Joan Chadbourne, Ed.D., is the author of Healing Conversations Now: Enhance Relationships with Elders and Dying Loved Ones. She earned tenure at the University of Connecticut in counseling psychology and has extensive experience as an organization consultant, counselor, and coach. Joan has published numerous articles and conducted trainings on relationships, aging, death and dying, and consciousness. She is currently writing a book about late-life love and relationships.

Joan’s passion lies in creating meaningful, fulfilling relationships and supporting individuals to be their best selves. She has achieved this as a professor, consultant, and author. Joan has also volunteered with Hospice and facilitates classes at the University of Southern Maine’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). She finds joy in bringing people together with love, light, and a sense of connection.

Linda Cooke is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is in private practice as a psychotherapist and consultant. She specializes in psychological trauma, eating disorders, chronic pain and illness, and death and dying. She has had many years of experience working in medical and agency settings, academia, and in private practice with various populations. She has also co-authored a chapter in professional EMDR literature. Linda has a broad range of experience which enhances her clinical work. She began her career as a Critical Care Respiratory Therapist, working in emergency and critical care, which deepened her interest in the psychological and emotional lives of her patients and their families. Her desire to make a difference in the lives of traumatized individuals led her to pursue her graduate education in social work. Linda has worn many hats in her career, including being an advocate for battered women, as a Medical Social worker in Oncology and Hospice, and as an adoption social worker. She has also been an adjunct professor at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and has provided professional training and consultation, in addition to her work as a psychotherapist. Linda lives in southern Maine with her 9-year-old labradoodle, Gracie. She enjoys being out in nature, by the ocean, the theater, music, travel and spending time with family and friends.

Karen Swasey Jones has been a leader in developing quality programs in the assisted living industry for over 30 years. She has assisted in developing programs with universities to further the education of students and to foster the gift of working with our older population. As a consultant, Karen shares the GRACE Model of Care philosophy, emphasizing the importance of honoring residents’ life stories within healthcare settings. Her legacy writing approach, rooted in her books, fosters meaningful connections and leaves a lasting impact within the community. By weaving legacy writing into her approach, Karen creates meaningful connections that endure beyond the moment — a testament to the lives lived and cherished that creates a pathway to a culture of change. As an author, her books resonate with authenticity, compassion, and a deep understanding of the human journey. Through legacy writing and storytelling, Karen invites readers to embrace their own narratives, honoring the richness of their lives and lessons learned. As a wellness advocate, she looks for benefits so one can live a healthier lifestyle, as she believes it is up to all of us to make a difference, one person at a time, no matter the setting, and pay it forward through acts of kindness. Her joys in life are her daughters, her grandchildren, and time with her horse Maverick and dog Sasha.

Cindy Uhl is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in operations management, merchandising, and network analysis. With extensive experience in the logistics and real estate sectors, Cindy has demonstrated a proven ability to streamline processes, manage substantial financial responsibilities, and lead high-performing teams.

Cindy began their career as an Office Manager for various firms, where she honed her skills in administrative oversight and client relations. Transitioning to Wal-Mart Logistics, Cindy served in multiple roles, including Merchandiser and Network Analyst. As Operations Manager, Cindy was responsible for overseeing 18 distribution centers with a financial portfolio of $5 million. Her strategic oversight and operational improvements led to a remarkable reduction in vendor claims by 45 percent, saving the company over $10 million.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cindy is deeply committed to community service. She has served as the co-chair of the Williamsburg Relay for Life and as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Bella Vista Humane Society, demonstrating a strong dedication to charitable and nonprofit endeavors.

Cindy’s blend of operational expertise, financial acumen, and community involvement underscores her multifaceted career and unwavering commitment to excellence both in the workplace and in her community.

Maya Manseau is an author, artist, and community builder devoted to creating spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and one another.

After the death of her daughter in 2013, Maya began a personal journey in search of peace. Along the way, she redefined peace not as the absence of hardship, but as an inner state of being — one marked by contentment, joy, and meaningful connection regardless of circumstance. This understanding became the foundation of her life’s work: helping others discover their own definition of peace.

Maya is the published author of four books, three of which have achieved international best-seller status:

Navigating the Small Business Path: 10 Steps to Doing What You Love, Earning Your Dream Life (2024)

Living Intentionally After Loss: 8 Steps to Reclaiming Your Passion (2023)

The Photographer’s Focus: Do What You Love, Tell Clients’ Stories Through Images, and Have the Business of Your Dreams (2023)

The Sacred Art of Honoring Grief: Lessons Learned from the Loss of a Child (2022)

Her writing explores themes of inner truth, resilience, belonging, and the courage to live with integrity.

In addition to her work as an author, Maya is the founder of the House of Breath Sanctuary, an emerging community space dedicated to connection, reflection, and shared humanity. The sanctuary is being developed as a place where people can gather without agenda, explore meaning together, and experience belonging through presence rather than performance.

Maya brings a thoughtful, values-driven perspective to leadership, grounded in lived experience, deep listening, and a commitment to honoring both individual truth and collective well-being.