Board Members
President, Ashley Johnson is a dedicated professional with a passion for ensuring compassionate and informed end-of-life care for all. With a diverse background and an unwavering commitment to her community, Ashley is at the forefront of the death care industry. As an alumna of the University of Florida, a licensed direct disposer and celebrant, Ashley possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in end-of-life practices. Her journey began in a low socio-economic neighborhood, where she witnessed the need for advocacy and support in navigating these sensitive moments. This experience fueled her determination to make a difference. With over a decade of experience spanning from forensic anthropology to whole-body donation, Ashley founded Loyal Hands, an end-of-life doula consulting agency. Loyal Hands is dedicated to providing education, services, resources, and companionship to agencies, the elderly, and even those in good health, recognizing that everyone has an end-of-life journey to navigate. Ashley's commitment to the industry extends beyond her consultancy. She actively engages with various organizations, including memberships in the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), and the Florida Palliative Care Coalition. Ashley has also served as the NEDA board secretary since 2020, bringing invaluable experience and strong leadership to her role as President. In addition to her professional endeavors, Ashley is deeply involved in her local community. She volunteers at several hospices and non-profit organizations, and she serves as the event director for the "Get Your Rear in Gear" 5k run/walk event for the Colon Cancer Coalition, demonstrating her commitment to public health and awareness. Ashley's dedication extends beyond her work within the industry. She has been a part of a PsychArmor Working Group, contributing to the creation of a series dedicated to caring for veterans through end of life. Her educational background includes a Non-Profit Management Certificate from the University of Central Florida, highlighting her commitment to effective nonprofit leadership. As a member of the Compassion & Choices African American Leadership Council and a TEDx speaker, Ashley amplifies her voice to advocate for improved end-of-life care, diversity, and inclusivity in the field. Ashley lives in Orlando, FL. Feel free to email her at [email protected]
Vice President, Michelle Thornhill is the Founder and CEO of Legacy & Hope, LLC, a boutique company dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations through grief, loss, and end-of-life care. Michelle started in the funeral service industry in 1985. She is an Advanced Certified Grief Specialist and End-of-Life Doula, recognized for her compassionate approach. Michelle also teaches the PACE End-of-Life Doula Certification Program at the University of Vermont in collaboration with the Osher Center for Integrative Health; she also instructs two grief support educational programs for adults; Pet Loss and Helping Children with Loss. Since 2020, Michelle has been a board member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA) and chairperson of its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Committee, with a commitment to advocating for equitable end-of-life practices. She serves on the Advisory Board for Girls Leading Africa and the Advisory Council for Greater Hope Medical Center, and collaborates with the University of Alabama on the Embodiment, Communication, and Health Living Justice Project, and is a long-time volunteer with VITAS Hospice.
