New Dean of Faculty Christopher T. Copeland

The Narrative Enneagram is excited to welcome Christopher T. Copeland into the newly created role of Dean of Faculty. Christopher has been working with the Enneagram for more than 30 years, becoming a Certified Narrative Enneagram Teacher in 2014, joining the Core Faculty in 2020, and serving as Certification Director starting in 2022.

We are also immensely grateful to Founding President and Core Faculty Member Terry Saracino for serving in this role informally over the last decades. Terry has dedicated her life to spreading the wisdom of the Enneagram and creating a more compassionate world since 1989. Her leadership has been instrumental in founding The Narrative Enneagram as a nonprofit and guiding our core curriculum and faculty development, and she will be continuing as a member of our Core Faculty.

“Building on the foundational work of Helen Palmer and David Daniels, Terry provided vision and leadership to form an educational nonprofit, which has allowed greater numbers of diverse participants to experience the power of the Narrative approach to the Enneagram. That The Narrative Enneagram was named the first Enneagram School of Distinction by the International Enneagram Association is a recognition of Terry’s commitment to teaching that honors the wisdom of people’s experience as authoritative. We would not have been able to engage in this transformational work without Terry’s leadership over the past 30 years, and for that, I am immensely grateful.”

– Christopher T. Copeland, Dean of Faculty, Certification Director, and Core Faculty

As the Dean of Faculty, Christopher will hold and express the vision of the Narrative Tradition, building on the work of Helen, David, and Terry. Along with creating educational offerings to share the Narrative approach with new seekers and diverse learners, they will also lead the ongoing development of current and future faculty and teachers. Christopher will also work closely with the dynamic staff, faculty, and board of The Narrative Enneagram to embody our commitment to transform lives and create a more compassionate world.

“Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Christopher Copeland into his new role as Dean of Faculty. I am thrilled that Christopher will be leading The Narrative Enneagram’s faculty. Since 2015 I have enjoyed and witnessed firsthand his dedication, creativity, and enthusiastic commitment to TNE’s vision and values as a Board Member and Core Faculty. His brilliant intellect, compassionate heart, and grounded presence will provide TNE the necessary leadership to continue and enhance the excellence for which we are known.”

– Terry Saracino, Founding President and Core Faculty

Board of Directors Welcomes Three New Members

We are also pleased to welcome three new Board Members to The Narrative Enneagram team. Please join us in welcoming Tod Tappert in the role of Board President, along with Adam Bailon and William Reed as board members.

Tod Tappert consults with a variety of organizations and their leaders as a coach and strategist. His work focuses on organization, executive, and board development and stems from a long professional history in senior executive roles in health care provider, health education, and policy settings. Certified as a Narrative Enneagram Teacher in 2012, he uses the Enneagram in his work as a way of helping clients better understand themselves and their experiences in the workplace and beyond.

Adam Bailon, M.Div, is a justice-focused inner work guide and Certified Narrative Enneagram Teacher and Practitioner. He also holds certifications in DEI and Organizational Change through The National EIDA Center and in Embodied Social Justice. Adam works with individuals and organizations offering Enneagram-based coaching, team facilitation, and consulting. His work focuses on wholeness, self-compassion, and the intersection of Enneagram and anti-oppression practice.

William Reed is an experienced Enneagram professional and Certified Narrative Enneagram Teacher. He brings over fifteen years of teaching and practicing the principles of the Enneagram. He owns a management consulting firm in Chicago that focuses on transformative opportunities for businesses, groups, and individuals seeking greater self-awareness, a deeper understanding of others, and learning the tools to improve and enhance open and effective communication skills.