How did I go from being a professor of Kinesiology (aka PE teacher/coach) to creating a business that trains leaders and professionals in grief literacy and empathy skills? There's a story.

I went from wife to caregiver to widow in my thirty’s and faced raising five children toward a future I did not want. The darkest time in all our lives became the

defining moment that forever changed who I was and who I became. My husband Jon did not teach me about dying, he taught me how to live, play, dance and smile!

After grief therapy and support from family and friends, it was time to stop handing out the Gatorade and get back in the game. And so I did. I went back to school, earned a higher degree and started teaching at the University level. Fast forward several years later, all five kids are out of the nest, have earned college degrees, and are happy and healthy. Now was the time. I thought that with the power of my story, lessons learned and my teaching ability combined, I could truly help people. So Grief Smart Professional was born. I have loved everything I've done in my career, but teaching grief literacy and empathy is what I am supposed to do....it is my love letter to the world!