Barbara Ryan Thompson Builds on 20-Year Journey, Appointed to Helios Board of Directors

Barbara Ryan Thompson has held many important roles at Helios Education Foundation over 20 years, helping to create and establish the organization in its early days, build its staff and operations, shape its direction, and guide its growth. 

Now, in addition to her current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, she takes on a new role as a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Her appointment comes on the heels of Helios’ 20th anniversary, a milestone Thompson was keen to mark as much more than a simple celebration of the organization’s longevity. It was an opportunity to reflect on the Helios’ impact, keeping the focus on student success and the partners that made it all possible. 

Thompson, Helios’ longtime Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, is one of the people most closely connected to the Foundation’s history. In fact, her story with Helios began long before the Foundation even existed. 

An attorney by training, Thompson joined Southwest Student Services Corporation in 2000, eventually serving as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. When the student loan organization was sold in 2004, she played a key role in the legal and organizational efforts that led to the creation of Helios Education Foundation and an endowment of more than $500 million dedicated to improving education outcomes for students across Arizona and Florida. 

Then came the work of determining how Helios would translate that vision into action. 

Thompson was involved in the search for the Foundation’s first president, helped build its operations, staff and structure, and develop its mission and vision. 

Helios Executive Vice President and COO expands on her leadership and expertise in shaping the Foundation

She recalls upon first joining Helios, her experience with education was largely shaped by her own journey as a student. She and other early leaders consulted with experts and listened to communities as they worked to understand where the organization could make a difference. 

That learning and evolution have continued through the years. 

Over time, and under Thompson’s leadership, Helios has expanded its work in Arizona and Florida as a community impact organization, bolstering its strategic investments with research and data, public policy support and the construction of the Helios Education Campus as a hub for collaboration around education. 

Today, Helios has invested nearly $400 million across Arizona and Florida to support student success and expand educational opportunities. One of the Foundation’s largest investments has been the ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence, a partnership between ASU and Helios that Thompson points to as an example of how data can be used to better understand challenges, identify and inform solutions, and improve student outcomes. 

“The work of the Foundation has changed my life,” she said while reflecting on Helios’ first 20 years. “It has given me an entirely different perspective.” 

That perspective has also shaped how she leads. Colleagues and community partners alike describe Thompson as someone who works behind the scenes, listens closely and makes time to mentor others. That quiet but steady approach to leadership has made Thompson a trusted voice within Helios and across the broader education community. 

Her leadership has earned recognition beyond Helios as well. Most recently, the Arizona Capitol Times honored Thompson as one of their 2026 Women Achievers of Arizona in the nonprofit category. The program celebrates women making an impact in Arizona through their leadership and service. 

Helios Board Chair Vince Roig said Thompson’s long history with the Foundation gives her a valuable perspective as she joins the Board. 

“Barbara has provided incredible leadership in all operational areas of Helios,” Roig said. “She understands where we came from and where we are going. That backward- and forward-looking vision has been integral to Helios’ success.” 

For Thompson, the focus remains on what the work of the Foundation and its partners can accomplish for students. It is a commitment that has defined her leadership throughout her time at Helios. 

“Without question, Barbara is a leader this organization relies on for strategic counsel, steady guidance and sound decision-making,” Helios President and CEO Paul J. Luna added. “Barbara’s passion for doing good is her North Star.”