Joan Burn and Melinda Valente discuss the presentations they’ll lead during our Beginning Again Retreat, a virtual event that takes place Aug. 3-7. They also shared what helped them heal after a family member’s death. For more information on our retreat, visit https://www.careyearsacademy.com/retreat/.

Joan is a retired estate attorney, certified life coach and a Certified Caregiving Consultant, Educator and Facilitator. She brings her experience caring for her mother long-distance and her experience as an estate attorney to her work as a coach/consultant helping family caregivers caring for a parent. Joan focuses on teaching her clients the skills they need to maximize their time, manage their emotions and make decisions so they can care strong for their parents and themselves.

Melinda, EdD, is a Certified Caregiving Consultant currently living in Los Angeles, CA. In November of 2014, her world was turned upside down when her father was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain cancer that exists. For 13 months she traveled back and forth from CA to her childhood home in CT to care for her father, who passed away in December of 2015. She received her Bachelor's in Mass Communication and Master's in Communication Industries Management from Emerson College and works there currently in Alumni Relations. Her doctorate is in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. Additionally, she coaches doctoral students to help them finish their dissertation.