BARBARA S. ADELMAN retired from a long career in the financial services industry several years ago, first serving as an international corporate banker in New York, Chicago and London, then as a financial advisor working with high-net-worth families. She was also an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management during that time.
She has always been a dedicated patron of the arts. Barbara is currently a member of The Arts Club of Chicago, where she serves on the Board, as well as the Finance and Investment Committee. She previously served as Chair and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Chicago College of Performing Arts. She also served as a docent at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago for about fifteen years, an incredibly rewarding experience.
Barbara spends much of her time serving on a number of not-for-profit boards. In addition to those mentioned, she is a member of the University of Chicago Divinity School Council and the University of Chicago Women’s Board. She has been involved in leadership roles with the Anti-Defamation League since the 1990s, as a past Midwest Regional Board Chair, current member of the Global Leadership Council, Vice Chair of the ADL Foundation Board and Chair of the Foundation Investment Committee. In 2024 Barbara was honored with the Barbara B. Balser ADL Lifetime Achievement Award.
Barbara is especially excited to join Court Theatre as a member of the Board of Trustees. She’s been attending performances for decades – since plays were performed in Hutchinson Courtyard! But most importantly, Court is a critical presence in the Chicago theatre scene. Court’s performances are truly stimulating and thought-provoking, which is so important in today’s world. She proud to be a representative.
Barbara holds an AB in biology from UChicago and an MBA from Booth.
Bio as of 9/2026