Barbara McKenna is the Chief of Strategic Communications at the Learning Policy Institute. She leads a multidisciplinary communications team responsible for outreach, digital content, publications, events, and social media to foster organizational visibility and impact. McKenna started her career as a reporter at the Washington Post and segued into public relations after stints as a writer and editor at several California weekly and daily papers. Previously, she was Director of Public Outreach at the Regional Educational Laboratory West at WestEd; Director of Communications at the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education; and Head of Communications at the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence.

McKenna is a member of the Education Writers Association Board of Directors. She earned her BA in English from Oberlin College.