February 23, 2026

When Amy Barley enrolled at Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies as a working adult-learner, she was drawn by more than the school’s reputation for experiential learning — she was looking for a place where creativity and technology intersected. She found that combination in her bachelor’s degree program, and after graduating with honors in 2014, that degree that would shape the trajectory of her career, igniting a lasting passion for digital marketing, innovation and AI.

At a time when digital platforms were rapidly transforming how people communicate, learn, and make decisions, Drexel’s forward-thinking curriculum gave Barley both the technical foundation and strategic mindset needed to adapt —and lead — in a constantly evolving landscape. Courses that blended communication theory with hands-on technology exposed her to web development, digital content strategy, user experience and data-driven storytelling, and her interest in technology transformed from curiosity into calling.

“Drexel taught me how to think both critically and analytically,” Barley says. “Not just how to use tools, but how to understand systems, audiences, and the role technology plays in shaping consumer behavior.”

That mindset has guided Barley through nearly two decades of experience in communications, digital marketing and technology-driven strategy. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of content, data and platforms, often translating complex or highly regulated information into clear, accessible digital experiences.

“Successful digital marketing is as much about trust, usability and ethics as it is about innovation,” she says.

Barley went on to earn a master’s degree in marketing from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in Baltimore and now sees artificial intelligence (AI) as the next evolution of the field. As AI reshapes how content is created, optimized and delivered, she views it as natural continuation of the skills she has been developing since her time at Drexel. The same analytical thinking, audience-first strategy and systems-based approach that once applied to websites and digital campaigns now extends to AI-driven tools, automation and personalization.

In addition to her role as vice president of marketing for the American Marketing Association’s Baltimore Chapter, Barley is also the Web Content Specialist at the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, a state agency which oversees Maryland Health Connection, the state of Maryland’s health insurance marketplace under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA).

Barley also serves as an adjunct instructor at Stevenson University, where she teaches digital marketing and helps students navigate emerging tools while grounding them in core principles that will outlast any single platform or trend.

“AI is where digital marketing is headed,” Barley says. “But the fundamentals haven’t changed: Strategy still comes first, ethics still matter, and technology should always serve people — not the other way around!”

For Barley, this moment feels distinctly full circle. The program that first sparked her love for technology now aligns seamlessly with where the industry is going next. With 20 years of experience and a career built on continued education, continuous learning, she feels prepared - not just to keep pace with change, but to help shape it.

Looking back, Barley credits Drexel with giving her more than a degree; it gave her the confidence to evolve alongside technology. As digital marketing enters its AI-driven era, she stands at the intersection of experience and innovation, ready for what’s next - grounded in the education that helped start it all.