Meet Helen Hand | Psychologist, president of Colorado Free University, executive producer at Firehouse Theater Company

We had the good fortune of connecting with Helen Hand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
I have been a Clinical Psychologist for 40+ years. Twenty years ago i stepped in as president of Colorado Free University, an adult learning center in Denver. A few years after that I took the helm of Firehouse Theater Company and producer of plays in the John Hand Theater. In all these endeavors I have learned the value of empathy and collaboration. There are always incoming curve balls, and it is easy to be reactive when dealing with problems. When I can step into the shoes of the others involved, it helps to calm me down and give me greater perspective. I may be the leader, but i don’t have to go it alone. Through empathy and collaboration I can join forces and ideas with others for the sake of better outcomes.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I became a psychologist because I am curious about what makes people tick and I love connecting on a deeper level with people. When my brother John Hand, founder of Colorado Free University and Firehouse Theater Company, was killed in 2004, I decided to cut back on my client schedule and step in to keep the school and the theater company going. i had no background in business or in theater. I gave myself permission not to know everything and to ask questions and seek input from others. I learned that strength and humility can co-exist. I can lead and learn at the same time. In all my endeavors, the most important thing to me is that the people I deal with feel valued and supported.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would give them time to acclimate to the altitude and do some Denver things first–see a couple of plays and visit the Botanic Gardens, perhaps. We’d take the train down to Union Station and walk around downtown. We would grab some seafood at Jax Fish House and Oyster Bar. Then, I’d head to the mountains for hiking and hanging out. We might do a day trip to Red Rocks first. I’d take them to Buena Vista for a couple of nights and hike on trails off Cottonwood Pass.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My original Colorado Free University team–Maryjean, Cecilie, and Laura. Thanks to the board of directors of Firehouse Theater Company, especially Kris Paddock and Julie Kaye Wolf, and to our awesome stage manager, Megan Davis. Because they are nearby and because we have some shared history, I’d give a shout out to Vintage Theatre and its artistic director, Bernie Cardell. Appreciation goes also to Peter John Hughes, who has directed shows with Firehouse, taught classes at Colorado Free University, and inspired me with his book, At-One-Ment: Reclaiming Our Humanity.

Website: www.freeu.com

Image Credits
#3, #4, #5 credit to Soular Radiant Photography. #6 is Christine Fisk