WE WORK TO EXPAND THE HORIZONS, BOUNDARIES, AND
CONSCIOUSNESS OF ALL THOSE WE WORK WITH, WHETHER
INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS,
OR NATIONS.

Nancy Popp

Nancy Popp earned her EdD. in adult developmental psychology from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, where she worked with Robert Kegan. Her initial work on psychological boundaries has expanded over the years to include issues of identity, conflict, and consciousness. Nancy is one of the foremost experts in the Subject-Object Interview and Constructive-developmental psychology. She uses both extensively in her work as a developmental coach, mentor, trainer, consultant, teacher, writer and researcher. Her new book, The New Science of Conflict, co-authored with Dr. Richard McGuigan, is published by SUNY press.

Taking inspiration from her gardens, Nancy’s work focuses around recognizing and understanding the uniqueness of each person’s identity and identity needs. In the garden, giving a plant the optimal amount of sun or shade, water, drainage, and fertilizer is essential for it to grow well. We know not to put a rose bush in deep shade or a delicate fern in full, hot sun. And we know it is preposterous to try to coax a sunflower into being a wisteria vine, or an exotic orchid to survive a New England winter. And yet, in our lives as humans, there is no end to the ways that we try to make ourselves into something we are not. Recognizing and growing our unique self in the garden of humanity is a life-long struggle for many of us. Nancy’s work is about supporting and facilitating that journey.