2023 40 Under 40: Rikki Barton

Before taking the leap to start her own consulting business, Rikki Barton worked for nearly a decade as the director of prevention services at Community Partnership of the Ozarks. There, she oversaw prevention programming in 21 counties and annual grant budgets totaling more than $1 million.

Now, as the founder and lead consultant at Onward Consulting, she uses her on-the-ground experience in prevention services – particularly relating to drug use, mental health and suicide – to empower others working in the field long term.

“I acquired a special interest in professional development as a means of helping increase retention,” says Barton, 38. “By building confidence in individuals about their knowledge and skills, they will be more likely to stay in the job long enough to see their work make an impact.”

Your proudest moment? I presented to a room of 300 youth and afterward had the opportunity to chat with a few of them. One girl asked me how she could become me. … I told her that she will go on to do bigger and better things than I will; she just needs to find her passion and pursue it.

Best productivity hack? Save your emails for the afternoon. Start your day working on the projects that require the most brain power. Credit: Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe.

Favorite TV show? “Ted Lasso.” This show brings me joy because it is upbeat while still addressing the hard things in life.