The New York Open Center, New York's leading center for holistic learning and world culture, is opening for businesses through its newest initiative, The Leadership Institute: Reception at 6:00 p.m.

Media Advisory

NEW YORK/EWORLDWIRE/Feb. 1, 2013 --- The New York Open Center (http://www.opencenter.org), New York's leading center for holistic learning and world culture, is opening for businesses. The Center's newest initiative, The Leadership Institute (http://www.leadoc.org), a curriculum of classes, coaching, executive forums and more, will launch on Wednesday, Feb. 6., at 6:00 p.m., at the New York Open Center (22 East 30th Street), with a reception honoring Arran Stephens, founder and CEO of Nature's Path Foods, as recipient of the first-ever Leadership Award for Character, Vision and Impact.

Merging professional education with practices of positive psychology, mindfulness and social responsibility, The Leadership Institute is dedicated to fostering the ongoing development of innovative business leaders, empowering them to effect positive change in themselves, their organizations and the world.

"This initiative is indicative of the broader growing interest in all forms of personal development," said Jayne Gumpel, founder and co-chair of The Leadership Institute. "In fact, many of the most innovative and successful companies of our time - companies like Google, Nike, General Electric, Deutsche Bank - are now including mindfulness and meditation practices as part of their day-to-day activities."

Through integrative workshops led by renowned educators and innovators in the fields of business, branding, finance, psychology, and entrepreneurship, and unique offerings such as one-to-one leadership coaching, peer development forums, customized consulting programs and monthly networking events, the Institute helps executives chart a course to increased profits, stronger leadership and improved rates of happiness in the workplace.

John Margaritis, founder and co-chair, said, "When our needs are met at work - professional, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual - we are more effective, more efficient, and have greater capacity for success; in short, we are happier. Research shows that when we are happy at work, sales increase by 37% and productivity by 31%.* It's not about abandoning profitability but about enhancing profitability with methods that can expand and enrich the whole of our being - and our contributions to the world."

Margaritis noted that CEOs who participate in monthly peer forums grow their businesses 2-1/2 times faster and increase their employee retention by up to 50%.**

"There is no shortage of leadership courses. The interesting thing about this, is the fact that it is geared toward a higher calling - something more aligned with joy and happiness," said Greg Monaco, founding partner of Monaco Lange branding agency and teacher of "How to Become Unforgettable," a Leadership Institute course taking place on February 26. "The overall Leadership Institute approach and program - from the classes to the coaching - will inspire and empower participants to become more productive, more focused on their craft and better leaders for their organizations."

Leadership Award for Character, Vision and Impact

As part of the launch event, Arran Stephens, founder and CEO of North America's largest independent organic breakfast foods company, Nature's Path Foods, will be honored with the Institute's inaugural Leadership Award for Character, Vision and Impact.

"The ideals and intentions of The Leadership Institute mirror many of the values that are core to Nature's Path," said Stephens. "I am honored to accept this award and to be aligned with an organization that gathers, nurtures and inspires positive-minded business leaders to mobilize themselves and their companies around practices and causes that improve people's lives."

Ralph White, creative director of the New York Open Center and liaison to The Leadership Institute, said, "With his forward-thinking business style, deep concern for the environment, and boundless respect for the people and communities with which he works, Arran Stephens - like The Leadership Institute itself - exemplifies the principles and practices of the New York Open Center, within a corporate setting. We are incredibly proud to be launching this center for the New York business community, and to be honoring Arran at our inaugural event."

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

The Leadership Institute at the New York Open Center is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to fostering the ongoing development of innovative business leaders, empowering them to effect positive change in themselves, their organizations and the world. Through its curriculum of interactive workshops and classes, one-to-one leadership coaching, peer executive forums and customized consulting programs, The Leadership Institute gathers, recognizes and nurtures executives and professionals who aspire to the universal maxim, "Be the change you want to see in the world." For more information on Leadership Institute programs, Board/Advisory Council membership, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit http://www.LeadOc.org.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK OPEN CENTER

The New York Open Center is a not-for-profit educational and cultural center offering programs intended to heal the body, nourish the soul and awaken the spirit. It aims to serve as a focal point for holistic thought and practice in the heart of New York City and aspires to be a place where life-enhancing, creative initiatives can be given voice. The Open Center is devoted to the quest for meaning, and to the exploration of life's deeper mysteries, seeking to stimulate aliveness and vitality among its community of guests, program participants, members and staff. Based on an open and comprehensive approach to the rich wisdom traditions of the world, the Center's goal is to offer a meeting place where people of shared values develop community. For more information, please visit http://www.opencenter.org.

* The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work, Sean Achor, Crown Business, the Crown Publishing Group; Random House Inc.

** Vistage International Research

Media Contact:
Joy Murphy
The Leadership Institute
P. 917.584.1110
joy@leadstrategiccoaching.com
http://www.Leadoc.org

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CONTACT:
Joy Murphy
New York Open Center
22 E. 30th Street
New York, New York 10016
PHONE. 917-584-1110
EMAIL: joy@leadstrategiccoaching.com
http://www.opencenter.org

KEYWORDS: Leadership, Arran Stephens, Nature's Path, Nature's Path Foods, mindfulness, positive psychology, positive leadership, executive development, personal development, Monaco Lange, Greg Monaco, Google, Nike, Deutsche Bank, General Electric, executive educati

SOURCE: New York Open Center