Elise Collins-Shields, Ph.D.
Founder and President, CommonWell Associates, Ltd. and
Founder and President, CommonWell Institute International, Inc.

Dr. Elise Collins-Shields began her international efforts following a lucrative 25 year career as an entrepreneur, selling a thriving real estate and relocation enterprise (production exceeding $ 200 million per year) in 1996.

Subsequently, she earned two Master's degrees -- counseling psychology, cross cultural research; and a Ph.D. in Cultural Mythology/Depth Psychology.

She now heads a consultancy in leadership, professional and personal Development, CommonWell Associates Ltd. that includes professional seminars, retreats, workshops, and executive/individual coaching.

Dr. Collins-Shields also founded CommonWell Institute International, Inc., a non-profit Institute for Leadership, Research and Advocacy for Women and Children. CommonWell aims to ensure the physical, economic, and educational sustenance of women and children, concentrating in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Current projects include a literacy project in Afghanistan and a Global Women's Leadership Initiative linking world citizens for conversations of leadership, conflict resolution and peace. She was recently selected by Thunderbird Garvin International School of Business to serve for two years as a mentor for emerging Afghan business women.

Dr. Collins-Shields authored and led annual Honors Leadership Institutes and accompanying mentoring programs for Zayed University, UAE. She is a frequent invited speaker on international issues, including recent presentations in Washington, D.C.; Havana, Cuba; Geneva, Switzerland; and Dubai, UAE.

She is currently writing a book on the leadership contributions of Middle Eastern women.