The Future of Deathcare Summit.

Chicago
October 25th 2025

FDCS 2025 Home

Leading Experts in the Death Care & End-of-Life Industry

The following individuals represent a cross-section of the most respected professionals in the evolving field of death care, grief support, and end-of-life planning. With decades of combined experience, they are shaping the future of how we honor life, support families, and advance the profession.

Ashlinn Goodman

Chris Cruger

Dr. Amy Schiffman

Michael Schimmel

George Owens

Jess Wakefield

Gabe Schauf

Jeff Zealley

Jessica Koth

Katey Houston

Robert Gaskill

Lindsay Granson

Jake Johnson

Courtney Gould Miller

Jennifer Muldowney

Sandra Walker

Nick Williamson

Barbara Kemmis

Larnique Mickens

Erin Creger

Doug Gober

Molly Lindell

Cameron Black

Jolena Grande

Emil Aldaddah

Jacob F. Derrig

Ashlinn Goodman

Ashlinn Goodman is a nationally recognized cemetery consultant, speaker, writer, and cemetery content creator dedicated to helping cemetery professionals grow with purpose and confidence. With experience in pre-need sales, team development, and strategic coaching, she brings a fresh yet grounded approach to serving families and improving performance. Ashlinn is known for delivering insightful, practical trainings that blend service selling with strong sales results.

Chris Cruger

Chris Cruger, CEO of The Foresight Companies, began his career in funeral service more than 25 years ago as a financial analyst at SCI where he quickly rose up the ranks. Becoming vice president of business development. One of the foremost authorities in the funeral and cemetery industry, he provides an array of services to the profession as the CEO of The Foresight Companies, including buying and selling firms, valuation services, business financing, succession and advisory services and more.

Dr. Amy Schiffman

Dr. Amy Schiffman, a Hospice Care Expert, is the co-host of the podcast “Mastering Medicare” and is one of the nation’s leading experts in geriatrics and palliative/hospice care. She is the chief medical officer for a human services agency and oversees their hospice agency, private duty agency and a Holocaust survivor program. A board-certified emergency medicine physician, she completed her emergency medicine residency at the George Washington University School of Medicine and has established herself as one of the nation’s leading experts in geriatrics and palliative/hospice care

Michael Schimmel

Michael Schimmel is the founder and CEO of Sympathy Brands, and its family of brands including Cemetery.com, eCondolence and shiva.com. He is a leading expert for death-care and end-of-life professionals, helping bring industry knowledge to clients interested in bridging technology, business efficiencies, and consumer expectations. Prior to founding Sympathy Brands, Michael was a corporate and intellectual property attorney advising entrepreneurs and corporations on operational and financial matters related to technology, professional services, and e-commerce business strategies.

George Owens

With 25+ years in high-performance environments, George specializes in identifying challenges, developing information solutions, and driving growth. Before co-founding Fortitude, he was a Managing Director at a Fortune 1000 services firm, improving location performance and operations. He spent over a decade at J.D. Power, leading major customer satisfaction studies. Known for his strategic vision and operational insight, George has guided teams through complex transformations. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine’s Graziadio School and teaches at Cal Lutheran’s School of Management.

Jess Wakefield

Jess Wakefield is a nationally recognized funeral director, embalmer, educator, and end-of-life advocate with over 15 years of experience supporting families across the West Coast. A Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), she has led responses to high-profile cases, mass casualty events, and pioneered sustainable funeral practices. Jess served as President of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association, where she championed the needs of funeral professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.She is currently the Director of Operations for Everis, serves on the Cañada College Funeral Services Advisory Board, actively supports Donate Life America, and was honored with the 2022 LWTech Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award. Jess holds degrees in Funeral Service Education and Environmental Science and Policy.Known for her heart-centered leadership, Jess approaches her work with compassion, clarity, and a deep respect for the sacredness of end-of-life care. She sees herself as a guide—someone who holds the lantern in life’s darkest moments, helping others rediscover the beauty, wonder, and meaning in every step of the journey.

