Announcement: Learning Through Loss Welcomes New Executive Director

Learning Through Loss’ new Executive Director looks forward to expanding strategic partnerships for long-term growth

The Board of Learning Through Loss (LTL) is excited to introduce its new Executive Director, Kathryn Dafos, who joined the team in December. Kathryn is a skilled strategist, Public Relations and organizational development professional with more than two decades of experience in the non-profit sector. She has an established track record of working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to successfully achieve goals. Kathryn’s life experiences have uniquely shaped her ability to understand the profound impact of loss and grief, especially on young people.

As Executive Director, Kathryn will focus on strategic partnerships and building organizational systems to expand and enhance LTL’s ability to deliver services in support of one of Victoria’s important community organizations; ensuring that youth who are experiencing loss and bereavement have easy and barrier free access to grief support.

“Kathryn’s expertise and growth mindset well position LTL to respond to the opportunities of the future”, says James Amarelo, LTL’s Board Chair. “Since the pandemic, we have been evolving the ways we connect to young people, who are facing a myriad of different losses. Kathryn’s experience in communications and well-rounded strategic approach supports our changing delivery models and mission to reach more youth who are experiencing loss and grief”.

Learning Through Loss (LTL), a registered Canadian Charity since 1994 was founded by Sandra Elder, Ph.D., a hospice practitioner and respected academic researcher in the field of grief and loss. Dr. Elder realized the need for accessible supportive programs for youth experiencing loss. In 1988 she created the Friends of Living and Learning Through Loss, a group program for young people. Since then LTL has become a non-profit organization of community experts helping youth to navigate grief, loss and bereavement, while teaching educators, families and others about the impact of grief on youth and how to better support them.

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For more information please contact:

Kathryn Dafos, Executive Director

Tel: 250.882.0909

Email: kathryn.dafos@learningthroughloss.org