Sponsored By: 
About the Episode: The International Convention and Expo is taking place in Chicago October 26th to the 29th. To get ready for the big event we have 3 convention preview episodes for you. In those episodes, host, Gabe Schauf, is joined by the Innovation Award Finalists, some of the Workshop Presenters, and of course, the Keynote speakers.
In this second episode we will hear from some of our workshop speakers. There will be over 30 workshop presentations for attendees to choose from during the NFDA International Convention and Expo. Topics covered will include embalming, customer service, grief, human resources, marketing and more. In this episode, host, Gabe Schauf is joined by four of the workshop presenters, Anna Nesbit, Jeff Smith, Sherrie Dunlevy and Amanda King to learn more about them and get a sneak peak into what they will be discussing in their presentations
Join us for the International Convention and Expo this October in Chicago and start planning your itinerary today. Check out www.convention.nfda.org for more information.
About Anna: Anna F. Zvirman-Nesbit, CFSP, is a Funeral Director and Co-Owner of Soxman Funeral Home in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2006, she graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2007.
Anna has earned her designation as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) which is the highest professional designation you can achieve in funeral service.
She is a member of the National, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Funeral Director Associations (NFDA, PFDA, ACFDA), ICCFA, as well as serving as the past Chairman of the Board for the Plum Chamber of Commerce. Anna was inducted into the 2024 class of the Plum High School Distinguished Alumni and recently received the Pittsburgh Magazine Women in Business Award, both sincere honors for the hometown girl.
Under her direction, Soxman Funeral Home has proudly achieved the highly prestigious NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award. As a Certified Funeral Celebrant, she provides families without a church affiliation or those looking to create a personalized service or unique way to remember their loved one. Her designation as CPC from the NFDA has marked her as achieving the standard of excellence in funeral service for individuals who help families plan funerals, memorial services and other life tribute events in advance.
Her outside interests include gardening, reading, baking and cooking. Anna, her husband Jim, their children, Ethan and Evelyn reside in Plum. They are members of Holy Family Parish, Our Lady Joy Church.
About Jeff: Jeff Smith is a third-generation owner. His grandfather founded their first funeral home in 1955, and his father then ran the single location funeral home. Jeff has expanded upon their success, in 15 years growing it to nine funeral homes and a cremation society serving over 3000 families annually.
Growing up Jeff worked in the funeral home, but after college and graduate school he started a mortgage company. In 2006 he returned to funeral service and quickly noticed the business had changed dramatically. The challenges of no service, tighter margins, and under-utilized capacity awaited. Jeff has focused on embracing these issues as opportunities and is moving his business ahead with optimism.
Jeff is married to Leslie, and they have three children. He is a Chairman Elect of the Funeral Service Foundation, past president of AFDA, a member of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, and serves his community on various boards.
About Sherrie: Former NBC News Anchor Sherrie Dunlevy served the Wheeling, WV area for nearly 40 years both on television and radio. Today she is a best selling author, Inspirational speaker, and host of the Graduating Grief podcast and host of the TV series “For Mature Audiences”. Her Number one best selling book, “How Can I Help?” was written to to help people know exactly what to say and do in an effort to support the people they love when they are hurting.
Sherrie has found a way to "graduate" from the pain of losing a child, and a high profile career and redesign a life she loves living. She now shares with others, how they too can learn, grow, and expand their lives after tragedies, losses and disappointments. She now trains professionals on how to better connect with people personally and professionally so that everyone they meet feels like they have been seen, heard and valued.
As a self proclaimed Inspirationista, Sherrie's passion lies in inspiring and encouraging people to step beyond their awkwardness, discomfort and/or pain so they can step fully into living with purpose, passion and JOY.
About Amanda: Amanda Marie Eilis King, CFSP, MBIT, & MSP, is an Embalmer and Funeral Director holding licensure in multiple states in the US. She completed her embalming apprenticeship under Vernie R. Fountain, as well as extensive training in postmortem reconstructive work. In addition to her AAS in Mortuary Science from ACC in Colorado, Amanda holds a B.S. from Skidmore College for Studio Art and Biology, and a Post-Baccalaureate degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is also an educator who specializes in and teaches reconstructive work and cosmetic application.
Her contributions in the field outside of the funeral home include articles, illustrations, and photography for trade journals. Currently she is a Funeral Director and Embalmer for B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, and also does freelance work as AMEK Graphics, as well as being an embalming specialist with Frigid Fluid Company and content expert & course designer for Mortuary Training LLC.