Darlene Ellison

Darlene Ellison“I don’t think you can talk about overcoming obstacles or tell a story about, like this one, without bringing in who you truly are. And if I have a canned message and I’m not paying attention to what’s happening with my audience, then I don’t think I’m being true to myself or my message.”
– Darlene Ellison
   from Public Speaking Super Powers

Darlene Ellison’s gripping personal story forms the foundation of her High Touch Alliances and Betrayal Recovery concepts that she uses to inspire and compel audiences into changing their own lives.

Her charmed life as wife, mother, philanthropist and successful businesswoman spiraled out of control when she learned that the man to whom she had been married for over 10 years, and with whom she had children, was arrested as part of an FBI sting operation. He was revealed to be a long-time sexual predator of young boys both in the United States and other countries. Engulfed by a very public situation that left her emotionally paralyzed, Darlene made the choice to not just survive, but thrive! She overcame the humiliation, anger and fear to turn her experience into one that could help others. She eliminated the “elephant in the room” by talking openly and proactively about her situation with her children and, later, to concerned adults who wanted to learn from her experience.

As sole provider, Darlene made professional adjustments in her career to meet the emotional and physical needs of her children. She used her strong educational background in both psychology and business, her business “stepping stones” as a business owner and consultant, and her profound network of personal and professional alliances to build a new career that put her children’s emotional nurturance needs first, while providing for them financially.

Darlene’s expertise in overcoming obstacles is best illustrated by her story and personal fight against NAMBLA (North American Man-Boy Love Association). Darlene has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show’s “What Pedophiles Don’t Want You to Know,” in a 20/20 interview with Deborah Roberts, and in Dallas’ D Magazine. She also appeared in a special television segment of Dateline NBC’s “To Catch a Predator,” in an educational video created as a part of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas’ Safe Environment Plan, and in a parent education video produced by Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center.

Professionally, her role as the Vice President of Business Development for Professional Bank, N.A., allowed her to create a unique business development strategic plan that focuses on niche positioning and High Touch customer service. She is also the founder and coordinator of two award-winning community Women In Business organizations that help women business owners and executives gain personal and professional growth. As an extension of these programs, she has also created the Future Women In Business internship program for college-aged women.

Darlene’s personal and professional journey led her to become an expert and consultant on overcoming obstacles and building meaningful alliances. Today, through her speaking, workshops, training and consulting, she helps businesses, organizations, and associations transform and empower their employees and members with High Touch Alliances™. Recently, Darlene was honored with the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

Darlene’s award-winning book, Predator Next Door…Detect, Protect and Recover from Betrayal has been honored with the 2009 Independent Publisher Book Award’s (IPPY) Gold Medal in True Crime, as well as the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner in Autobiography, garnering both national and international attention. Her next book is due to be released in 2011.

For more information: www.darleneellison.com

Darlene Ellison on Amazon

Listen to Darlene Ellison’s Podcast Episode