Lee A. Barrie is Senior Vice President of Kurman Communications, where for more than two decades he has been a driving force behind the firm’s success in delivering high-impact public relations, marketing, and media strategies. With more than 40 years of experience spanning corporate communications, editorial innovation, and performance marketing, Lee brings a rare blend of strategic insight, creative storytelling, and operational excellence to every client engagement.

A graduate of Northwestern University’s prestigious Kellogg Graduate School of Management, where he earned his MBA in marketing and organizational behavior, Lee launched his career at Carlson Marketing Group, a division of the Carlson Companies (Carlson Travel, Radisson Hotels). There, he worked with Fortune 500 companies to pioneer performance improvement programs focused on optimizing sales channels and workplace culture—well before “employee engagement” became a corporate buzzword.

Lee quickly earned national recognition for his transformative work. In 1985, his groundbreaking internal communications and culture-building initiative for Group W Cable of Chicago won the National Case Studies Competition from the Cable Television Administration and Marketing Association (CTAM), setting a new standard for corporate communications in the cable industry.

During the 1990s, Lee’s career took a bold turn into the heart of the media world: New York City. He held senior roles at Hearst Magazines, Times Mirror Magazines, and the New York Times Magazine Group, where he became a national leader in integrating desktop publishing technology into editorial operations. His work revolutionized editorial workflows at more than 50 iconic publications, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Popular Science, Golf Digest, Skiing, Harper’s Bazaar, and many others. In addition to leading large-scale systems innovation, Lee redefined editorial, design, and production roles—ushering in a new era of publishing efficiency and creativity.

In 2000, Lee returned to Chicago and joined Kurman Communications, forming a professional and personal partnership with firm founder Cindy Kurman. Together, they have created one of the most enduring and respected boutique PR agencies in the Midwest, known for shaping narratives, launching brands, and elevating causes across the hospitality, nonprofit, arts, and food sectors.

At Kurman, Lee continues to lead strategic planning, content development, campaign messaging, and performance-focused communications initiatives. His calm leadership, deep intellect, and ability to simplify the complex have earned him the trust of clients and colleagues alike.