Fiona Barkley was named Interim Director of Athletics at Meredith College in July 2026, bringing more than two decades of collegiate athletics experience and a combination of administrative and coaching leadership to the role. A member of the Meredith Athletics staff since 2007, Barkley has a strong understanding of the department, its student-athletes and coaches, and the role athletics plays within the College.
Barkley began taking on administrative responsibilities at Meredith in 2021 while still serving as head volleyball coach. Her role has continued to expand to include oversight of NCAA compliance, support of athletic communications, sport oversight, facility improvements and department operations. She has also helped guide the continued growth of Meredith Athletics, including the addition of women's flag football, while working to strengthen the resources and support provided to coaches and student-athletes.
Prior to focusing full-time on athletics administration, Barkley spent 21 years coaching at the collegiate level, including 16 seasons as Meredith's head volleyball coach from 2007–2023. She also served as an assistant coach at NC State, Elon University and Lynn University.
During her tenure as head coach, Barkley helped establish Meredith volleyball as a consistent contender in the USA South. She finished her head coaching career with 291 wins and 177 conference victories, leading the Avenging Angels to three NCAA Tournament appearances and multiple USA South championships. A two-time USA South Coach of the Year, Barkley coached numerous All-Conference and All-Region honorees, with her student-athletes earning major conference awards as well as All-American recognition.
Barkley capped her coaching career in 2023 with one of the program's most successful seasons. Picked fourth in the preseason conference poll, Meredith went on to win both the USA South Regular Season and Tournament Championships and advance to the NCAA Tournament. The tournament title marked the sixth USA South volleyball championship in program history, and Barkley was named USA South Coach of the Year.
A former collegiate volleyball player at Elon University, Barkley (MacPherson) was an all-conference outside hitter and conference champion. She is also a member of the Palm Beach Gardens High School Hall of Fame as a three-sport athlete.
Barkley holds a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Elon University and an MBA with a concentration in Sports Administration from Lynn University.
Originally from South Florida, Barkley resides in the Raleigh area with her husband, three children and two dogs.
