Throughout her career, Rachel Barber has been guided by the words of author, entrepreneur and venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki, who urged listeners to “challenge the known and embrace the unknown.”

“I have grown from so many successes that resulted from following this simple advice,” Barber wrote in her 40 Under Forty application.

She joined GTECH – then an independent company based in West Greenwich – after graduating from the University of Rhode Island in 1991. In the 17 years since then, she has been promoted seven times.

From her beginnings as a software engineer, responsible for the “design, development and maintenance of embedded software for lottery terminals,” Barber has risen to software manager; technology director for Western U.S. technology services; technology director of North America technology services; senior technology director of global technology services; vice president of global software engineering; and finally, to vice president of technology in GTECH’s gaming solutions business unit.

Today, Barber oversees GTECH’s services to casino and government-sponsored gambling operations around the world, as well as the development of new technology for gaming terminals and back-office systems. Besides Kawasaki’s treasured advice, she credits her own devotion to both GTECH and technology. Those traits helped her reap a prized President’s Gold Award from the company.

She also serves on the board of directors for Big Sisters of Rhode Island and is a supporter of AIDS Project Rhode Island and the local United Way. •