The Leadership and Empowerment Institute, Inc.
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Helen E. DannattI was born in New York City on 30 January 1944, just as World War II was winding down. My ancestors came from Germany, Great Britain and France; we went to Lutheran and Episcopal churches. I am the oldest of six children. I attended Junior and Senior High School in Port Jefferson, Long Island, which at the time consisted of farms and small towns. Virtually everyone was bussed to school since such a large area was served. I received an excellent education, academically and culturally. While attending the University of Delaware, I met a young composer. We were married three weeks later (1964) and moved to Philadelphia. I have one son, Leonard, born in 1972, who is a computer network specialist and a daughter-in-law who is an accountant. In order to support my talented husband so he could create freely, I became a clerk and then a computer programmer. I've been an Information Technology professional since 1966 and am currently employed as a Systems Analyst. The corporate environment has given me the opportunity to work as part of a team, enhance my analytical and problem-solving skills, give presentations, lead meetings, communicate verbally and in writing, and manage projects. The challenges of marriage and parenthood drove me to examine my emotional assumptions and mental patterns. Tough Love provided effective assertiveness training. Twelve step recovery programs brought insight, serenity, and recovery from codependency. It was also the perfect classroom to learn to listen without judgment. Then, I discovered "How To Build High Self Esteem" by Jack Canfield, coauthor of the Chicken Soup books. In 1997, I attended his eight-day Facilitating Skills Seminar in Santa Barbara. I realized I deserved a rewarding life and I had the power to create it. It was there I decided to become a facilitator. In 2000 I moved to North Carolina and found my way onto the Tapestry Committee at Unity Center of Peace Church. I facilitated self-study groups on "The Artist's Way" and "The Vein of Gold" by Julia Cameron which I found satisfying and enlightening. I was fortunate enough to participate in Community Building for a local church, "Basic Facilitation" at Guilford College with Pat Callair, and "Crucial Conversations; Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" with Linda Smith. I feel as though someone is pressing the accelerator of my personal growth. I have the privilege of being Interim President of the Leadership and Empowerment Institute, Inc. in Saxapahaw, Pat Callair Executive Director. I look forward to LEI helping groups overcome obstacles, reach true community and enjoy peak performance. I also bring a talent and love of singing, chanting and drumming, a sense of humor and an appreciation of visual beauty in all its forms. I enjoy knitting, patchwork, doll making, beading and collage. I am thrilled when I see creative, inclusive solutions emerge from people bouncing ideas off each other. I understand that relinquishing a loved one or a cherished concept can be equally painful. I am drawn to rituals, processes and relationships which support people during difficult transitions and celebrate life's achievements. I love animals and am fascinated by advances in communicating with them telepathically. Brain research is another area of interest, as are women's issues, sustainability, natural good health, dismantling racism, and spiritual peacekeeping. I am a possibilitarian. My dream is to have a retreat center near a beautiful, salt water beach where people can learn new things, experience relaxation and balance, work and play, solitude and togetherness, good music, good food, gentle exercise, fresh air and fun. |
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