Compassionate professional committed to excellence and service.
Professional Experience
Pre-Planning Advisor, Dignity Memorial
Dec 2019 – Present
Author, Identity Affirming Deathcare Directives workbook (2nd edition coming June 2024)
2022 DEI Leader of the Year (Pride Chamber, Pride in Business Awards)
2023, CPSP (National Association of Sales Professionals)
2023, CANA Certified Cremation Specialist (CCS)
My professional goal is to ensure – through outreach, education, and one-on-one conversations – that when a family faces the loss of a loved one, they don’t have the added burden of unanswered questions about final arrangements.
Provide final arrangements consultation to families for funeral, cremation, and cemetery; represent 15 Dignity Memorial locations in Central Florida and the Neptune Memorial Reef; provide veterans benefits consultations; and provide on-call preneed services for families facing an imminent loss. Provide aftercare services and resources to families.
Provide community education by seeking opportunities for tabling, collaborations, and presentations. Develop community relationships with senior-serving professionals. Continually seek opportunities for professional development in sales, funeral industry, serving seniors, and other relevant competencies.
Sales Achievements:
Percent of annual Quota Achieved: Annual Average 200% (2020-2023. 2024 below is as of April 20)
Associated Memberships:
- National Consortium for Inclusion in Deathcare (emerging collective)
- PRIDE Chamber of Commerce (Board Member)
- Recovering From Religion Deathcare Equity Collaborative
- Orlando Business Network
- UNITE (Dignity Memorial company LGBTQ+ & Ally Professional Network)
- Oviedo Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce
- Seminole County Chamber of Commerce
- East Orlando Chamber of Commerce
- Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
- NASP (National Association of Sales Professionals)
Related major trainings, conferences:
- Sandler Sales Virtual Summit (2023)
- ICCFA University – 21st Century industry track (2023)
- Selling from the Heart Masterclass (2024)
- Sandler Sales Summit (2024)
- Working With Older Adults intensive course (for CSA Certification) (2024)
Sole Proprieter, DBA Humanist Celebrant Orlando
Oct 2016 – Present (freelance, part-time)
More info: http://HumanistCelebrantOrlando.com
2023, Recertification, Humanist Celebrant (secular clergy designation)
2023, InSight Certified Funeral Celebrant
It’s an honor to be part of the important moments in people’s lives and provide an inclusive space where every person is respected for who they are as they plan milestones along their unique journey.
Humanist Celebrant (est. 2016): Deliver invocations, officiate weddings, funerals, baby namings, adoption ceremonies, pet ceremonies, butterfly ceremonies (transgender name/milestone ceremony) and other ceremonies, conduct community outreach at public events, coordinate volunteer activities, assist groups and organizations with volunteer events, provide humanist education, and host monthly support groups. Other Humanist individual and community support as needed.
Associated Memberships
- The Humanist Society (endorsing agency)
- American Humanist Assoication
- Central Florida Freethought Community
- PRIDE Chamber of Commerce (Board member)
- Wedding Venue Map Preferred Vendors Network
Featured in:
- Wedding Venue Map
- The Humanist Society
- Watermark Magazine
- EnGAYged Weddings
- Wedding Wire
- The Little Wedding Guide
- Destination Wedding Directory
- Eventective
- The Celebrant Directory
May – Dec 2019: Part-time / temp (while looking for full-time work after being laid off):
- Substitute teaching for Orange County Public Schools
- Event & Meeting support with 360 Events, A+ Staffing, and Dakota Events
May 2004- May 2019: University of Central Florida
Coordinator, Special Projects
Promotion path: Coordinator (2006-2019); Admin Assistant (2006); Office Manager (2004-2006); Program Assistant (2004)
Event management, project management, and team leadership for various university-level programs including records management and the United Way campaign and for division-level programs including policy development; assessment; inclusion champions program; mass communications to employees. Oversight and management of vice president suite intern program, data and physical security, marketing and communications, and other special projects as they arose.
Related responsibilities included: Relationship management. Workshop facilitation and public speaking. Recruitment and supervision of student assistants and volunteer teams. Marketing and communications. Content management for multiple websites. Data collection, management, and reporting. Compliance and risk management. Information and data security. Office security and access management. Financial reporting for projects. Back-up HR function support.
BEFORE UCF…
- 2002-2003: State of Florida – DCF, Family Services Counselor: Visit at-risk families to evaluate child safety; represent families in court; develop child safety plans
- 2001-2002: Threshold, Inc., Office and HR Manager: Manage office operations; oversee office staff; process HR paperwork
- 1998-2000: Georgia State University, Administrative Coordinator: managed office operations; supervised student assistants; supported events and activities.
- 1993-1998: Armstrong State University, Student Assistant: Tutor for ESL and developmental students (four years) and web content editor (about 10 months)
Volunteer work
2023 – Present: Board of Directors, Pride Chamber
RED group director
More info: http://thepridechamber.org
Serving as a Board Member At Large, supporting the functions and success of the Pride Chamber and serving as the director of the multiple RED groups within the Pride Chamber (professional referral and development groups).
2015 – Present: STEM Gift Drive
Founding Project Manager and Chief Elf Organizer (CEO)
More info: http://STEMGiftDrive.org
Increasing equitable access to STEM-themed toys, games, and books for at-risk youth in our community. Coordination of advisory board, marketing, volunteer recruitment, event management, gift collection strategies, and annual Elfing Day event for final gift collection.
2011– 2020: BE. Orlando Humanist Fellowship,
Founding Director, Humanist Chaplain
Creating volunteer opportunities for people of diverse and minority secular, religious, and spiritual identities. Client relationship management; compliance and reporting; event management; fiscal responsibility; inclusion workshop development & facilitation; chaplaincy service; marketing; non-profit administration; public speaking; volunteer recruitment & management; website management.
2012 – 2019: University of Central Florida
Chair of Blood Drives at UCF
Recruit volunteers and donors; event management; manage intern program; public speaking and presentations; oversee compliance and bloodmobile scheduling; serve as a liaison between OneBlood and UCF.
2014 – 2019: University of Central Florida
Humanist Chaplain & Diversity Trainer, Religious and Secular Services
Developed and implemented a diversity series focusing on religious and non-religious identity inclusion. Developed and facilitated trainings, provided consultations to individuals and departments, and maintained relationships and collaborations with university and community entities and individuals, including the LGBTQ+ Safe Zone program. Established Humanist Chaplaincy at the university.
2001 – present:
Continued individual volunteering
At local organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank; SafeHouse of Seminole; OneBlood; IHWN Wolf & Wolfdog Sanctuary; Zebra Coalition; Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida; Harbor House; Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida; Seminole County SERV; Mustard Seed; Pet Rescue by Judy; Bacco’s feral cat TRN and rescue.
2015 – present: Co-founded an international group to foster communication among global blood donation professionals and advocates.
Education and Certifications
Armstrong Atlantic State University
1998: BA, in English and Philosophy
Certifications and Endorsements
2023: Humanist Celebrant recertification
2023: InSight Certified Funeral Celebrant
2023: Certified Cremation Specialist (CANA Certification)
2023: CPSP (NASP Certified Sales Professional)
2021: Notary Public Commission, recertification, Jan 2025
2021: Authorized seller, Neptune Memorial Reef
2020: 2-14 Florida Life Insurance License
2019: TESOL Certificate (120 hr course)
2016, 2018: Humanist Chaplain and Celebrant, recertification, Oct 2023
2014: Secular Safe Zone Training Facilitator
