Since 2007 Joe has helped build a robust, fiscally responsible, energetic, and highly impactful organization for children, teens, and families who are grieving. He came to Good Grief after supporting many young parents dying in hospice. As CEO, Joe is an ambassador for Good Grief throughout New Jersey, and a passionate advocate for changing the conversation on grief and bereavement. Joe is the author of What Do We Tell the Children?: Talking to Kids About Death and Dying, Abingdon Press, 2013 and “The Business of Grief,” At the End of Life: True Stories About How We Die, CNF Press, 2012. Joe is the Immediate-Past President of the National Alliance for Grieving Children, where he has been on the Board of Directors since 2010. He is a graduate of Yale University, where he studied ethics and end of life counseling. Most importantly, Joe is obsessed with cake, music, hiking, pizza, biking, and Airstream trailers in that order.

Melissa Parrish is the Chief Operating Officer at Good Grief. In her role, she is responsible for the management of staff and organizational priorities by ensuring that all of Good Grief's strategies, timelines, goals, and outcomes are met successfully. Melissa received her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Montclair State University, and she has worked clinically with children, families, and adults within hospitals and community-based mental health programs.

Melissa has worked with Good Grief since 2009 and has served in numerous roles during her tenure. Most recently as Director of Programs, Melissa led the organization through extensive program expansion at its two centers, oversaw and developed programming for the launch of Good Grief's satellite locations in urban communities, designed and launched Good Grief's summer camp, and fostered the development of key partnerships, including Arizona State University’s Resilient Parenting for Bereaved Families. Melissa is committed to the organization's vision of ensuring that Good Grief is able to reach more kids locally, regionally and nationally. Outside of work, Melissa can be found spending time with her son.

Jesse is responsible for Good Grief's education programs in the external community. Through education and advocacy, Good Grief is working to transform the environments that grieving children inhabit on a daily basis like schools, community and faith organizations, other nonprofits, and more. Good Grief uses workshops, curriculum, and coaching to increase community awareness and competency in providing support to grieving children and their families. Jesse grew up in Washington state and made his way out to New Jersey for graduate school, earning a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. While at PTS, Jesse focused his studies on ethics, spirituality, and counseling. Jesse joined Good Grief after completing a graduate internship, working first as a Program Director before taking on this educational role. Jesse's favorite thing about Good Grief is the incredible community of families, volunteers, and staff who inspire him with their stories and desire to wrestle with life's big questions.

As Director of Communications, Malena uses communications and marketing to spread the hope, courage, and life-changing lessons that occur within the two beautiful Gg centers. Malena is inspired on a daily basis, by Good Grief families, her fellow facilitators, the surrounding communities, and Good Grief's amazing staff. She feels privileged to be a part of a mission that is not only changing the culture around grief, but one that is creating more compassionate and supportive communities.

As Director of Operations for Gg, Moira is responsible for the day to day operations, from bills to HR to lightbulbs and everything in between. Gg is so much more than the rooms between its walls. Gg is an understanding; an acceptance of each individual’s unique journey with grief; it is a place to grow. Moira is grateful for the warmth, patience and generosity of Gg’s volunteers, staff and families that provides the safe environment for each child to discover their map for their journey.

Christina is the Program Director at Good Grief. In her role, she is responsible for growing and overseeing all aspects of Good Grief's programs. Christina received her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University and has a background in working with children and families. Christina began working for Good Grief as a Program Manager in 2018. She is passionate about creating a warm and welcoming environment for grieving families. Christina's is inspired everyday by the dedicated volunteers and staff that shape this community.

As a Development Assistant for Good Grief, Holly researches and writes grants to help sustain and grow Good Grief’s mission. After retiring from a career as a regulatory compliance and appellate litigation attorney in 2017, Holly was inspired by friends of the Gg community and her own grief journey to become a volunteer facilitator. As a facilitator, she has been privileged to witness firsthand how Good Grief’s programming helps grieving children and their families experience healing and connection in a compassionate, caring environment. She is grateful to be part of this empathetic community, helping to continue and expand the reach of Good Grief’s life-changing mission of supporting grieving families in all of their environments.

Kate started out at Good Grief an intern in the summer of 2016! As Development Assistant, she assists in planning events, and ensuring families support in their time of need through fundraising. Kate studied psychology and social work at Montclair State University. Having been a grieving teen herself, Kate knows the importance of Good Grief's work, and she is thrilled to be part of an organization that advocates for, educates, and provides a safe space for grieving children.

