End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate

Frances Pope Hewitt, LPC/S, LAC, LCMHC

End-of-Life Doula Program Lead

Frances Pope Hewitt, LPC/S, LAC, LCMHC, is a graduate of the University of Vermont’s Professional and Continuing Education training in the End-of-Life Doula professional certificate and the Companion Animal End of Life Doula professional certificate.  Frances is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC/S) and a Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) in the state of South Carolina, as well as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in the state of North Carolina. She also is the owner and operator of Sailing Away End of Life Care Consulting and Counseling services in South Carolina. With over 20 years of clinical experience in the behavioral health care field, she has spent her career advocating for those who could not advocate for themselves, ensuring they have access to quality behavioral health care. Frances has taken this same clinical passion to those who are facing end-of-life phases and decisions to ensure her clients die well. Frances is a graduate of Lander University and earned her Master of Education in Community Counseling from Clemson University, in South Carolina, in 2001. Frances also has a special interest in working with and practicing as an ally to the LGBTQI+ population. When Frances is not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, reading, and enjoying nature. 

Greg Brown

End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Greg Brown is an end-of-life doula living in Columbus, Ohio. His private doula practice, Armonia Maxima, LLC, particularly welcomes opportunities to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ clients and others whose support systems and family/friend networks are atypical. From 2020-2022, he served as a StoryListening Doula Interventionist for the Vermont Conversation Lab. Greg received a Master of Arts in Music Theory from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and has never stopped centering his life around music, whether teaching college-level music theory, giving piano lessons to children, singing in choirs, playing keyboards in bands, or volunteering to make playlists for people receiving hospice care. He loves late-night conversations about how people of all cultures use music and memory to make meaning in all stages of their lives, particularly during the final days and weeks.

Diane Button

End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Diane is a founding partner of the Bay Area End-of-Life Doula Alliance in Northern California. She holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Goddard College in Vermont. Her master’s thesis, The Components of a Meaningful Life, became the genesis for her life’s work of supporting people to find meaning and peace in life and in death. She is a hospice volunteer, is INELDA certified, runs a non-profit, and is proud to be an alumna of both the UVM EOL Doula Certificate Program and the Companion Animal Program. Diane is the author of several books and trainings, including The Letter Box, a legacy project that has been translated into several languages. Her recent book Dear Death: Finding Meaning in Life, Peace in Death, and Joy in an Ordinary Day is a culmination of her life’s work, filled with doula tips and personal stories of being with the dying.

Heather Caulfield Mills

End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Heather is an end-of-life doula and one of the first graduates of the UVM program. She is passionate about serving her clients and their loved ones throughout their journey – honoring each client’s wishes for their death. She lives in Vermont with her husband and two small children. She is an award-winning writer and has edited several published works in the end-of-life field, including Francesca Arnoldy’s book Cultivating the Doula Heart. Heather found her own experience in the UVM EOL doula program to be invaluable both personally and professionally. She is grateful for this opportunity to share the course with others, and looks forward to discovering the unique skills and experiences each learner brings with them.

Virginia Chang, Ph.D.

End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Virginia Chang, Ph.D., is a certified end-of-life doula and founder of Till The Last. She works with the dying and their families/caregivers to approach end of life in a positive, meaningful, and affirming way. She supports clients one-on-one and helps to advocate for and realize their needs and wishes. As a certified yoga teacher and life-long practitioner, she also incorporates meditation and breathwork into her approach bringing a mindfulness and peace to her work. She is passionate about increasing awareness of end of life, self-care, and bioethics. She is grateful to be part of the UVM team and to share the knowledge that she gained through the course with other learners. When relaxing, Virginia can be found reading, playing the harp, travelling, or exercising. She lives in New York City.

Tessa Cone

End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Tessa Cone is a yoga teacher, caregiver and Hospice Volunteer. As a graduate of the UVM EOL Doula Professional Certificate Program and other trainings for end-of-life care, she is passionate about serving as an EOL Doula. After many years of tutoring students, teaching rock climbing, Yoga, personal training and guiding people in the mountains, she is thrilled to be part of the team for the UVM EOL Doula Professional Certificate Program. Tessa lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and can be found outside on most days indulging her love of gardening, climbing, walking her dogs, meditating and simply being surrounded by the beauty of the natural world.

