Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes

Founder at RDB Speaks

Member since August 2025

Leadership

Education: Monroe College - Pace University
New York, NY, USA

Biography

Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes
Social and Behavioral Scientist | Keynote | Leadership Development and Trauma Expert

Dr. Xenia Barnes is a distinguished Social and Behavioral Scientist, keynote speaker, and trauma expert whose groundbreaking work bridges academic research with practical community intervention. As the "Trauma-to-Triumph Transformation Model" architect and a leading voice disrupting the culture of betrayal in the workforce, she has pioneered innovative approaches to healing and resilience in urban communities.

Her continuous research in advanced human behavior, active community engagement, and policy advocacy ensure that her work remains at the forefront of trauma-informed practice. Whether through speaking engagements, published works, or direct community intervention, she offers readers theories and proven strategies for creating lasting change.

Dr. Barnes addresses critical issues like workplace trauma, cultural betrayal, and systemic barriers while building resilient teams to handle modern workplace challenges.

Rev. Dr. Xenia Barnes is an inspiring speaker known for talks on empowerment, resilience, and healing. With over 20 years of experience as a social and behavioral scientist, author, and educator, she has dedicated her career to uplifting survivors of domestic abuse, violence, and long-term illnesses, helping them reclaim their lives and break free from the chains of trauma.

Passion

Loving Yourself Beyond the Trauma

What drives Dr. Barnes is her unwavering commitment to empower marginalized voices and promote healing through understanding. She believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive beyond their circumstances, and her work reflects a deep-seated belief in the potential for personal transformation and community impact. Her greatest passion is advocating for the disability community learn how to fall in love with themselves by resetting, revamping, and relaunching themselves on their journey navigating their diagnosis and workplace trauma.

Best Story

One of Dr. Barnes' most memorable speaking experiences occurred during a conference where she addressed an audience of survivors and advocates. Her heartfelt message resonated deeply, leading to numerous attendees sharing their stories of resilience and recovery, creating a powerful atmosphere of connection and support.

Origin Story

Dr. Barnes' journey began when she faced her own terminal illness, which ignited her passion for understanding the complexities of human behavior and the importance of emotional intelligence. This personal battle transformed her into a beacon of hope and healing, motivating her to support others in similar situations.

Example Talks

Building a Truly Inclusive Workplace: Beyond the Buzzwords

The intersection of  gender and disabilities creates compounded barriers where professionals face gender discrimination and disability bias simultaneously. We must acknowledge these challenges to foster an inclusive environment that empowers everyone. Fostering authentic inclusion in the workplace requires sustained effort that goes beyond mere rhetoric, instead necessitating concrete action. Learn the four key steps for building a culture of accessibility and inclusion. 

The Hidden Cost of Trauma in Leadership: Why Your Best People Are Underperforming

Reveals why your leadership development investments aren't working and what to do about it. Best for optimizing leadership performance. 

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Transforming Organizational Trauma into Competitive Advantage

Learn how acute and chronic organizational trauma affects employee well-being, productivity, and overall company culture. For HR leaders looking to transform their greatest workplace challenges into their strongest competitive advantage. 

The Invisible Battle: Intersectionality and Empowerment

The intersection of race and disabilities creates compounded barriers where Black professionals face both racial discrimination and disability bias simultaneously. We must acknowledge these challenges to foster an inclusive environment that empowers everyone.

Topics/Keywords

innovation that matters womens leadership the future of leadership resiliency leadership development overcoming trauma understanding how trauma impacts the workplace bounce back from disappointment disability support disability social justice advocacy systemic racism and social justice

Featured Video

I am willing to travel more than 100 miles
Yes
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions

Best Story

One of Dr. Barnes' most memorable speaking experiences occurred during a conference where she addressed an audience of survivors and advocates. Her heartfelt message resonated deeply, leading to numerous attendees sharing their stories of resilience and recovery, creating a powerful atmosphere of connection and support.

Origin Story

Dr. Barnes' journey began when she faced her own terminal illness, which ignited her passion for understanding the complexities of human behavior and the importance of emotional intelligence. This personal battle transformed her into a beacon of hope and healing, motivating her to support others in similar situations.

I am willing to travel more than 100 miles
Yes
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions

Example Talks

Building a Truly Inclusive Workplace: Beyond the Buzzwords

The intersection of  gender and disabilities creates compounded barriers where professionals face gender discrimination and disability bias simultaneously. We must acknowledge these challenges to foster an inclusive environment that empowers everyone. Fostering authentic inclusion in the workplace requires sustained effort that goes beyond mere rhetoric, instead necessitating concrete action. Learn the four key steps for building a culture of accessibility and inclusion. 

The Hidden Cost of Trauma in Leadership: Why Your Best People Are Underperforming

Reveals why your leadership development investments aren't working and what to do about it. Best for optimizing leadership performance. 

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Transforming Organizational Trauma into Competitive Advantage

Learn how acute and chronic organizational trauma affects employee well-being, productivity, and overall company culture. For HR leaders looking to transform their greatest workplace challenges into their strongest competitive advantage. 

The Invisible Battle: Intersectionality and Empowerment

The intersection of race and disabilities creates compounded barriers where Black professionals face both racial discrimination and disability bias simultaneously. We must acknowledge these challenges to foster an inclusive environment that empowers everyone.

Topics/Keywords

innovation that matters womens leadership the future of leadership resiliency leadership development overcoming trauma understanding how trauma impacts the workplace bounce back from disappointment disability support disability social justice advocacy systemic racism and social justice