Executive Director, Helen Headley Hawk, is a graduate of the prestigious American School of Protocol in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received her Certification as a Children's Etiquette Consultant and Business Etiquette Consultant.  Etiquette in the City specializes in social etiquette, character education and manners programs for businesses, children, families and adults.  

A resident of Nashville for most of her life, Helen originally grew up on a farm in rural Arkansas as one of eleven children, where proper etiquette and social skills were not a high priority. Because of her resulting lack of self-confidence, she was ill at ease in social settings and found it difficult to pursue her goals. The experience did, however, plant the seed of desire within her to help children.

Helen’s attitude toward life is “never give up and watch, listen and learn from successful people around you” – an attitude she attributes to her mother, Pearl Marie Hawk. 

Upon completion of two years at Williams College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, she began a business career as Executive Assistant to Vice-President of Corporate Acquisition for Anderson-Clayton Company in Houston, Texas. In 1975, she moved to Ashland City, Tennessee, joining the Lindahl family business of State Industries, Inc., manufacturers of Water Heaters.

In 1990, Helen purchased Blue Ribbon Leather Company in Shelbyville, Tennessee keeping it from falling into bankruptcy, saving long-term employees their jobs and selling it one year later to Val-A Company in Chicago, Illinois. 

A graduate of Belmont University Helen holds a major in philosophy and a minor in criminal justice.  She served as a Children's Rights Advocate for 12 years - working with Tennessee legislators to increase severity of penalties for those who abuse children and she lobbied legislators to invest efforts and monies toward prevention strategies verses building more buildings to house juvenile offenders. She also served on the Foster Care Review Board in Davidson County Juvenile Court for two years.

Helen is committed to providing children and adults with the leadership skills they require to attain their career goals and also to have full and enriched personal lives.

Stephanie Rountree, Managing Director, has over 20 years experience in the business arena working in the financial industry, entertainment law, and as a business owner.  She moved to Nashville after attending the Chippewa Valley Technical College and the University of Wisconsin.  Stephanie's skills include establishing, supervising and training over 80 offices for a  national company in the marketing and sales of financial services.  She is proficient in management responsibilities, as well as research and development, maintenance of commercial websites, including web design and digital photography, editing and writing.  Her eye for detail has been invaluable in the development of our etiquette materials.

Stephanie's philosophy for Etiquette in the City: "Character is the foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect. Just as no worthy building can be erected on a weak foundation, so no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on a weak character." — PR. C. Samsel  She believes in the importance of character development in children, so that they may grow up to become responsible, caring adults, able to successfully contribute to our society in a healthy, productive manner. "Character is what you are when no one is looking."  This applies to adults as well.  "We become what we think."  Applying manners to our everyday lives, whether personal or business, makes the world a better, happier place.

Additionally, Stephanie has a passion for all things natural and has studied nutrition and chemistry.  For several years, she has worked with organic ingredients, which has evolved into the development her own organic skin care line, EdenSong Essentials.