Gabe Schauf

Gabe Schauf is a driven and creative professional with over 10 years of experience in the funeral industry, combining service, marketing, and event coordination to deliver impactful results. Raised on a family dairy farm and a U.S. military veteran, Gabe thrives in high-pressure environments and brings strong leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills. He is passionate about continuous learning, innovation, and exceeding expectations.

Jeff Zealley

Jeff Zealley is a licensed funeral director with over three decades of experience across multiple states and currently serves on the Utah Board of Funeral Service. He holds an MBA from the University of Utah and a master’s in bioethics from The Ohio State University. Jeff directs the Mortuary Science Program at Salt Lake Community College and volunteers with local grief support groups. A longtime DMORT member, he has responded to several national disaster events. Passionate about funeral history and global practices, Jeff is also an avid traveler, WWII enthusiast, and dedicated “tombstone tourist".

Jessica Koth

Jessica Koth is the Director of Public Relations for the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), where she leads media and public relations efforts to advance the association’s mission and educate consumers on the value of meaningful memorialization. With over 25 years of experience in PR, including 18 with NFDA, she also serves as editor of the NFDA Bulletin, manages the Pursuit of Excellence program, and contributes regularly to The Director magazine. A Marquette University journalism graduate, Jessica previously worked with nonprofit, healthcare, and hospitality clients at leading PR agencies.

Katey Houston

Katey Houston is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in both Washington State and the UK. At Return Home, she supports families through the terramation process and leads industry education and outreach. A certified celebrant and board member of the Washington State Funeral Directors Association, Katey is dedicated to inclusive, values-driven deathcare. “Knowing your last act on earth can be one that heals is empowering.”

Robert Gaskill

Rob Gaskill is a dedicated professional with over 40 years of experience in funeral service, including more than 20 years serving local communities. Rob is known for his compassion, integrity, and deep commitment to supporting families with personalized, respectful care. He leads with empathy and professionalism, earning the trust of those he serves and mentoring colleagues along the way. Rob’s passion for helping others continues to guide his work and strengthen the bonds within the community.

Lindsay Granson

Lindsay Granson is a dynamic and accomplished executive operations leader with over 15 years of experience driving performance across sales, marketing, and business operations. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Heritage Family, Lindsay is recognized as a turnaround specialist known for transforming underperforming teams and operations into high-performing, sustainable business units. She has held senior leadership roles at organizations such as StoneMor Inc., Watercrest Senior Living Group, and Brookdale, consistently delivering revenue growth, improving customer engagement, and aligning cross-functional teams with strategic goals. Lindsay brings deep expertise in omnichannel marketing, investor relations, and data-driven strategy, and is widely respected for her ability to mentor teams, influence C-suite leadership, and drive measurable results across complex industries.

Jake Johnson

President & CEO at Johnson Consulting, Jake began his career at Keystone Group Holdings (now Dignity Memorial Network) as Associate Director, Corporate Development. This job included financial analysis, bank and equity partner presentations, along with accounting and system setup with acquired funeral homes. Jake then went on to work at Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries in Las Vegas, NV which at the time handled 6,500 funeral home families and over 2,200 cemetery cases out of 6 locations. There Jake conducted funeral directing, funeral arranging, funeral home management, cemetery operations management, and sat on the executive board. Jake’s ability to problem solve business issues contributes to his success in currently owning a funeral home and cremation center in Sun City, Arizona along with a small-town funeral home in Batesville, IN. Jake’s education includes a BSBA degree in Management with an emphasis in Accounting and Financial Analysis from Xavier University. His foundation in accounting and EBITDA forecasting is complemented by technology savviness and management qualifications in business development and operations. He is also a licensed REALTOR in Arizona and a Register Investment Advisor Representative and is currently a member of the Entrepreneur Organization (EO) Arizona Chapter. Jake is also a member-emeritus of the Funeral Service Foundation Board.

Courtney Gould Miller

Courtney Gould Miller is President of Commercial Markets at Tribute Technology, where she leads the customer journey while overseeing marketing, sales, and strategy. Before joining Tribute Technology, she spent over a decade building and leading her own company, MKJ Marketing — the funeral profession’s premier growth agency, now part of the Tribute Technology portfolio. A licensed attorney and trusted advisor, Courtney blends legal expertise with marketing insight to help funeral homes grow and connect with today’s families.

