BarkleyOKRP Expands DEI+B with Program Manager and Empowered BRGs

​BarkleyOKRP has long believed that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI+B) aren’t side projects - they are core pillars to building a modern, independent agency. Today, the agency is doubling down on that commitment with the addition of Brittany Terry-Bryant as DEI+B Program Manager and the relaunch of its Inclusion Council and Business Resource Groups (BRGs).

The agency has a long track record of creating pathways for underrepresented talent. Before Barkley and OKRP merged in 2024, Barkley launched The Creative Accelerator, a program designed to give diverse early-career talent real client experience and a fast track into agency roles. OKRP co-founded BLAC, the national paid internship for Black creatives that has since grown into an industry-wide program. BarkleyOKRP has also elevated women into leadership - naming Katy Hornaday CEO earlier this year - and invested in minority-owned partners, including long-standing collaborator Putney, a Black-owned content studio.

“As an agency committed to being consumer experts, we must be a reflection of the consumer communities we serve on behalf of clients,” said Lindsey DeWitte, chief impact officer at BarkleyOKRP. “We believe diversity is a business advantage in addition to being what makes culture interesting. As a Certified B Corp, social impact and client impact are inseparable, which means we must build belonging inside our agency to deliver inclusive, culturally-relevant work outside it.”

Brittany brings both agency and non-profit experience to the role, having served in DEI leadership at FCB Chicago and as head of people and culture in the non-profit sector. She joined BarkleyOKRP in July 2025 to lead the next phase of its DEI+B strategy. Her priorities include revamping performance evaluations to recognise contributions to BRGs and DEI initiatives, strengthening retention and mid-level talent pipelines, and equipping employees with tools to navigate nuanced conversations with each other and with clients. She also brings a data-driven approach, establishing clear metrics to measure progress and accountability.

“I want DEI+B at BarkleyOKRP to be authentic,” said Brittany. “This isn’t about performative efforts. It’s about creating a workplace where people can show up fully as themselves and know their contributions matter. From empowering BRGs with real influence on our business and our clients to embedding inclusion into internal evaluation and retention systems, these efforts are cultural and strategic.”

The agency’s Inclusion Council - 12 members representing employees across various levels and departments - will continue to guide strategic priorities in retention, representation, systems, and empowerment. BRGs, including groups for LGBTQ+ employees, Latinx employees, and Black employees, will play an expanded role in influencing internal culture and client work alike.

“Inclusion is at a crossroads in our industry,” added Lindsey. “While others step back, we’re choosing to rebuild, reinforce, and recommit, and that sets us apart.”