The Grief Training Center

Your Team

Melissa Minkley

Programming Director

Melissa is an experienced social worker with 25 years of experience in psychosocial oncology and bereavement counseling. Her personal experience of loss has given Melissa deep insight into the impact grief has on individuals, families and friends. Her educational content is powerful, thorough, and deeply human, and her bright, genuine spirit is heart-warming and distinctive.

As a companion coach, Melissa teaches adult companions to the bereaved in individual, group, workshop, and retreat settings. With sincere enthusiasm and empathy, she teaches the importance of recognizing one’s mind, heart and soul while grieving, and creating space for holistic well-being. She greatly appreciates the unique, individual challenges faced by the bereaved and those who support them.

“True companionship for the bereaved goes far beyond the cognitive approach”, says Melissa. “It requires one also recognize and honor the presence of another’s soul.”

As the Executive Director of Healing Hearts of Southeastern Wisconsin, Melissa also holds the honor of leading community programs to support children and families impacted by loss from death, divorce, abandonment, incarceration, deportation, and military duty.  She’s become a leading advocate through Wisconsin school districts and local communities, supporting children facing adversity from loss.

Daryl Powers

Speaker & Program Facilitator

Daryl’s honest and sincere approach is refreshing as he highlights the humanity of grief in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities, and promotes each person’s ability to support another in their journey.

As an author of the book The Lies Cancer Told Me, a public speaker, and host of Hero Widower Dad podcast, Daryl offers sincere, relatable, real-life inspiration loaded with insight and actionable steps to address failure, success, and the messes in between.

A native-born of southeastern Wisconsin and a graduate of Marquette University, Daryl spent more than twenty years supporting nationally known companies, while building corporate teams and raising his family.

“Grief is a natural, necessary, and common part of our lives”, says Daryl, “and we often underestimate our ability to thrive within it.”

Daryl’s honest and sincere approach is refreshing as he highlights the humanity of grief in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities, and promotes each person’s ability to support another in their journey.

As an author of the book The Lies Cancer Told Me, a public speaker, and host of Hero Widower Dad podcast, Daryl offers sincere, relatable, real-life inspiration loaded with insight and actionable steps to address failure, success, and the messes in between.

A native-born of southeastern Wisconsin and a graduate of Marquette University, Daryl spent more than twenty years supporting nationally known companies, while building corporate teams and raising his family.

“Grief is a natural, necessary, and common part of our lives”, says Daryl, “and we often underestimate our ability to thrive within it.”

Daryl Powers

Speaker & Program Facilitator

Kathy Ginn

End Of Life Care Doula

For nearly 30 years Kathy has been active in the field of Massage Therapy, Transformational bodywork and education. She offers bodywork in the spirit of Hakomi; a body-centered approach to healing and transformation. Kathy is also a certified End of Life Care Doula, where she companions those at end of life.

Kathy serves as a teacher and mentor within her profession, teaching a portfolio of courses in Ethics, Inner Leadership, and the Art of Being a Healing Presence. She is the creative force behind 4 Rivers Center for Well Being in Oconomowoc, WI, and is co-founder of Life Empowered Institute. Her healing work flows from the spirit of love and service and is evident in her presentation. 

Kathy’s life path has been shaped by curiosity, asking the deeper questions and seeking to understand herself and her purpose in life. The experience of being with her parents at end of life and her personal grief journey that followed inspired her to companion others as they journey through grief. This path led her to join partnership with Melissa and Daryl – offering grief training and support in a holistic way!

A native of Oconomowoc, WI, Kathy returned home in 2013 after spending much of her career in San Francisco, Albuquerque, and Madison, Wisconsin. 

Kathy lives a quiet life with her husband Tom and enjoys hiking, yoga, nature, reading, quiet and solitude.

“My best days are when I am able to serve others with the gifts I have been given!”

Join an Upcoming Event

march, 2024

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