Selected Leadership Academy Celebrates Graduating Class

2023-2025 Graduating Class Honored as New Participants Welcomed

CHICAGO, Ill. – May 6, 2025 — Members of Selected Independent Funeral Homes’ Leadership Academy created another memorable Leadership Conference in Centennial, CO on April 29 – May 2.

The event kicked off with orientation for the Academy’s new 2025-2027 class. The conference continued with a variety of events and activities, including members of the graduating class, Second Wind, giving their individual Capstone presentations prior to their graduation ceremony.

This year’s graduates are:

• Matt Asta, Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home in Phoenix, Arizona
• Stacy Billow, The Billow Company in Akron, Ohio
• Meghan Burmeister, Busch Funeral and Crematory Services in Cleveland, Ohio
• Hyrum Heward, Larkin Mortuary in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Jill Lazar, Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
• Joeylynne Luck, Panebaker Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, Inc. in Hanover, Pennsylvania
• Francis Maggiore, Keohane Funeral Home in Quincy, Massachusetts
• Doug Reinbold, Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Jason Storm, Starks Family Funeral Homes in St. Joseph, Michigan
• Ping Wu, Cypress Lawn in Colma, California

“It was exciting to celebrate the Academy’s twelfth graduating class,” said Melanie Hofmann, Professional Development and Events Manager. “When developing this program more than a decade ago, it was built on the mission to teach principles of leadership to current and emerging leaders within Selected member firms. Today we have more than 100 members who have experienced this meaningful and impactful program. It’s a testament to how Selected members truly are committed to life-long learning and being leaders, no matter position or title.”

Selected is grateful for ASD, the Academy’s Official Partner.

About the Selected Leadership Academy: The Selected Leadership Academy is a personalized journey for those, no matter title or position, who believe their leadership matters and choose to become better. It is open to anyone actively engaged in the daily operations of a Selected member firm who is inspired to expand their leadership skills. For more than a decade, the Academy has focused on building and supporting leaders because leadership is so deeply woven into the fabric of Selected’s culture.

About Selected Independent Funeral Homes: Selected Independent Funeral Homes delivers innovative and pertinent resources, solutions and ongoing support necessary for enduring excellence to its international network of independently owned death-care providers who aspire to be the very best in their profession. Members of Selected operate according to specific standards and best practices to provide the public with reliable, high-quality service and funeral-related information.