The Village Community is a small, non-profit, disability service and advocacy organization located in Johnson County. The mission of The Village Community is to provide a place where people with intellectual disabilities are nurtured and valued, a place where they will be engaged in all aspects of their lives, living and learning alongside their friends, family, and members of the community.

Annie is a co-founder and Executive Director of The Village Community. She has nearly three decades of experience working in the field of disability services and advocacy.

For over 40 years, Mary has supported people and families with end-of-life care. Professionally, Mary earned a PhD in Human Development and Aging. She taught at a university, while doing community-based research and service. After retiring, Mary began volunteering at the Senior Center in Iowa City, facilitating groups on caregiving, end-of-life, and grief.

Mary's specialty is family communication and values-based decision-making. By clarifying and articulating values about what is most important, decisions can be made and communicated clearly, reducing stress, easing the passage through death, and avoiding conflicted grief and bereavement. Through close listening and reflection, and the development of clear communication skills, Mary strives to support all those involved in the dying process to feel a sense of peace.

Annie and Mary work closely together to support families and provide community education. Mary and Annie are available as back up for each other to ensure families don’t go without support.

Back to Ground is a conservation project in Johnson County, Iowa whose mission is to offer ecologically sound burial options and establish the land as a nature preserve. To quote their vision statement, “Our commitment is to the preservation of natural habitats, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship for future generations. We are dedicated to maintaining a peaceful, respectful space for conservation burial and remembrance. Back to Ground seeks to create a meaningful legacy that honors both the lives of those interred and the land that sustains us all. “

Annie enthusiastically serves on the Board of Directors of Back to Ground

Roxanne has been on the forefront of the coaching and team building movement for over twenty-five years. Drawing from her background as an entrepreneur, community organizer, coach, and consultant for small businesses, not for profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and teams, she specializes in re- energizing and inspiring individuals and groups, allowing them to reach their full potential. She provides her clients the opportunity to shift their perceptions through use of, curious inquiry, measurable goals, and accountability, that enables them to overcome adversity in these difficult times.

Annie and Roxanne co-created the a Women’s Circle, Woven Together, a safe space for women to ground and connect and be empowered into next right action . Annie and Roxanne also co-facilitate an art-based opportunity for grief support called The Art of Remembering. More information about how to work directly with Roxanne can be found on her website, Ehrdal Coaching.

The Death Collective of Eastern Iowa is dedicated to providing death-positive community events and conversations, education and planning, and providing access to non-medical supportive end-of-life care with certified death doulas and our network of community partners. Annie has been a member of the collective since summer 2025.