Education and experience

Experience

The principal facilitator/consultant with the company is Barbara Pedersen who has over thirty years of experience with municipal community services, non-profit organizations, community development, and culture and recreation delivery. Since 1994, Barb has provided facilitation and consulting services to a variety of non-profit, corporate, and government organizations.

Barb worked as the Recreation, Parks, and Culture Manager with regional recreation boards and advisory boards in the communities of Westlock (1978-1982) and Parkland County (1982-1994).  She was the Master Trainer in Long and Short Term (Strategic) Planning with the SKILLS Volunteer program in Alberta from 1986 to 1991. In this capacity, she consulted with numerous organizations across Alberta and facilitated community-planning processes.

Education

Barb obtained a BA with Distinction (Recreation Administration) in 1978 from the University of Alberta and has supplemented it with various courses in community development and planning, management, public participation processes, adult education, and group facilitation. Barb has completed training programs with the Institute of Cultural Affairs (Canada), an organization committed to creating change through facilitation. Barb has trained in the facilitation methods of ToPTM Technology of Participation, Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space, the Skilled Facilitator, Dynamic Facilitation, and The Art of Hosting Conversations.

Certification

Barbara Pedersen recently obtained her professional certification. Barb is an IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator with the International Association of Facilitators.