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From growing up in the small country of Belize to serving as an AI project manager at Meta, Barbara Usher ‘82 says it was her Mount education and selfless mentors that set her on her path toward success and generosity.

Barbara had never considered a career in technology when she started her journey at the Mount. But one of the University’s courses — Introduction to Programming — changed that. “This class was so challenging and I had to work so hard at it, but it fueled my desire to improve and learn more,” she remembers.

Although she was eager to pursue more computer classes, the program was in its nascent stages at the Mount. “My professor, Dr. Daniel Stogryn, said, ‘Barbara, just tell me what you want to learn, and we will co-design independent computer studies for you.’” By the time she graduated, Barbara was ready to manage the Mount’s computer center for Dr. Stogryn and teach some of his computer classes while he took a one-year sabbatical.

“I learned so much,” Barbara says. “Dr. Stogryn and [former academic dean] Father Matthew Delaney were my role models and mentors — they were father figures to me. They gave me so much confidence and believed in me more than I believed in myself.” She remained in close contact with both men after she left the Mount and they continued to serve as her mentors.

After earning her bachelor’s degree, she obtained her master’s and PhD at Claremont Graduate University, leading to a stellar career as a senior management consultant at PwC, a consultant for many tech startups in Silicon Valley, program manager at Google, and now Meta AI. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to giving back, serving as a mentor, coach and sponsor. “I am passionate about coaching women in technology because it can be a challenging field to navigate, and I know firsthand the impact mentorship had on me,” she says.

Barbara, a dedicated member of the Mount’s Board of Trustees and a longtime supporter, recently joined the Heritage Society by including the University in her estate plans. Her thoughtful contribution will establish an endowed scholarship, creating lasting support for future generations of students.

“My time at the Mount was the most pivotal step in my life; it opened up so many opportunities for me. I truly believe that when you educate a woman, you educate a whole generation,’” she says. “It is true: Educating women has ripple effects. The Mount educated me, and I want to continue that ripple effect for future generations.”