Laura Delva, MSW, LCSW

End of Life Doula Instructor

Laura is a graduate of the UVM EoLD certificate program. Originally from Wisconsin, Laura brings a genuine smile and passion to care for people. She previously taught special education before obtaining a Masters of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University. It wasn’t long before she found her calling in death and dying. Laura has been working as a hospice social worker for five years and it has become an honor to support clients and families during this stage of life. Laura lives in South Florida with her daughter and cat. She enjoys being outside, baking and spending time with her family.

Matilda Garrido, CT, MS, MSB

End of Life Doula Instructor

Matilda Garrido is a certified thanatologist (through the Association for Death Education and Counseling) and holds masters degrees in Thanatology and Bioethics.  She has extensive experience working with the dying, families of the dying, and the bereaved. Matilda is focused on normalizing the experience of grief and reducing death fears through education, focused action, and increased community supports for the dying and grieving.  She is a graduate of both the End of Life Doula and Companion Animal End of Life Doula programs, and teaching in these programs is her favorite professional endeavor.

Mazdak Mazarei

End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Having recently graduated from the End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Program in May 2021, Mazdak is humbled to be joining the UVM team this Spring 2022. He has more than 20 years of experience developing training curricula, providing coaching for public health professionals, and facilitating over 100 national trainings for federally funded programs in the areas of health advocacy, program development, and health service delivery. A resident of Oakland, CA, Mazdak is passionate about issues of health equity and is excited to deepen his experiences as an End-of-Life Doula to support greater access by individuals of color, LGBTQ+ folx, and other communities that are underrepresented among EOL doula clients. In particular, he is interested in the nuances of ideas of legacy and what constitutes a “good death” across cultures.

Alison E. Reynoso, MPH

End of Life Doula Instructor

For over 15 years, Alison E. Reynoso (MPH) has supported those at the end of their lives, and their loved ones. She has been advocating for their quality of life until their last breath, as a Hospice Volunteer Manager with Visiting Nurse Services (VNS) Health in New York City since 2009. One of her expertise has been to train others to offer a compassionate presence at the end of life with vigil visits.

Alison was originally introduced to hospice as a volunteer after the death of her grandmother. Alison’s own curiosity and sensitivity lead her to explore creative ways to speak freely  about death and dying. She believes that the more we reflect on the reality of death, the better prepared we will be when the time comes (for us and for others) and we would be more present in our lives.

Alison successfully completed the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) in 2019. She is also a graduate of the Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care with the New York Zen Center since 2011. She is a certified coach from the International Coach Federation.  She is proud and grateful to integrate her mindfulness, spirituality, and healing practices to support others.

Being born in the Dominican Republic gives her a unique perspective on the importance of language and culture to connect with others. Alison is mindful and culturally aware of people’s differences. Alison provides a safe, supportive space for others to share about themselves.  She has cultivated the ability to listen deeply, provide insight, and leads with compassion.

 

 

Angela Shook

End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Angela Shook is an end-of-life doula, Hospice volunteer and the Past President of the National End-of-Life-Doula Alliance (NEDA). She served on The NEDA board from 2018 to 2022 and has earned the NEDA Proficiency Badge. She is a graduate of the UVM End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Program, UVM Companion Animal Certificate Program and numerous other trainings for end-of-life care. She is employed as a veterinary doula with Pet Well Mobile Vet where she assists with euthanasia and the end-of-life care and support of companion animals. Angela also serves on the board for the Charlevoix Area Humane Society and volunteers with the Elk Country Animal Shelter. She is a level II Reiki Practitioner and has completed the Animal Reiki course through the Animal Hospice Group.  Her doula offerings include advance care planning, customized vigils and rituals, and legacy projects. Angela is passionate about increasing awareness of all end-of-life doulas and dreams of the day when they are welcomed at the bedside of every death as part of the plan of care for the dying.