In addition to her doula work, she is a sought-after speaker and consultant, assisting communities in crisis and advocating for the dignity of human remains that have been unjustly treated. Michelle also consults for Historic Eden Cemetery, the oldest continuously operating African American cemetery in the North, and has held leadership roles as Managing Director for cemeteries with multimillion dollar budgets, laying to rest 1800 people annually; and President of the Philadelphia Chapter for the International Association of Women, a global networking organization of experts, entrepreneurs, and employees who are seeking to enhance their careers and expand their businesses.Outside of work, Michelle enjoys crafting jewelry, reading, learning American Sign Language, and exploring Latin dance. A graduate of Eastern University, she inspires others to navigate grief in healthy ways, to live fulfilling lives, and to prepare for life’s inevitable transitions. Michelle lives in the Philadelphia, PA area. Feel free to email her at [email protected] 
Secretary, McKenna Reinhard is an alumnus of Grand Canyon University, where she earned a Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with an Emphasis in Grief and Bereavement. She is also a trained end-of-life doula through Going with Grace and the University of Vermont and has earned a NEDA proficiency badge. She started her career working in healthcare, which inspired her to move into grief and end-of-life work as she realized the lack of support for these areas within the healthcare system. She founded Time Enough, LLC. to provide unintimidating and personable end-of-life services and education. In her doula work, she has focused on grief support for non-death losses, advance care planning for people under 50, and end-of-life support for companion animals and their people. McKenna is also a member of the Arizona End of Life Care Partnership (AzEOLCP), the largest funded end-of-life community-based partnership of its kind in the U.S. As a member of the AzEOLCP, McKenna was Co-Chair of the Community-Based Education Action Team which focused on creating educational events and materials around end-of-life topics with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. McKenna lives in the Tucson, AZ area. Feel free to email her at [email protected]
Director, Lisa Cox is an alumna of Plymouth State University, University of Massachusetts- Lowell and University of Wyoming with advanced degrees in Education, Public Administration and Science. A long-time teacher, program director, and business manager, in recent years, Lisa has served as a core shamanic practitioner and ordained minister through her healing practice, Hjertehagen Healing Passages, assisting people with life transitions, including as an end-of-life doula. Lisa’s doula services focus primarily on end-of-life planning, funerals and memorials, and bereavement support, as well as assistance to pets and their families during final transition. She is an advocate for social justice, having worked with homeless and at-risk children and youth, as a care giver for the elderly and those with health and developmental challenges, and in environmental remediation. Lisa is also owner and creative cook at Red Door Kitchen, cooking for community, and in her limited free time enjoys kayaking, hiking and snowshoeing, reading, traveling and spending time with her 2-legged and 4-legged family. Lisa lives in Laramie, WY. Feel free to email her at [email protected]
|
Director, Dani Craig has 22 years of experience with Fortune 5 healthcare companies, designing and implementing globally used mental health and chronic care products and services. With a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, she’s a licensed somatic therapist, clinical informaticist, behavioral coach, and NEDA-proficient end-of-life doula. Her career has been driven by one focus: keeping people at the center of every decision.She founded The Tend Group, a doula-model agency, to provide end-of-life doulas with a stable business model and improve health infrastructures, helping people navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience. Dani understands the delicate nature of life, particularly during pivotal moments, and is committed to providing compassionate care that honors each person's dignity at every stage. Believing that our health and death care systems must be constantly improved to meet people's needs, Dani works with technology, data, and service innovators to drive meaningful use and modernization of all care systems. She is an active member of HL7, the PACIO Project for Advance Directive Interoperability, and Gravity Project. Dani is a Texas native but finds her home and heart in San Pedro, CA. Feel free to email her at
[email protected] 
Director, Andy Gaines has a unique background of nonprofit leadership, real estate, counseling and creative expression. Andy served as founding Executive Director of Ashby Village in Berkeley, CA from 2010 through 2021, building the organization to be an innovative, nationally recognized leader in the Village movement for older adults. Prior to that time he participated in the development of multi-family residential communities in North Carolina and was certified as an administrator for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE). In the 1990’s he directed Earthdance, a nonprofit Workshop & Retreat Center in the Berkshires. For much of his life Andy has been drawn to the insights that accompanied aging, death and dying. His undergraduate thesis at Wesleyan University examined the changing perceptions of mortality that come with aging; his graduate thesis at Antioch New England Graduate School delved into his own recovery from a near fatal automobile accident. In 2017 his wife was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer; together they embraced the reality, grief, love and mystery of this unanticipated illness. Since her death in 2021, Andy has solo parented his two teen children, helping to build the strong, loving individuals and family they are today. Having completed his “Going With Grace” training, Andy is a NEDA proficient End of Life Doula currently developing his practice assisting individuals and families through this end of life transition. Andy lives in Berkeley, CA. Feel free to email him at [email protected].