Jennifer Muldowney

Jennifer Muldowney is an internationally recognized voice in modern memorial planning and the evolving deathcare space. As founder of Muldowney Memorials, she has spent over a decade creating deeply personal, culturally inclusive, and environmentally conscious end-of-life experiences for families across the globe. Nicknamed “The Glam Reaper” by British media, Jennifer brings a fresh and approachable perspective to grief and remembrance. Her work has been featured by outlets like the BBC, Fox News, and The Guardian. She is the host of The Glam Reaper Podcast and a TEDx speaker known for her talk, Grief: As Unique as Your Heartbeat. Jennifer is passionate about bridging generational and cultural gaps in funeral service through empathy, innovation, and design. Whether she’s training celebrants, consulting with funeral homes, or speaking at industry events, she invites us to rethink how we honor life and why it matters.

Sandra Walker

Sandra Walker is the Chief Operating Officer of Fairmount Memorial Association, overseeing seven cemeteries and five funeral homes in Spokane, Washington. A licensed Funeral Director and preneed insurance producer in Washington and Idaho, she brings 26 years of funeral care experience and over two decades in management. Named Washington State Funeral Professional of the Year in 2023, Sandra is known for her operational expertise and compassionate leadership.She is a founding member of the Death Care Collective and serves as Second Vice President on the Board of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). Sandra holds a bachelor’s in Criminology and Political Science from Simon Fraser University and a Certificate in Women in Leadership from Gonzaga University..

Nick Williamson

Nick Williamson is Director of Customer Care at Carriage Services, leading the company’s Passion for Service initiative focused on empathy, service excellence, and family care. With over 15 years in luxury hospitality, including as Director of Operations at The Ritz-Carlton, he brings deep expertise in delivering exceptional experiences. Outside of work, Nick enjoys real estate development, football, and community volunteering. His philosophy: “Empathy is the invisible infrastructure society forgot to build.”

Barbara Kemmis

Barbara Kemmis is the Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America, where she leads initiatives promoting cremation through education, member programs, and partnerships. With over 25 years of association leadership experience, she believes collaboration is key to achieving impactful results. Barbara holds a master’s in library science from Dominican University, a nonprofit management certificate from North Park University, and a B.A. from Earlham College.

Larnique Mickens

Larnique Mickens is a nationally recognized funeral director, transformational leader, and U.S. Air Force veteran, known for blending strategic innovation with compassionate care. As Executive Funeral Director of Heritage Mortuary in Las Vegas, she has led the firm to multiple “Best of Las Vegas” awards and national recognition for service excellence and innovation.With over two decades of leadership across military, corporate, and funeral sectors, Larnique specializes in team development, business transformation, and the integration of AI and digital tools into funeral service. A Six Sigma Black Belt and SBA Emerging Leaders alumna, she has managed multimillion-dollar programs and driven impactful organizational change.A thought leader and sought-after speaker, Larnique is deeply committed to workforce development, veteran support, and community-centered care. At the NFDA Future of Deathcare Summit, she brings a bold, mission-driven vision that redefines what it means to serve families with heart, heritage, and innovation.

Erin Creger

Erin Creger is a seasoned leader in the deathcare industry with over 20 years of experience in building high-performing teams and driving growth. As Chief Sales Officer at Security National Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, she leads with a focus on strategy, training, and performance culture. Inspired by a personal family experience, Erin is a nationally recognized advocate for modernizing sales and leadership in the profession. She also co-founded the Death Care Collective and serves on the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee. At the Future of Deathcare Summit, Erin brings deep expertise in strategic sales and a passion for advancing the industry.