Michelle W. Thornhill

End of Life Doula Instructor

Michelle W. Thornhill is a graduate of Eastern University and the Founder and CEO of Legacy & Hope, LLC, a boutique company that helps individuals & organizations with grief, loss, bereavement, and end-of-life care. Michelle is Vice President of the National End-of-­Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), where she has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2020, co-chairing the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee during her first two-year term. Michelle is an Advanced Certified Grief Specialist that uses a systems-based approach and action programs to lead one-on-one and group sessions, retreats, seminars, and workshops for individuals, organizations and companies. She also instructs two educational programs for adults; Pet Loss and Helping Children with Loss. Michelle is a Certified Trauma Healing Facilitator, an End-of-Life Doula, a hospice volunteer, a sought-after speaker, consultant, and a trusted professional called on to assist communities in crisis. Michelle takes pride in her commitment as a member of the Advisory Board for Girls Leading Africa and as a member of the Advisory Council for Greater Hope Medical Center. She is also proud of her dedication to former roles such as Managing Director of historic cemeteries, Philadelphia Chapter President for the International Association of Women, and Family Readiness Program Instructor for the U.S. Army. Michelle firmly believes that individuals can reach a level of satisfaction when given specific tools to maneuver their way through three transitions; moving beyond the pain that comes with grief and loss, living their best life, and preparing for the inevitable. When Michelle is not working she enjoys making jewelry, reading, learning American Sign Language and Latin dance.

Robert E. Gramling, MD

Holly & Bob Miller Chair in Palliative Medicine Division Chief, Palliative Medicine Physician, & Associate Professor and Research Director, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Bob Gramling, M.D., D.Sc. is the Holly & Bob Miller Chair in Palliative Medicine and Tenured Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Vermont. Bob is the Chief of the UVM Division of Palliative Medicine, where his compassionate team cares for and about thousands of seriously ill people every year. He is the PI of the Vermont Conversation Lab, an inter-disciplinary team of inspiring student and faculty scholars dedicated to understanding and promoting high quality communication in serious illness. Bob has received major research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Palliative Care Research Center, the Greenwall Bioethics Foundation and the American Cancer Society. He has authored more than 100 publications, including the recent Palliative Care Conversations book with his brother, David, a world-renown cultural linguist. Bob received his undergraduate degree from Colby College, his Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School, and his Doctor of Science (Epidemiology) from Boston University School of Public Health. He and Lindy are proud parents of Cailin and Finian, two pretty amazing UVM students, and Pancake, their trusty golden-doodle.

Michelle Acciavatti, M.S.

End-of-Life Specialist at Ending Well

Michelle Acciavatti is an End-of-Life Specialist at Ending Well, LLC. Her work includes teaching people to be empowered patients, advance planning, being a pregnancy loss and end-of-life doula, training end-of-life doulas, creating meaningful and personal rituals for after death, including home funerals and green burial, and giving community workshops. What she enjoys most about her work is helping people make a personal connection with dying and death.

Michelle has her Master of Science in Neuroscience, a Clinical Ethics Certificate from Harvard Medical School, and has completed multiple end-of-life and home funeral programs. She previously worked as a consultant for the Office of Ethics at Boston Children’s Hospital. Michelle is proud to be the citizen champion of a green burial bill and founder of an LLC dedicated to helping people approach the end-of-life. In her spare time she devours books.

Francesca Arnoldy

(EMERITUS) FOUNDING LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Francesca Arnoldy created and launched the doula training course in 2017 and the companion animal doula offering in 2020, and ran the programs until her departure in 2022. She is the author of Cultivating the Doula Heart (a guidebook), Map of Memory Lane (a picture book), and The Death Doula’s Guide to Living Fully and Dying Prepared (an interactive workbook). Francesca is a researcher with the Vermont Conversation Lab and she’s a hospice volunteer. She lives in rural Vermont with her beloveds and connects with the deathcare community through her website, Contemplative Doula.

Judy Ashley

(EMERITUS) End-of-Life Doula Instructor

Ms. Ashley graduated from Trinity College of Vermont with a major in psychology and minor in gerontology and went on to obtain an M.S. in Community Counseling from the University of Vermont. For the past twenty years, she has been the District Director for the Vermont Department of Health covering Franklin and Grand Isle counties retiring August 2019. She was also an Instructor at the Community College of Vermont, and an Adjunct Professor at Trinity College of Vermont. Death and dying have played a significant role in her life. She lost her father at the age of nine and was the primary support for her mother’s dying (1985) where she realized that the experience of dying could and should be different. Her intention is to continue growing in this field through experiential learning, study, reading, workshops, conferences, self-reflection and continual engagement. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband of 34 years, reading, knitting, spending time on the Maine Coast, visiting friends, and enjoying her six grandchildren as much as possible.

