Crystal Barnes is Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) at ViacomCBS.

In this role, Barnes is responsible for ViacomCBS’ social responsibility program including employee engagement, global giving and cross-portfolio campaigns and partnerships. Her work spans the areas of philanthropy, volunteering, cause marketing, disaster relief and pro bono investments. Barnes also leads ViacomCBS’ ESG efforts inclusive of external reporting and assessments.

Prior to joining ViacomCBS, Barnes served as Senior Vice President of Global Responsibility and Sustainability at Nielsen, and Executive Director of the Nielsen Foundation. She held positions leading the Industry Relations team, focusing on developing strategic alliances with industry, trade and business associations, and worked on the communications and public affairs team where she initiated and managed Nielsen’s partnerships with civic, social service and business organizations. With diversity, equity and inclusion as pillars in her career, Barnes also worked closely with Nielsen’s African American Advisory Council to drive diversity efforts across the company.

A native of Pennsylvania, Barnes received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Telecommunications and Mass Media from Temple University. She serves on the board of Citizen Schools and Get Schooled and resides in New Jersey with her husband and 3 children.