# Barbara Fagan

> Barbara Fagan is the founder and CEO of ROI Communication, an internal communication and employee engagement consultancy founded in 2001 and wholly employee-owned since 2021. A former ABC News producer and Quantum communications director, she also founded Living ROI and Family ROI, writes about planning and family life, and created the Enlightened Workplace Project. Her 2026 anniversary reflection describes a renewed focus on helping people navigate AI-driven workplace change.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at ROI Communication
- **Organizations:** ROI Communication, Living ROI, Family ROI, ABC News, Quantum Corporation, Simply Interactive Inc., IABC, Arthur W. Page Society
- **Education:** B.A. in Journalism and Communications, Humboldt State University, California Institute of Integral Studies
- **Known for:** Founded ROI Communication in 2001., Led ROI through its transition to 100% employee ownership in 2021., Selected for the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1991** — Produced national radio programs and covered international business for ABC; exact employment dates are not established.
- **1991** — Covered the Gulf War as a London-based ABC News television producer; also covered revolutions in Eastern Europe.
- **Before 2001** — Held director roles in interactive communication at Simply Interactive and employee and electronic communication at Quantum.
- **2001** — Founded ROI Communication; HP became its first customer around the HP-Compaq merger.
- **2008** — Selected as an Enterprising Women of the Year Award winner.
- **2009-2014** — Served on the IABC International Executive Board, according to her LinkedIn profile.
- **2011-2018** — Member and trustee of the Arthur W. Page Society, according to her LinkedIn profile.
- **2021** — ROI became 100% employee-owned through an ESOP; Sheryl Lewis became president and Fagan remained CEO.
- **2026** — Marked ROI’s 25th anniversary and described AI workplace transformation as a renewed professional focus.

## Achievements

- Founded ROI Communication in 2001.
- Led ROI through its transition to 100% employee ownership in 2021.
- Selected for the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards.
- Named one of Silicon Valley’s most influential women by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
- Created the Enlightened Workplace Project leadership course.
- Authored Strategic Planning for Internal Communicators and A Weekly Guide for Soulful Living.
- Co-authored The Family ROI Experience with Lesli Gee.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Published her August 18 reflection on 25 years since ROI’s incorporation and her renewed interest in AI workplace transformation.
- **2026-08** — Contributed to ROI’s August 11 reflection on 25 years of change management communication.

## Links

- Website: https://roico.com/profiles/barbara-fagan/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaramfagan
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/bfagansmith
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFycjZvPKFoTGkgDqX7j3LQ

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/barbara-fagan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-06