Priscilla Baker

(Emeritus) Program Director, Hospice Volunteer Services (HVS)

After training as a hospice volunteer in 2003, Priscilla became an active patient care volunteer, and was then hired to coordinate volunteer training, assignments and supervision.  Since then she has conducted 10+ training classes, as well as designed and taught an academic class, Hospice and End-of-Life Care, at Middlebury College.

Priscilla is a life time learner and teacher, who now focuses on training hospice volunteers.  She especially enjoys designing educational opportunities.  In 2005, she helped to start a hospice singing group, Wellspring, which sings at patient bedsides and in community care facilities.  She has a BA in Human Relations from Earlham College and an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University.

In Priscilla’s own words, “this work provides the opportunity to touch the sacred, during which we are both giver and receiver in the circle of life.  I feel an ever-deepening sense of gratitude.”

Margie Bekoff

EOL/Dementia Music Specialist

Margie Bekoff is a Certified Therapeutic Harp Practitioner. For the past 40 years, she has served in several professional and volunteer roles including as a biomedical scientist (Ph.D. Immunology), science writer, homeschooling parent, therapeutic harp mentor, hospice volunteer and harpist. She received her therapeutic harp training through the International Harp Therapy Program, graduating in 2006. She works primarily with elders with memory loss and people facing the end-of-life in a variety of residential settings and hospitals. After more than a decade of this work, she is ever grateful for the privilege of being invited to share the sacred space created as someone approaches their death.

In her free time, she loves cycling, hiking, her musical duo with her husband (harp and horn), and playing harp outside with the wind creating harmonies as it blows through the strings.

Laurie Borden

Program Director for Hospice Volunteer Services & ARCH Community Coordinator for Addison Respite Care Home

In studying death and dying, Laurie believes she has a mission to bring familiarity to the language, and compassion to the experiences that are inherent to this sacred process.  Laurie thrives on the relationships built with the people who are present during this process–the patients, their loved ones and their caregivers, and considers herself very curious about each person’s individual experience and the potential for learning and love at every step. Laurie earned her BA in English at Colby College and her MS in the Science of Education, with a specialty in Child Life at Wheelock College.  She pursued this new path by becoming a hospice volunteer, completing one unit of CPE at UVM and the Respecting Choices Training for Advance Care Planning.  Laurie worked at Porter Hospital for 23 years in Public Relations and Development, serving on a Comprehensive Care Committee, Palliative Team, and Wellness Initiative, and currently serves on the ARCH Board of Directors and is Co-President of her Unitarian Universalist faith community.  When Laurie is not engaged in the above activities, she loves to read, walk, and be home with her husband (with whom she shares five children), her 92-year-old mother, and three Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Patty Brennan

Doula, Educator, Author

Patty Brennan is a doula, retired midwife, educator, author and entrepreneur. Over the last 22 years, she has personally trained over 2,000 people to become birth, postpartum and end-of-life doulas. Patty is an expert in the Doula Model of Care and business development for doulas and is enthusiastic about making doula work sustainable. She is the author of The Doula Business Guide: How to Succeed as a Birth, Postpartum or End-of-Life Doula, 3rd Edition and The Doula Business Guide Workbook: Tools to Create a Thriving Practice, 3rd Edition. Patty is the owner of Lifespan Doulas, offering online training and business development guidance for doulas.

Chelsea Chalfant, BSN, OCN, CHPN

Nurse, UVM Health Network Home Health and Hospice

Chelsea Chalfant, RN, is the Hospice and Palliative Care Educator at the VNA of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties. She has spent the past ten years working in surgical, palliative care and oncology settings, most recently at the renowned Cleveland Clinic, where she cared for adults, children and infants facing life-limiting illness. This transformative experience has led Chalfant to focus her career on hospice clinical education and championing the importance   of person-centered, high quality end-of-life care for patients and families.

Chalfant holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) from Kent State University as well as Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) and Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) clinical certifications. Originally from Indiana, Chalfant recently relocated to Vermont where she is exploring new hiking trails, sampling maple syrup and creemees and enjoying all the natural beauty the Green Mountain state has to offer.

Leslie Davis

McClure Miller Respite House; Traveling Hospice Volunteer on behalf of Cabot Creamery Cooperative

Leslie started volunteering at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, VT in 2011. Since then, the Respite House has moved to a new location in Colchester, VT, and is now called the McClure Miller VNA Respite House. Leslie is also a Hospice volunteer on behalf of Cabot Creamery Cooperative, where she travels throughout the East Coast visiting non-profit Hospice organizations. In both roles, she has sat vigil, read, played games, prepared meals, held hands, and visited with many residents. What she enjoys most about Hospice volunteer work is the opportunity to help others.

