About Loren Ekroth, Ph.D.
Dr. Loren Ekroth is a thought leader in the field of conversation skills. He is a consultant and speaker to business and government agencies and a communication coach to executives.
Business Background
- Founder and Director of the Natural Learning Center of Hawaii, a personal development training organization.
- President of Kama'aina Fundraisers that served nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Hawaii.
- Founder of Better Conversation Week, celebrated annually during Thanksgiving week since 2002.
- Creator of "Conversation Coaching Clubs," a worldwide organization for building conversation skills.
Coaching and Counseling
- 35 years getting results in helping people and groups solve communication problems.
- Received Diplomate in Counseling Psychology from The Psychosynthesis Institute of California.
- Certified practitioner of Energy Psychology.
- Trained by founder Thomas Leonard and master coaches of Coachville.
Writing and Editing
- Creator and Editor of "Teaching Excellence" 1987-1990, essays published each academic month from September to May and distributed to 100,000 university faculty throughout North America.
- As newspaper columnist for the Honolulu Sunday Advertiser, wrote on interpersonal communication and relations, 120 columns, 1992-2000.
- Wrote and published 720 articles for 7,000 subscribers in 81 countries in Better Conversations Newsletter, 2002-2015.
Professional Speaking, Training, and Facilitating
- Presents workshops and seminars for business employees, government and military personnel, and the public. Conducts pro bono programs for nonprofit organizations and service clubs like Lions and Rotary.
- Active member of National Speakers Association and Association for Talent Development for 30 years.
Education and International Travel Experience
- B.A. English and Theater Arts, University of Minnesota, 1956
- M.A. Communication Studies, University of Minnesota, 1958
- Intercultural research, Bogota, Colombia, 1966
- Ph.D. International Communication, University of Minnesota, 1967
- Diplomate in Psychology, California Psychosynthesis Institute, 1978
- Lived in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Libya, and Pakistan while teaching university courses as a lecturer for the University of Maryland, Europe.
Languages
Moderate fluency in Spanish, Italian and French, rusty fluency in Hawaiian creole (pidgin).