Barb Siegel

Barb Siegel is an interdisciplinary professional who helps individuals and organizations transform how they think and communicate—both with themselves and with others. A registered architect and lifelong artist, Barb brings a rare blend of creative, cognitive, and systems thinking to her work. Her journey into the study of neurology and cognition began as a way to support her two special needs children and grew into deep expertise through reading neurology journals, volunteering with Brainy Camps of Children’s National Medical Center, and leading the Gifted and Talented/Learning Disabled (GTLD) Network of Montgomery County. Her advocacy work included developing published resources for Montgomery County Public Schools and training their GTLD teachers in visual notetaking—an approach that soon became part of the district’s culture.

A gifted facilitator and coach, Barb draws from her training in complexity science, embodiment practices, and the arts to help individuals and teams move beyond stuck patterns into transformative insight. She has worked with organizations such as the World Bank, The National Academies of Sciences, and the University of Kansas Medical Center. Her individual coaching options range from powerful one-time sessions using graphic facilitation to a structured ten-week program that supports deep integration and change. For long-term organizational engagements, she works through Awarefulsystems, which she co-founded.

Barb is especially effective with leaders seeking clarity and with twice-exceptional (2E) adults navigating complex inner terrain. Each session is customized to the client’s needs—whether they require perspective shifts, confidence-building, or embodied learning. Clients describe their breakthroughs as sudden and undeniable: once a solution emerges, it seems obvious in retrospect. Barb’s subtle facilitation allows clients to feel they’ve uncovered the answers themselves.

Her academic background includes a Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland and a BA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, along with further study at American University’s Organization Development Program, The Corcoran School of Art, and Montgomery College’s printmaking program. She learned early principles of complexity science from environmental scientist T.F.H. Allen and remained in conversation with him until his passing in 2025. Barb has exhibited her artwork internationally, earned numerous awards and grants, and is a member of the International Forum of Visual Practitioners. She is currently pursuing advanced mentorship training with Crista Cloutier of The Working Artist.

At the heart of Barb’s work is a belief that action creates new thinking. By integrating art, somatics, and systems thinking, she helps people and groups feel their way into unseen solutions—making leaps, not just progress.