Kirby Barbour brings more than two decades of cross-industry leadership experience spanning chemicals, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, and early-stage ventures. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from West Virginia University and began his career with Bayer Corporation before pursuing his MBA at UNC–Chapel Hill. After completing his graduate studies, Kirby worked as a management consultant and later joined LORD Corporation in 2005, where he held diverse roles in finance, business development, product management, sales, and marketing. His professional background includes extensive experience leading businesses in both global corporations and entrepreneurial start-ups, with a consistent focus on fiscal discipline, strategic growth, and mission-driven leadership.

Kirby’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion is deeply personal. After his youngest son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism in 2017, he became an advocate for expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In 2019, he joined the Board of Esteamed Coffee—an inclusive nonprofit café in Cary, North Carolina—as its Treasurer, helping to fundraise and launch the business, including completing a 420-mile solo bike ride to raise awareness and support for disability-focused nonprofits. The ride, known as the “North Carolina Ride to Make a Difference,” received widespread media coverage, and Kirby was recognized by Spectrum News as an Everyday Hero. In 2021, he left the corporate world to focus fully on nonprofit leadership and community engagement, becoming Chairman of the Board of Esteamed Coffee in 2023 while also serving as an assistant wrestling coach for his son’s high school team. Kirby lives in Cary with his wife, Melissa; their two sons, Jack and Luke; and their black lab, Rue.