Facing Emotional Triggers and Situational Discomfort in Family Conversations

This specialized course will provide Donation Advocates with essential strategies to navigate emotional triggers, resistance, and situational discomfort in high-stakes family conversations.

Gain actionable insights into how emotional awareness, reflection, and self-regulation shape your ability to remain present, manage reactions, and engage effectively during difficult interactions.

Learn about the connection between emotional triggers, personal responses, and communication effectiveness—and what it means in the context of donation advocacy to stay grounded, adapt your approach, and support families with clarity, empathy, and intention.
Personal

Reflections

Expanded

Learning Guide

In-depth

Webinar

Guided

Journaling

Reinforced

Knowledge Checks

Essential Course Elements

Course contents

Meet the invited speakers

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Kathleen Shumpert

Donation Specialist, Center for Donation and Transplant
Kathleen is a donation specialist with the Center for Donation and Transplant. Prior to CDT, she was employed in addiction services for Rensselaer County Family Treatment Court working with families to overcome addiction challenges in the criminal justice setting with the goal of stabilizing families and reunifying children with their parents.

Kathleen has had a lifelong interest in behavioral science and motivation, and has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master's of Science in Psychology with focus on forensic psychology from Purdue University.

John Parrett

Family Services Coordinator, Life Connection of Ohio
For two years, John has served as a Family Services Coordinator with Life Connection of Ohio. Before that, he worked with adults with developmental disabilities for six years and in the funeral industry for seven years. 

John holds a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Dayton and is currently pursuing a
Master of Science in Thanatology from Edgewood University.

Michelle Sanchez

FRC, Donor Network West

Michelle is an FRC with Donor Network West. She began working in the donation field in 2023. She earned a double major in biology and biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno, and later attended Golden Gate Seminary.

For 10 years, she served as a chaplain with both Marketplace Chaplains and Summit Church in Reno. She's been with Donor Network West for the past six years.


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