Meet Dr. Terri K.
| "God brings men into deep waters
not to drown them, but to cleanse them."
-- Aughey
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Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy - "Dr. Terri K."
What do you get when you cross a Harvard MBA and a Doctor of Philosophy in World Religions with a Holistic Health Counselor?
Quite a bit of yin-yang! After almost dying from an ulcerated digestive system in her twenties, Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy realized that her Type-A workaholic tendencies might be good for the bottom-line, but not for her spirit or health. The process of rebuilding herself - mind, body, and spirit - unveiled her calling. A few years later, when she decided to leave her lucrative media career to become a social entrepreneur and health advocate, most people thought she had lost her mind. Instead, she found her Self. Now, her mission is to help people from all walks of life, live better lives.
She is President of Power Living Enterprises, Inc., a business & lifestyle consulting company which helps individuals, businesses and communities make purposeful choices that create long-term sustainability. She is also the Founder of Ta Yoga, which operates one of the first yoga studios in Harlem, and Chair of the Board of Yoga Alliance – the internationally-recognized non-profit organization that sets standards for yoga teaching in the United States. A leading expert on Health and Productivity Management, she was named National Ambassador for the American Heart Association in 2008 representing them in the media with a focus on their "Search Your Heart" campaign.
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| Health & Productivity Expert |
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With an MBA from Harvard, a Ph.D. in World Religions, and training in Holistic Health and Yoga, Dr. Kennedy offers a unique multidisciplinary approach to crafting an authentic, healthy, and successful life - whether you are a CEO looking to increase the productivity of your company or a stay-at-home mom trying to find balance, whether you're a looking to change jobs or completely transform your life. She started her career as the youngest staff member at the Harvard Business School, where she consulted with and wrote case studies on Fortune 500 companies specializing in Production Operations Management. She wrote case studies for the second year "Operations Strategy" MBA course, research notes for Harvard Business Review articles, and papers on entrepreneurship and small businesses. As a Holistic Health Counselor trained in Integrative Nutrition, she has also worked with people with specific ailments, ranging from Adult ADD, Asthma, Anorexia and Diabetes to Hypertension, Obesity, IBS and even Leukemia. The common thread for all of those coming to her is the desire to take control of their own lives - from what they do for work to how they manage their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental energy. She offers individual coaching in-person or by telephone, as well as group workshops on topics such as personal branding, purpose planning, nutrition, and stress management. As a corporate consultant, she can help you set up and achieve a Return on Investment for your Health & Productivity Management program. Find out more about our coaching programs, as well as our corporate services.
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Dr. Terri Kennedy has led personal development workshops, motivational talks, retreats and panels for a variety of corporations, business associations, and other groups - from the Social Venture Network and Harvard Business School to Eileen Fisher Executive Meetings and Cruise Lines International Association Summit. Because of her multi-faceted background, she can speak effectively to many different audiences, from CEOs, business executives, politicians, hospital administrators and doctors to a church pastor, a pre-teen, a stay-at-home mom, and a newly-diagnosed patient. Working in Harlem for six years has also honed her ability to interface with community, youth and faith-based groups, and deliver practical and culturally-relevant messages to traditionally underserved groups. Check out events for a sampling of clients and appearances, or to book her for an event. Read what others are saying.
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Dr. Terri Kennedy has offered her views on TV, radio, print and online - from commenting on stress management for Katrina survivors on CNN and discussing the growth of Yoga in the U.S. on Fox News... to discussing what it takes to be a woman entrepreneur on Smart Woman TV to being featured in a documentary on time/energy management on ARD TV in Germany. She is a frequent guest on radio from Martha Stewart Living Radio to 98.7 KISSFM, and has contributed to a variety of magazines from The Hallmark Magazine and Yoga Journal to Essence and The Network Journal. She has been featured in magazines such as O: The Oprah Magazine and Prevention Magazine, and in newspapers such as The New York Times and The Daily News. She also writes a monthly "The Power of..." column, the "Message from the Chair" for Yoga Matters, which goes to over 18,000 yoga teachers and over 800 yoga studios, and the Power Living® Today blog. For more on her media appearances and constributions check out The Buzz.
