Registration is now open for the 2025 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Professional Women’s Conference, a premier event designed to empower female funeral service professionals. The conference will take place May 15-18, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. This intimate event, limited to 165 attendees, offers transformative educational sessions, invaluable networking opportunities and strategies tailored to the unique challenges women face in the funeral profession. The Funeral Service Foundation will offer 20 all-inclusive David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships to make this event even more accessible.
Designed by and for women, the conference aims to celebrate their vital contributions to funeral service while equipping them with tools for personal and professional growth. During this inspiring and uplifting conference, attendees will hear from exceptional speakers covering a wide range of topics:
- Turning Setbacks into Comebacks: MINDSET OF CHAMPIONS presented by Dawn D. Tryba, MBA, CPMBC, CMC, PMP, coach and management consultant
- Balancing Grief, Family Dynamics and Financial Conversations in Funeral Service presented by NFDA Trainer and licensed funeral director Lanae Strovers
- The Art of Self-Reflection: Harnessing the Power of YOU presented by Tina Paulus-Krause coach, visionary leader and catalyst
- Integrating AI in Human Resource Systems: Legal Considerations and Ongoing Training Strategies presented by Vice President, SESCO Management Consultants Jamie Hasty
- Creative Applications: A New Approach for Mastering the Prep-Room and Beyond presented by Autumn Cooper, a sales representative with The Dodge Company
- From Awareness to Action: Advocacy for Impact presented by NFDA Senior Vice President, Advocacy Lesley Witter, MPA, CAE
- And more!
Scholarship Opportunities
Thanks to the generosity of the Baue Family, the Funeral Service Foundation is offering up to 20 David C. Baue NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships to funeral professionals and students to attend this year’s event. The scholarships cover registration and event fees, three-nights lodging, and up to $500 in travel reimbursement.
Applicants must be verifiably employed in funeral service or related occupations or be a student in good standing and currently attending classes at an ABSFE- or Canadian-accredited institution or program; NFDA membership is not required. Complete requirements and the application form are available online at FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Scholarship-Opportunities. Applications will be accepted from December 2, 2024, through January 15, 2025.
“I will forever be grateful to the Funeral Service Foundation for the scholarship award and the opportunity to attend this amazing event, which will change the trajectory of my career,” said one 2024 scholarship recipient. “I truly left [the conference] feeling empowered and with a whole new network of colleagues.”
Inspiration Award
During the 2025 Professional Women’s Conference, the association will confer the third annual NFDA Inspiration Award. This award will recognize an exceptional individual who has made noteworthy professional contributions to funeral service or a related field.
Nominations for the NFDA Inspiration Award will be accepted online from January 15 through February 16, 2025. The ideal nominee is an enterprising individual who consistently takes the initiative to elevate the funeral service profession. The nominee serves as a mentor to colleagues and their energy and independent spirit serve as an example to others. Their efforts have resulted in significant accomplishments at the local, national and/or international level.
Complete details are available at NFDA.org/InspirationAward. NFDA is grateful to NGL for sponsoring the Inspiration Award.