Webinar:Survival Skills, Not Superpowers: Real-Life Tools Women Use to Thrive in Funeral Service 2.0
About this event
NFDA Webinar (1 CE Hour)
Free for Members
Women in funeral service often develop powerful survival skills to navigate the demands of the profession—balancing family responsibilities, managing emotional labor, addressing workplace bias and sustaining their own well-being. In this candid panel discussion, experienced funeral directors share the practical tools they rely on to thrive in the profession.
Through real stories and actionable strategies, panelists will discuss setting boundaries, navigating motherhood and caregiving responsibilities, regulating stress in emotionally intense moments and building supportive professional networks. Attendees will leave with practical ideas, scripts and strategies they can implement immediately to support both their professional success and personal well-being.
Back by popular demand, this 2.0 conversation builds on the panel from the Professional Women’s Conference with fresh perspectives, new stories and additional practical strategies for thriving in funeral service. Whether you joined us at the Professional Women’s Conference or are hearing the conversation for the first time, you’ll walk away with new ideas, tools and takeaways to support your career and well-being.
Key Takeaways
Upon completion of program, participants will be better able to:
- Identify practical strategies women use to balance professional responsibilities with family and personal life.
- Apply simple techniques to regulate stress and maintain emotional resilience during challenging moments in funeral service.
- Recognize ways to navigate workplace dynamics, including setting boundaries and addressing gender-related expectations.
- Develop strategies for building supportive professional networks that promote long-term career sustainability.
Moderator:
Ellen Wynn McBrayer:
Ellen Wynn McBrayer is the 2025-2026 Secretary on the NFDA Board of Directors.
McBrayer is a third-generation funeral director at her family’s firm, Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes & Crematory, with locations in Villa Rica and Douglasville, Georgia. Her father died suddenly while she was attending Auburn University and that pivotal moment was what called her to become a funeral director. Service to her profession and community are an integral part of McBrayer’s life. She has served as cochair and chair of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association (GFDA) Northwest District. She is also a current member of the Georgia Cemetery Association Board of Directors. She has also given back to her alma mater, Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, by serving as a member of the Advisory Board
and Open House Team. Nationally, McBrayer has served on the Convention Education Task Force, Audit Task Force, Budget Task Force, NFDA Spokesperson Team and Pursuit of Excellence Task Force. She is also serving as a liaison from NFDA to the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
Panelists:
Lauren Blevins: Lauren Blevins, MBA is a Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Insurance Agent, Former Owner and leads a team that manages over 100 funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, and pet facilities.
Jenni Bryant: Jenni F. Bryant, CFSP, CCO, is a native of East Tennessee and is the General Manager of Smith Life & Legacy in Maryville, TN. A Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer, Jenni is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta. She is a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and is the immediate Past President. Jenni has previously served on the NFDA Convention Education Task Force Committee, The International Conference of Funeral Service 2026 NFDA CE Request for Approval Information Examining Boards National Board Exam Committee and is a Certified Crematory Operator. She and her husband David have one son, Logan who recently graduated John A. Gupton College of Funeral Service in Nashville.
Camelia Clarke: Camelia brings over 30 years of service in the funeral industry as a licensed funeral director. She is also a licensed insuranc e intermediary for the state of Wisconsin. She is an active member of the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and Selected Independent Funeral Homes. She is the Past President of the Milwaukee Waukesha County Funeral Directors (MWCFDA) the Immediate Past President of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association (WFDA).
Camelia L. Clarke graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Cardinal Stritch University (BSBA), Marquette University (EMBA), and the University-Wisconsin Whitewater with a Doctorate of Business Administration.
She has served on other boards including the MATC Funeral Service Advisory Board, Prince Hall Masonic Foundation, Zonta International Club of Milwaukee, Outreach Community Health Care Center, and the Greater Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.
She is an active member of Unity Grand Chapter O.E.S., Sarah’s Joy Chapter #8 O.E.S., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter in Milwaukee.
Camelia has been an active church member of the Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ for many years. She is the wife of Marcel and is the mother of four wonderful children Raja’ee, Jazzmin, Mariah, and Mia Clarke.
Mandy Stafford: Mandy Stafford brings nearly 16 years of experience as a licensed funeral director, licensed in MN, WI, and Iowa, dedicating her career to compassionate, personalized death care. As Preneed Coordinator and National Partnership Manager at Return Home, Mandy helps families and funeral professionals navigate meaningful, eco-friendly end-of-life planning. Now living on her family farm in southern Minnesota, she blends rural life with her professional mission to advance sustainable practices in the funeral profession.