Mary joined Good Grief in January 2008, first as a volunteer facilitator, and then as a member of the staff in 2010. As Education Consultant for Gg, Mary develops and delivers a variety of learning programs about loss and grief for our facilitators, our families, for schools, community organizations, and businesses. She is a retired educator and elementary school principal, holding a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University and a Certificate in Thanatology from the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Mary loves working at Gg, being part of this caring community, and having the opportunity to help others learn about grief and loss as well and to understand how to support those who are grieving.

As the Senior Development Manager, Heather works with a very talented fundraising team to raise both funds and awareness for Good Grief's mission and programming. She also plans and helps to host our three signature events each year - Golf Fore the Kids, 5K Run and Walk for Hope, and the fall Gala. Heather was inspired to join Good Grief by a dear friend who grew up coping with the loss of a parent. She is inspired, amazed, and touched by the strength, resilience, and growth that occurs daily within the Good Grief community.

As Family Coordinator for Good Grief in Princeton, Anita is responsible for family orientations, providing ongoing support to families and maintaining a supportive relationship with participants. Anita joined Good Grief in June of 2018 after a long career in working with and for children at Chapin School, HomeFront, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She considers herself very lucky to be doing work she loves in an organization that she deeply respects, and that has such a big impact on the lives of people in her community.

Rachel is the Family Coordinator for Good Grief in Morristown. As Family Coordinator, Rachel is responsible for family orientations, providing on-going support to families and maintaining a supportive relationship with participants. Rachel began volunteering at Gg in 2006, became a volunteer facilitator in 2008 and joined the staff in 2010. Rachel feels truly fortunate to be a part of Good Grief. She believes in the mission and sees firsthand how the program has changed the lives of Gg’s participants and volunteers.

As Education Coordinator, Steve delivers the Routes to Resilience curriculum throughout schools our the communities. He began volunteering at Good Grief in 2017 and was very happy to join the staff in January 2019! Steve has enjoyed working with young people in various capacities over the years, most recently as an adolescent sexuality educator for 11 years at HiTOPS in Princeton. Through Routes to Resilience, Steve hopes to give students the tools they need to navigate the various challenges and emotions they experience. He is passionate about educating young people with the ability to affect our community’s understanding of topics we seldom discuss like loss, adversity, and resilience.

As the Princeton Program Manager, Tyler is responsible for the coordination and implementation of program services , comprehensive community outreach plans, and volunteer/intern recruitment and supervision for the Princeton center. Tyler found a passion for non-profits during her time in graduate school. She knew that Good Grief would be the right fit after hearing about all of the incredible work they were doing with families and the local community. Tyler’s favorite thing about Good Grief is the resiliency, empathy, and strength that can be found in each and every individual involved with the organization.

Patty, a grieving mom herself, helped bring Good Grief to Princeton. For the past 6 years, she has helped Good Grief reach more children in families throughout central New Jersey. Patty is inspired daily by Good Grief's unique mission and dedicated staff and feels privileged to witness the comfort that participant families bring to one another, along with the relationships formed through Good Grief's peer support groups.

As Morristown Program Manager, Adrienne is responsible for the planning and implementation of Nights of Support, and is a Team Coordinator for Nights of Support. Adrienne received a BA from Skidmore College, and after a career in advertising and corporate communications, decided to change direction and earned a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. It was in Portland where Adrienne discovered her passion for working with grieving children and families at The Dougy Center. Adrienne strives to achieve Good Grief’s ongoing mission to provide a warm and safe place for all grieving children and families.

As Program Manager for Good Grief's In Community Program, Taylor is responsible for planning and implementing Nights of Support, and spreading awareness about Good Grief throughout the community. She enjoys developing relationships with families and partners in the cities that Good Grief serves, and is proud to be a part of an organization with such a strong mission. Taylor has a passion for working with diverse populations and providing support for communities in need.

As Good Grief’s Donor Engagement Officer, Pam serves as a cultivator, steward and relationship builder with Good Grief’s donor base and prospective relationships. Pam also pursues the expansion of Good Grief network by attending events within the community including private, corporate, civic and other community functions. Pam feels fortunate to be working with a team of people whose work ethic is as big as their hearts. She is passionate about Good Grief’s mission because she is able to witness first-hand the effects that the program has on its families. Pam was in the first class of facilitators trained in 2007, and has been a loving listener ever since.