Kiki Baker Barnes

Building Leaders.

Empowering Change.

Guiding Individuals, Organizations and Athletic Programs in Transition to Success Through Dynamic Leadership, Strategic Development & Visionary Growth

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  • Dr. Barnes is one of the most energetic and Dynamic leaders in collegiate sports at this time

    Donnita Rogers

  • Blessed to have such a genuinely caring person with a radiant personality, be an active and influential member within the sports industry/community.

    Toni-Ann S. Derby

  • Dr. Barnes has emerged as one of the most energetic and impactful leaders of this day...

    Michael C. Galloway

  • A woman that has and still is teaching me about leaving a legacy. Beyond thankfule to have Kiki as a mentor...

    Astasia Williams

  • A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. A mentor is someone who sees more than talent and ability within you, and helps bring it out of you. Thank you so much Dr. Kiki.

    Cristela Jimenez

  • Considering all she has accomplished athletically, academically & professionally, Kiki Baker Barnes is arguably the most versatile & most prestigious female, black or white, to ever come out of Minden high school... Kiki Baker Barnes, we salute you!!!

    Randy Tims

  • One of the best!! Honored to call Kiki a friend and mentor.

    Jennifer Lynne

  • She is a rockstar. and I am proud to say I knew her way back when. Dedicated. Committed. Prepared.

    Michael Landers

  • Kiki Baker Barnes is a force! More than anything, Dr. barnes is a transformational leader.

    Jawan Brown Alexander

Empower

Elevate

Execute

Empower Elevate Execute

From Game Plan to Greatness

Unlocking Potential and Empowering Leaders to Drive Impact & Innovation

Feeling Stuck in Transition?

Discover How KiKi’s Book, “Blazing Your Own Trail,” Can Help You Turn Failure Into Your Greatest Success.

Kiki Baker Barnes Book - Blazing Your Own Trail

“Blazing Your Own Trail” is for individuals navigating the uncertain waters of transition—whether it’s a new school, career shift, or personal growth. Drawing from her journey from athlete to award-winning sports executive, Kiki introduces the Blind Exchange Framework—a model grounded in Faith, Focus, and Forward Movement that provides a proven roadmap on how to embrace failure as a powerful tool for growth.

With her story of overcoming challenges and leading with purpose in the male-dominated sports industry, Kiki inspires readers to examine their own journeys, draw lessons from life’s struggles & transform those insights into fuel for growth. If you’re ready to find the confidence to step into your next chapter & pursue your dreams, this book provides the wisdom & motivation to do just that.

Grab your copy of “Blazing Your Own Trail” below, and learn how YOU can start embracing failure as a vital part of YOUR success story!

Meet

Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes

Kiki Baker Barnes

Transformational Speaker. Award-Winning Sports Executive. Bestselling Author. Founder. Chief Energy Officer.

Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes is an award-winning sports executive and the first African-American female commissioner of both the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the HBCU Athletic Conference. Known for advancing athletic programs and empowering future women leaders, she founded the transformative “So You Want A Career in Athletics” program. As a strategic consultant to national sports organizations, her work has been celebrated & recognized by Sports Illustrated, the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, Essence Magazine, the Girl Scouts of Louisiana Southeast, and more.

Leveraging her extensive experience, Dr. Barnes helps college athletic programs, organizations, and administrators elevate their operational efficiency, boost productivity, and enhance organizational management. With a focus on strategic planning and leadership development, she delivers innovative solutions that drive enduring growth & success.

Become a

Game Chang

:

Building the Future of Female Leaders in Sports

So You Want A Career in Athletics™ (SYWACIA) is a groundbreaking initiative by the Marc and Kiki Barnes Foundation that invests in the next generation of female leaders in sports. While female sports participation is higher than ever…

nearly 93% of sports leadership roles remain male-dominated.

SYWACIA’s mission is to change this by offering girls & young women the tools, mentorship, and connections needed to succeed in sports careers.

Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes & SYWACIA are breaking barriers and shaping the future for women in sports through transformative leadership, career opportunities, and powerful mentorship.

I met so many wonderful, experienced, & successful people who shared their journeys. They encouraged me to follow my dreams. I got to do an impromptu interview with Mr. Clark Kellogg. That was an amazing experience.

Autumn Ryan, SYWACIA Protégé (CBS Sports Internship)

Autumn Ryan Review

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