Director, Alexis Hughes currently works as a development manager with the Alzheimer's Association in tandem with being an End-of-Life Doula having received her doula training from Going with Grace. A Valdosta State University alumni, Alexis holds certifications in Counseling Grief & Bereavement, and has completed End of Life Care: Challenges and Innovation from the University of Glasgow. Alexis has spent the past few years in an End-of-Life setting via her work with local hospice in which she developed several vigil and wellbeing programs to support their volunteer caregivers. Alexis founded Without Fear - offering a wide variety of death, grief, and transitional guidance education as she believes that all grief is valid and provides support for any type of loss, Her special interests in her doula work include historical traditions and old world practices especially applied to the resurgence of Pagan ceremony in modern End-of-Life work; Alexis is also a trained Sin Eater working to revive this practice within the end-of-life care sphere. Alexis resides in Chattanooga, TN. Feel free to email her at [email protected]
Director, Jessica Johansson is a UVM-trained end-of-life doula (NEDA proficient), celebrant, and ordained Interfaith minister, and the founder of Sacred Journey Holistic End-of-Life Doula Services, in Jaffrey, NH. She is also a companion animal end-of-life doula and supports pets and their families as well. In addition to her private doula and celebrant practice, Jessica serves as the Director of Community Engagement for Life Forest in Hillsborough, NH. Life Forest is a non-profit conservation cremation burial cemetery for both people and pets, and the first of its kind in this country. In this role Jessica is able to harness her marketing skills in service to a mission she believes in and supports. Beyond her professional commitments, Jessica hosts and facilitates Death Cafes in her area and is a volunteer for the Monadnock Kitty Rescue & Adoption. She is also an active board member of the Greater Monadnock Collaborative Chamber of Commerce, where she also chairs the marketing committee. Jessica's dedication to service is an integral part of her approach to life. Jessica lives in Jaffrey, NH. Feel free to email her at [email protected]
Director, Kimberly Mitchell-Love, a native of Michigan, brings over 22 years of senior executive healthcare experience, with 15 years focused on leading hospice and palliative care services. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and a Master of Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Throughout her career, Kimberly has worked with prominent non-profit and for-profit organizations across the East Coast, Midwest, and Southeast regions of the country. Kimberly recently completed The Dying Year end-of-life doula training and holds certifications in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University and NBHHC- Advanced Certified Health Executive. She is deeply committed to ensuring that end-of-life care is compassionate and patient-centered, honoring the dignity of each patient and their families. Her dedication to creating environments that provide both clinical excellence and emotional support is at the heart of her work. Kimberly lives in West Bloomfield, MI. Feel free to email her at [email protected]
Director, Scott Morgan Scott graduated from Florida State University and spent 15 years in the tech industry. Scott wanted to do something more interesting and fulfilling, he then earned an MPA from New York University in Nonprofit Management, Policy, and Health. His work in graduate school was focused on HIV in low-income settings and his previous work as a manager in the tech world led to an easy transition into the non-profit sector. For the past seven years, Scott has worked with a large community-based clinic in Haiti focusing on HIV, TB, and cardiovascular disease. He brings 20 years of non-profit experience and is in the latest chapter of his life, starting work as an End-of-Life Doula. The AIDS crisis in the 1980s left an indelible mark on him, which is one reason Scott is now pursuing work as a Doula. His belief that no one should die alone and that death can be a beautiful transition is the driving force behind his Doula work. Scott received his Doula training from the Peaceful Presence Project and is a volunteer at Jamaica Medical Center in the palliative care unit. Scott lives in New York, NY. Feel free to email him at [email protected]
|
Staff
Business Manager
