Speakers Bureau

Kim is a Behavioral Health Science student at Grand Canyon University, specializing in Psychology with an emphasis in Family Dynamics. With a professional background in relationship management and communication, Ashlee is a dedicated Hospice of the Valley volunteer, who is deeply passionate about grief support and end-of-life education.

Darcy joined Hospice of the Valley as a community liaison in 2024. She moved to the Valley in 2016 and has a background in sales. She loves educating the community about our programs and services.

John was in financial services as a stockbroker and financial planner before volunteering with Hospice of the Valley. He served at Gardiner Home, the nation’s first palliative dementia care home, through a program called Engaging the Senses, enriching the lives of advanced dementia patients, He also volunteers on the planning committee for Hospice of the Valley’s annual charity care art auction.

Mary Kay volunteered with a hospice in Iowa before moving to Phoenix and joining Hospice of the Valley in 2011. Both parents passed away in hospice care and is a firm believer that everyone should have compassionate care. Educating the public about all of Hospice of the Valley’s wonderful programs is her joy. “If I can help any family at a time of need, it's more than my pleasure to do so. I always come out the richer.” 

Pamela is a Navy veteran and a national healthcare account manager with more than 20 years of experience. She leads client-facing presentations in her role and has worked across client management, benefits administration and health services.  She enjoys connecting people to the myriad of care programs offered by Hospice of the Valley, including community programs that provide vital resources at no cost to families.

Heather has been a Hospice of the Valley community liaison since 2009. She is the trainer for our Speakers Bureau and enjoys coaching each speaker and making educational community presentations. She served in the Navy for four years as an executive assistant at a submarine base in San Diego and in the legal department on a ship. Heather graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in education. 

Kim has served as a social worker with Hospice of the Valley since 2017, providing home visits and compassionate support to patients and families. She meets people wherever they are in the disease process, helping improve comfort, connection, and quality of life. She enjoys helping our community learn how Hospice of the Valley can support them in their healthcare journey.

After a stint in the Marine Corp, including over a year in Danang, South Vienam, Rodney became a police detective where he served his community for 35 years. Even though he finished his career as a law enforcement officer, he never lost his love for his fellow service members. He delights in visiting veterans and their families and learning the many courageous and selfless ways they served our country. Its an honor for him to hear their life stories. Its one of the most incredible gifts to me to be invited into their confidence, he says, and I am privileged to pay them respect for all theyve done for the United States of America.

Mary had a full career in food service, spanning areas including commission sales, office work, management and ending in school food service as a District Food Service Director.  After retiring in 2012, she began volunteering with Hospice of the Valley, as both a patient care companion and a member of the Speakers Bureau. Her passion for the organization and its mission, as well as her sense of humor,  are centerstage when she gives a presentation.

Eileen has served in the Volunteer Department at Hospice of the Valley since 2018—in many roles.  Besides Speakers Bureau, she is the agency’s Bereavement Administrative Manager, supporting the New Song Center for Grieving Children, where she facilitates activities with the “Littles” group. Having lost her dad as a teen, this program is especially close to her heart. She also manages our Saluting Our Veterans program which honors vets for their service. This is especially meaningful because she is the granddaughter, daughter, and spouse of U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps veterans. 

Pat grew up on a farm in Wisconsin and had an exciting career in nursing--converting a tuberculosis sanitarium into a nursing home and developing an outpatient oncology department where she claims to have heard the “greatest love stories never told”.  She and her husband have traveled to 35 countries together and hosted guests from all around the world. She volunteers with Hospice of the Valley because she believes “everyone deserves good quality of life.”

Stephen serves as Chaplain, Bereavement Counselor and Veteran Community Liaison at Hospice of the Valley. He is retired from the Army after serving 22 years as a Noncommissioned Officer in the Chaplain’s Corps. His education includes a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Post-Graduate Certificate in E-Learning and a Master of Arts in Urban Ministry Studies. He is married and the father of five grown children, and four grandchildren.

Marty grew up in Long Island, New York, and moved to Ahwatukee in 1987. He began volunteering after retiring from a 31-year career at Nationwide Insurance Co. He is an accomplished speaker-- a four-time president of In-Ahwatukee Toastmasters who has won several public speaking awards. A three-time cancer survivor, Gibson brings a particularly-insightful empathy to his presentations and enjoys drawing on his life-experience to educate others.

