On Sunday, October 9 we celebrated PWC Reconnect: Women Making Waves in Baltimore at the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) International Convention & Expo to continue building on the successful, sold-out Professional Women’s Conference (PWC) held earlier this year. National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) was the event sponsor with Jennifer Kaset, NGL Regional Vice President, Sales organizing this inaugural event.

“I attended the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference in Miami and was so inspired by the women I met that I wanted to help NFDA continue to make it a focus at conventions moving forward. It’s incredibly valuable bringing the women in the funeral profession together for networking, connection and collaboration,” shares Kaset.

Annette March-Grier, President and Co-Founder of Roberta’s House, spoke at the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference earlier this year. “We had the wonderful opportunity to meet and learn about Roberta’s House. We were inspired by the organization’s dedication to supporting families and dealing with grief that we wanted to support them in their continued efforts,” shares Jessica Grann, Senior Vice President, Chief Culture and Communications Officer at NGL.

Roberta’s House, a grief support center located in Baltimore, Md, has served over 7,000 children and adults. The Center includes art activity rooms, library resource center, theatre, fitness room, game room and family counseling rooms. Through its 13 grief support programs, Roberta’s House serves an average of 3,000 families each year.

“Thank you to the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference and NGL for allowing me to share my phenomenal life journey as a mortician, registered nurse and Co-Founder of Roberta’s House Family Grief Support Center,” shares March-Grier.

“Annette is an inspiration, driving the need to support families on their grief journey. Her commitment to the funeral profession and the community is important to everyone we support and serve. Annette and the team of volunteers at Roberta’s House are truly remarkable,” shares Kaset.

It was an honor to have March-Grier and two of her longtime volunteers speak at the PWC Reconnect: Women Making Waves in Baltimore event. It was also a time for those who attended the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference to reengage and keep the connections they made going and deepening their impact.

“It was amazing seeing more than 130 women from the funeral profession attend the event. Witnessing them reconnect and some connect for the first time was motivating and encouraging. The number of women in the funeral profession is increasing and this event provides an opportunity for women to empower and rely on each other as resources,” continues Kaset. “I’m truly honored to receive so many positive compliments and feedback on the event. The only issue we’ve heard is that the event was too short of a time and ended too quickly. Attendees are looking to connect and keep the conversations going, it’s a great start.”

“The greater-than-expected attendance at our recent event is evidence of the continued importance of NFDA’s Professional Women’s Conference. Open to both NFDA members and nonmembers, the conference offers attendees a space to gather with other like-minded professionals for two days of learning and dialoguing about current personal and professional development topics. Many new tools and initiatives have developed in this space from the open, creative energy that resonates here,” shares Melissa Posey Loose, NFDA’s Training and Development Manager and Professional Women’s Conference Coordinator.

While the gathering only lasted an hour, it created a meaningful impact toward our focus on supporting and empowering women in the funeral profession. NGL is continually looking for ways to enhance our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the workplace, as well as throughout the industry. Providing opportunities for growth and allowing people to bring their authentic selves offers valuable perspectives and insights which benefits everyone.

Click here to see more pictures from the event.

The 2023 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference will be held from May 5-7, 2023 in San Antonio, TX. More details to come on this uplifting and welcoming event.