My Journey

From a young age, I was always a planner. My mom often remarked that even as a child, I had Plans A, B, C, and D ready for any situation. It was no surprise that I grew up to become a certified project manager, passionate about building strategies and solving problems. Throughout my career, I’ve managed budgets exceeding 40 million dollars and ensured compliance for television and FDA regulations. This experience gave me a robust foundation for helping others organize their affairs.

When my parents began to age, I assumed my dad had everything under control and that managing their assets would be straightforward. But when he passed away, I realized how wrong I was. My siblings, who hadn’t been actively involved in the planning, had different understandings of the situation.

In 2022, when my mom died, the challenges with my siblings intensified. A tornado had leveled her condo in 2020, complicating matters further as the rebuild was incomplete and the insurance claim was still active at her death. I never imagined we would still be discussing the distribution of my parents’ possessions two and a half years after my mom’s death or that the estate would incur tens of thousands of dollars in legal and accounting fees.

Dealing with the illness and death of a loved one is incredibly difficult, and it becomes even more challenging when you’re forced to make significant life decisions while processing grief. These experiences taught me firsthand what can go wrong without proper planning. I’ve invested significant time and energy into understanding the needs of families and how a structured approach can reduce stress and ensure your loved one’s wishes are honored.

My commitment to helping others navigate this journey led me to become a Certified Death Doula in 2024. My personal experiences, combined with my professional background in project management and training as a Death Doula, have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to guide families through organizing their affairs. By sharing my story and expertise, I hope to empower others to approach end-of-life planning with confidence, clarity, and compassion.