Dawn D. Tryba, MBA, CPMBC, CMC, PMP

Dawn is a dynamic, ambitious, and accomplished leader who builds trust and consensus to implement lasting change while maintaining a contagious, positive attitude, and unwavering work ethic. Mrs. Tryba has become a genuine expert, with a wealth of business knowledge and extensive professional experience spanning over three decades. Dawn and her team have served a wide variety of industries, delivering superior performance with consistent, concrete, and successful results. As a life-long learner, she is recognized as a thought leader, in-demand motivational speaker, and author of numerous books, articles, and whitepapers.

Lanae Strovers

Lanae serves as the Trainer for NFDA and delivers the NFDA Arranger Training suite of education opportunities. She is a first-generation funeral director and strives to help families personalize services honoring their loved one. She was called to funeral service after the death of a close friend whose “cookie-cutter” funeral didn’t tell his story. She knew there was a better way. Lanae graduated from Des Moines Area Community College with honors in 2012 and has served at Hamilton’s Funeral Home since then. During her time at Hamilton’s, she initiated a program for unclaimed remains, gaining national attention. Lanae is also known for her personalized touch for each family she serves – turning the funeral home into a baseball field, a gaming room, or a classy runway show with a pianist…Lanae will do whatever she can do to help make that service unique and special, reflecting who that person was in life!

Tina Paulus–Krause

Tina is a visionary leader and catalyst for change with over 30 years of experience empowering individuals and teams to unlock their full potential. From navigating the corporate world to embracing entrepreneurship, Tina blends strategic thinking with a deep understanding of human behavior to help others thrive. Her transformative workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements guide participants on a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and collective success. Tina’s mission is simple: transformation begins within, and by nurturing the individual, we build stronger teams, healthier organizations, and connected families.

Jamie M. Hasty

Jamie is a Vice President with SESCO Management Consultants. Jamie is a Generalist consultant in all areas of human resource management with specialties in affirmative action, policy development, wage and hour accounting, employment regulation compliance, training and development, compensation and performance management systems, employee satisfaction assessments, executive screening and placement, and general human resources consulting. She regularly conducts management training for clients and serves as guest speaker for state and national associations. Jamie is a certified trainer for Vital Learning Corporation, John Maxwell and SESCO Leadership Institute.

Autumn Cooper

Autumn is a Michigan native who currently resides in Rhode Island. She serves as sales representative with The Dodge Company, covering Connecticut and Western Massachusetts alongside her role as part time chemist for the company, a position she has held since 2020. Autumn holds both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science, as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences. She also serves as an Instructional Assistant for the Mortuary Science Program at Wayne State University. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of Michigan and Rhode Island. When she’s not on the road visiting funeral homes or spending time in the lab, she enjoys collecting house plants, playing volleyball, practicing yoga, and cooking.

Lesley Witter   

Lesley Witter, MPA, CAE, is NFDA’s Senior Vice President, Advocacy. In her role as NFDA’s federal lobbyist she oversees all government relations efforts, political action committee activities, legislative and regulatory programs, the work performed by law firms and outside lobbyists on behalf of the association and its members. Lesley is a Certified Association Executive and has a bachelor’s degree in government and international relations and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. She has been with NFDA since 2007.