Leslie has a degree in Accounting and enjoys spending time with her 12-year-old Chihuahua, family, creating folk-art, and sewing. She had the honor of creating an Ethan Allen doll for the Historic Strawberry Mansion in Pennsylvania, PA. This doll, that she proudly fabricated with her mother, represents Vermont in the Millennium State Doll Collection.

Steve Gregory

Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation Service

Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation Service of South Burlington, Vermont specialize in direct cremation, memorial services and pre-need planning throughout Vermont. We pride ourselves in providing dignified, caring, compassionate end-of-life care, while making the process simple and affordable for families. We own and operate our own crematory which means your loved one is always in our care, guaranteeing positive identification. Our crematory is owned and operated by two generations of licensed funeral directors, Stephen C. Gregory and Stephen K. Gregory. A family run business with expertise in direct cremation.

Reverend Jared Hamilton

Pastor, United Church of Hinesburg, Hinesburg, Vermont

Rev. Jared Hamilton (United Church of Christ) serves the United Church of Hinesburg in Hinesburg, Vermont. As pastor, Jared works in this vibrant faith community, advocating a faith of exploration, mutual support, inclusion, and works of justice. Ministering to a multigenerational community, Jared’s work includes pastoral visits with those who are ill, those at the end-of-life, and those grieving who seek spiritual guidance and support.

Jared received his Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological Seminary in 2012. He has served as a chaplain at New England Baptist Hospital and on staff at Human & Civil Rights Organizations of America. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Next Generation Leadership Initiative of the United Church of Christ.

Jared gardens and keeps bees. He is married to Leah Hamilton and his downtime is spent with their three young children, Camille, Simon, and Miles.

Roberta MacDonald

Hospice Volunteer, EOL Doula

Roberta is nearing 40 years of consumer product marketing experience, the last 28 of which she has spent as SVP of Marketing for Cabot Creamery Cooperative. She has helped turn the small, farm family owned dairy cooperative into a national player through creative, award-winning and occasionally over-the-top campaigns.  When not at her day job she volunteers for hospice services in Burlington, Vermont.

Roberta previously served as Vermont’s first Marketing Director, a position created for her by Governor Kunin in 1984. She has been recognized with many awards for design, promotions, and high-impact public relations programs, including the highest individual award by B Corps. Prior to moving to Vermont, Roberta provided marketing consulting and/or staff services for the San Francisco Opera, National Endowment for the Arts, Ford Foundation, American Express, Information Industry Association, NYU, CBS, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Roberta is a long-time champion of the co-op movement and speaks frequently on how Cabot rewards volunteers for an indelible brand connection with its farmers’ values.

Charley MacMartin, MA, CT

Hospice Volunteer Services Manager; UVM Health Network Home Health & Hospice

Charley has worked in a number of roles over the past two decades in end-of-life care. A commitment to learning and education is at the center of his current work with volunteers supporting hospice and palliative care clients and families. Charley holds a certification through the Association for Death Education and Counseling and is pursuing a self-designed M.Ed. in end-of-life education at the University of Vermont with an emphasis on mindfulness, gender and bereavement, and social justice. Charley lives with his family in Burlington, VT.

Erica Marks

M.A Director of Volunteer Services at Age Well

Erica previously coordinated the Hospice Volunteer Program for the VNA of the Champlain Valley where she developed an intensive training program for volunteers working in End-of-Life Care.  She has many years of recruiting, training and supporting volunteers for work in hospice and aging.  She personally has provided Doula services at the end-of-life for families and friends and brings both her professional and personal experience into the classes she teaches.  As an avid Rotarian, she finds inspiration from being of service both locally and internationally and is honored to be a Paul Harris fellow. In her work, she designs and delivers presentations using the learner centered dialogue approach enhancing student engagement. She holds both her Bachelors and Masters degree in Psychology and has over 27 years working in the field of Human Services.

Craig Phillips

Death Doula

Fully realizing and embracing our imminent impermanence, Craig retired from the role of a Fortune 500 corporate business executive to give back and do something meaningful.  Craig now sits with actively dying patients in hospice two or more days per week.

