Get to know Barbara!
Her Family. Her Service. Her Experience.
A native Hoosier, Barbara grew up in New Albany as the proud daughter of two working parents. While her father was employed as a union musician and painter, her mother worked in the food-service and apartment management fields, where their nurturing and high ethical standards taught Barbara the importance of hard work and compassion.
She is a graduate of New Albany High School, Indiana University-Bloomington and received her Masters in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1993. She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer to Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal.
A life-long Democrat and activist, Barbara began her career as a political field organizer and scheduler for then-Mayor Frank McCloskey in his bid for US Congress in 1982, where he won an against-all-odds, come-from-behind victory. She spent most of the next eight years working in the Congressman’s Indiana and Capitol Hill Offices, serving as legislative aide, press secretary and district office director before returning to Indiana to work in the Evan Bayh Administration in 1990.
She has participated in numerous campaigns as both paid and volunteer staff. Her area of expertise is in the get-out-the-vote efforts, where she loves to get in the weeds and organize to win elections.
Barbara has served in a number of financial positions over the past two decades, including State Revolving Fund Program Manager, Deputy Director and Executive Director of the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, and Indianapolis City Controller. Lawrence served as Director of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works during a period of time when Mother Nature was particularly unkind. While working for Mayor Bart Peterson, Barbara led several key financial and redevelopment initiatives.
Following her work with the City of Indianapolis, Barbara spent six years as Town Manager of Speedway, Indiana, working with Town leaders and a professional team to redevelop the Main Street corridor and West 16th Street, making substantial sewer and drinking water improvements and refurbishing the Town’s parks.
With a passion for public finance, Lawrence works with key stakeholders to find solutions to fund essential public services and community development. Barbara will bring her expertise, creativity and commitment to public finance and public service to the Marion County Treasurer’s Office.
Lawrence is the widow of Glenn Lawrence and has four adult step-children and six grandchildren. During her down-time, she enjoys gardening, and is a “gym-rat” who boxes and bicycles regularly
Highlights
A life-long Democrat and activist!
Graduate of New Albany High School and Indiana University-Bloomington.
Received her Masters in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1993.
Began career as a political field organizer/scheduler for Mayor Frank McCloskey’s successful 1982 congressional campaign.
Proud step-mom to four, grandmother to six, and dog mom to one Peanut!
Financial EXPERIENCE
Deputy Director and Executive Director of the Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank
Indianapolis City Controller
Director of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works
Led several key financial and redevelopment initiatives under Mayor Bart Peterson
Six years as Town Manager of Speedway
CFO of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office
2018 CFO of the Year Honoree