Janice Briggs, a professional Lifestyle Coach and the President of La 
Dolce Vita Retreats, has been a philanthropic volunteer for the arts, healthcare and underserved populations for more than 35 years. She feels strongly that a critical component of total wellness is giving back to our communities, and she is committed to empowering women to become self-sustaining through education, scholarships and microfinance. Janice has established the La Dolce Vita Women’s Fund, which will receive a portion of the profits from La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC. The funds will be designated for global programs to empower underserved women.
Janice learned the importance of philanthropy from her parents, who emphasized appreciation and generosity. Janice was reared and educated in New York City before moving to the West Coast to attend her last year of high school. She attended university in California, earning degrees in English Literature and Art History. She has traveled extensively and lived internationally throughout her life and speaks English, Spanish and French. She is currently studying Italian.
Janice has had a diverse and rewarding career, beginning in the commercial interior design arena, followed by careers in the arts and healthcare philanthropy. Most recently, Janice retired from the University of California, Irvine – School of Medicine, where she was passionately involved with The Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine (SSCIM) and the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program (AYA), among others. Always an advocate of integrative medicine, Janice also supports evidence-based research and practice and has observed the many scientific benefits of acupuncture, tai chi, meditation, yoga, mindfulness and other contemplative practices. Janice recently combined her philanthropic passion with her professional skills, designing the Samueli Center’s new clinic in Newport Beach, Calif. She sits on the Center’s Women’s Wellness Day committee, which organizes the annual Women’s Wellness Day aimed at helping women achieve health and balance through mind/body/energy medicine.
Janice is the mother of two adult daughters, step-mother to one adult son and daughter, and the grandmother of four. She is married to Mark Briggs and resides in Southern California. Her passions include time with family and friends; travel; visual and performing arts; integrative medicine; holistic lifestyles; education; gastronomy; floral design; hospitality; scuba, skiing, cycling, equestrian sports; yachting; and the camaraderie of women. She is currently pursueing her certification as a Yoga Innstructor. She describes herself as a “knowledge junkie on a voracious path of discovery.”
As a Lifestyle Coach, Janice supports women as they define their goals, clarify their values and pursue a path to living a fulfilling and authentic life. She applies those skills to La Dolce Vita Retreats, facilitating workshops that stimulate creative thinking through art visioning projects. She has just recently developed a new 5-part creativity workshop entitled Designing your Next Chapter. She will present her workshops abroad and will present four weekend workshops in southern Caifornia in January, March, June and August 2010.
“The concept for La Dolce Vita Retreats evolved about a decade ago, at a time of reflection and transition in my life. I pondered those relationships and experiences that were of utmost importance to me and that brought pristine joy to my life. I embarked on a self-exploratory journey in which I determined what most fulfilled me. I noted, on a single sheet of paper, those values I most cherished and was not willing to forego. I also documented all of life’s enriching opportunities to which I had aspired but, for various reasons, had not accomplished. I still preserve that sheet of paper, as a testament to what each of us can achieve if only we maintain the confidence and courage to pursue our dreams.
“I realized that I had the capacity within me to create the life I wanted to live. I envisioned a life that embraced my passions and my values. I set my goals. With the support of the women in my life, my dearest friends through “thick and thin,” I envisioned a place where the camaraderie of women could be celebrated and nourished. Hence, La Dolce Vita Retreats was born — the fulfillment of my dream, one I wish to share with you so that you can ponder yours.”
For more information on Janice’s women’s retreats in Europe and weekend workshops in Southern California, please contact Janice at janicebriggs@ladolcevitaretreats
