Barbara Harrison is an accomplished executive-level commercial safety and human resources leader with vast experience across various business areas, organisations and industries. Harrison is known for her strong strategic and visionary skills and has a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams. Her expertise areas include safety leadership, human resources management, recruitment and retention strategies, change leadership, succession planning and performance management, business development, quality management and industrial relations. Harrison studied at the University of Pennsylvania and Auckland University of Technology, earning her advanced management program and Bachelor of Commerce degree in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General, respectively.

Harrison has held several notable positions in high-profile organizations throughout her career. She currently serves as the Chief People Officer at GUD Holdings Limited. Before that, she held leadership positions at NZ Transport Agency, including General Manager - People, and Group Manager People & Capability. Harrison has also served as General Manager Business Support at Northpower, Group Manager Safety & Human Resources at Northpower, Human Resources Manager at Ford Motor Company, and Human Resources Contractor at NCR.