Privately held company | |
Industry | Personal development, multi-level marketing |
Founded | 1998 |
Headquarters | Colonie, New York |
Key people
|
Keith Raniere (founder) Nancy Salzman (president) |
Products | Seminars |
Website | http://www.nxivm.com |
NXIVM (/ˈnɛksiəm/ NEKS-ee-əm) is a multi-level marketing company centred on the provision of classes and seminars that encourage clients to pursue a path of personal and professional development. It has been called a successful executive coaching program by some supporters and a cult organization by some former members and news reports.
Based in Albany County, New York, NXIVM was founded in 1998 by Keith Raniere. To date, people from 33 countries have taken part in the programs offered.
The NXIVM training system is administered through Executive Success Programs. The training uses a technique called "Rational Inquiry" to facilitate personal and professional development.
During seminars, students refer to Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman, as "Vanguard" and "Prefect", respectively.
Reportedly, over 12,000 people have attended the classes between its founding in 1998 and 2010.
The Dalai Lama's planned visit to Albany in 2009, sponsored by the World Ethical Foundations Consortium, an organization co-founded by Sara and Clare Bronfman and NXIVM founder Keith Raniere, was cancelled due to negative press surrounding NXIVM.
Its clients have included Linda Evans, Richard Branson, and actress Kristin Kreuk. According to Forbes magazine, 3,700 people had taken part in its Executive Success Program as of 2003, including Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET; Antonia Novello, former Surgeon General of the United States; Stephen Cooper of Enron; and Ana Cristina Fox, daughter of former Mexican president Vicente Fox.