Investing in Leadership – Helen Neufield

Stand Up for What You Believe

Helen Neufeld has always believed in the importance of sharing what you have where there is need. For her, the values of development, peace, and community responsibility were instilled early and have remained central throughout her life.

Originally from New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Helen graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1980. Throughout her career in education, she held a variety of leadership roles, including Dean of Students at Reading University GPRC Campus, Vice Principal at Swanavon Elementary School, Executive Director of the Education Foundation for Grande Prairie Public School District, and teacher within the Grande Prairie Public School District. Alongside her professional work, she has been a dedicated volunteer with numerous organizations and foundations in her community.

Helen has been a supporter of St. Francis Xavier University since 1989 and began supporting Coady Institute in 2013.

“From my earliest days, I learned the importance of sharing your bounty where there is a need, the main themes being development and peace,” Helen says. “As a student at StFX, my schedule did not permit me to become involved with the work of Coady. Nevertheless, I had it on my bucket list.’

Although her involvement in supporting Coady began later, the Institute’s mission resonated with beliefs she had carried for many years. Through her career in education, Helen witnessed firsthand the impact that learning, leadership, and opportunity can have on individuals and communities. Those experiences strengthened her conviction that lasting change often begins with empowering people at the local level.

When Helen thinks about the future, she finds hope in the people who continue to step forward to create positive change.

“There are so many caring people in this world,” she says. “I believe folks will stand up for what they believe as long as they are made aware. Coady’s stellar reputation focusing on local leadership, education, and empowerment paves the way for a better world.”

One phrase continues to guide Helen’s outlook and her support for causes that matter deeply to her: “‘If it’s going to be, it’s up to me’ is a belief that I hold dear. Go Coady!”