Susan Barrett

Susan Barrett, President

Susan Barrett is the founder and President of Barrett Barrera LLC. Susan founded Barrett Barrera in 2014 after recognizing a need for a consulting firm that specializes not only in arts, culture, and cross-disciplinary advisory services, but also provides expertise on contemporary fashion objects and the increasingly accepted position of avant-garde fashion pieces in the fine arts industry.

Susan has nearly 20 years’ experience working in the arts, including publishing, museum and gallery leadership, and art education. Susan’s most recent position was that of Executive Director of the World Chess Hall of Fame. Under her leadership, the World Chess Hall of Fame was relocated to St. Louis and presented the work of nationally and internationally recognized artists, designers and craftsmen. Susan was also instrumental in establishing the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.

Prior to her position at the World Chess Hall of Fame, Susan worked at Bi-State Metro as Project Manager for Arts in Transit for Cross County Expansion, managing the Cross-County art projects and installations. In addition, Susan served as the President of RKL Consulting, an art-consulting firm, and was instrumental in developing a private collection focusing on American Regionalism for a prominent St. Louis arts patron. Susan has also held positions at Greenberg Gallery and Contemporanea Art Magazine, New York City and has extensive experience in both interior and fashion design, founding the fashion label Susie B, which sold at Byrd, Clayton and Testimo, Ladue.

Susan is a graduate of Washington University, where she holds a Master of Architecture, a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Arts and French, and a Bachelor of Fine Art. Susan is an active board member at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Southside Day Nursery, Arts in Transit, Sheldon Art Galleries, the St. Louis Chess Club, Circus Flora, Mid America Arts Alliance, the Saint Louis Fashion Fund and is an appointed member of the Airport Arts Commission and a member of St. Louis Round Table. Susan is the recipient of awards including the St. Louis Business Journal Most Influential Businesswomen of 2020, the 2019 St. Louis Women’s Visionary Award, the Visitation Academy St. Jane de Chantal Distinguished Alumna Award and St. Louis Magazine Influencer in Art St. Louis award.