“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky

For Barbie Peek, leadership is about more than a title. It’s about taking the shot, building relationships, and bringing people together to create meaningful change in the community.

A graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville’s Flagship Class 7, Barbie has spent decades championing economic development and regional collaboration across the Tennessee Valley. Today, she serves as Chief Business Development Officer for the Port of Huntsville, where she continues to help advance opportunities that strengthen the region.

But when Barbie reflects on the impact of Leadership Greater Huntsville, she points first to the people.

“The cross-sector relationships I developed did not end with graduation; they turned into lifelong partnerships and friendships that help advance major initiatives for the greater good of the community,” she shared.

Those relationships have continued to shape her work well beyond her LGH graduation. Today, Barbie serves on boards and works alongside community organizations and members of her Flagship 7 class—who she proudly calls the “best class ever.”

For Barbie, one of the most valuable lessons from LGH is that leadership transcends differences. The program brings together people of different ages, experiences, backgrounds, interests, and careers. Yet when those individuals unite around a shared passion for their community, Barbie says, they discover what they have in common: they are servant leaders.

That spirit of service has been evident throughout Barbie’s career and was recognized in 2025 when she was selected for the Southern Economic Development Hall of Fame through peer nomination. The honor recognized her long-term contributions to regional economic growth, municipal asset attraction, and industrial ecosystem expansion across the American South.

From economic development to community partnerships, Barbie continues to demonstrate what can happen when leaders take a chance, build meaningful relationships, and put their collective talents toward something bigger than themselves.

As Leadership Greater Huntsville celebrates 40 years of developing leaders and strengthening our community, we are proud to celebrate Barbie Peek, L-7, as one of our 40 Alumni.

Her story is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about the opportunities we are given; it’s also about having the courage to take the shot.

Her story is a powerful reminder that when we take the opportunities in front of us and use our talents in service to others, we can create an impact that reaches far beyond ourselves.