Barbara Cecil
Barbara Cecil’s Master’s degree in Speech Communication and Human Relations has supported her calling to assist individuals, groups, teams, and organizations toward the full manifestation of their creative potential. For twenty years she worked in various parts of the world as a consultant specializing in large systems change with an emphasis on organizational learning. Coaching is integral to her work. For eight years she served as an Associate Dean of the School of Humanities at California State University, Long Beach.
In her work in the former Soviet Union, South Africa, the Near East, Europe and North America, Barbara witnessed the effects of women finding their voices and assuming their full stature. Believing that the serious challenges facing the world at this time need the perspective, sensitivities, and collaborative instincts of feminine leadership, she began to support women coming into their own. Since 1995, when she began mentoring young women leaders, Barbara has created refined settings in which women from all walks of life discover the unique expressions of their personal and work lives and, most importantly, come into alignment with the beauty and uniqueness of their innermost beings.
Barbara has been trained by Joanna Macy to introduce “Active Hope,” assisting those who are trying to find their footing and contribution in a time when severe damage and collapse of global systems (ecological, social, economic, etc.) is impacting humanity, the web of life and future generations. Her work with young adults helps them navigate the massive transition underway, as old formulas for success erode, and und uncertainty prevails. She co-authored a series of publications called How Then Shall We Live?, in the context to climate chaos.
Barbara is author of Coming Into Your Own: A Woman’s Guide through Life Transitions. She was co-founder of a movement to support women’s leadership, now in 19 countries and 7 languages. She designed The Symbols Way, as a tool for coaches and therapists who support clients during transitions and turning points in their lives.
Currently she lives on the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington in the United States. She is an artist, values community, loves the earth, and grows prodigious amounts of healthy food.