Kim Adams is responsible for managing our membership platform and directories. Kim served two years on the NEDA board after many years of experience in the death/dying field, having begun in the early 1990's as a case manager, and housing and legislative advocate for people with HIV/AIDS. She served on the National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA) Board of Directors as Secretary and Events Coordinator, is a certified, professional End of Life Coach, Home Funeral Guide, and hospice volunteer. Kim is currently on the Board President of the Omega Home Network, a non-profit national membership organization that promotes the development and expansion of community homes for dying people,.and she is the former President of the Board for The Lily House, an Omega home in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. |
Website Design and Content
Lee Webster is a NEDA Founder and Treasurer who has served in a leadership role and in developing websites for many other death care nonprofits, including the National Home Funeral Alliance (President), Green Burial Council (President) New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy (Director), Funeral.org Partnership, Conservation Burial Alliance, Minnesota Death Collaborative, as well as many others outside the nonprofit sector. She is a published author, national speaker, and leading advocate for funeral reform, combining her career experience with hospice, conservation, and higher education development to changing end of life and after death practices to truly meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities. |
Advisors
Legal Counsel
Poul Lemasters, Esq has a professional career that covers both funeral service (over 25 years) and law. He attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1996. While working in deathcare, he went on to attend Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law, graduating in 2003. Poul now operates and is principal of Lemasters Consulting, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, a consulting business entirely for the deathcare profession, which includes funeral homes, funeral directors/embalmers, cemeteries, cemeterains, cremationists, crematory owners, as well as the suppliers to all of them. He assists in areas of legal, compliance, regulatory, and operational issues. Poul also serves in various roles with national groups such as: General Counsel for ICCFA (International Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Association; Legal Counsel for NCBVA (National Concrete Burial Vault Association); Legal Advisor to CCC (Catholic Cemetery Conference). See Poul's website for more information.
Poul Lemasters, Esq has a professional career that covers both funeral service (over 25 years) and law. He attended Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1996. While working in deathcare, he went on to attend Northern Kentucky University, Chase College of Law, graduating in 2003. Poul now operates and is principal of Lemasters Consulting, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, a consulting business entirely for the deathcare profession, which includes funeral homes, funeral directors/embalmers, cemeteries, cemeterains, cremationists, crematory owners, as well as the suppliers to all of them. He assists in areas of legal, compliance, regulatory, and operational issues. Poul also serves in various roles with national groups such as: General Counsel for ICCFA (International Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Association; Legal Counsel for NCBVA (National Concrete Burial Vault Association); Legal Advisor to CCC (Catholic Cemetery Conference). See Poul's website for more information.
Past Board Members
|
Founding Directors
Merilynne Rush 2018-20 (President) Deanna Cochran 2018 (Vice President) Suzanne O'Brien 2018-19 (Vice President) Trudy Brown 2018 (Secretary) Lee Webster 2018-19 (Treasurer) Patty Burgess 2018 Tarron Estes 2018 Directors Kim Adams 2018-20 Alua Arthur 2019-20 Elizabeth Aungier 2018 Joan Bretthauer, 2022-24 Diane Button 2020 Robert Drake 2020 Karylinn Echols 2020 Alvin Harmon 2022-23 Jessica Harrington 2022 Karen Hendrickson 2021 Nada Frazier 2019 Joelle Johns 2019 Elizabeth Johnson 2020-22 Joseph Knight 2019-20 Lisa Patterson 2019-20 Karen Reppen 2019-24 Amy Roth Sandrolini 2020-21 Diane Santostefano 2020-22 Angela Shook 2018-22 Cole Smith 2022-23 Tonya Fortune Smith 2021-22 Victoria Quinn-Stephens 2019-20 Terry Skovronek 2018 Leann Thrapp 2019 Charlene Vandiver 2019 Tracey Walker 2019-21 |
|
|
NATIONAL END-OF-LIFE DOULA ALLIANCE (NEDA)
2423 SOUTH ORANGE AVE #115 ORLANDO, FL 32806 NEDA is a nonprofit 501c6 membership organization dedicated to supporting end-of-life doulas and the families they serve. Content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not offered as legal advice. |
Ferns are traditional symbols of humility and sincerity, both chief qualities of end-of-life doulas NEDA©2024, Powered by Weebly, Designed by Lee Webster, Content by Lee Webster and Merilynne Rush |
|