When wisdom meets heart, transformation follows. Dr. Carla Barry, a seasoned relationship coach, Navy veteran, and celebrated thought leader has been nominated for the Coach of the Year Award at the Influencer Magazine Awards 2025. With a mission grounded in hope and healing, Dr. Barry continues to guide individuals and couples toward stronger, more meaningful connections.

A proud Arkansas City, Kansas native now serving the Chesapeake, VA community, Dr. Carla brings more than just professional credentials to her coaching. With 27 years of service as a Navy Chaplain, rising to the rank of Commander, she offers a rare depth of emotional intelligence, spiritual grounding, and real-life insight that resonates deeply with her clients.

As the CEO and Founder of Embracing Hope Relationship Coaching, Dr. Carla specializes in helping people move past frustration, isolation, and miscommunication in their relationships. Her approach isn’t just about solving problems it’s about illuminating patterns, empowering change, and reminding clients that love and connection are always possible when hope is at the center.

Her impact has been featured in New York Weekly, CEO Weekly, San Francisco Post, and Celebrity News, but her most powerful testimonials come from the thousands of lives she’s touched through her one-on-one sessions, workshops, and speaking engagements. Whether it’s a couple on the brink or an individual seeking clarity, Dr. Carla meets people where they are and gently leads them to where they want to be.

But her talents don’t stop at coaching. An Accredited Event Designer and Professional Speaker, she brings creativity and joy to life’s celebrations, using balloon artistry and motivational talks to infuse every gathering with meaning and magic.

In 2024, she was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, a fitting tribute to her unwavering dedication to service, healing, and empowerment. Her work is grounded in one belief: that every person deserves fulfilling relationships and the tools to thrive in love and life.

Dr. Carla Barry’s nomination for Coach of the Year is more than well-deserved, it’s a spotlight on a lifetime of purpose, passion, and transformation. Congratulations, Dr. Carla. Your legacy of love continues to change lives, one breakthrough at a time.