I have been drawn to walking alongside those experiencing loss and grief since the age of 25 when my brother Dan died of cancer. More recently I had the honor of helping care for my mother in the final year of her life. While there were moments of beauty and connection in my mom’s final moments, the experience highlighted for me how exhausting it is to care for a loved one who is dying, and how unprepared we were to make end-of-life decisions and understand what our options were.

Caring for my mom and others at the end of life has clarified for me that we could all benefit from dedicated support and companionship during life’s transitions, and that planning for and talking about death can provide a more peaceful experience for all involved. I strive to honor the dignity of each individual, listen deeply to their wishes and needs, and empower them to have increased control, autonomy, and peace at the end of life.

I became certified as an end-of-life doula through Lifespan Doulas, earned proficiency through the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance, and am a lifelong member of the Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death). I have also served as a hospice volunteer with Emmanuel Hospice since 2022, and I regularly engage in continuing education in the areas of aging, advance care planning, and deathcare. On a personal note, I am married with two children, and enjoy playing pickleball, birdwatching, and spending time in nature.