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Dr. Terri Kennedy comes from a family of human rights activists, and cares about the wellbeing of others. Known for her passion for health literacy, she has offered health education programs on behalf of organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus, New York City Department of Health, the American Heart Association and Speaking of Women's Health, as well as hospitals and faith-based groups. A proponent of youth empowerment, she has also taught positive life skills to youth, working with organizations such as the Thurgood Marshall Academy, The Beacon School, Figure Skating in Harlem and the Harlem Wizards Basketball Camp. With her mother, Janie Sykes-Kennedy, she is the Co-Founder of the Young PWR® Brokers, Inc. - an organization which teaches self-esteem building skills to youth from 8 to 25 starting with a group of formerly homeless pre-teen girls in Harlem. After almost dying and then healing using an integrative approach, she also supports a move from the current Disease Management Model of healthcare to an Integrative Wellness Model. She educates medical students on the "Body-Mind-Spirit Connection" at venues such as the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Mentoring in Medicine and the SNMA Medical Education Conference, and also works with corporations to implement wellness programs and understand the effects of stress on productivity.
Read about our alliance with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and join the cause.
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- In 2008, she received the "Cheerios Sisters Saving Hearts" Award for her committment to fighting heart disease. It was presented by General Mills and the Congressional Black Caucus. She is donating the $5,000 grant to the American Heart Association Cultural Health Initiative in Harlem.
- In 2008, she received the "Women Who Dare To Be Different" Award, presented by Congressman Edolphus Towns and The Women's Caucus, for her work in health literacy. Her accomplishments were added to the Congressional Record.
- In 2006, she was selected as participant in the Emerging Entrepreneurs Program: An Inc. magazine - William J. Clinton Foundation Partnership.
- In 2004, she received The Network Journal's 40-Under-Forty Achievement Award.
- In 2004, she was selected by the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, in conjunction with the Tides Foundation, to receive a Teaching for Diversity Program 2004 Award for her contribution to health awareness and teaching of yoga in Harlem.
- In 2003, she was selected as an "Emerging Entrepreneur" by the Social Venture Network.
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Degrees:
Ph.D. in World Religions, Universal University
MBA, Harvard Business School
B.A. in Sociology and Studio Art, Wellesley College - Durant Scholar magna cum laude
Certifications:
Holistic Health Counselor, Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
Vinyasa Krama Yoga, Srivatsa Ramaswami
Hatha Yoga Instructor, Integral Yoga Institute (IYI)
Gentle/Chair Yoga Instructor, Integral Yoga Institute (IYI)
Personal Trainer, American Counsel on Exercise (ACE)
Group Fitness Instructor, American Counsel on Exercise (ACE)
Lifestyle & Weight Management, American Counsel on Exercise (ACE)
Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), Certified Television Producer
Other Studies:
Interactive Telecommunications Masters Program, New York University
Design & Italian Culture, Rhode Island School of Design - Rome, Italy
Staging & Production, United States International University - Nairobi, Kenya
Cable Management and Finance, University of Denver
Effective Communicating, Decker Communications, Inc.
Various advanced yoga & meditation workshops
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She has directed three theatrical performances in Kenya with the Now Africa Theatre Company, including Love Conquers All, Oba Waja and The Preacher. While in Nairobi, she managed and trained a 60-member international cast, and coordinated all publicity. At Harvard Business School, she produced and directed Evolution/Revolution, which featured her parents and the writings of her father.
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Although she is American, Dr. Kennedy, known as "Terri" to her family and friends, had an unusual international upbringing. She was born in Accra, Ghana; started school in Adelaide, Australia; and as a Stetcher Scholar, studied and lived in Rome, Italy. She tutored high school Italian at the Boston Latin School, and has traveled to over 30 countries around the world and has been on all continents except for Antarctica.
Exposed to yoga and integrative nutrition by her mom, Terri has followed a natural, holistic and positive lifestyle since she was 4 years old. She also grew up reading spirituality-related books, from The Science of Mind and Emerson's Essays to the Tao Te Ching and The Prophet. The philosophy and habits she learned when she was younger has helped her succeed in business and life, and has greatly informed her current work. She was a dancer and competitive athlete in track, swimming and gymnastics; skipped two grades of school; entered Wellesley College at the age of 16; and was named one of GLAMOUR magazine's "Top Ten College Women in America" in 1988 appearing on the The Today Show with Jane Pauley. With the initial desire to become an entertainment attorney, she was a corporate law and litigation intern at Ropes & Gray in Boston, and a Complaint Mediator for the Department of the Attorney General in Boston. She then became the youngest staff member, and then student, at the Harvard Business School.
