Barbara Cotto

Barbara Cotto is a dynamic business strategist, transformation leader, and doctoral candidate whose career bridges the corporate, academic, and entrepreneurial sectors. With a proven track record in driving organizational performance and designing human-centric solutions, Barbara combines strategic insight, operational excellence, and academic rigor to craft high-impact strategies tailored to real-world challenges.

At Florida International University (FIU), Barbara has been instrumental in transforming StartUp FIU into a powerhouse of innovation, directly contributing to over $23M in commercialization initiatives. As Director of Operations, she developed and executed strategic roadmaps, launched results-driven programs, and cultivated key partnerships that elevated FIU’s influence across entrepreneurial ecosystems. In her role as Program Director for Supplier Development, she led a minority-based procurement initiative that generated $2.2M in incremental value, advancing supplier diversity and institutional impact.

Before joining FIU, Barbara held senior leadership roles at L’Oréal S.A., where she oversaw Caribbean export operations, led market integrations, and accelerated revenue and P&L growth. Her corporate experience spans renowned organizations such as The Clorox Company, Kellogg Company, Colombina Global Food Co., and Garuda Insights, LLC where she honed her expertise in market expansion, sales strategy, account management, project management and executive consulting.

As a Faculty Fellow and Associate Professor at FIU, Barbara teaches entrepreneurship and innovation, empowering the next generation of leaders through applied learning and strategic development. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration at Ana G. Méndez University and holds a Master of Labor Relations from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and a BBA in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico.

Dedicated to continuous growth, Barbara has completed advanced training in project management, change leadership, supplier diversity, digital marketing, and data analytics. Her multidisciplinary approach anchored in business acumen, academic leadership, and practical execution enables her to design and deliver strategies that are not only innovative but measurable and sustainable.

Barbara Cotto continues to shape the future of business and education by integrating corporate insight, academic depth, and transformational leadership to unlock meaningful, scalable impact.