Barbara Nyegaard
CEO and Co-Founder; Entrepreneur and Innovator, ERISS Corporation
Ms. Nyegaard co-founded ERISS in 1992 and as CEO is responsible for all operations of the company. She provided the initial idea for the concept of ERISS and has focused on innovative technology for workforce development as the basis of ERISS’s core competencies.
She is passionate about bringing the most advanced private sector technologies and processes to the world of DOL and other public programs. She has consulted with leaders of all types of organizations, private and public, bringing customer engagement practices and technologies to help improve outcomes and customer satisfaction. Her background also includes leading several private colleges earning her an “Outstanding Achievement” commendation from the Department of Education for work in the administration of student financial aid programs.
Additionally, she led one of the first customer relationship management (CRM) software companies managing over 1,000 resellers across the globe. This experience was a direct influence in the development of SARA, the first artificial intelligence virtual assistant which is transforming WIOA service delivery in multiple states.
She has received numerous awards including Citizen of the Year (San Diego County), Woman of the Year (San Diego County), California Businesswoman of the Year, Congressional Medal of Distinction, San Diego Citizen of the Year and San Diego Woman of the Year. Ms. Nyegaard also served as a Director on the Board of the Second Chance Program and on the Board of a California non-profit promoting financial literacy.