Page A29 july 2024 ASSOCIATION NEWS MADELYN CO. WWW.MADELYNPENDANTS.COM 1-800-788-0807 The name you can trust for keepsake jewelry. THE ANSWERING SERVICE IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN Efficiencies for Success! 1-800-868-9950 More Compassion, Fewer Headaches... On-Call Solutions Revolutionary Texting Capabilities Technology for Business Growth Web and Software Tools McMurrough Honored With NFDA Inspiration Award BROOKFIELD,WI— The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) is delighted to announce that Leili McMurrough, president and program director for Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, IL, is the 2024 winner of the NFDA Inspiration Award. McMurrough received her award during the 2024 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, took place April 28-30 in Savanah, GA. “McMurrough’s dedication to advancing funeral service education is truly inspiring. Her leadership at Worsham College and the American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) sets a high standard for excellence and is making a significant impact on the future of funeral service,” said NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, CAE. “On behalf of the NFDA boad of directors, I offer congratulations to Leili for earning this award and being a true inspiration to all who know her.” “As a fellow woman in funeral service, I am thrilled to see McMurrough recognized for her outstanding contributions,” said Jennifer Kaset, vice president of sales and business development at National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), the sponsor of the NFDA Inspiration Award. “Her commitment to innovation and quality education and dedication to student success are evident in all she does. She is a role model for funeral professionals everywhere.” A licensed funeral director and embalmer, McMurrough is also a licensed attorney. She has exhibited exemplary leadership as president of Worsham College, steering the institution towards innovation and excellence. She has helped expand the program offerings to include an online associate of science degree, more Mortuary Science noted in a letter of recommendation for McMurrough, “If you are looking for a strong, dedicated female member of our profession, you must look no further. I have known McMurrough for 10 years and she has never stopped pushing education forward and advocating for mentorship in our profession … She has always strived to ensure we are working on building the future of our profession … I have been lucky enough to watch her grow into the leader she is today.” The winner was selected by a distinguished panel of judges: Tamara Baird, Baird Funeral Home, Troy OH; Matthew Baskerville, Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory, Leili McMurrough than tripling enrollments. Her commitment to fostering a supportive, holistic learning environment has greatly contributed to the success of students under her guidance. The programs initiated under her leadership have not only met but exceeded quality standards in funeral service education and higher education outside of mortuary science. In her role as chair of ABFSE, McMurrough has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of funeral service education in the United States. Her approach to curriculum improvements and tireless advocacy for the profession have earned her the respect of peers and colleagues across the nation. McMurrough’s dedication to improving and elevating the standards of funeral service, the preparation of future funeral directors, and ensuring the funeral profession’s continued relevance extend far beyond her duties at Worsham College and ABFSE. She actively engages in training and continuing education presentations for national, regional and state funeral service associations to help them attract and retain today’s talent. McMurrough also strives to share her expertise with the funeral profession and the public by through interviews with media outlets and podcasts, as well as through presentations during funeral service and higher education events. She speaks on the value of funeral service, the relevance of funeral professionals, the topic of millennials entering the profession and women breaking barriers in funeral home leadership. In her nomination of McMurrough for this award, Worsham instructional designer Heather Braatz said, “McMurrough has consistently demonstrated leadership, vision and a deep commitment to the advancement of funeral service education and the funeral profession … Her impact is felt not only within the walls of Worsham College, but throughout the entire funeral service community.” Jonathan Acosta, academic dean of Worsham College of Coal City, IL; Virginia “Jenni” Bryant, Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, TN; Michelle Fong, Premier Preneed Marketing, Norfolk, NE; Vicki Jay, National Alliance for Children’s Grief, Lubbock, TX; Sabrina Joynes, American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, New York, NY; and Pam Scott, Kansas Funeral Directors Association, Topeka, KS. NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, WI, and has an office in Washington, DC. For more information, visit NFDA.org. SEND US YOUR NEWS! info@nomispublications.com
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