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
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Jennifer Sanfilippo, MBA, enjoyed a robust career as a trusted executive advisor and political strategist. She brought her thoughtful, strategic sensibilities first to the public sector, advising members of Congress, governors, mayors and senior staffers at the federal, state and local levels. Mid-career, she transitioned to the private sector to become a lobbyist for the financial industry, advising senior executives at several financial institutions in New York State.
Since her husband Jim’s passing in 2020, Jennifer has turned her attention to providing support and counsel to those facing major life transitions, with a particular focus on end-of-life conversations. To support her work, she completed her executive coaching certification through Columbia University, received her end-of-life doula certification through the University of Vermont, and continues her group facilitation training through the Center for Group Studies in New York City.
A grassroots organizer at heart, Jennifer convenes and facilitates end-of-life community education forums, and volunteers at a hospice house. She is working on her mental health master’s degree to become a licensed therapist with a specialization in end-of-life mental health care, grief, and bereavement.
Jennifer is as charming as she is intelligent. Her ability to support meaningful conversations with empathy, kindness and compassion is masterful. At a time when people seem to be moving away from each other, Jennifer feels not only compelled, but called to bring people together through our shared human experience.
On the home front, Jennifer is the delighted mother of two magnificent young men, and lives in comfortable co-dependence with her three cats, and granddog in Rochester, NY.