Since 2016, Barbara Kelley has served as HLAA's executive director, responsible for overseeing its administration, fundraising, programs and strategic plan. As HLAA's chief executive officer, she is the organization's primary spokesperson. Hired by Founder Rocky Stone in 1988, Barbara has been an integral part of the organization’s growth; she was deputy executive director from 2008 to 2016 and editor of the award-winning Hearing Life magazine for 28 years.

Among the many boards and coalitions on which she serves are: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Council of Councils (DPCPSI); U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Consumer Nominating Organization; Hearing Restoration Research Program panel member (Congressionally directed medical research program); Cochlear Implant International Community of Action (CIICA) board; and the Hearing Health Collaborative board (a standard of care initiative in the U.S.). She recently completed terms on the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Advisory Council (NIH); the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Disability advisory Committee; and, the External Advisory Committee of the National Center for Deaf Health Research, University of Rochester Medical Center. She is former chair of the Friends of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus, a coalition of organizations who support the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus.