WORK EXPERIENCE

LB Literary Projects

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

LJS Literary Projects

Manager

2022 – Present

Author, Copyeditor, Proofreader, Fact-checker, researcher and Project Management 

I DO Wedding Consulting

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

President/Owner

2005-2019

Earned designation as Master Wedding Planner™ by Association of Bridal Consultants, 2012

The Barness Organization

Warrington, Pennsylvania

1985 – 2005

President (1998 – 2005)

Vice President (1985 – 1998)

Real estate development and residential construction

PUBLICATIONS

* I DO: A Wedding Planner Tells Tales, author, 2015

* I DO: A Wedding Planner’s View, author, 2018

* The Man I Knew Was Once a Boy: The Letters of Herbert Barness 1938–1948, editor, 2015

* The Man I Knew: Herbert Barness in the Press, 1957-1998, editor, 2017–2018

* Portrait of an American Rabbi: In His Own Words, Rabbi Lance J. Sussman with Lynda Barness, 2023–2024

* Portrait of a Reform Rabbi: Continuity and Change, Rabbi Lance J. Sussman with Lynda Barness, 2024

* Portrait of a Rabbi-Historian, How Did We Get Here?, Rabbi Lance J. Sussman with Lynda Barness, 2025

* “Transcending Race, Religion, and Class: Select Huntsville Memoirs by Margaret Anne Goldsmith,” co-author, Southern Jewish History Journal, Fall 2024.

“Rebraiding Southern Jewish Identity: The Savannah Diary of B.H. Levy Jr.” by Lance J. Sussman and Lynda Barness, co-authors, Southern Jewish History Journal, scheduled for January 2026.

In Process: Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf and the Remaking of American Judaism, Lynda Barness and Lance J. Sussman, co-authors.

EDUCATION

NYU School of Professional Studies

Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking

2023 – 2024

University of Pennsylvania

Master’s Degree, International Relations

1971 – 1972

Tufts University

Bachelor’s Degree, Political Science

Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude 1967 – 1971

RECENT SELECT PROJECTS & EXPERIENCE

* Conference Speaker: “Faith and Fortitude: The American Dream of Ostrow’s Joseph Krauskopf,” 12th Scientific Conference of the University of Wroclaw in Ostrow Wielkopolski, November 2024

* Multiple copyediting projects for LB Literary Projects (2023–2025), including works with

Paul Finkelman and Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, published in Touro Law Review, Harvard University Press, Roots of Reform Judaism, American Jewish Archives, and more

* Fact-checker and photo researcher: The Rescuers: The Remarkable People Who Saved World Heritage, Nancy Moses, 2025

* Editor: MAGIC: Making a Good Impression Count On and Off the Golf Course, Karen Kaufman, 2024

* Web copywriter and editor for STM Fieldhouse, Dwight Dunston, Nola Physical Therapy + Performance

MEMBERSHIPS & LEADERSHIP

* Cosmopolitan Club Member, 2006–present

* Pay It Forward Cookies, Founder, 2020

* Audited multiple courses at University of Pennsylvania and Gratz College, 2018–2024

* Delaware Valley University, Auditor, Honors Program (Holocaust course), 2024

* Interfaith Family/Philadelphia Leadership Council Member, 2016–2018

* Awards Judge: National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), 2016; International Special Events Society, 2014

* Temple University Instructor, Certificate Program, 2015–2019

* Phi Beta Kappa Association of the Delaware Valley, Chair Book Award, 2011–2017, 2020–2023

* Philadelphia Theater Company, Board Member, 2010–2012

* Association of Bridal Consultants, Co-Director Local Networking Group, Master Wedding Planner™, 2005–2019

* Temple University Fox School of Business MBA Advisory Board, various roles, 2006–2018

* Abington Memorial Hospital, Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, 1993–2011

* Homebuilders Association of Bucks/Montgomery Counties, Board & Committees, 1989–2003

* Forum of Executive Women, various roles, 1998–2022

* Trustees’ Council of Penn Women, various roles, 1998–2020

* University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Board & Campaign Cabinet, 1999–present

* Commerce Bank/Pennsylvania Regional Board, 2002–2008

* University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Fine Arts (School of Design) Board, 2003–2010

* U.S. Small Business Administration National Advisory Council, 2003–2005

* University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees, multiple committees, 1994–2003

* Bucks County Community College Foundation Board, 1996–2003

* University of Pennsylvania Medical Center Campaign Steering Committee, 1996–2000

* University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Board, 1995–2003

* Please Touch Museum Board of Directors, 1999–2003

* Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania, committees, 2002–2003

* March of Dimes Women of Achievement Committee, 2002–2003

* Jefferson Bank Bux-Mont Advisory Board, 1997–2000

* Kathy D’Addario Cooking Techniques, Guest Instructor, 1995–2001

* World Affairs Council Board, 1996–1998

* Warrington Township Economic Development Advisory Board, 1995–1998

* Walnut Street Theatre Board, 1990–1992

* Presidential Appointment, U.S. Senate Confirmation, Inter-American Foundation Board, 1985–1992

* County of Bucks Agricultural Preservation Board, 1989

* Real Estate Broker License, 1989

* Delaware Valley College Board of Trustees, 1983–1988