PuSh Profiles – Board Members
December 31, 2012
PuSh Profiles is a new series where you can get to know the names and faces of the people that make this festival so great.
* Who are you/ what do you do?
My name is Leslie Nolin and I am a Vancouver based Entrepreneur , business woman and Philanthropist.
Our companies work to educate and empower leaders to create work cultures that sustain high levels of service, commitment and excellence. We have worked diligently since 1996 to improve the quality of work cultures in Canadian and US corporate industries, healthcare as well as other non-profit sectors.
* How long have you been involved with the PuSh Festival?
I have been a member of the PuSh Board for two years and prior an engaged attendee.
I was introduced to the festival by my good friend, colleague and then president of the Board, Mr. Max Wyman. He knew I appreciated philosophically the sad notion that the human condition rarely changes unless it is pushed or provoke to awareness in order to create necessary and often urgent changes.
I have been a lifelong supporter the arts and synergy between what my development firm does in the world and the mission of the festival. “to move people from all walks of life to make changes necessary to benefit the common good.” Sometimes society, a company, a leadership team, a family won’t create the changes necessary until they are poked, pushed or moved in some profound way. PuSh nudges, entertains, and changes you.
* What is your favorite memory of PuSh?
The experiences and “Ah-Ha” moments that have impacted me the most were moments when a program or group of people moved me and challenged me to think in ways I hadn’t before I arrived at the performance. I’d have to say most if not all of the programs I have seen with this festival have elevated my awareness of cultures, struggles or situations, that we just are not aware of day-to-day and in some cases oblivious to them. “The shadowed, find light with this festival”. It always leaves me with an abundance of hearty food to chew on.
* What shows/events are you looking forward to at this year’s festival?
This year’s program is again a stellar one. I am looking forward to Taipei’s one man performance of King Lear, Winners and Losers, Photog and Human Library to note a few.
* Outside of PuSh what do you do with your time?
What do I do with my time? Yeesh… I am a persistent and loving mentor to three adult offspring. I’m a senior dog owner, I’m a veteran scuba diver as there is nothing like being a silent, dependent, foreigner 100 feet below the surface of the ocean. It’s humbling. I’m an eternal learner, observer and mental cataloguer of compassionate actions I see around me. I’m a reader, a book publisher and I feverishly work with researchers and writers who mine for new ideas.
* What does ‘crossing the line’ mean to you?
Not having fear, not being immobile, demonstrating courage, being an action person, being intentional, creating our own boundaries by moving pre-established boundaries, taking a stand or even acknowledging that life has to be more fluid for it to be collaborative and collective.
* Any final words?
Enjoy the Festival!