ABOUT JENNIFER
“Not that long ago, death and dying were recognized and accepted as a natural part of life in our culture. Several generations lived under the same roof, bearing witness to the natural progression of the life cycle. Over the course of my lifetime, the process of dying has become medicalized, with discussions around dying tending to focus on legal checklists. Any deeper, psycho-emotional conversations about dying have been compartmentalized behind a curtain of fear and denial.
Losing my husband had a profound effect on how I view the world and my place in it. Since I released my book about Jim’s final months, I’ve continued on my mission to build bridges of compassion in our community to connect with others through our shared human experience. Creating the space for people to bring their hearts, minds, and spirits to conversations about purpose, fears, and hope, as they relate to end-of-life, is my small way of normalizing an important dialogue, and building community around what has become a lonely place for many.”
~Jennifer
Jennifer Sanfilippo, MBA, is a trusted advisor, facilitator, and community leader with a distinguished background in government, finance, and public affairs. She previously served as Head of Corporate Responsibility for First Niagara Bank and as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for New York Community Bank, advising CEOs and policymakers at the highest levels. Earlier, she built her career in politics as a strategist to members of Congress, governors, and mayors.
After the passing of her husband Jim in 2020, Jennifer shifted her focus to supporting individuals and families through profound life transitions. She is a certified executive coach (Columbia University) and end-of-life doula (University of Vermont), with advanced training in group facilitation (Center for Group Studies).
Today, Jennifer provides grief support, end-of-life guidance, and community education through forums, Death Cafés, and hospice volunteer work. She brings empathy, clarity, and compassion to every conversation, believing deeply in the power of human connection to ease life’s hardest moments.