Barbara Best

Founder

Barbara Best

Barbara Best, AIF® is a Founder and Principal of CAP STRAT, and Founder of the CAP STRAT Women's Forum

Meet Barbara

Barbara primarily focuses on business development and raising awareness of her firm’s investment management and advisory services; and she co-leads their Women’s Forum.

Barbara is extremely generous with her strong network, offering to support and connect others to further their personal and professional goals. She is also passionate about supporting, empowering, and advocating for others, especially women to own their voice and power over their financial resources so they can make the most of their one amazing life.

Barbara is recognized as one of Chicago’s Most Influential Women by the Chicago Business Journal and Rotary International Woman of the Year for her broad personal and professional support of others, her community service and leadership. In addition to being Chair of Women Leaders in Philanthropy for the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation, Barbara is a board member of the Women in Entrepreneurship Institute at DePaul and Housing Forward, among other philanthropic activities.

Barbara received her B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, from Boston College and studied at London School of Economics and Faculte des Lettres in France; received a Business Certificate in Finance from the Professional Program of New York University. Barbara has received the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and PLANSPONSOR Retirement Professional (PRP) designations.

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Meet Barbara

The Latest

Featuring Barbara

Michele Weldon Recharge

The Recharge | Why the Truth is Worth the Risk

At the tender age of 10, she started writing and selling a monthly newsletter for her neighborhood. At 13, she…

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How Nutrition Impacts Your Well-being and Longevity

We’re grateful to our speaker Dr. Shivani Gupta for helping us better understand our nutritional needs and how they evolve…

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The Recharge | A Champion Negotiator for Women

She is a pioneer and champion for women in the legal profession. She is consistently recognized as a top business…

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The Recharge | On Creating Resilient Communities & A Healthier Planet

She likes to be future-facing – she believes there is no time like the present to focus on the future…

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Landing a Board Seat: What No One’s Telling You!

Depending on your starting point, it can be a multi-year journey before you find the right opportunity and they find…

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The Recharge | Taking Risks & Networking to Find Your Joy

Our guest is a talented and respected leader, and a self-described “builder and connector.” Networking, for her, “is as natural…

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The Recharge | On Becoming a Board Member & Personal Growth Strategies

Our next guest is no stranger to the CAP STRAT Women’s Forum – You might remember her from our past…

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The Recharge | She’s Shattering Stereotypes & Transforming the Toy Industry!

While shopping with her nine-year-old daughter in 2007,  a line of dolls wearing short skirts, high heels, belly button rings,…

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Women & Risk: Changing the Narrative

We’re grateful to our esteemed panelists Michele Wucker and Alison Bettonville for sharing their insights and strategies to strengthen your…

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The Recharge | Discover the Power of Boundaries, Letting Go, and Taking Ownership!

Learn from an entrepreneur who traded in her successful corporate career to join her parents in their 30-year-old family business.…

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The Recharge | From the Tennis Court to the Corner Office: How Tennis Prepared Her for Life

Our guest is a transformational leader in the energy industry, an accomplished executive attorney, and a board member with over…

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Managing Midlife | Purpose, Rediscovery & What Comes Next

Life transitions are inevitable. Some are by choice, some are not. Whether it’s a career transition, becoming an empty nester,…