Officers: May 2026 - April 2026

President: Jennifer Matthews, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS
Vice President: Stephen Connor, PhD
Secretary: Jillian M. Blueford, PhD, LPC, NCC, CT
Treasurer: Brent Birkhoff,  MS, CT, FT, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Immediate Past President: Melanie Wright, MSW, FT

 

Board Members

Brianne Overton FT, LPC, NCC
Wendy Lichtenthal, PhD, FT
Kailey Bradley, PhD, LPCC-S, NCC, FT
Evgenia (Jane) Milman, PhD
Greg Adams, LCSW, ACSW, FT

 

Credentialing Council Chair - Ex Officio Member

Nancy Moreau Battaglia, MBA, D.TATI, FT, RP

Committees

Communications Committee
Facilitates and fosters communication concerning the field of thanatology and ADEC to internal and external audiences.

      Sub-Committees
            Member Communications
            Social Media
            Media & Public Education

Conference Planning Committee
Plans the ADEC Annual Conference, enabling attendees to develop clinical skills, gain technical expertise, refine best practices and build a network in Thanatology.

      Sub-Committees
            Awards
            Exhibitors & Sponsors
            Concurrent Session Reviewers

 

Finance Committee

Oversees the financial performance, policies and business practices of ADEC. 

      Sub-Committees
            Fund Development
            Living Legacy

 

Leadership Recruitment & Development Committee
Responsible for nominations and elections of all officers, Board members and two LRDC members.

 

Membership Committee
Advises the board concerning membership benefits as well as developing and implementing member recruitment and retention strategies. 

      Sub-Committees
            Diversity & Inclusion
            Engagement and Networking

 

Professional Development Committee
Facilitates education opportunities for the development of clinical skills, technical expertise, and best practices in Thanatology across a broad spectrum of professional fields.

 

Students & New Professionals Committee
Engages Students and New Professionals in networking, professional development, fundraising for scholarships to ADEC programs, and leadership development.