Meet Our End-of-Life Team
Leadership Team
Suzette Sherman
Founder
West Sacramento, California
Why I founded SevenPonds
I have a deep belief that when all of our culture and worldly goods are stripped away, it’s relationships that are the most important part of life. These things explain my passion to change how we think, feel, and observe our end-of-life experiences. I’m formerly a designer who seeks meaning in every aspect of life especially since my Myers-Briggs ranks high on feeling.
Elreacy Dock, DBH, D.Th
End-of-Life Content Adviser &
Writer
Las Vegas, Nevada
Why I work for SevenPonds
I believe that how we honor death shapes how we cherish life. Everyone deserves compassionate guidance, and every grief story deserves to be witnessed. Understanding mortality can help us to lean more deeply into our own humanity and compassion for others. As a thanatologist and certified grief educator, I am dedicated to understanding and supporting individuals throughout all phases of life and loss.
Managing Editor
Caitlin Manner
Managing Editor
Yorktown, Virginia
Why I work for SevenPonds
Death is the universal truth, and yet it remains a relatively taboo subject. As a result, I’ve seen too many people get blindsided by grief when it finally touches their lives. As a writer, I’m devoted to changing how our society talks about end-of-life matters, so we can help everyone feel more prepared.
Magazine Writers
Ariana Barnes
Magazine Writer
Greensboro, North Carolina
Why I work for SevenPonds
After experiencing the death from a close family member who left no end-of-life directives, I quickly realized I wasn’t prepared for death as much as I initially thought. I dived into learning about the many aspects and customs of death in different societies and cultures to better prepare myself and my family for the end of my life. I hope to help others in similar situations become more comfortable with the subject.
Deborah B. G. Kelly
Magazine Writer
Longmont, Colorado
Why I work for SevenPonds
Deborah fell in love with writing during her angsty teenage years, beginning with poetry. As she grew older, her love for writing never faded, and she eventually became a journalist. While she has covered a broad range of topics, she has found subjects related to medicine and the funeral industry especially fascinating. Deborah is passionate about fostering the difficult conversations and experiences that come with supporting end-of-life journeys, making SevenPonds a great fit. In addition to her career as a writer, she is an artist focused on intuitive and play-based art.
Content Writers
Cassandra Seale
Content Writer
Astoria, New York
Why I worked for SevenPonds
My relationship with grief began with the death of my father when I was a young adult. It threw my family and I for a loop, to say the least. I’ve since gained a new perspective around life, death, grief, and loss, and am eager to continue learning. This drive, along with my decade-plus history working in writing and publishing, led me to SevenPonds. If my experiences can help any readers out there better navigate similar circumstances, it will be a lovely silver lining.
Kathleen Clohessey, RN
End-Of-Life Content Writer
Yorktown, Virginia
Why I worked for SevenPonds
For many years, I also served as the Editor‑in‑Chief of SevenPonds, where I dedicated myself to exploring issues of illness, dying, grief, and healing. I have 25 years of experience as a registered nurse, caring for families and children facing life‑threatening illness. I began my career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Nassau County Medical Center in New York, later serving as an assistant nurse manager at the Pediatric Oncology & Bone Marrow Center at Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. Over the years, I have drawn on my extensive professional background, compassion, and personal commitment to help others navigate difficult, life‑altering moments.