CO-FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Patrick Davis, MA, served as the board President from its inception in 2024 through mid-2026 when he died following a brief illness. While we mourn his loss, we will always be grateful for his vision and leadership. Over the past thirty years, Patrick served the cause of end-of-life care in various leadership and direct service positions. Patrick developed children’s grief programs and creative approaches for grieving adults during the formative years of a thriving non-profit center:www.thecollectiveforhope.org. After moving to Haywood County to serve as a hospice chaplain, he began gathering other community leaders with an interest in creating an end-of-life coalition to identify the unique needs and resources of our community. The echo of Patrick's ability to relate to others and help them through their grief is something the Heartfelt Haywood community will always be grateful for. He was certainly a presence, one that our organization will miss dearly.

VICE PRESIDENT

Sarah Tomaka worked in Atlanta for 18 years in the field of early childhood education, both as a teacher and a preschool director. Since 2015 she has also been a certified therapeutic riding instructor and volunteer. After moving to WNC in 2018, Sarah joined Heartfelt Haywood with a strong interest in serving the community’s children who are grieving. She helped develop a program called Healing Hearts which brings children and teens together with horses in a safe environment in which they can express themselves. Sarah is working with others at Heartfelt Haywood to develop additional programs for children. She also serves as a bereavement volunteer for Haywood Hospice & Palliative Care.

CO-FOUNDER & SECRETARY

Peter Constantian, M.Div., is driven by a love for rural places and people. He serves as a Chaplain Resident for the VA Medical Center in Oteen and Pastor of Long’s United Methodist Church in Canton, NC. From 2022-2025, he served as Bereavement Coordinator and Hospice Chaplain for Haywood Hospice & Palliative Care. Peter serves passionately on and off the clock to organize his community for the mutual flourishing of people and the land. He enjoys running, cycling, baking, and doing chainsaw projects for friends and neighbors. 

TREASURER

Breanne Nelson is a compassionate advocate with a long history of serving vulnerable populations, including 14 years supporting survivors of domestic violence and directing a food shelf. Since moving to rural western North Carolina in 2019, a profound experience caring for dying neighbors inspired her to train as a Death Doula (Center for Conscious Living and Dying, 2024) and pursue her Master in Social Work at Western Carolina University. Breanne is dedicated to empowering individuals and their caregivers through education, support, and companionship during end-of-life journeys. She values meaningful connections, community building, good food, and the beauty of nature.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Lisa Allen is the Health and Community Educator with the Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging. She began her career in social work at the Jackson County Dept. of Public Health where she worked with families of children 0-5 for 17 years. During this time, the first Family Outreach Department was established. In 2005 she was asked to join the West-Care Health System Leadership team as the Director of Physician Services and recruited medical staff for the Sylva and Bryson City hospital. For the last few years, she has worked as the Training Director for a Mental Health Entity serving 17 counties, Director of Social Services for a long-term care and Rehab facility and held 2 Human Resource positions. She is passionate about all primary prevention health strategies that help older adults live their best life. Lisa is a native of Haywood County and resides in Waynesville with her husband Johnny and enjoys spending time with her son Parker, her family and friends.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Amy Jo Butler is a licensed REALTOR® with 17 years of experience in Florida and North Carolina, serving Waynesville and surrounding communities throughout Western North Carolina. She values the relationships at the heart of her work and is known for her steady guidance, thoughtful approach, and attention to detail. A former art teacher and dedicated pottery artist, Amy Jo has a deep appreciation for creativity, community, and service. She is proud to call Waynesville home, where she lives with her two dogs, Sadie and Sawyer, and is honored to serve on the Board of Heartfelt Haywood.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Tom DeFloria has over 18 years of executive leadership and strategy experience. He is a data and marketing expert who is well versed in traditional Direct and Digital data-driven marketing solutions. Tom is currently the US Country Manager for Tenerity.  He holds an undergrad in Business Administration from Westminster College and MBA.

END-OF-LIFE AND GRIEF CARE COORDINATOR

Emily Dobberstein (she/her) is a writer, community organizer, and grief facilitator based in Canton, NC. Emily is the author of the recently-published spiritual adventure memoir, The Courage to Go, which highlights a personal story of grief and discovery. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a B.A. in psychology, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work. As a result of her own journey through a cancer diagnosis as a young adult, upon completing graduate school, Emily plans to become a therapist and specialize in working with grief and those affected by cancer. She feels most herself when cooking an exquisite dinner for a large group of friends, tending to her vegetable garden, or hiking on a remote trail in the wilderness foraging for gourmet edible mushrooms.Emily is an advocate of radical vulnerability and authenticity, and she is dedicated to fostering spaces where everyone belongs and all are welcome at the table.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Jared Iraggi is the Executive Director of Haywood Habitat for Humanity, where he leads the organization’s work to expand affordable homeownership, critical home repair, disaster recovery, and housing advocacy in Haywood County.  He graduated from the University of Delaware in 2008 where he studied biology and philosophy, developing an early interest in bioethics and the intersection of human dignity, public policy, research, and care.  He went on to earn his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2013, focusing on health law and bioethics.

After a brief career in law, Jared moved to Western North Carolina about a decade ago and became a carpenter and builder.  That hands-on experience in construction eventually led him to Haywood Habitat for Humanity, where he first served as Construction Manager before becoming Executive Director in 2025.

Jared also serves on the board of Haywood Pathways Center, where he has served both as a board member and past board chair.  In 2026, he joined the Heartfelt Haywood board hoping to bring the vision of a compassionate community care home to Haywood County.  He is a father, husband, community leader, and advocate for housing, service, and compassionate end-of-life care.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Rebecca Lile is a retired counselor, diaconal minister and professional life coach whose life's work has been grounded in relationships. Throughout her career, she has helped people navigate life's challenges by asking meaningful questions, listening deeply, and creating spaces where others feel seen and valued. Walking alongside her father through pancreatic cancer and, later, brain cancer deepened her understanding of the importance of compassionate presence, support, and connection at the end of life. Rebecca enjoys nurturing the things she values most—relationships, faith, health, and creativity. On any given day, you'll find her with family and friends, at church, weaving, writing, or exercising. 

BOARD DIRECTOR

Dr. Michael Pass is a retired family physician and hospice medical director. He finished his residency training at UVA in Charlottesville, Virginia. He started Waynesville Family Practice in 1982 and retired in 2021. He helped establish Haywood Hospice in 1984. In retirement, Dr. Pass enjoys family activities with his 6 kids and 10 grandkids. He loves volunteering at church, Heartfelt Haywood, Habitat for Humanity, and Pigeon Community Multicultural Resource Center.

BOARD DIRECTOR

Courtney Trethric is a Hellenistic astrologer, community herbalist, meditation guide, and writer based in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Through her business, The Cosmic Craft, she specializes in pet grief and life transitions, focusing on the sacred bond between humans and their animal companions.

Before founding The Cosmic Craft, Courtney spent over a decade in veterinary medicine, animal rescue, and animal advocacy. During that time, she sat with more than a hundred people as they said goodbye to beloved animals — offering presence when guardians couldn't be there, holding space during final moments, and supporting families searching for meaning after a pet's transition. Those experiences continue to shape her devotion to tending grief that is often unseen, minimized, or misunderstood.

She brings the same care to her work with Heartfelt Haywood, supporting the organization's communications, social media, and pet-grief programming. She believes end-of-life care and grief support deserve to be spoken about openly, with compassion and without shame.goes here