KEYNOTE SPEAKER John O'Leary

National Best Selling Author & Speaker

In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given less than a 1% chance to live.

This epic story of survival (first showcased in 2008 with his parents’ acclaimed book Overwhelming Odds) has never felt more relevant than as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic together.

John inspires 50,000+ people at 100+ live and virtual events each year. He speaks to companies and organizations across industries, including: sales, healthcare, safety, marketing, finance, faith, education and insurance.

Consistently described as “the best speaker we’ve ever had,” John receives nearly 100% of his engagements from referrals. His schedule is a testament to the power of his message; his emotional story-telling, unexpected humor and authenticity make each presentation unforgettable.

John’s genuine, collaborative approach to partnering allowed him to understand early that clients’ biggest pain point in the wake of the fallout from the pandemic is team “burnout.” To address this, John expanded his Live Inspired Coaching program to bring his keynote from inspirational to transformational. Early successes in the program have clients saying their teams are more focused, collaborative and engaged than ever.

SPONSORED BY

Lynda Cheldelin-Fell

International Grief Institute

Lynda Cheldelin Fell is founding partner of the International Grief Institute and international bestselling author of over 35 books including the award winning Grief Diaries series. A retired firefighter/EMT and bereaved mother, Cheldelin Fell has a background in trauma, grief, and holds a national certification in critical incident stress management. A popular keynote speaker and educator, she is a member of the continuing education faculty at Whatcom Community College teaching classes on resilience, managing grief in the workplace, and compassion fatigue. To research grief’s impact on society, she has interviewed people around the world including societal figures such as Martin Luther King’s daughter, and Heaven is For Real’s Pastor Todd Burpo. She has earned six national literary awards and five national advocacy award nominations for her work.

PHONE: 360-510-8590
EMAIL: lynda@internationalgriefinstitute.com

Linda Findlay

International Grief Institute

Linda Findlay has served the bereaved since 1994. She is a career Professional Aftercare Coordinator specializing in providing aftercare services and resources for the funeral industry, hospices, and faith based organizations. She has created and facilitated hundreds of workshops, remembrance services, and support  groups across the nation. She is a lay counselor for a Christian Care Ministry in South Carolina.

PHONE: 315-725-6132
EMAIL: linda@internationalgriefinstitute.com

Duane Hills

President, Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

Originally from rural Pennsylvania but moved into New York State before attending Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York. I graduated in 1978 and served a 12 month apprenticeship in Bath, New York. My first licensed funeral director position came the following year in Owego, New York where I remained for two years.

In the fall of 1981 I purchased a small funeral firm in Big Flats, New York that had closed six months prior and named it Hills Funeral Home. The following spring I also opened a monument business at the same location.
In 1992 I purchased a second funeral home this time in Corning, New York. The firm was the Beilby Funeral Home which I successfully ran until I sold both my firms in 1995 to the Loewen Group. I became a General Manager for them operating and managing four firms in the area.

I stayed with them through the Alderwoods and SCI aquisitions with several territory positions.In 2008 I transferred with SCI to a group of funeral homes and a cemetery in Lufkin, Texas where I managed for four and a half years.

In 2012 I transferred to Washington, DC where I became the Assistant Manager at Joseph Gawler's Sons. In four months the position of president became open which I applied for and was promoted. I continue to ho;d the position of President at Joseph Gawler's Sons.

Over the years I have had memberships in Rotary International, fire departments, historical societies, churches, various Lincoln Groups as well as numerous volunteer opportunities to serve the communities I have lived and worked in.

I have served on the DC Board of Funeral Directors. I am also currently licensed in DC, Virginia and New York State. I hold membership also in the National Funeral Directors Association.

In 2022 I self published a book on the history of Joseph Gawler's Sons entitled, "One Block West of the White House." My book has made it into the Presidential Library at the White House, the Law Library at the United States Supreme Court and the Scottish Rite Temple Library in Washington, DC.

Adam Sanden

President, Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center

Adam J. Sanden is President of Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center and has worked in the family business since 2007. He is responsible for Controllership duties, Treasury duties, Economic Strategy and Forecasting of the business, and manages HR responsibilities for his staff of 18 employees. Adam grew up in Mentor, Ohio where he attended Lake Catholic High School. Sanden earned his BSBA in Accountancy and MBA from John Carroll University. He also attended Lakeland Community College.

Prior to joining the family business, Sanden spent 3 years in private and public accounting. Adam is actively involved in community events, and previously sat on the boards of Painesville Rotary, Lake Health, the Citizens Financial Advisory Committee for the Mentor Public Schools, Leadership Lake County and The Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce. Currently, he is the Treasurer of Citizens for Lake Metroparks. He was profiled as “One2Watch” by Inside Business Magazine for his work in the community, and also received a "Top 4 Under 40" award from the Lake County Chambers of Commerce. He is a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and The Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Recently, Adam has gained national attention by speaking to state Funeral Associations about best practices in the funeral industry. He has presented to associations from Ohio, Florida, Illinois, and Idaho (just to name a few) where he shared his knowledge and expertise about the "business" side of the funeral industry.

Adam enjoys golfing, hunting, watching football, and spending time with family and friends. Adam resides in Mentor, Ohio with his wife Reneé, and children Leo and Cora.

SPONSORED BY