Barry VanderKelen

Barry VanderKelen serves as a Lecturer in the Management Department within the Orfalea College of Business at California Polytechnic State University. He has also taught Management of Nonprofit Organizations at Loyola Marymount University and Philanthropy: The Economic and Cultural Context of Philanthropy in the United States at Saint Mary’s College of California.

His research focuses on the intersection of higher education and business communities, with specialized expertise in corporate philanthropy, business ethics, and nonprofit management. Key interests include cost-effectiveness of education-delivery mechanisms, community college curriculum development for workforce readiness, and historical trends in corporate social responsibility.

VanderKelen's scholarly contributions include publications on education-delivery economics and corporate philanthropy, with ethical business columns adopted as course materials in Hawaii and Oregon. His work demonstrates consistent thematic focus on business-community interdependence and ethical leadership.

• Fellow of the Center for Social Innovation at Stanford Graduate School of Business (2009)
• Honorary Member of Golden Key International Honour Society (2010)

With extensive practical experience, VanderKelen founded two successful enterprises—a real estate services firm and a trust administration company—while achieving 470% sustainable income growth in a corporate role with minimal expense increases. His advisory capacity extends to leadership roles including Chair of the League of California Community Foundations and the Planned Giving Council of the Central Coast, alongside board memberships with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and multiple nonprofits.

His professional development includes graduation from Leadership SLO (Class 17), complementing his academic contributions to business ethics education and community-focused economic initiatives.