Doug Gober

Doug Gober is a veteran of the funeral service industry with over 45 years of experience in sales, marketing, merchandising, and business development. Starting in the casket industry, he went on to hold leadership roles at The Doody Group, directing European operations and pioneering the York Merchandising Systems™ used in over 7,500 funeral homes across North America. He has consulted internationally, presented industry seminars worldwide, and led strategic initiatives at Carriage Services, Inc. Doug later served as Senior Loan Officer at Live Oak Bank, connecting funeral businesses with financing opportunities, before founding Gober Strategic Capital in 2014. In 2018, he partnered with The Foresight Companies to expand into business valuations, succession planning, transaction representation, and advisory services for funeral and cemetery owners. A CPA and University of Alabama graduate, Doug is based in New Orleans with his wife, has four children, and five grandchildren.

Molly Lindell

Molly M. Lindell was born and raised in Illinois. She is a proud graduate of the Worsham School of Mortuary Science and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, along with a Project Management Certification from the University of Houston.With over three decades of dedicated service in the funeral profession, Molly has brought her expertise to a variety of specialized teams across diverse roles. Throughout her career, she has been honored to build meaningful, lasting relationships within the industry. Her passion lies in elevating the level of service families receive by fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous growth, and empowered partnership with skilled teams.Outside of her professional life, Molly finds her greatest joy in her role as a mother to her two children, Padyn and Brody. She is currently planning Padyn’s wedding, set for 2026, and cherishes every opportunity to visit Brody, who serves in Special Operations with the 75th Ranger Regiment as a SOCM (Special Operations Combat Medic).

Cameron Black

Since joining NGL in 2019, Cameron has cultivated a vast network of industry professionals spanning various funeral and insurance organizations, strengthening partner relationships and growing their markets. He is dedicated to listening and understanding the needs of partners and funeral professionals and focused on providing the expertise, leadership and resources needed to best serve families.

Jolena Grande

Jolena Grande, CFSP, has more than 30 years of professional practice as a California-licensed funeral director, embalmer, cemetery manager, and crematory manager. Beginning her funeral service career in 1989 working for a large mortuary/cemetery combination operation in Southern California, she is also a longtime faculty member in the Mortuary Science Department at Cypress College where she has served as an instructor since 1995. She serves on various committees with the California Funeral Directors Association, is the current secretary of the National Associated Colleges of Mortuary Science, and past-president of the American Board of Funeral Service Education. She is also involved with the California Department of Consumer Affairs Cemetery and Funeral Bureau Advisory Committee and is an item writer for the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards.

Emil Aldaddah

Emil Aldaddah, Co-Founder, Chief Investment Officer, and Managing Partner at Momentum Wealth Management and Momentum Capital Ventures, has nearly two decades of experience delivering bespoke investment strategies for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private foundations. Formerly with Charles Schwab and Morgan Stanley, he advised on over $1.7 billion in assets, serving billionaires, celebrities, and political leaders. His career spans asset management, estate and tax strategy, and alternative investments, with senior roles at Avatar Securities—where he managed $175 million and pioneered algorithmic trading—and Blackmore Partners, advising on M&A and capital raises up to $500 million. A DePaul University graduate with advanced business studies at the University of Nicosia, Emil holds multiple financial licenses, is fluent in Arabic, and is a multi-time President’s Volunteer Service Award recipient.

Jacob F. Derrig

Jacob F. Derrig is the CEO, Co-Founder, and Partner at Momentum Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser firm. He holds an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University, along with several distinguished financial credentials, including CFP®, ChFC®, and CFS®.With a strong background in financial consulting, sales, and investment management, Jacob has held key leadership and advisory roles across the industry. His experience includes serving as Vice President at Charles Schwab, Sales Director at Empower Retirement, and Wealth Advisor at M Financial Group.Drawing on more than two decades of expertise, Jacob is dedicated to guiding clients with thoughtful strategies that balance growth, security, and long-term financial success.

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The Future of Deathcare Summit

FSCS 2025 Home

Location: McCormick Place Convention Center; Chicago, IL

Date: October 25th, 2025

Leading Experts in the Death Care & End-of-Life Industry

The following individuals represent a cross-section of the most respected professionals in the evolving field of death care, grief support, and end-of-life planning. With decades of combined experience, they are shaping the future of how we honor life, support families, and advance the profession.