Trey Morgan is President & CEO of The Morgan Companies, where heleads the company's strategic vision, executive leadership, andinvestment portfolio. Under his direction, the firm has expanded acrossmultiple states and overseen more than $700 million in commercial realestate acquisitions and developments. In addition to leading The MorganCompanies, Trey founded and directs MCM Partners, the company's privateequity and investment division, bringing extensive expertise in realestate development, investment strategy, and business growth.

Michael Schimmel is Founder of Sympathy Brands and Boutique FuneralGroup, where he leads the strategic vision and growth of theorganization’s portfolio of businesses, including shiva.com,Cemetery.com, and eCondolence. In this role, he is responsible forguiding innovation, strengthening community-based funeral homepartnerships, and advancing the systems and services that supportfamilies through end-of-life matters with care, dignity, andcompassion.

Ashlinn is the Director of Cemetery Solutions for the Security NationalFamily of Companies. A nationally recognized consultant, speaker,writer, and cemetery content creator, she specializes in modernizingcemetery operations through service-focused sales and strategic teamdevelopment. Ashlinn is a co-host of American Cemetery Live and wasrecently honored by the ICCFA as one of the 40 Under 40 Rising Leadersfor 2025. With a background spanning real estate and corporatetraining, she is dedicated to helping organizations evolve into“hosts of legacy,” ensuring every family receives ameaningful, best-in-class experience.

With more than 25 years of experience in high-performance environments,George is an expert at recognizing and defining problems, identifyinginformation solutions, and implementing effective programs to driverevenue and profit.

Jennifer Blakeley is an entrepreneur, inventor, and founder ofLife’s QR, a platform that helps families create permanent,interactive memorials through durable QR code markers linked to digitaltribute pages. A lifelong photographer and innovator, she is also thefounder of Alphabet Photography, the original and internationallyrecognized letter art company. Jennifer is passionate about preservingstories, memories, and family legacies through creative technology thatconnects generations and honors loved ones in meaningful ways.

Mark Kittnar is Chief Operating & Information Officer of SympathyBrands and Boutique Funeral Group, where he leads enterprise operations,technology strategy, and digital innovation across funeral homes,cemeteries, and online consumer platforms. With extensive experience inoperational leadership, systems integration, and businesstransformation, Mark focuses on leveraging technology and data-drivenprocesses to improve organizational performance while enhancing theexperience of families and funeral professionals. He is passionateabout modernizing the deathcare profession through innovation,operational excellence, and scalable solutions that supportcompassionate service and long-term growth.

Anthony Kaniuk brings a national industry perspective through his workwith NFDA and his understanding of the issues facing funeralprofessionals today.

Carlton Maye, Jr., MBA, CFSP, CCO, is General Partner of SerenityFuneral Home and Cremation in Dublin, Georgia, and a respected leader inthe funeral profession. A licensed funeral director, embalmer, andcrematory operator, he combines extensive experience in funeralservice, business, education, and government contracting. Carltonserves as the 2024–2026 At-Large Representative on the NationalFuneral Directors Association Board of Directors and is dedicated toadvancing the profession through leadership, education, mentorship,and service.

Mandy Stafford is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with nearly16 years of experience helping families navigate meaningful end-of-lifedecisions. As Preneed and National Partnership Manager for Return Home,she works with families and funeral professionals to expand awarenessand access to Terramation, also known as Natural Organic Reduction,promoting sustainable and innovative deathcare options. A respectededucator and speaker, Mandy is passionate about advancing conversationsaround consumer choice, environmental responsibility, and the future offuneral service.

Jenni F. Bryant, CFSP, CCO, is a native of East Tennessee and is theGeneral Manager of Smith Life & Legacy in Maryville, Tennessee. ALicensed Funeral Director & Embalmer, Jenni is a graduate ofGupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta. She is a member ofthe Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Jenni haspreviously served on the NFDA Convention Education Task ForceCommittee, The International Conference of Funeral Service ExaminingBoards National Board Exam Committee, and is a Certified CrematoryOperator. She and her husband David have one son, Logan, who recentlygraduated from John A. Gupton College of Funeral Service in Nashville.

Philip Flores Jr. is the Founder of Cremation by Water Group and arecognized leader in alkaline hydrolysis and sustainable deathcare. Heworks closely with funeral homes, hospice organizations, and industryassociations to advance education, innovation, and awareness ofenvironmentally responsible end-of-life options. As a frequent speakerand advocate, Philip brings operational expertise and a forward-thinkingperspective on the future of funeral service, sustainability, andfamily-centered care.

Leigh Klemencic loves insurance – no, really. She’s been inthe insurance space for over 15 years and has grown to love working onand with products that help people achieve peace of mind. Preneed is hersweet spot, so she works at NGL Insurance Company and delights inhelping to tell the story of a financially secure, forward-thinkingorganization that’s all in on deathcare.

Beau Jarrell brings an owner’s perspective on business strategy,financial planning, and innovation within the deathcare profession.

Lindsay Granson is the Chief Operating Officer of Heritage, where sheoversees funeral, cremation, and cemetery operations across alllocations. With extensive experience in operational leadership, teamdevelopment, and process improvement, she is focused on driving serviceexcellence, supporting staff growth, and ensuring families receivecompassionate, high-quality care. Lindsay is passionate about buildingstrong teams, improving organizational performance, and fostering aculture of accountability, innovation, and empathy.

Justin Crowe is the founder and CEO of Parting Stone, the company thatpioneered solidified remains — a new form of remains for familieschoosing cremation, transforming cremated remains into forty to eightybeautiful, touchable stones instead of ash. Inspired by hisgrandfather's passing in 2014 and developed in collaboration withscientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, his work has helped morethan fourteen thousand families hold their loved ones again and reachedover one billion people through The Wall Street Journal, Shark Tank,CNN, and more.

Billy Eaton brings industry knowledge from Matthews and insight intoproducts, services, and solutions supporting funeral and cemeteryprofessionals. In his 16 years with the company, he has worn many hatsand can speak on a multitude of topics. Prior to Matthews, Billyoperated a family-owned casket distribution company alongside hisfather and sister.

Adelle is the Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Eterneva, a celebration of lifebrand that reimagines the experience around loss by making diamonds fromashes or hair. Eterneva was named Consumer Startup of the Year by theStevie Awards and was featured on Shark Tank, receiving investment fromMark Cuban. Adelle has been featured on both Inc. and Forbes’coveted 30 Under 30 lists. Prior to founding Eterneva, Adelle receivedher MBA in Entrepreneurship at the Acton School of Business, consideredthe “Navy SEAL” program for entrepreneurs. She spent fouryears as a Product Marketing leader in technology, launching majorproducts to market with partners such as Amazon, eBay, Square, Facebook,Pinterest, and Twitter.

Lacey Serrago is a marketing and brand strategy leader who helps funeralhomes build stronger community connections through strategic,results-driven marketing. As Marketing Agency Director for TributeTechnology, she leads a team of specialists who understand the uniquechallenges of the funeral profession. She considers it an honor to workalongside those who show up for families when it matters most.

Cole Waybright is Vice President of Sales Optimization at HomesteadersLife Company, where he partners with funeral homes and marketingorganizations to drive preneed growth through strategic salesinitiatives. A licensed funeral director and embalmer, Cole bringsextensive leadership experience in funeral service operations and sales,including executive roles with independent firms and FoundationPartners Group. He is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of MortuaryScience and Alderson Broaddus University and has served in numerousindustry leadership and advisory roles.