John Barrie is Founder and the Chief Innovation Officer of the Appropriate Technology Collaborative (ATC), an award-winning nonprofit company that designs affordable, sustainable, technologies that provide opportunity for the world’s poorest people. Mr. Barrie is an Architect and Industrial Designer; he has also been an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at the University of Michigan. Mr. Barrie works with groups of professionals, students and volunteers from around the globe to develop new programs and technologies for people in less economically developed countries.

John is co-founder of Mayan Power and Light, a program in Guatemala that teaches Mayan women about electricity, circuits and solar power, and creates woman owned social venture businesses. In 2019 Mayan Power and Light won the Energy Globe Award for Sustainability. The Energy Globe is today's most prestigious environmental prize worldwide, honoring projects presenting sustainable solutions to climate change.

In 2016 Mayan Power and Light was recognized as a “Sustainia 100”, one of the top 100 sustainable enterprises world-wide by the United Nations Compact for Sustainable Development. Mayan Power and Light brings solar power and light to over 10,000 people per year.

Mr. Barrie and ATC have designed over a dozen new appropriate technologies that are available for free online. ATC technology designs have been downloaded over 7,500 times by people and nonprofits from 43 countries.

John Barrie conducts interactive workshops on sustainable appropriate technologies, social enterprise and program development for low income communities.