A Life of Passion

Biography of Nancy Hunter Denney

Unable to contain her enthusiasm for developing leaders and higher education, Nancy Hunter Denney has channeled her passion in a variety of ways throughout her four decade career. From writing leadership curriculum to providing workshops, keynote speaking and planning one day conference events, Nancy continues to focus on building the leadership competency proficiency of those willing to build their professionalism, self-knowledge, understandings and skills. Her audiences include undergraduates, professional staffs, women’s events, associations, and non-profit helping organizations.

Ms. Denney’s speaking career began in 1993 with the goal of encouraging in others a personal sense of responsibility (and obligation) for serving the greater social good. Known for her ability to share original strategies for enhanced engagement, Ms. Denney has appeared on over 1000 college campuses and at hundreds of state, regional and national conferences. She has also appeared on the national stage with financial advice expert Suze Orman, news correspondent Soledad O’Brien, and talk show host Dr. Phil. Her focus remains on non-profit helping organizations, women’s leadership organizations, professional associations and higher education. She continues to bring her ZING! wherever she goes.

Prior to starting her own speaking business, Ms. Denney worked in higher education student affairs serving as the assistant dean of students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1986 to 1993. Prior to that she was the program board advisor at Case Western Reserve University. Her energy on stage, virtually, and in her teaching, is consistently described as "contagious." She is the TM owner of the words “Zing!” and operates her business under “Zing! Leadership Development Systems, LLC.”

Ms. Denney is the author of, or contributing author to seven books. Her most recent releases include The Lead365 Reflections Journal, Wisdom Along the Way: Writings on Life and Leadership, Zing! 21 Insights on Maximizing Your Influence - 3rd Edition (Foreword by Dr. Ken Blanchard) and The Now Factors of College Success - 2nd Edition, with Jermaine Davis and Michael Miller. Life by Design was her first book.

In 2015, as an effort to honor the many blessings afforded Ms. Denney during her professional career, she created the brand “Lead365” TM . The Lead365 Foundation (non-profit) was established shortly thereafter as the host of the Lead365 National Conference where she served as its conference director until COVID changed the plan.

As a passionate believer in the importance of giving back, Ms. Denney served on two national non-profit boards; The ACPA Foundation which supports social justice initiatives, and Missions for Humanity, which provides medical supplies and support to developing countries.

Ms. Denney attended the State University of New York at Oswego where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Communication Studies and Psychology. She earned a Masters Degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. Ms. Denney and her husband of over three decades, are the proud parents of two Millennials, Jacob and Kaitlin. They reside in Marion, MA with their sailboat and Daisy the Cat.