Staff

Rachel Kodanaz - Executive Director

Rachel Kodanaz entered the grief world in 1992 when her husband suddenly passed away leaving her with a 2-year-old daughter.  She spent several years trying to find her path through grief and as part of her recovery became active in supporting others who were suffering a loss.  Currently, Rachel is the Executive Director of HeartLight Center located in Denver.  She facilitates numerous groups including a Baby Boomer Widow Support Group (5+ years), Loss of a Parent Support Group, Facing the Mourning, multi-day workshops, keynote addresses and training classes.

In addition, her experience in management in large corporations led her to develop and publish material, to support the workplace when dealing with a grieving employee or workgroup.  Her program, Grief in the Workplace © emphasizes educating managers and co-workers prior to a death.  Rachel presents to and educates corporations, communities, not-for-profit organizations, funeral directors, and conferences.

Rachel has published numerous articles, grief programs, is a columnist for Living with Loss magazine and participated in a grief segment on Good Morning America.  She completed the World Championship Hawaiian Ironman honoring her late husband.

You can contact Rachel at rachel@heartlightcenter.org.

 

Jennifer McBride - President & Co-Founder

Jennifer McBride became acutely aware, after working with grieving individuals, families, and those who care for them, that a great need existed for a program that would serve those who did not fit into what in our community offers. In 1999 a dream was followed and a process begun which has resulted in the creation of HeartLight Center, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, specifically dedicated to grief support & education for the metro Denver area.  Jennifer serves as President and Co-founder of HeartLight Center.

Jennifer facilitates support groups, offers grief support & education to both individuals as well as professional and lay caregivers in the metro Denver area.  Programs for these places and groups vary in focus and scope, but include such topics as “When Someone Dies,” “Coping with Holidays and Other Special Days,” “Growing Through Grief and Loss,” “The Importance of Ritual in the Process of Grief,” “Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue and Self-Care,” as well as in-service programs designed for the caregiving staff of various agencies.

Jennifer has served as Director of Grief Support & Community Education for Horan & McConaty Funeral Service since 1996.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Thomas Seminary.  She is a member of the Association for Death Education & Counseling and is certified by Green Cross Academy of Traumatology as a Compassion Fatigue Educator and a Compassion Fatigue Therapist.

You can contact Jennifer at jennifer@heartlightcenter.org.