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| She spent seven years as an executive at MTV Networks, becoming one of the youngest Vice Presidents at the company. As a special advisor to the President of VH1, Terri designed the financial structure for the VH1 Strategic Plan, evaluated new business opportunities, and managed cross-departmental projects involving Marketing, Ad Sales, Program Planning, Development, Research and New Business on behalf of the President. She also wrote a monthly competitive research newsletter distributed throughout the company, and supervised the Viewers Services Department, including database management, direct marketing, phone, mail and email support. Working with a new President of VH1, she helped reposition the VH1 Television network in 1993, and then founded/created VH1 Interactive (www.vh1.com) in 1994. A pioneer in new media, she negotiated VH1's first deal with America Online and integrated online in on-air events with artists such as Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney.
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As part of the core digital strategy group for Viacom and MTV Networks, she worked closely with the Chairman and CEO, CFO and COO at MTV Networks, as well as the senior business development team at Viacom. She worked on the launch of MTV Networks' suite of six digital music TV channels, started the Business Development & Operations group for MTV Interactive (www.mtv.com) in 1996, and developed/founded the VH1@Work radio network in 1998. As Vice President of Business Operations for the combined MTV and VH1 group, she managed the operations of a 150-person team, created the initial personnel and financial policies, as well as identified business opportunities and negotiated landmark content/distribution deals bringing in over $30 million into the digital division. In addition, she was part of the Viacom due diligence team for the acquisition of SonicNet, and managed such partnerships as Intel, Microsoft, Yahoo!, America Online, N2K/CDNOW, Lycos, and Excite@Home. She also helped to create MTV Networks' Diversity Council, coordinating events with notables such as Betty Shabazz - the late wife of Malcolm X and a family friend.
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Inspired by her mother, who started practicing yoga in the early 70's, Terri is trained as a Hatha and Chair/Gentle Yoga Instructor from the Integral Yoga Institute in New York, and has done various advanced Vinyasa Yoga and meditation trainings. Her yoga teachers gave her the spiritual name "TARA," which means "Star and Savior. A Name for Devi the Divine Mother." In 2002, she founded the Ta Yoga House (www.tayoga.com) to make healthy and positive living physically, culturally and financially accessible to underserved urban communities. It was one of the first yoga studios in Harlem. She offers free yoga classes to the Harlem community through the Shape Up New York program sponsored by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. She is also the first African-American to be Chair of the Board of Yoga Alliance (www.yogaalliance.org). In addition to her governance duties for YA, she writes a column for Yoga Matters which goes to their registry of over 18,000 yoga teachers and over 800 yoga studios, and interfaces with organizations within the yoga community, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) field, as well as organizations in the general health field. She teaches at various events across the country and has moderated panels at Yoga Journal conferences and has presented on stress management for the National Institutes of Health.
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Terri comes from a family of high achievers. Her parents, journalist/entrepreneur Janie Sykes-Kennedy, and the late playwright/professor Dr. James Scott Kennedy, were international media pioneers. Other well-known relatives include: Adrienne Kennedy, the Obie Award-winning playwright; Leon Isaac Kennedy and Jayne Kennedy Overton, the film & TV personalities; Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy, co-founder of Africare; and Dr. Lillian Kennedy Beam, former Vice Chancellor of the United States International University in Kenya. Her great uncle, James Atkins, was a member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Black Cabinet," advising on education. The family's emphasis on education and achievement started with her great grandmother, Mary Atkins, who graduated from Knoxville College in the late 1800s.
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| Jayne Kennedy Overton |
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| Leon Isaac Kennedy |
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An artist, photographer, writer and former model with a unique mix of creative and business skills, Terri has also worked in film development at Universal Studios, and worked as an Assistant Buyer for a fashion merchandising company. She has shared her business and marketing knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM), a fashion college in New York. She was also privileged to grow up around such cultural greats as Muhammad Ali and Smokey Robinson, and hear dinner table stories about her parents' friendships and work with people like Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington.
To honor the passing of Terri's father, Dr. James Scott Kennedy, read the Tribute to Dr. K.
View photos of family and friends in the gallery.
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