In conjunction with school counselors and teachers, The Grief Heroes donations provide students with age-appropriate grief workbooks that help them understand grief and cope with difficult emotions.
In conjunction with school counselors and teachers, The Grief Heroes donations provide students with age-appropriate grief workbooks that help them understand grief and cope with difficult emotions.
In conjunction with school counselors and teachers, The Grief Heroes donations provide students with age-appropriate grief workbooks that help them understand grief and cope with difficult emotions.
Empowering Grieving Youth Through
Education, Music & The Arts
Meet Our Dedicated Team
We are a passionate team of professionals united by a shared mission: to bring healing and hope to grieving children and their families. With innovative spirit and deep compassion, we volunteer our time and talents to create impactful solutions that empower youth to move forward after the loss of a loved one.
Key Leaders
Susan Binau
CEO
Founder
Andy Binau
Ambassador
Co-Founder
Dr. Ron Eaglin
Board member
Team Members
Christina Ligget
Director of Communication
Teresa Conroy
Community Outreach Director
Nicole Kainz
Community Outreach Director
Nizi
Director of Arts & Music
Jose Enrique
Videographer/Editor
Tea Kolnic
Social Media Manager
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors oversees and governs our non profit organization, providing strategic direction and guidance to ensure the overall success of our mission.
Carrie is an accomplished international business professional with over a decade of experience in England. Currently serving as a Senior Manager in Technology at Disney, she is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of driving high-quality, technically complex initiatives from concept to delivery. Carrie excels in leveraging strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and team collaboration to lead multi-million-dollar projects to success.
Susan is a global philanthropist, keynote speaker, and visionary inventor. A resilient colon cancer survivor, she has dedicated her life to transforming grief into healing by creating innovative resources and programs. Since 2009, Susan has supported families facing critical illness, loss, and grief, impacting over 25,000 families worldwide. In 2019, she founded the Grief Heroes Foundation to provide grief education for children, families, and schools across the U.S. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and Human Resource Development.
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Dr. Ron Eaglin is a professor and Chair of the Department of Engineering and Information Technology at Daytona State College. Under his leadership, the department earned full ABET accreditation for three programs and achieved top national rankings in U.S. News & World Report.
Ron is widely recognized for making his programs among the most affordable and respected in the country.
His personal journey—having lost both his wife and daughter—fuels his deep commitment to the foundation’s mission. His expertise in technology and access to educational resources make him an invaluable asset to the team.
Marcel earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Law (LL.M. with Honors) from Golden Gate University School of Law. A U.S. Army veteran, he served four years in the infantry and is currently a member of both the Alabama and D.C. Bar Associations. In 2017, he founded his own immigration law firm, where he advocates for underserved communities and families.
Connect with Carrie Shak
Connect with Susan Binau
Connect with Dr. Ron Eaglin
Connect with Marcel Marcel
Executive Advisory Board
Comprising professionals from diverse industries, the Executive Advisory Board generously offers strategic advice and leverages their network to support our mission and enhance our organizational strategies.
Deana LaRosa
As a wife, mother, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and philanthropist, Deana La Rosa takes pride in all of her endeavors. After 20+ years as a business owner, Although Deana is proud of her professional victories, she has learned that family, dedication, and community are the greatest measures of success.
When Deana isn't working or volunteering in her community she is spending time at the beach with her husband, 5 kids, and 3 dogs.
FB: @Deanalarosa - Instagram: @deanalarosa - Instagram: @MotherandCEO
Websites: Deanalarosa.com - thrivewithlarosa.com - thelarosaco.com
Dr. Tristan Faith, PhD, LMHC
Dr. Faith has worked as a therapist for over twenty years. Tristan’s Ph.D. research was in trauma. She has written several books with her third book about the topic and treatment of trauma.
Dr. Faith believes in the importance of addressing the mind, body, and spirit connection to heal mental health issues. She also includes art therapy, archetypal psychology, Jungian philosophies, reprogramming the brain, hypnosis, meditation, and inner child work along with cognitive behaviorism as tools to heal.
Emily Kloeppel
Emily is a 4th-grade teacher in the Putnam City school district in Oklahoma City where she has taught since graduating from Southern Nazarene University in 2016. She firmly believes in the importance of dealing with mental health needs and building strong relationships in addition to teaching the required standards.
Teaching in a state that tops the charts in childhood trauma (according to ACE scores) has opened her eyes to the major need for teachers and students to have quality resources available to help students walk through this trauma.
Ignite Hope. Become a Hero for a Grieving Child.
Contact us to see how we can make a together.
