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About Me

I was born in Greece, lived in Australia for 13 years and settled in South Carolina (U.S.) in my 21st year.

I worked in the office of the Australian Prime Minister at 19, used up my Greek restaurant genes in my one year gig as chef-owner of Despina's International Cafe & Salon Gallery, I worked my way up the non-profit ladder to the position of Director of The Museum-Greenwood and I've used my ability to simplify and organize to run the office of a national leadership training organization, Positive Management Leadership, Inc.

I live in the small town of Greenwood, about one hour away from Greenville, South Carolina. I have served as president of the board of Greenwood's Uptown shopping district, as secretary of the South Carolina Arts Alliance and as a founding member of the team that developed the SC National Heritage Corridor, a 240 mile trail of discovery of arts, crafts and historic sites throughout the state of South Carolina.

I have tried (twice) to build a career managing artists, but finally learned that this is an oxymoron and that (when it happens) it's a very rare thing, indeed! In 2007, I switched gears to focus on writing short stories and poetry. I support my writing with social media marketing and coaching for individuals and the heroes of small business.

Since November of 2010, I've served on the Program Team for TEDxGreenville, the first TEDx in South Carolina. I am currently serving as the Curator for TEDxGreenville 2013.

Location:
United States, Greenwood, SC
Current organization:
Alpha Publishing & Communications
Past organizations:
TEDxGreenville
Current role:
Friendly Consultant & Storyteller
Gender:
Female
Areas of expertise:
Project Management, Creative Problem Solving, poetry (reading and writing), Meeting Planning/Meeting Management, writing - creative, social media marketing (a.k.a. story-telling), Food Preparation & Recipe Development
My website links:
Alpha Connections, Alpha FEmale Mind, TEDxGreenville
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More About Me

I'm passionate about

People, music, food, cooking, community, the arts, living with ease. Ironing--it's like meditation.

An idea worth spreading

"I never let schooling get in the way of my education"--Mark Twain.

People don't know that I'm good at

Singing and baking bread.

My TED Story

In 2010, at the first TEDxGreenville, I fell in love and awe with TED. I have worked on the Program Team and Planning Team for TEDxGreenville since November of 2010. Now, the potential of what TED and the TEDx community can offer the world has become almost an obsession for me. It's about the ideas making love to people's brains and going into the world for the good of humankind. Yes, that's it!

Comments

  • TEDCred score: +0.20 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

  • A reply on Talk: John Hockenberry: We are all designers

    Aug 24 2012: Absolutely. That's the key. How much easier it is now to understand Design.

  • A comment on Talk: John Hockenberry: We are all designers

    Aug 24 2012: This talk is one of my favorite AHAs. Design is elusive in the minds of most people. This talk helps us to shift from the abstract word and into the hugely accessible idea that design is about intent. Now THIS IS AN IDEA WORTH SPREADING.
  • +2

    A comment on Talk: John Hunter: Teaching with the World Peace Game

    Jun 26 2012: Powerful!

    I was watching the documentary about John Hunter and The World Peace Games on SC ETV, thinking, "There's got to be a TED talk. There's GOT to be a TED talk." Touching, moving, inspirational. Thank you, Mr. Hunter. Thank you, all the teachers who invested in Mr. Hunter as a child. Thank you, TED, for this offering.

  • A reply on Conversation: Children's schools should have an "Imagination" period

    May 20 2012: Stephen, I agree. At home. At school. At work. All of these places should support our creative spirit/imagination. Imagination--isn't this what we use when we sit down to solve a problem at any level? Imagination and experience. What do you think?

  • A comment on Conversation: Children's schools should have an "Imagination" period

    May 18 2012: All good points here. The idea, I think, is to VALUE imagination/creative thinking in our educational systems. Bravo to that! Incorporating this type of thinking in the workplace is invaluable, so let's not limit it to school. Yes! It's a natural thing for us to do. We are, however, taught to be cautious and serious and practical. These adult learned behaviours kill creativity and imagination. Boo!

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