A former musician and working hypnotherapist, Alan has been teaching, presenting, speaking, and helping individuals and groups understand new ideas for about 50 years. He has conducted presentations and seminars all over the U.S., and as far away as England, Norway, and Switzerland. He became a volunteer with Hospice of the Valley in 2022.

Beth had a 30-year career in real estate, volunteered for 15 years as a Docent at the Phoenix Art Museum, where she specialized in community outreach programs for seniors.  Following her passion, she founded Aging With Grace, AZ, a company working with seniors, including moderate to late-stage dementia patients.  A Speakers Bureau volunteer since 2022, she has enjoyed serving our community by helping families find the best care for their loved ones.

Jan has over 30 years’ experience as a business owner in the healthcare industry, which gave her many opportunities to be involved in public speaking.  She has been a volunteer at Hospice of the Valley since 2021, helping to educate families in our community about hospice, chronic illness, dementia and living wills. She also facilitates a grief support group at her church.

Maria has over 20 years of public speaking experience and is passionate about building trust and raising awareness of Hospice of the Valley's programs and services. Maria loves connecting with the community through education in both English and Spanish and being part of community events. Her presentations often demystify hospice care, highlighting the comfort, dignity, and support it provides to patients and their families.

Carolyn has devoted much of her professional life to supporting nonprofit agencies. She has worked for Hospice of the Valley since 2005 and currently serves as a community liaison for the Speakers Bureau. Before moving to Arizona, she lived in the Buffalo, New York, area and held several administrative roles with Niagara Hospice. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in education and counseling. 

Patti is a registered nurse with a background in Cardiovascular Intensive Care and Emergency Room nursing.  She began her career as an Admissions nurse for Hospice of the Valley in 2020 and currently serves as a community liaison, educating the community about the many programs and services offered. Her passion for this work was initially influenced by her mother, who was a hospice nurse, and then again, as she shared her mother’s hospice journey. Patti is inspired by her faith, family and friends, and is an avid pickleball player.

Marlowe and her husband moved to Arizona in 2000 after she retired from a career in education. She taught for 12 years in California and served as director of education for Sylvan Learning Centers in Texas and Louisiana. Marlowe has been a volunteer with Hospice of the Valley since 2002, serving at one of our inpatient units, with our 11th Hour Program and with the Speakers Bureau. She is also certified as a multifaith spiritual director. In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, reading and traveling.

Karen is a 30-plus-year ministry and human services professional. She has served pastorally in a local church and as the executive director of a non-profit organization. These years of experience underscore her passion for serving people and public speaking.  She enjoys educating our community about the programs provided by Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Care and Education Campus.

Diane has been a volunteer for 22 years, after retiring from Hospice of the Valley where she was a Business Development coordinator working with care organizations, healthcare groups and hospitals.  She is especially focused on helping people complete their Health Care Decisions so their wishes at end of life are honored. She considers it a privilege and an honor “to serve Hospice of the Valley’s mission of comfort, dignity and compassion.” 

Lorie, MS, PA-C is assistant professor in the Department Physician Assistant Studies at A.T. Still University in Arizona. Prior to teaching, she enjoyed a 33-year PA career in family medicine, urgent care and palliative care for home-bound patients. Currently, she enjoys facilitating workshops for the AZ Hospital and Homecare association and volunteering as a community speaker with Hospice of the Valley.

Joyce moved from Ohio to Arizona in 1975 as an employee with IBM. She spent 10 years as a docent at The Phoenix Art Museum before joining Hospice of the Valley as a home care volunteer at two of the agency’s inpatient care units, Eckstein and Sherman Homes. She has enjoyed giving community education presentations as part of Speakers Bureau since 2007.

Mike has been an adjunct faculty member for the Maricopa community college system since 2009. He holds a B.I.S. degree in Art History and Psychology and an M.A. in Art History, both from Arizona State University. He worked as a researcher and excavator for six seasons at the archaeological site of Marion/Arsinoe in Cyprus, and conducted research fieldwork in Naples, Italy. He has served with Hospice of the Valley as a volunteer caregiver, an 11th Hour volunteer and a Speakers Bureau member.