The DPA Story: From Burnout to Creative Leadership.
"What do you want to do with your life?"
It’s the question that haunted me. I never fit in the box. I was the round peg in a square hole—refusing to be pigeonholed. Creative teachers told me “you can’t do it that way” one too many times. Eventually, I stepped away from formal art education, reshaped myself to fit into a materialistic, conventional world—and lost parts of myself along the way.
But it never really worked. I’ve always been more than one thing.
Who am I?
At the Midlands Business Awards in 2017, with Zsolt Ban for his Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, for Cryptoz his crypto currency business
I’m a creative—a photographer, designer, educator, facilitator, and artist. I’m also deeply drawn to psychology and human behaviour. My strength lies in perceiving patterns in people and systems and designing experiences that unlock potential.
I've led events, taught in classrooms, run businesses, and supported others in rediscovering their spark. My journey has been rich, messy, and meaningful—and it led me here.
From Photography to Purpose.
Back in 2009, photography was my lifeline while waitressing during the recession. That camera became the start of something much bigger. One opportunity after another nudged me out of my comfort zone until I was running my first business, lecturing in colleges, and curating alternative wedding fairs at Fargo Creative Village.
From there, I stepped into leadership—managing large-scale events, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and navigating high-stakes projects. Attending Business Awards, travelling the world doing what I loved were career highlights that showed how far I’d come.
But behind the success, something was unraveling.
The Cost of People-Pleasing
I was giving too much. Saying yes too often. Becoming the anchor for everyone else while quietly drowning. My boundaries blurred, my purpose felt distant, and my nervous system began to break down.
"Sometimes you don't realise you're actually drowning when you're trying to be everyone else's anchor." ~unknown
I hit burnout. Hard. And I had no choice but to pause and re-evaluate.
That collapse became the turning point.
Creativity as a Catalyst for Healing
"Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity." ~Coco Chanel
In the darkest moments, I returned to painting—for the first time since my Fine Art degree, 14 years earlier. Creativity became more than just a hobby. It was medicine. It was spiritual. My faith deepened, and I began to feel aligned again—for the first time in years.
Then came the research. Neuroscience, neuroplasticity, creative therapies—I devoured everything that explained what I had intuitively experienced. Creativity literally rewires the brain. It’s not fluff—it’s power. And I knew I had to help others unlock it too.
Pivoting my life completely to support people with their own well-being coming back from there own overwhelm and burnt out situations with The DPA (Donna Preece Academy) 2022
The Birth of DPA: Dynamic Potential Academy
In 2022, I founded DPA to support people recovering from burnout, overwhelm, or simply feeling lost. Initially, it was about creating a space of well-being through practical activities for myself, without incorporating any new-age practices. But then, three years on, I realised this was far bigger, and a part of a societal eco-system; this isn’t just about wellness—it’s about Creative Leadership.
DPA is about leading from within. It’s about reconnecting with core values, healing through creativity, and learning how to lead yourself before leading others. It’s about cultivating psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and meaningful growth—skills we should have been taught from the start.
“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.”
At DPA, we don’t fix people—we empower them. Through coaching, workshops, and guided creative processes, I help individuals and teams rediscover their voice, build resilience, and lead with authenticity.
Why Creative Leadership Matters Now
We’re living through chaotic, uncertain times. Connection, empathy, and self-awareness are no longer optional—they are essential. The workplaces and communities of the future need leaders who can:
Create psychologically safe environments
Think creatively and respond adaptively
Maintain emotional and energetic boundaries
Inspire others through authenticity and vision
This is where creative leadership begins. And it starts with you.
Are You Ready to Reconnect with Your Creative Leadership?
If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, misaligned, or disconnected, you're not alone. You don’t need to fix yourself; you need to find yourself again. Creativity, self-leadership, and well-being can coexist. They are the key to sustainable impact.
👉 Let's Talk
If this story resonates with you, I invite you to explore the next step. Join a workshop, book a discovery call, or dive into our Creative Leadership programmes. Whether you're an individual, team leader, or organisation—there’s a space for you here.
Together, let’s unlock your Dynamic Potential.
