Dominick Astorino

Dominick J. Astorino holds degrees in cellular biology, mortuary science, and forensic medicine; he is on faculty at the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago and Wayne State University in Detroit, where he teaches courses in embalming, restorative art, and pathology. 

His work in the field of restorative art and embalming is highlighted by publications as well as frequent invitations to present lectures across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Dominick believes in the power of education and the global value that viewing the dead offers to society. Because of this core belief he has worked to improve the standards of care not just in the United States but also in places such as Kenya, Trinidad, Hong Kong, and South Africa. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Michigan and Illinois, has sat on the restorative art curriculum review committee for the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and offers expert witness testimony in legal proceedings related to mortuary science. 

Dominick is fully committed to elevating educational standards and fostering a deeper understanding of restorative art, especially as it correlates  to embalming and forensic medicine.  He is the author of the textbook Postmortem Restorative Art: Principles, Methods & Applications, which has been described as a seminal work in the field of mortuary science. This textbook reflects over 20 years of research and practical experience aiming to provide an accessible yet thorough examination of restorative art.

Jeff Butler

Jeff Butler is an author and workplace strategist who explores what organizations need to do to navigate uncertainty. His experience spans over 40 industries in 4 continents on how different cultures and employees interact with each other. He studies common threads of behavior in industries such as IT professionals, underground utility workers, police officers to clothing retail chains.

In addition, Jeff has worked with various Fortune 500 companies to mom and pop shops. His ideas have made it to TEDx twice, appeared in dozens of media outlets including two books on human behavior: The Authentic Workplace and The Key to The New You. Currently, he lives in Dallas, Texas as an out of place Californian.

Johnny Crowder

Johnny Crowder is a suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx Talks speaker, touring musician, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users around the world. Armed with a decade of clinical treatment, a psychology degree from the University of Central Florida, and 10+ years of peer support and public advocacy experience through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Johnny’s youthful vigor for mental health has impacted millions of lives across the globe.

Johnny’s infectious positivity and firsthand experience with multiple diagnoses uniquely equip him to provide realistic insight and inspiration amidst the pains of hardship with care, levity, and unconventional wit.

Amy Cunningham

Amy Cunningham is a licensed funeral director and celebrant in Brooklyn who specializes in green burials, delayed transfers and home funerals, and witnessed cremation services in Green-Wood Cemetery's crematory chapels. Filled with kind advice on how to make funerals more affordable and sustainable, Amy was profiled by the New York Times in 2014, Tricycle magazine in 2017, and named one of nine top funeral innovators by FuneralOne. In February 2018, Women's Health magazine gave Amy the unique moniker "Death Ritual Disrupter" in a piece about how daily death contemplation can enrich our lives and keep us healthier. She blogs with funeral celebrant Kateyanne Unullisi at TheInspiredFuneral.com, and will offer workshop attendees poetry, scripture and blessings appropriate for natural graveside ceremonies.

Chuck Gallagher

You may have seen Chuck on television, or heard him on CNN, CBS or NPR radio programs.  His business insights are sought after for his strong position on ethics and ethical leadership.  His unique presentations clearly demonstrate he brings something to organizations that isn't found in typical business speakers. Described as creative, insightful, captivating, and a person that "connects the dots" between behavior, choices, ethics and success, Chuck Gallagher gives his clients what they need to turn concepts into actions and actions into results.

Stephanie Gilman

Stephanie Gilman was appointed Director of the NYS Bureau of Funeral Directing in December 2025. She received her Bachelor's in Human Development/Psychology from SUNY Empire State College, her Associate's in Mortuary Science from Hudson Valley Community College, and her Master's in Psychology from Arizona State University. Stephanie worked with NYSFDA member firm M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home in Fort Edward for 12 years, and collaborated with the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards as an Exam Development Team member on the Art’s Committee and Job Task Analysis committee. She also participated in curriculum review with the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Stephanie grew up in Queensbury, NY where she currently resides with her family.

Doug Gober

Doug Gober began his funeral service career forty-six years ago as a sales representative in the casket industry. He has earned numerous national awards from various organizations within the death care profession. Most recently, Doug was honored to receive the ICCFA Lasting Impact Award in March 2023. Doug also served as a consultant on various marketing and merchandising projects conducted on an international scale.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Doug graduated from the University of Alabama in 1977, where he earned a Business Degree in Accounting. Subsequently, he became a Certified Public Accountant specializing in industrial audits and corporate taxes.

Doug is married to Victoria Amato and is based in New Orleans. He is the father of four children and has five grandchildren.

Joanne Harpel

As a  suicide bereavement specialist, and internationally recognized authority on suicide loss who is certified in thanatology (death, dying, and  bereavement) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Informed, Joanne does deep, transformative, life-changing work with individuals, families, and communities. She also train clinicians, medical professionals, clergy, and funeral directors across the country and around the world, providing insight and perspective into the unique nature of suicide loss.

She lost her brother Stephen to suicide in 1993, and combine the lessons learned throughout her own journey of healing with two decades as a professional in suicide aftercare. It's a journey that has taken her from Capitol Hill to South Korea, from television news studios to high school auditoriums, and from Wall Street hedge fund conference rooms to suburban family living rooms.

Amanda King, CFSP, MBIT, & MSP

Amanda Marie Eilis King, CFSP, MBIT, & MSP is an Embalmer and Funeral Director holding licensure in multiple states. She completed her embalming apprenticeship under Vernie R. Fountain. In addition to her AAS in Mortuary Science from ACC in Colorado, Amanda holds a BS from Skidmore College for Studio Art and Biology, and a Post-Baccalaureate degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is an educator specializing in reconstructive work and cosmetic application. Her contributions in the field outside include articles, illustrations, and photography for trade journals.

Currently she is a Funeral Director and Embalmer for B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, and does freelance work at AMEK Graphics, is an embalming specialist with Frigid Fluid Company, and content expert and course designer for Mortuary Training LLC.

Marc Markell

Marc Markell is a professor emeritus at St. Cloud State University in the Department of Education and Department of Multicultural Education. He teaches Psychology at Worsham College of Mortuary Science and in the Masters of Thanatology Program at Edgewood College. In addition, Marc has volunteered with hospice for many years in bereavement.

Marc earned his PhD from the University of Minnesota and Educational Psychology. He is a certified Professional Development Specialist through the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He is a Certified Thanatologist through the Association of Death Educators and Counseling and Certified in Death and Grief Studies from Colorado State University through the Center for Loss and Life Transition. He has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Marc has earned the following certifications from national funeral service professional organizations: End of Life Doula, Crematory Operator, Funeral Arranger, and Celebrant.

Marc has published three books on grief, book chapters, and numerous articles.