The Cristo Rey Network Board of Directors recently appointed the organization’s newest board member, Barbara Marchini-Ellis, Global Client Serving Partner at EY.

As global client serving partner at EY, Barbara has worked with a variety of multi-national clients for over 30 years and is currently the global coordinating partner for Walmart. In her role, she has built relationships with many business leaders in the community with a focus on attracting new entrepreneurs and advancing career opportunities for diverse and underserved individuals in Northwest Arkansas. Barbara is also a board member of Endeavor Northwest Arkansas which supports the advancement of high-impact entrepreneurs in her region.

Her engagement with the Cristo Rey mission began in 2014 when EY’s San Jose office became a founding Corporate Partner of Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School. During her time based in San Jose, she met several student associates through the Corporate Work Study program and found the experiences of those students similar to those of her childhood classmates growing up in Central California. 

“Barbara's enthusiasm for the mission of the Cristo Rey Network, her experience as a global client serving partner for EY, her many industry connections, and her contacts with Cristo Rey San Jose student workers when she was a partner in the EY San Jose office all make Barbara an ideal new Director,” said Brian Melton, Cristo Rey Network’s Chief Legal Officer & SVP for External Relations. “We are all very excited that she brings so many talents and skills to the national Board.” 

Barbara’s involvement extends beyond her advocacy for our mission. To reinforce her family's values of spirituality, service, and stewardship, her daughter Katherine volunteered at Cristo Rey San Jose High School while attending Presentation High School.

“Barbara’s perspective as a Corporate Partner, volunteer, and local San Jose advocate brings such value in how we continue to move our mission forward,” said Cristo Rey Network President and CEO Elizabeth Goettl. “Her faith-driven mindset and commitment to cultivating meaningful relationships will only further benefit the communities we serve.”

She is now among 31 prominent leaders from the business, education, and religious sectors to govern the Cristo Rey Network.