Meet Our Team

Executive Director

Jenn Flaum, LCSW, MBA

Jenn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Business Administration. She is passionate about HeartLight Center’s mission, recognizing the profound impact of grief and the healing power of support and community. With over 15 years of experience working at the bedside and in healthcare administration, Jenn is dedicated to collaborating with professionals to raise awareness through grief and loss education. Jenn is passionate about opening doors, hands, and hearts for people to find meaningful connections during difficult times in their lives. Contact Jenn at jflaum@heartlightcenter.org.

Allison is a licensed therapist in Colorado specializing in grief and loss counseling. Her personal experiences with grief led her to pursue a career in mental health, earning a Master’s degree from Regis University. Allison offers compassionate support to those grieving and is a grief education advocate. Allison has experience in dementia/Alzheimer’s care, suicide loss, pet loss, and childhood bereavement, using various modalities to help individuals manage life after loss. Allison is dedicated to supporting others during vulnerable times. Contact Allison at allison@heartlightcenter.org

Director of Programming

Allison Gary, MA, LPC

Megan holds a bachelor’s of innovation in marketing and communication from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Megan leads HeartLight Center’s marketing and fundraising, leveraging her experience in sales and customer service. She’s passionate about connecting people with HeartLight’s vital support through engaging social media, impactful events, and genuine human connection. Megan is dedicated to fostering community engagement and ensuring everyone knows HeartLight’s light is always on. Contact Megan at mhogan@heartlightcenter.org.

Director of Marketing and Development

Megan Hogan

Director of Community Outreach

Kelly Karavousanos, LPC

Kelly brings over 20 years of experience walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate grief, loss, and healing. Kelly has served as a therapist, funeral director & grief educator—with a deep commitment to holding space for others during some of life’s most difficult moments. Kelly believes in the power of being open to change, to healing & to not having all the answers.

It is Kelly’s hope that everyone who connects with HeartLight feels seen, supported, and reminded that healing is possible. Contact Kelly at kkaravousanos@heartlightcenter.org

Teddy Karavousanos

Meet Teddy 🐾

Teddy is our grief comfort dog, offering soft snuggles and steady companionship to those walking through loss. His calm spirit and kind eyes bring peace in moments when words fall short. He reminds us that even in grief, love still shows up—in fur, in warmth, and in presence.

Grief Comfort Companion

Program Assistant

Cierra McNamara, MSW

Cierra is a licensed social worker specializing in palliative care. She has been affiliated with HeartLight Center for many years through the Grief Networking Alliance and by being in the end-of-life care community for over 20 years. When you reach out to HeartLight for the first time, she will be the voice to greet you and answer your questions to help you find the right support programming for you. Contact Cierra at cmcnamara@heartlightcenter.org.

Scott Payne, MDiv

Community Liaison, Tennessee

HeartLight Center is honored to offer in-person and virtual programs in Tennessee. Scott has been involved in crisis and suicide prevention work in one form or another since 2007. Just out of Divinity School, Scott took a job at Family and Children's Service in Nashville as a crisis counselor where he learned the importance of listening. Upon moving to Knoxville, Scott worked in a substance use harm reduction program has served as a hospice chaplain. In addition to providing grief support and community collaboration with HeartLight, Scott works with Contact Care Line supporting suicide prevention and support and facilitating training to prevent suicide including ASIST, QPR, Active Listening, and Self-Care. Contact Scott at spayne@heartlightcenter.org

Lauren Jensen, LCSW

Community Liaison, Wisconsin

Lauren is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Grief Informed Professional with over 15 years of experience. She believes in the power of storytelling and that every person carries innate wisdom. Lauren serves as a compassionate guide for those navigating grief and loss, trauma, and mental health concerns, approaching each healing journey with authenticity and care. Through a warm and mindful presence, she helps people reconnect with themselves and one another—offering resources, fostering community, and nurturing resilience. Contact Lauren at ljensen@heartlightcenter.org.

Jenny Mertes

Community Liaison, Kansas City

Jenny is a dedicated professional driven by a calling to support those navigating the complexities of grief. Drawing on years of experience in the funeral home industry, she focuses on easing the pain of loss and helping widows and families find the connection and resources they need to avoid isolation. Jenny also serves on the Board of Directors for the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and holds leadership roles with Adult Children of Aging Parents and The Golden Circle Senior Resource Group. A lifelong volunteer, she has served organizations such as Girl Scouts, Kansas City Hospice, and Catholic Charities.

She has been supporting grief care programming with Muehlebach Funeral Care and looks forward to bringing more grief support to the area through this partnership with HeartLight Center.

Contact: Jenny jenny@muehlebachchapel.com

Cora Fitzpatrick

Community Liaison, New Mexico

Cora Fitzpatrick is a counsellor and psychotherapist with a BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy from Middlesex University, UK. She has experience supporting individuals and families through grief, suicide bereavement, suicidal distress and addiction recovery. She brings a calm, compassionate and grounded presence to her work, creating space for people to feel heard, seen, understood and supported.

It has been Cora’s learning and experience that sharing our grief, and sharing in the company of others who also find themselves here, can offer a profound and precious refuge as we navigate what can be one of the most challenging times of our lives. She believes in the importance of connection, community and compassionate listening, and looks forward to building connections across New Mexico and helping people find the support and resources they need.

Contact: Cora cfitzpatrick@heartlightcenter.org