Diversity Specialist Advisor Nannette Oatley

Nannette Oatley, MA, LPC, is a resiliency expert, licensed professional counselor, former radio talk-show host, author, speaker, mother, wife, wellness consultant and the 2001 U.S. Open wheelchair tennis champion. Each of these roles signifies a commendable achievement for any individual; together, they form an extraordinary list of credentials for one person to attain. But when the woman who fits the bill is a sit-down person in a stand-up world, the magnitude of her accomplishments is astonishing.

For over 28 years, Nannette’s life has been a living testimony to the power of resilience. She was a former gymnast, dance choreographer, and amateur actress until a broken neck altered her life in 1982. Following her injury, she married and gave birth to three children within three years. In 1989, when her children were five, three-and-a-half and two, she began a single-parent career that encompassed nine years. During that time she completed a B.A. in counseling psychology and then an M.A. in counseling and human services.

Nannette first picked up a tennis racquet in 1993, eleven years after her injury. Since then she has accrued twelve championship tennis titles—six singles and six doubles—eight of them international wins, including the 2001 U.S. Open Singles and Doubles Championship title. She has been featured in local, regional and national media.

In 2002, Ms. Oatley became the first recipient of the “Director’s Recognition Award” presented by Women in Networking, an affiliate of the National Association of Female Executives, for “inspiring women to be all they can be.” She is a member of the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance, Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association, Christians for Biblical Equality, the United States Tennis Association, and serves on the board for New Horizons Independent Living Center.

Today, Nannette works full time helping others to strengthen their physical resilience with her whole-food-based nutrition and consulting business. As an inspirational speaker, she addresses audiences on how to live a healthier and happier life by building and strengthening personal resiliencies discussed in her book, Pain, Power & Promise: 19 Ways To a Bolder, Stronger and More Resilient Life! She also publishes a monthly online ezine entitled Turning Tough Times Around.

Ms. Oatley resides in Prescott, AZ with her husband, Lew, a Sheriff’s Deputy, and their three pets. Her 30-year-old son is serving in the U.S. Navy and currently stationed in Guam. Her 26-year-old son is a licensed cosmetologist and U.S. Army Ranger serving in 75th Battalion, stationed in Ft. Lewis, WA. Her 25-year-old daughter works in a theatre-arts venue and lives in southern California along with her 23-year-old son, who is a construction worker by day, musician by night.

For more information or to correspond with Nannette, you can visit her web site at www.nannetteoatley.com.