About Barb Bickford
Owner and principal
Bickford Collaboration, LLC
If you want to contribute to a better world, tap into
my passion for improving public health and the environment
Who I am as a professional
There I was, an introverted fact-oriented
Professional Geologist (PG) in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in my cubicle,
happily reviewing groundwater data and technical
plans for landfills.
Suddenly, I got a mid-career assignment
to coordinate Wisconsin's Medical Waste program.
It required me to work closely with people.
How would I do that? What did I know about healthcare -- let alone collaboration?
I set about learning, and I continue to learn
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Although shifting gears wasn't easy, I grew to
become well-known statewide and nationally
for collaborating on challenging and emerging issues such as reducing pharmaceutical waste
and managing highly infectious waste.
I observed first-hand how collaborative
leadership (or lack of it) can impact results
I learned how to run better meetings.
I now focus on helping others improve theirs.
Together, we can make a greater impact
by transforming both our meetings and our selves
Who I am as a person
I've been focused on improving water quality since my first Earth Day. I've gone...
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from preventing groundwater contamination
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to recycling and reducing waste
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to changing public policies that create waste
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to transforming how we meet and supporting leaders to do the same --
I'm always moving upstream
I've been moving upstream personally too,
developing myself by embracing life challenges
such as overcoming low-self esteem, living with persons who have a mental illness,
divorcing, being a single parent, losing a child,
supporting aging parents and starting a business.
I live in a small town near St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
with my family and a cat who thinks it's human. My husband (also a geologist) and I are both Minnesota Water Stewards. We keep busy planting trees, pulling buckthorn and planning our next canoe trip.
And I do what I can to improve the environment as a business, as well.
I've been a certified member of our local Green Business Directory since 2021
Experience
I'm a lifelong learner with a sense of humor and experience in business, public service, science and non-profits. What do you and I have in common?
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Business owner, Bickford Collaboration, LLC, 2018 to present
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Facilitator, 2010-to present
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Hydrogeologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 1981-2018
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Medical Waste Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 1992-2018
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Geologist, MS Geology (Hydrogeology), University of Wisconsin Madison and BS Geology, Winona State University
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Volunteer in many non profits, e.g., Girl Scouts, churches and environmental organizations.
Get to know me better
Find out more about how I can help YOU contribute to public health and a healthy environment!