As altruistic as giving back sounds, Craig believes it’s also selfishly motivated, as he gains refreshed perspective on the tenuousness of life from the honor of performing this service for another, and heightened gratitude for the value of every moment alive. “In light of death one can (perhaps) step back, and laugh at all the silly things we thought were important. Everything other than love becomes unimportant.”

This work, combined with meditation and filling life with little adventures each day, has brought Craig great happiness—which he expects to continue—come what may.

Oceana Sawyer

EOL Doula

I became compelled to assist folks on their journeys back in 2005 when I sat vigil for my father’s passing. Since that time, I have accumulated more knowledge and training, honed my skills, and had more opportunities to connect with folks and help them die in a context of love, grace, and beauty.

I draw upon my meditation practices, my experience as a sensuality educator, earth-based spirituality, and intensive study in the expressive arts and integral counseling psychology. I have successfully completed End-of-Life Doula training programs from the University of Vermont and the Conscious Dying Institute. Being a qualified facilitator of Living Funeral Ceremonies and a Funeral Celebrant are also among my competencies. Additionally, I am a member of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA).

I live happily in the San Francisco Bay Area with my devoted husband and two border collies.

Kathleen Scacciaferro

Healing Touch Practitioner; UVM College of Nursing Lecturer

Kathleen Scacciaferro, R.N., M.S.A., Certified Healing Touch Practitioner/Instructor. Kathleen is the School Nurse at Vergennes Union Middle / High School, Vergennes, VT, where she promotes a holistic health focus for faculty and students. She practiced and taught Healing Touch as part of End-of-Life Care at UVM Med Center, where she was a Critical Care Nurse and Manager for over 25 years. She is Part Time Faculty of the College of Nursing & Health Sciences at UVM.  Kathleen teaches Healing Touch and Energy Medicine; online courses: LGBTQ Health Disparities and Dismantling Rape Culture; and leads UVM travel study courses to Cuba: Complementary Therapies in Cuban Health Care & Cultural Immersion and Mongolia: Traditional Mongolian Medicine & Cultural Immersion.

Nina J. Thompson

Founder, Wake up to Dying Project; End-of-Life Consultant

Nina Thompson founded the Wake Up to Dying Project in 2012 and is currently consulting with organizations that are working in the death awareness movement. She brings 20+ years of entrepreneurial and business-consulting experience to the industry. She is experienced in community organizing, project management, event production, political campaigns, and organizational development. Nina draws her passion and capacity for this work from her experience founding and managing the Wake Up to Dying Project over five years, hospice and chaplaincy volunteer work, and Zen meditation practice. In 2014, Nina completed the Certificate program in Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care at the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.

Lee Webster

Director of New Hampshire Funeral Resources & Education

Lee Webster is an author, editor, and national public speaker on funeral reform. She has served in key leadership positions of the National Home Funeral Alliance and Green Burial Council, helped found the Conservation Burial Alliance, National End-of-Life Doula Alliance, and NHPCO EOLD Council, and is Director of New Hampshire Funeral Resources & Education. Her latest book, The Future of the Corpse: Our Changing Places and Perceptions of the Dead and Mourning, is a collaboration edited by Christina Staudt and Karla Rothstein of Columbia University’s DeathLab.

Coleen Wright, MA, MAT

Hospice Bereavement Coordinator, Psychotherapist, Educator

Coleen has worked in Hospice and Homecare in a variety of capacities. As a Psychotherapist, she specializes in end-of-life, grief, life transitions, and prenatal and postnatal support. Her work with new families has also included teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga, and being a Birth and Postpartum Doula. Her most recent role is as the Bereavement Coordinator for Bayada Hospice in Burlington, Vermont. As Bereavement Coordinator she provides education and support to bereaved individuals, families, healthcare workers, and community members. Additionally, she recently served as the Coordinator for the Madison-Deane Initiative, an end-of-life education program at the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grande-Isle Counties of Vermont. Coleen received her Master’s in Psychology from Naropa University, in Boulder, Colorado. Coleen trained in the Contemplative approach to care, an approach that draws from mindfulness practice and the Buddhist tradition. As a professional, she most enjoys the depth and richness of life-lessons that end-of-life and the grieving process bring. For her, it is an honor to hear stories of resilience and human spirit. When she is not in the office, Coleen loves to paint watercolors, practice yoga and meditation, garden, cook and spend time with her husband and daughter.