Meet Barb Larsen

For nearly 25 years, Barb Larsen has built a reputation for developing customer service and strategic marketing programs that command results. Barb has successfully delivered career advice to hundreds of individuals. Barb has also enjoyed higher education roles in Continuing Education, Customized Training, and Career Services. Barb is an adjunct professor teaching training and development classes in the Human Resource and Business Education major and Training & Development minor degrees at Winona State University, Winona, MN. In addition, she teaches Business courses in the Business Education division at Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI. Barb has become a certified trainer for Franklin Covey, Personality Resources International, DDI, and Vital Smarts programs. She has given many presentations across the country and the Midwest, and has trained hundreds of participants in corporate, business, nonprofit, healthcare, and education. In addition, she has spoken to over 3,000 university students annually in educating them about career preparation, resume development, interviewing skills, job searching, and generational differences.

Her credentials include a Master of Science in Training and Development from UW-Stout and a BS degree in Business Administration/Organizational Management from Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI. She has an impressive track record of professional experience in training, sales and marketing, and has received numerous local and regional awards. She was recognized in 2008 by the Minnesota Association for Continuing Adult Education with the “Harland Copeland Award for Excellence in Programming.” In 2009 Barb was recognized at the annual StrengthsQuest conference in Omaha, Nebraska, for a “Greatest Implementation Award Within a Class or Program Award” and for nominating two business students for “Greatest Student Story” awards. In addition, she wrote a research nomination and was recognized in 2009 at the Midwest Association of Colleges & Employers annual conference in Lombard, Illinois, for the John Shingleton award. Barb has been active in a number of business and professional organizations including the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce (Ambassador), La Crosse Noon Business & Professional Women, Holmen Area Foundation, Winona Area Chamber, and National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) as a member, leadership role, and volunteer. Barb was bestowed the 2009 Mrs. Oktoberfest title representing La Crosse Oktoberfest based upon her service and community work.

Barb lives in rural western Wisconsin (in the woods) with her husband and golden retriever. She has two millennial daughters and is an avid gardener, growing perennials of all kinds incorporating unique architecture into her designs.

Barb’s Resume and Experience

Clients Barb has presented to:

Benedictine Health Systems
Business & Professional Women USA (BPW)
La Crosse Noon BPW
Wisconsin BPW
La Crosse Area Credit Unions
La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce
Winona Chamber of Commerce
Mayo Clinic
Healthforce Minnesota
Riverfront, Inc.
Minnesota West Technical College
Minnesota Assoc. of Continuing Adult Education
MN Colleges & Universities Career Services
Minnesota Assoc. of Pharmacists
Rochester Diversity Council
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Winona Health
Wisconsin Society of Human Resource Managers
Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives
Wisconsin Electric Cooperatives Association
Winona State University
Wisconsin Apprenticeship Association
La Crosse Women’s Foundation
AFSCME & MAPE (Minnesota labor unions)
Dairyland Power Cooperative
WI Clinic Credit Managers Assoc.
Tri-State Adjustments
Western Technical College BIS
Wisconsin Collectors Association