NEDA Board of Directors

Board Members

President, Angela Shook holds a BA degree in journalism and public relations from Western Michigan University, and she has taken end-of-life doula (EOLD) trainings from the University of Vermont, Lifespan Doulas, and INELDA. Certified as a Respecting Choices advance care planner, Angela’s EOLD work largely focuses on legacy projects. Angela is a seasoned hospice volunteer, and is also trained in storytelling for nonprofit organizations. Along with being a member of NEDA and earning her NEDA proficiency badge, Angela is a member of INELDA, the National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Over the course of her career, she has been on multiple boards of directors, including the Salvation Army of Kalamazoo, and the Hurley Hospital Foundation. Having served NEDA since 2018 as both secretary and vice president, she brings a wealth of strong leadership experience to the NEDA presidency. Angela is currently employed as the volunteer program coordinator for Hospice of Michigan. She resides in Boyne City, MI. Angela.r.shook@gmail.com

Vice President, Diane Santostefano holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Connecticut. She is a trained EOLD and Reiki I practitioner, and serves as a hospice volunteer. Diane completed her training at IAP College and has earned a NEDA Proficiency Badge. She is energized by collaborating with others, empowering clients and families to navigate EOL issues in ways that are most meaningful for them. With thirty years of experience in team building, strategic planning, leadership recruitment, and public speaking in corporate, municipal and educational settings, Diane has contributed to multiple non-profit boards. She is currently the hospice program volunteer coordinator at Middlesex Health System in Middletown, CT where she also resides. dsantostefano612@gmail.com

Secretary, Ashley Johnson holds an anthropology degree from the University of Florida, and completed her EOLD training at IAP College. She is a licensed Direct Disposer. Ashley has earned a NEDA proficiency badge, belongs to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the National Funeral Home Alliance (NHFA), and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA). Additionally, she holds certifications in Emotional CPR, and counseling grief clients. With more than a decade in the death care industry, Ashley is the founder of Loyal Hands End-of-Life consulting agency. Very involved in her community, she volunteers at several local hospices and non-profits, and serves as the “Get Your Rear in Gear” 5k run/walk event director for the Colon Cancer Coalition in Orlando. Ashley lives in Orlando, FL. Ashley.a.johnson.08@gmail.com

Treasurer, Tonya Fortune Smith holds two degrees from Marshall University, a M.S. in Safety Management with an emphasis on Ergonomics, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Law, Occupational Safety and Health as well as an B.A. in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. She completed her EOLD training at Stardust Meadow & Village Deathcare. Tonya is a seasoned legal analyst, and the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Fulfilled Consulting LLC, which is a boutique firm which provides end-of-life care planning services and sacred passage support. She is a long-time advocate for dying beautifully and a powerful voice for dying equally. She is also a passionate researcher and authentic voice for change, which includes c-level women, LGBTQ+ community, and inclusion as well as evidence-based change solutions focused on grounding diversity, equity, and inclusion within complex environments. Tonya is highly regarded for years of success in advising financial services companies and investment management firms in a wide range of complex legal affairs. Tonya resides in Charlotte, NC, but calls West Virginia home. tfortunesmith365@gmail.com

Director, Catherine Fliedner is a retired ER/Trauma nurse. She received her training as an End of Life Doula from the University of Vermont. She also holds advanced certifications in Grant Writing and Non-Profit Management from the University of Notre Dame/Mendonza College of Business. Cate also helped to form DHS CARES, a Non-Profit Foundation in her hometown of Denton, Texas. She served on the Board of the Foundation until her move from Texas to Virginia in 2018. Along with being a member of NEDA and earning her NEDA Proficiency Badge, Cate is also a member of INELDA. Her passion and focus is helping her clients find emotional/relational healing/peace on their End of Life journey. Cate is a proud Mom to 3 adult children. She believes that her work as an EOL Doula is an extension of a much needed part in Palliative/End of Life Care. She currently resides in Northern VA and serves the Northern VA and DC area. tfliedner@verizon.net

