On Sunday, February 21, 2021, Helen Leslie Harkness, Ph.D. passed away days shy of her 93rd birthday, in peace with her family.
An entrepreneur, career consultant, writer, speaker and researcher, Dr. Harkness was a pioneer in the field of career development and author of four books. Through lectures, workshops and counseling sessions, she inspired everyone from all walks of life to create careers they were better suited for and that they loved.
Helen believed the best anti-aging strategy was to identify your purpose and pursue it with passion and a plan. In her final years, she founded a non-profit to help students better understand themselves and design their lives with intent.
A child of the Great Depression, Helen was a feminist without touting the word. She loved trees and houseplants. As she often said, “I am a grower, I grow trees, and people!”
Born the youngest of eight on Feb. 29, 1928 in Cowen, West Virginia, Dr. Harkness founded Career Design Associates, Inc. at age 50 and owned & operated it until age 91.
Helen was preceded in death by her son John, her siblings, and parents John & Ivery Jane Leslie. She is survived by daughters Ann and Jane, son-in-law Scott, grandchildren Milo, Bonnie, Leslie, Lucas, and Laura, her extended family in West Virginia – the Leslie clan – beloved friends, former students & clients, and the many trees she planted for the future.