education leadership and organizational consulting.

    Who is Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D?

    Dr. Barbara Butterfield is a distinguished leader and consultant with over 35 years of experience in higher education. As a Principal at HUMANED and a Senior Consultant at Sibson Consulting, she brings a wealth of expertise to institutions and organizations seeking to optimize their human resources and administrative functions. Her work spans various sectors, including public, land-grant, private, research, and corporate environments.

    Dr. Butterfield currently serves as an executive consultant to the University of Michigan and a senior consultant to the Segal Corporation. Additionally, she is a consultant educator for COACh through the National Science Foundation, where she supports Advance Program seminars focused on faculty development. Her insights are highly valued in the academic and professional communities.

    Quick facts about Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D

    RolePrincipal, Senior Consultant, Consultant Educator
    CompanyHUMANED, Sibson Consulting, University of Michigan, Segal Corporation, National Science Foundation
    ExpertiseHigher Education Administration, Faculty Development, Organizational Consulting, Human Resources
    Notable forOver 35 years in higher education, author of three books, past president of CUPA-HR
    BPI affiliationExpert Faculty member

    What is Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D known for?

    Dr. Butterfield is recognized for her comprehensive understanding of higher education administration and her practical approach to faculty development. Her notable contributions include:

    • Over three decades of service and leadership in higher education across diverse institutional types.
    • Consulting engagements with prominent universities such as Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and the University of Michigan.
    • Her role as a consultant educator for COACh, contributing to faculty development through the National Science Foundation's Advance Programs.
    • Authorship of three books, solidifying her thought leadership in the field.
    • Serving as a past president of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).

    What is Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D's background and experience?

    Dr. Butterfield's career is marked by extensive involvement in higher education and organizational consulting. She has dedicated over 35 years to various roles, leveraging her expertise to drive administrative efficiency and foster faculty excellence.

    Her academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in education administration. Further enhancing her executive capabilities, she is an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business Advanced Management Program. This blend of academic rigor and practical business acumen underpins her effectiveness as a consultant and educator.

    What topics does Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D speak and write about?

    Dr. Butterfield’s work frequently addresses critical areas within higher education and organizational development. Her expertise encompasses the complexities of university administration, covering everything from strategic planning to employee engagement and leadership development. She is particularly passionate about faculty development, aiming to empower educators with the tools and strategies they need to excel.

    Her insights extend to organizational change, learning strategies, and the design of effective assessment and evaluation frameworks. Through her books and consulting work, she provides guidance on cultivating creativity and innovation, implementing robust coaching programs, and fostering self-development within professional settings. These themes reflect her commitment to enhancing institutional effectiveness and individual growth.

    How does Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D contribute to the Best Practice Institute?

    As an expert faculty member with the Best Practice Institute, Dr. Barbara Butterfield shares her profound knowledge and experience with BPI members. Her contributions align with BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices in leadership and organizational development. While specific webinar titles were not provided, her areas of expertise — notably organizational development, learning and leadership development, employee engagement, and strategic planning — directly support the principles embedded in the SPARK Model and the ethos of a Most Loved Workplace®.

    Dr. Butterfield's work helps BPI members navigate challenges related to human resources in higher education, fostering environments where talent can thrive. Her focus on faculty development and effective administrative practices provides valuable insights for creating highly engaged and productive academic settings, ultimately contributing to better workplace experiences.

    Where can you learn more from Dr. Barbara Butterfield, Ph.D?

    BPI members can access Dr. Barbara Butterfield's insights through the Best Practice Institute's expert resources. Her contributions provide valuable perspectives on higher education administration, faculty development, and organizational consulting. For further information, explore her profile on the Best Practice Institute website and look for her published works.

    Background & Perspective

    Background

    Dr. Barbara Butterfield has over 35 years of experience in higher education and organizational consulting. She earned a Ph.D. in education administration and is an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business Advanced Management Program. Her career has been dedicated to improving administrative efficiency and promoting faculty excellence across a variety of institutions.

    Areas of Expertise

    Dr. Butterfield specializes in the complexities of university administration, from strategic planning to employee engagement. Her key areas of focus include:

    • Higher Education Administration
    • Faculty Development
    • Organizational Consulting
    • Strategic Planning
    • Leadership Development
    • Employee Engagement
    • Assessments & Evaluations

    Professional Affiliations & Roles

    Dr. Butterfield holds multiple consulting positions, reflecting her esteemed reputation in the field. She is currently a Principal at HUMANED, a Senior Consultant at Sibson Consulting, an executive consultant to the University of Michigan, and a senior consultant to the Segal Corporation. She also serves as a consultant educator for COACh through the National Science Foundation. Previously, she was the president of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).

    Areas of Expertise

    Higher Education AdministrationFaculty DevelopmentOrganizational ConsultingLearning & DevelopmentLeadership DevelopmentStrategic PlanningEmployee Engagement

    Research Topics

    Organizational Development & ChangeLearning & DevelopmentLeadership DevelopmentEmployee EngagementAssessments & Evaluations

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    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.