Director, Elizabeth Johnson earned a master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of Oregon. She completed EOLD trainings from the University of Vermont, INELDA, and A Sacred Passing, as well as a 2-year Anamcara training through the Sacred Art of Living Center. Her appreciation for the importance of integrating inclusive dying practices and structures into communities, and honest dialoging around the complexities of the aging and dying process informs her practice. In her work as a facilitator and experiential educator, Elizabeth has travelled to more than 30 countries around the globe. She is currently employed as the Executive Director (and EOLD) for The Peaceful Presence Project, a nonprofit that seeks to help communities live, age, and die well by reimagining the way they talk about, plan for, and experience the last stage of life. Elizabeth lives in Bend, OR. elizabeth@thepeacefulpresenceproject.com

Director, Anita Kellman has worked in the medical field for over 35 years, with roles and job duties as a clinical liaison, patient advocate and a certified patient navigator for a surgical oncologist. Her passion for supporting individuals and families going through cancer treatment and recovery lead her to create Beat Cancer Boot Camp®, the first nationally recognized, fitness based support group in 2003. It is now a licensed program in 7 states. Through her many years of volunteer work in the community she has made connections and collected resources to help patients and families navigate the healthcare system. Working with families over the years, Anita realized her calling is to help families going through life transitions. At that time, she became an End-of-Life Doula to be of service to others. She currently volunteers with Emblem Hospice. Anita is a wife, mother and grandmother. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and has happily resided in Tucson, AZ the last 41 years. akellman@me.com

Director, Karen Reppen holds a grief support specialist certificate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (UW). She did her EOLD training with the University of Vermont, attended the Upaya Zen Center’s Being with Dying program, as well as attending the Orphan Wisdom School for the past ten years. The founder of Persephone’s Garden, Karen offers personal death awareness training, end-of-life care education, and direct support for those preparing for or experiencing aging, illness, death, and grief. A strong proponent for community death care, she guides home funerals and natural burials through Walking Each Other Home, and she facilitates death cafes and workshops through The Great Circle Collaborative. Karen has 20 years of experience as a hospice communications professional and direct care volunteer. Formerly a facilitator for the UW Multicultural Awareness Program, she remains active in several local antiracism and social justice initiatives. A founder and current board member for Solace Friends, Inc., Karen calls Madison, WI, home. Karen.reppen@earthlink.net

Director, Michelle Thornhill is a graduate of Eastern University. She is a certified Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist and a certified Trauma Healing Facilitator, trained to assist adults, teens, and children. Michelle applies her more than twenty years of bereavement care experience as the founder and CEO of Legacy & Hope, LLC, which is a boutique company that provides EOL services, as well as services for grief and loss support. She is a consultant and public speaker called on to assist communities in crisis. Michelle provides grief education, and instructs a program for adults called Helping Children Deal with Loss. Her professional memberships include NEDA, the National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA), and the Hospice Foundation of America (HFA). Michelle currently serves as the Philadelphia Chapter President of the International Association of Women, a global network of professional women from varying backgrounds and industries. Michelle lives in the Philadelphia, PA area.
michellethornhill@legacyandhope.com

Staff

Membership Coordinator
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, hospice volunteer, Reiki practitioner, and an Advisory Board Member of Threshold Support Circle in Baltimore, Maryland. Kim is currently the President of the Board of Directors for The Lily House, a social/community model hospice home for the living and dying on Cape Cod, 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.

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 (Membership Secretary)
Alua Arthur 2019-20
Elizabeth Aungier 2018
Diane Button 2020
Robert Drake 2020
Karylinn Echols 2020
Karen Hendrickson 2021
Nada Frazier 2019
Joelle Johns 2019
Joseph Knight 2019-20
Lisa Patterson 2019-20
Amy Roth Sandrolini 2020-21
Victoria Quinn-Stephens 2019-20
Terry Skovronek 2018
Leann Thrapp 2019
Charlene Vandiver 2019
Tracey Walker 2019-21