The Gathering Team
Florence Haridan - Founder - Change Agent
Those who know Florence have considered her creative since the day she held a Crayola. Or should we say, the day she started melting them, chopping them up, mixing them. She never saw it as just a crayon — it was a way to express herself and her ideas.
From creating murals for plays in the neighborhood as a child, to developing an employee recognition program, to hosting a bi-monthly creativity dinner party, she brings imaginative types together to see what happens…usually great things! Florence personally enjoys the iterative process and is seen as highly collaborative. She brings this approach into every aspect of how she runs her business, her workshops and her life. These experiences have moved her to bring people together in new ways and is why gathering was born.
Florence knows a creative outlet is critcal to growth, be it art, music, cooking, a garden. Each of us is fueled by the creative spirit whether or not we understand or recognize it. Florence’s goal is to nurture the creativity in all those around her.
Valerie Benton - Transformtion Coach
Valerie Benton is a transformation coach who enjoys working with individuals that are ready to get on the “pathway to their highest potential”. When you work with Valerie it’s all about receiving support, inspiration and finding your personal road map to where you want to go.
Valerie enjoys coaching small business owners, sales professionals, courageous people who want to make a career transition, and people who don’t want to settle for anything less than an extraordinary life. Valerie’s intention is to assist people on the pathway to their highest potential so that they can be living their vision.
As part of her coaching practice she also started a coaching group for women that have lost their mothers, called “Motherless Daughters.” She was featured in an article in the Florida Times Union newspaper and talked about “having an open forum where people can feel safe to talk”. Valerie creates a comfortable space where women can “go from grief to gratitude.”
Valerie is a graduate of the ICF (International Coaching Federation), accredited Life Coach Training program through Coach for Life in San Diego, California. She received her Life Coach Program Graduate (LCP) designation. Valerie also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Hofstra University in New York.
Prior to Professional Coaching, Valerie spent over 15 years in the television and advertising industry in major markets such as New York City. In addition, Valerie achieved top honors and received numerous sales awards including: President’s Club, Salesperson of the Year and Salesperson of the Quarter numerous times.
Valerie is also a member of Toastmasters International and the Professional Women’s Council in Jacksonville, Florida and serves as a volunteer with Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Mission Statement: I would be honored to guide you on the pathway to your highest potential so you can be living your vision now!
Bernie Beaumont - Sage
I was born and raised in a small town in Southern Maine. As an adult, career pursuits led me to living in every corner of the United States except the Northwest. This broadened my small town upbringing well beyond anything I could have imagined. Regrets? Perhaps a few.
I was educated in Boston, earning a degree at Boston College with a major in Economics and a minor in Philosophy. At age 29, I married Mary Lou and subsequently adopted her three sons. Most of my career was in home office insurance companies in middle management functions, including Director of Sales Promotion and Manager of the Premium Accounting Department.
At the 'tender' age of 54, I retired from the corporate world and started my own business buying, renovating, renting and managing apartments and single homes.
In 1991, I bumped in to the most life-changing experience I had ever known, which began with an advanced case of prostate cancer. This was followed be a remarkable recovery, plus an entirely new and wonderful outlook on life. I also wrote a yet-to-be published manuscript called "Cancer Cured Me."
In 1999, I lost my life savings as a result of a well-designed ponze scheme. Surprisingly, it turned out to be yet another 'teacher' coming to enlighten me on the true meaning of abundance.
In February, I'll be 79 years young, still ever-willing to learn, to grow, to love life and to serve others as a way of life.
Susan Ballantyne - Nurturer
I’ve been fortunate to wear many hats as my professional career grew from warehouse inventory clerk, through travel agent, cable television sales manager, and finally to director of human resources. Most of my time has been spent in the Midwest with short sojourns in Toronto and Houston; now I am a hesitant Floridian (does the humidity ever stop!) living in St Augustine.
As I encountered challenges in life, my response was to power through with shoulder to the wheel and nose to the grindstone. I felt I had to control the situation and that I alone could accomplish what needed to be done. Even with the blind love of family and help from willing friends, it was all up to me. When my husband died suddenly, I faced a situation I couldn’t handle alone and finally reached out to a support group. What a life changing experience that was! From being alone and not knowing what to do, I received nurturing support and, most importantly, guidance on how to work through my loss and fears and I came out on the other side with new skills and a new look on life.
And this is why I am so grateful to be associated with Gathering. Not only do I have the business experience to contribute to the growth of this company, but I have first-hand experience on how working with others does provide the support and direction for making changes. I also believe that Gathering, and our products and services, can and will help people find their own path for making change that will lead to a more fulfilling life.
Jesse Sison - Design Intern
Currently I am a student at the Art Institute of Jacksonville, seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. I've been immersed in design since my days creating flyers and playing in bands. I saw a need to promote and create awareness and I gradually discovered how to do so through design.
I hope to gain a broader knowledge of creating effective visual communication to achieve the goals set by Gathering. The power of design is incredibly valuable and by building a strong identity, we will be able to bring about recognition and communicate activity. I'm very excited to be a part of the team!