Barb has over 25 years of experience working with organizations to focus and align strategy, plan and implement changes, and realize measureable results. She has worked in a variety of industries, including retail, insurance, manufacturing and finance; however, her primary focus has been in healthcare. After working as an internal consultant for several years, she established Himelfarb Consulting in 2000.

Barb specializes in strategy and project management. She works with leaders to ensure they have the most effective structure, processes and tools to manage and implement strategic initiatives that are completed in the most effective, efficient way possible. A trademark of Barb’s work is her dedication to building internal capacity for sustained change through constant teaching and skill development. To accomplish this, she uses a variety of learning approaches including classroom training, coaching and mentoring, and on-the-job development.

Barb takes a realistic, practical approach to problem solving and performance improvement. With her depth of experience, she uses the methodology that works best for the situation at hand. Barb is versed in Lean, Six Sigma, and Process Redesign now recognized as core components of Design Thinking and Value Based Care. She has worked with numerous organizations to facilitate performance improvement sessions, including health insurance enrollment, billing, provider contracting, product planning and member materials processes.

Barb holds a Master of Arts degree with an Organizational Learning and Development Certificate from the University of St. Thomas, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota both located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From 2003 - 2007 Barb served as an adjunct faculty member for the University of St. Thomas undergraduate program and the Center for Business Excellence teaching both customized and public programs.

Debra D. Waggoner, Senior Associate, Himelfarb Consulting

Debra is a seasoned leader with experience in managing all aspects of Organizational Effectiveness and Human Resources including strategy alignment, organizational development, leadership/management development, recruitment and employment, employee relations, compensation, benefits, and decision support. Prior to joining Himelfarb Consulting in 2013, Debra was the Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Effectiveness, at Courage Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the Corporate Director, Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness with the Benedictine Health System in Duluth, Minnesota, and prior to that, she served in various leadership roles at Allina Health System/Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Debra is a strategic thinker with expertise in aligning people, culture, systems, structures, processes and practices with organizational vision and strategy. Throughout her career she has been described as a valued strategic business partner and consultant to organizational leaders and teams in developing and implement strategies and initiatives that support business objectives and drive results. She has expertise and a passion for leading and facilitating innovative and transformational change efforts.

A continuous learner and teacher, Debra earned her master’s in business administration from the University of St. Thomas (Minneapolis, MN), her masters in Adult and Continuing Education from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN), and her Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)