I have enjoyed happy, successful careers in:
- Teaching
- Counseling (including alcohol and drug abuse counseling)
- Cross Cultural Communication training in Japan
- Corporate Training and Development in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia
- Life coaching and Mentoring
- Public Speaking to audiences as small as 4 and as large as 2,000
I am the granddaughter of Italian immigrants who came to America in search of a better life for their children. From the time I was a small child, the values of education and philanthropy were emphasized as the basis of a successful life and for leaving the world a better place. As a result of this family influence, I earned advanced degrees in psychology, rehabilitation science and human resource management and have regularly supported local charities. While my studies were diverse and unique, each program strengthened my understanding of human personality, motivation, and the desire to strive toward goals, and to work at something that matters. These were bound by the common fabrics of communication and an instinct to help others.
I love teaching and my personal mission has revolved around the roles of teacher, writer and coach. I first worked as a therapist in alcohol/drug abuse counseling where I learned the meaning of holistic health – we cannot separate the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of an illness if we are to help create the conditions for getting well and recovering.
I gradually moved into corporate training where I spent more than 20 years creating training programs, managing training departments, and mentoring training staff and trainees. I have written about the human elements in business in many publications, including the Indianapolis Business Journal, Indianapolis Woman magazine and CEO magazine.
Being a life coach is a natural extension of my first work and training as a Gestalt therapist and a perfect complement to my background in teaching, training and communication. The “tool kit” that I have assembled over the years is full, rich in diverse experience and enables me to connect sincerely with clients with compassion and caring. I define my work as my calling, My passion is to serve others as they set goals and strive to reach them successfully. The coaching I provide reflects the wide range of life and career experiences I have enjoyed in the U.S. and overseas.
Being a Celebrant is also natural and joyful to me given all the public speaking, special events, and ceremonies I have created over the years. Each couple who comes to me for a marriage ceremony finds that I work with them to customize their special day and create a beautiful memory for them and their guests. Please go to the testimonials page to read comments from couples I have had the honor of celebrating on their wedding day. I work with all couples who love one another – gay or straight, young or old, affiliated or unaffiliated with a particular faith viewpoint.
Likewise, I am honored to provide officiant services at funerals and memorials, including pet funerals and memorials. These services can take place in a funeral home, an outdoor setting or in a special location of the family’s choosing. It is an honor and a privilege to paint the “soul portrait” of a loved one that has passed on through stories, and rituals, rites and ceremonies of the family’s choosing. Each funeral and memorial ceremony is customized and celebrates the deceased’s life and unique contributions. I bring readings, music, rites and personal touches to create a unique and spiritual service. If you consider yourself spiritual, but not religious, and if you find traditional funerals to be cold and impersonal, and you seek, instead, a loving and meaningful tribute to your loved one, then my Celebrant services may be the right choice for you and your family.