Leadership Team
Samantha Vang
Membership Director
Corning, New York
Samantha graduated from the State University of New York at Canton in May of 2009 with an associate degree in Mortuary Science. She is a resident funeral director at Phillips Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Corning, New York. Samantha is involved in various volunteer services including Habitat for Humanity. Samantha has wanted to be a funeral director since she was nine years old!
*
Daniella Marcantoni
Spokeswoman
Chino Hills, California
Daniella Marcantoni is our first spokeswoman for Funeral Divas. She has an AS in Administration of Justice from Fullerton College, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Leadership from Concordia University, Irvine. She graduated from Cypress College with her degree in Mortuary Science in 2008, and is a licensed funeral director and licensed embalmer in California. She currently works at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary as the Hospitality Services Supervisor and hopes to use her networking opportunities to recruit more Funeral Divas who are empowered women in the funeral industry. She’s an advocate for femininity, fashion, and makeup; she believes that just because you happen to be a “mortician” doesn’t mean you have to “look like one”.
*
Kristy Lee Witt
Communications Director
Syracuse, New York
Kristy Lee Witt is a licensed funeral director in New York State and the 2011 recipient of the Funeral Service Foundation Scholarship for the NFDA's Professional Women's Conference. She holds an Associate Degree from the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service, a Bachelor Degree from Wells College and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Kristy Lee has written several articles over the years that have appeared in popular industry publications such as Dodge Magazine and American Funeral Director. Kristy Lee is also the Owner and Director of Salt City Royalty Benefit Pageants, a charity organization dedicated to increasing young girls' self-esteem and confidence while teaching them the importance of community service and academic excellence. She resides in North Syracuse, NY with her husband Marcus, daughter Kaylee, and their pug, mini dachshund, and two cats. She is thrilled to be involved with Funeral Divas and can't wait to meet more of the industry's beautiful, brilliant women!
*
Jessica Molina
Advertising Director
Burbank, California
Jessica Molina resides in Burbank, California and began her working career in the automotive parts industry nearly ten years ago. Earning her Associates in Criminal Justice just this year gave her a head start in deciding to continue her education. She has always had an interest in the funeral profession so she decided to attend the Mortuary Science program in Cypress, California and is now a current first semester student. In her spare time she loves to relax and enjoy her days as long as she can. She has two dogs and has been married to her husband Daniel for almost five years. Jessica is excited to be working with Funeral Divas and is eager to get started.
*
*
Monica Vernette Gray
Mentorship Director
Chicago, Illonois
Monica is the Proprietor Morticia's Funeral Services, Inc. Morticia's Funeral Services is a Death care consulting and mortuary service business. The company delivers presentations on death care in social media and networking. Her education includes a Diploma, Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Wheeling, IL; B.A., Business Administration, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL; M.B.A., Business Administration, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL.
Monica is an online faculty member at Axia College University of Phoenix, AZ., faculty member at Westwood College in Chicago, IL., and Mortuary Science tutor at Malcolm X College in Chicago, IL.
Monica is also a member of many associations including Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc., Cook County Funeral Directors Association, Illinois Selected Morticians and American Society of Embalmers. She also holds a dual state funeral directors license in Illinois and Indiana!
Monica is very excited about working with students and interns within the Funeral Divas Corporation. Contact her at Mentorship@FuneralDivas.com
*
Gaea Bolender
Funeral Diva Blogger
Cypress, California
Gaea Bolender is the first blogger within the Funeral Divas Corporation. Gaea is a mortuary science student at Cypress College in Cypress California. She was accepted to Cypress College’s Mortuary Science Program and began her first semester classes in Spring 2011. Gaea wants to be a funeral director and embalmer because she wants to be able to use her creativity to help families plan moments they will cherish and remember forever.
To read more about Gaea and her new blog click here
*
Tina Marie Dehann
Video Blogger
Menifee, California
Tina graduated from Cypress Colleges’ Mortuary Science Program in 1993. She is a first generation Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Tina is currently a freelance Embalmer for England Family Mortuary in Temecula, California and Walker Family Funeral Services in Corona, California.
With 19 years of experience in funeral service Tina has found it to be an honor and a blessing to serve families during a difficult time in their lives. She is excited to be Funeral Divas’ first video blogger. She hopes to inspire other Funeral Divas by sharing insight into the world of funeral service and at the same time share a few details about her life!
*
Lori Diaz
Video Blogger
Columbus, Ohio
Lori Diaz is a Licensed Funeral Director and Insurance Agent in Ohio. Lori joined Gary Memorial Chapel Funeral Home after serving her 2 year Funeral Director’s Apprenticeship under the leadershiip of Master Funeral Director and Embalmer David Gary. Her passion for people is what has motivated her to choose this career path and is very evident in how she deals individually with families.
Her education includes a B.A., Communication, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; M.B.A., Business Administration; M.P.M., Project Management; Columbus, OH. Lori is an avid learner and loves marketing and public relations.
She is active in several community organizations and is a member of the Buckeye State Funeral Director and Embalmer Association and serves as the Secretary of African-American Funeral Professionals of Central Ohio (AAFPCO).
Lori is happily married and has two beautiful daughters. In her spare time She enjoys reading, roller skating, dancing, traveling and social media. When she is not at the funeral home she is cherishing time spent with those she loves.
Lori's motto is by Mark Twain; “Let us endeavor to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
Lori believes that every female in the funeral industry has worth and value and looks forward to networking and blogging with Funeral Divas.
To watch Lori's video blog click here
*
Roberta House - Forshee
Blogger
Au Gres, Michigan
Roberta became owner in 2007 after the death of her husband and fourth-generation operator of the firm, Tyler Forshee.
Roberta’s background is in teaching and English/Journalism, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Madonna University, a Catholic university in Livonia, Michigan.
Roberta never envisioned she would be operating a funeral home; however, she feels the journey has not only been a healing experience, but a place where she can help other families, suffering from loss.
*
Muneerah Warner
Founder, President & Creative Director
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
*******************************************************
