Honoring a Founding Leader: Celebrating Barb Anderson’s Legacy of Service to Youth Solutions

Since the very beginning of Youth Solutions in 2017, Barb Anderson has been a steady, dedicated force in shaping the organization’s vision, governance, and long-term impact. As one of our founding Board Members, Barb’s leadership, expertise, and commitment to Michigan’s youth have helped guide Youth Solutions from its earliest days into the strong and growing organization it is today. 

Barb was first voted in as Board Secretary in 2017 at the time of Youth Solutions’ formation. Fresh into her retirement from Dow Corning, where she spent more than two decades as a corporate counsel,  Barb brought deep legal expertise, strong governance experience, and a steady, principled leadership style to our organization. Her continued leadership led to her election as Board Chair in 2021, where she helped guide the Board through significant periods of growth, innovation, and expanded statewide impact.

Throughout her years of service, Barb has been deeply engaged beyond office roles. She served on the Advancement, Risk, and Finance Committees, lending her insight, strategic thinking, and steady leadership to some of Youth Solutions’ most critical areas of oversight. She also consistently supported youth and staff by volunteering at Youth Solutions’ annual Career Development Conferences. 

Barb reflected on one of her most memorable experiences during Youth Solutions’ early years, “There was a board meeting in the first year or two of the formation of Youth Solutions during which there was a lively discussion involving nearly every board member about the expansion of programming beyond the existing framework. In about the same time frame, I had visited classrooms, attended the Career Development Conference and listened to the young people and teachers. It was exciting to use my experiences to support Youth Solutions in that turning point, and after, to become more impactful to the success of so many more young people.” 

Throughout both her career and her Board service, Barb has modeled integrity, thoughtful decision-making, and a genuine dedication to creating opportunities for young people. Her insight and unwavering commitment strengthened Youth Solutions during pivotal moments of growth and helped ensure that our mission to provide Michigan’s youth access to meaningful, career-connected learning remains at the center of everything we do. 

“Barb’s leadership has shaped Youth Solutions in profound and lasting ways. Our organization simply wouldn’t be what it is today without her steady guidance, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for Michigan’s youth. Beyond her leadership, Barb has shown kindness, humility, and genuine support for our team, qualities that have meant so much to all of us on the Youth Solutions team. We are deeply grateful for her years of service and the legacy she leaves behind.” Sonya Blanzy, Deputy Director, Youth Solutions

From day one, Barb brought wisdom, compassion, and unwavering belief in the Youth Solutions mission and team. She has been a champion not only for Michigan’s youth, but also for the staff who serve them. The impact of her legacy will continue to guide Youth Solutions for years to come.