"I have known Nan Ellen for ten years and watched her mature into an intelligent, virtuous and incredibly compassionate young woman. She is a leader. She is a servant of others which makes her qualified to be entrusted with  leadership. She is honest, thoroughly considerate of others, and has a supernatural joy about her. Of course, her deep faith inspires and guides her leadership and service. I first met her through the Student Leadership Forums that she participated in, and later, led. She had the respect and trust of her peers, and later, of the high school and college students that she helped mold. In my time at the White House, I have worked with this group, and also stayed in close contact with Nan Ellen. I have had countless opportunities to be with her, both with her family and on other occasions, and I have observed how gifted she truly is. She has many gifts besides a good head on her shoulders and excellent people skills. Nan Ellen's serenity is worthy of special mention. Nan Ellen has excellent morals and this helps her put first things first. Her love of God, family, and her many friends are evident, and help explain why she is perpetually cheerful." Jim Towey, President of Saint Vincent College, Former Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives

 

 

"Nan Ellen Nelson was recommended to our parish to teach in a leadership seminar. She is not only an excellent teacher, she is an outstanding motivational speaker particularly in the area of moral leadership. In addition we asked that she share her vocal talents with us in Sunday morning worship. She thrilled us all with her beautiful voice and the love for God that can be clearly heard and seen in her music." The Rev. Dr. Al W. Jenkins

 

"Nan Ellen Nelson recently traveled to Israel and Palestine to learn firsthand about possibilities for peace in the Holy Land.  She met with Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druze peacemakers, and everywhere she went, she made friends.  Nan Ellen has a deep and sincere interest in helping to bring people together across divisions of culture and religion, and she has the courage to address issues that are complex and entrenched.  She is an outstanding example of how young leaders can begin reshaping our world." Andrea Blanch PhD, President of the Center for Religious Tolerance

 

Leadership Development week is already halfway complete. The 2009 PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS students made it through the first weekend -- jet lag and all -- and were primed and ready for classes to start. Every day, our Afghan and Rwandan students gain more energy, more excitement and more empowerment! Lunch brought on more leadership -- servant leadership to be exact, presented by Nan Ellen Nelson, a true leader in women's issues. "As servant leaders, you must humble yourself," she explained as she challenged the women to their own leadership launch. Her presentation was interactive and engaging. When asking the students the meaning behind self discovery, Deborah Kagwisagye answered: "Finding your inner self, what you're made of, what you are able of accomplishing, and the potentials within." As Nelson asked the women to think about the ways to improve self discovery, the ideas chimed in from around the room: "Accountability and transparency." "Honesty." "Walk the talk." "Doing the right thing when no one's watching." "Selfless." The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women