Speakers

Sherry Williams RN, BA, GMS, GRS

Sherry L. Williams, RN, BA,GMS, GRS, is president and founder of Sherry Williams Enterprises and New Leaf Resources, a division of Sherry Williams Enterprises. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, New Leaf Resources specializes in grief resource materials and informational/educational services. The company has helped thousands of firms assess their internal systems, communities and resources to develop and manage good bereavement outreach programs.

Out of her personal loss experiences and need for information when she was grieving, Sherry founded ACCORD® Grief Management Services in 1984. She served as president through 2004 at which time she founded Sherry Williams Enterprises and New Leaf Resources.

She has an Associate Degree in nursing from the University of Kentucky Extension Program and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Bellarmine College in Louisville, KY. Sherry is a nationally certified grief management specialist, has received advanced certification as a bereavement facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement and is certified by the Grief Recovery Institute as a Grief Recovery Specialist. She has devoted more than 20 years to the field of grief and bereavement service.

She is the publisher of New Leaf Magazine, formerly Grief Magazine™, a quarterly publication for the bereaved, as well as a featured writer for In DeathCare Today and Yellow Book News. She is the author of Holiday Help®: A Guide for Holidays and Special Days, Beyond Goodbye: A Guide for your Journey through Grief) and is a contributing author to Every Woman’s Guide to Financial Security, When All the Friends Have Gone (A Manual for Aftercare) and What To Do When Someone Dies. She is listed in 2000 American Notable Women for outstanding service to community, state and nation.

Sherry served on the Board of Trustees for the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved, has co-chaired, the 1996 World Gathering on Bereavement and served as an advisor for the 2001 World Gathering. She has been a featured speaker for numerous organizations, including the National Funeral Directors Association, The Association for Death Education and Counseling, The National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved, churches, support groups and state funeral associations across the United States.

Sherry is a guest lecturer at Bellarmine College School of Psychology, Kent School of Social Work and Expressive Therapies Department at the University of Louisville.

In the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, Sherry was invited by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) to address the grief issues of the widows, parents, and children of fallen fire firefighters. In addition, she debriefed and provided insight into appropriate coping skills and techniques for firefighters at each City fire department location as well as Headquarter personnel.

Suzanne L. Howell, M.A., LCPC

Suzanne L. Howell, M.A., LCPC, is owner of Suzanne Howell Counseling in Morton, IL. She has devoted the last 20 years to the field of grief and bereavement service. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on grief from Anitoch University and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. Additional specialized training has been received in grief, loss and trauma from The Grief Recovery Institute, ACCORD Grief Management Service and The Center for Loss and Life Transition. Suzanne is former Vice President of The Wilton Mortuary, Peoria, IL where she initiated grief recovery programs and facilitated numerous support groups.

She is a frequent contributor to Grief Magazine™ now called New Leaf Magazine™ a quarterly publication for the bereaved. She is also a frequent presenter for Compassionate Friends and local Hospice and other grief support groups. In addition to presentations done through her own business she has for the last 13 years been a presenter through New Leaf Resources, a division of Sherry William Enterprises of workshops for the bereaved and for such professionals as medical personnel, school counselors and clergy. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Suzanne serves as Adjunct Faculty at Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL, teaching Death and Dying and Aging courses.

As Director of Family Ministries at First Baptist Church in Morton, IL she is infrequent lay ministry contact with families who are experiencing the dying and death of someone they love. She also teaches an adult Sunday School class and with her husband, David, leads a weekly Children’s Worship Service.

In the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, Suzanne was invited by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) to accompany Sherry Williams in addressing the grief issues of widows, parents and children of fallen fire fighters. In addition, she debriefed and provided insight into appropriate coping skills and techniques for firefighters at City fire department locations as well as Headquarters personnel.