About Barb Bickford
Owner and principal
Bickford Collaboration, LLC
Empowering scientists to collaborate, lead and make a difference
Who I am as a professional
There I was, an introverted fact-oriented (nerdy)
Professional Geologist (PG) in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in my cubicle,
diligently 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 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.​
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Business owner, Bickford Collaboration, LLC, 2018 to present
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Meeting facilitator, 2010-to present, with advanced training in facilitation
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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, educational and environmental organizations.
Contributions
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Podcast episode Geoscientists' Voices: Beyond Technical Data: How Facilitation and Networking Transform Geosciences Transcript
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Book chapter: Reviving a Group That is Losing Energy, in the book Liberating Structures Stories from the Field: Collaboration Unleashed by Anja Ebers and Birgit Nieschalk
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Podcast episode The Best Boss: Meeting Mastery - Stop Wasting Your Time
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Guest editorial: Groundwater Journal From Stoning to Building: How to Energize Science Meetings
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Award: AIPG Presidential Certificate of Merit Barb received this certificate for her dedication in championing networking for early career professional geologists and student members of AIPG.
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Award: The Rebecca Wallace Memorial Award is the highest award given to a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' employee. Barb received this award in 2013 for improving relationships with external partner agencies and organizations on environmental quality issues, for mentoring of Department staff and for maintaining a balance of high quality professional work with his or her personal life.
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Award: Wisconsin APIC Infection Control Practice Award This annual award is given to a person providing exceptional support and significant contributions toward infection control practices. APIC honored Barb for improving and promoting collection of household sharps in Wisconsin.