Barb Bickford is principal at Bickford Collaboration in the eastern metro area of Minnesota, where she trains and supports groups to collaborate for health and sustainability. Recently retired from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, she was subject matter expert in medical waste and was known for fostering collaboration among healthcare organizations, regulators, law enforcement, waste managers and others. Barb was a key partner in a three-year multi-state project to keep pharmaceuticals out of the Great Lakes and chaired a diverse group of stakeholders seeking to reduce the impact of pharmaceutical waste on Wisconsin’s environment and communities. She helped develop a mentoring program for DNR staff, spearheaded a program to help DNR staff get to know one another and what they do, and offered numerous interactive workshops for healthcare and DNR staff. In 2013, the DNR Board presented Barb with the DNR’s highest award (the Rebecca Wallace Award) for her leadership in mentoring and seeking collaborative solutions to environmental issues. Barb is a quiet yet strong leader with extensive group experience as diverse as leading a Girl Scout troop, founding and facilitating a support group for women in jail, hosting international students, leading wilderness canoe trips, offering healing retreats and playing bass in a “roots” style band. She is thrilled to be supporting leaders to greater collaboration through JOFC.
