320-219-7144
700 Cedar St. Suite 44, Alexandria, MN
Meet Our Board & Staff
Deb Hadley
Founder and CEO
Grief Support Specialist
Deb Hadley is the Founder and CEO of KT Humble Hearts and an inspirational speaker who shares messages of hope, faith, and healing with audiences across the country. Her calling to grief work is rooted in both profound personal loss and years of professional experience supporting others through life’s most difficult seasons.
Deb holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Education. She is also certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition, as well as through Build a Life After Loss with Julie Cluff and the From Grief to Gratitude coaching certification program.
Deb specializes in grief following the death of a loved one, guiding others to find hope and healing through a relationship with the Lord. She believes that while grief may change us, it does not have to define us—and that through faith, it is possible to live a life filled with peace, purpose, and renewed joy.
Deb Hadley
Founder and CEO
Grief Support Specialist
Deb Hadley is the Founder and CEO of KT Humble Hearts and an inspirational speaker who shares messages of hope, faith, and healing with audiences across the country. Her calling to grief work is rooted in both profound personal loss and years of professional experience supporting others through life’s most difficult seasons.
Deb holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Education. She is also certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition, as well as through Build a Life After Loss with Julie Cluff and the From Grief to Gratitude coaching certification program.
Deb specializes in grief following the death of a loved one, guiding others to find hope and healing through a relationship with the Lord. She believes that while grief may change us, it does not have to define us—and that through faith, it is possible to live a life filled with peace, purpose, and renewed joy.
Denise Hadley
Board Member
Grief Support Specialist
Denise Hadley has walked alongside her sister-in-law, Deb Hadley, since the passing of Kaylie and Tyler, sharing a deep calling to support those who are grieving. She is certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition and through Build a Life After Loss with Julie Cluff.
While Denise specializes in grief following the death of a loved one, she also has a heart for those experiencing other forms of loss. She understands that grief is not limited to death—it can also stem from life’s challenges, including loving someone struggling with addiction and other difficult family circumstances. Through both her training and personal experiences, Denise brings compassion, understanding, and a safe space for individuals navigating complex and often unspoken grief.
Denise Hadley
Board Member
Grief Support Specialist
Denise Hadley has walked alongside her sister-in-law, Deb Hadley, since the passing of Kaylie and Tyler, sharing a deep calling to support those who are grieving. She is certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition and through Build a Life After Loss with Julie Cluff.
While Denise specializes in grief following the death of a loved one, she also has a heart for those experiencing other forms of loss. She understands that grief is not limited to death—it can also stem from life’s challenges, including loving someone struggling with addiction and other difficult family circumstances. Through both her training and personal experiences, Denise brings compassion, understanding, and a safe space for individuals navigating complex and often unspoken grief.
Jenny Steffensmeier
Treasurer
Grief Support Specialist
Jenny Steffensmeier serves as Treasurer for KT Humble Hearts and brings both professional expertise and a deep passion for grief support to the organization. She holds a degree in accounting and is certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition.
After losing her mother to suicide at the age of 12, Jenny understands firsthand the long and complex journey of grief. Years later, during a difficult season in her life, she met Deb Hadley and began processing the grief she had carried for decades. Through that experience, Jenny found healing, renewed faith, and a calling to help others who are hurting.
Jenny has a special heart for those impacted by suicide loss and for youth navigating life after loss. With compassion and understanding, she walks alongside individuals and families, helping them find hope, healing, and the courage to move forward.
Jenny Steffensmeier
Grief Support Specialist/ Treasurer
Jenny Steffensmeier serves as Treasurer for KT Humble Hearts and brings both professional expertise and a deep passion for grief support to the organization. She holds a degree in accounting and is certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition.
After losing her mother to suicide at the age of 12, Jenny understands firsthand the long and complex journey of grief. Years later, during a difficult season in her life, she met Deb Hadley and began processing the grief she had carried for decades. Through that experience, Jenny found healing, renewed faith, and a calling to help others who are hurting.
Jenny has a special heart for those impacted by suicide loss and for youth navigating life after loss. With compassion and understanding, she walks alongside individuals and families, helping them find hope, healing, and the courage to move forward.
Jessica Malone
Secretary
Jessica Malone serves as Secretary for KT Humble Hearts. She is the bonus daughter of Deb and the sister of Kaylie and Tyler. After the loss of her siblings, Jessica began a personal journey of navigating grief rooted in faith and hope found in Jesus.
Being part of a family that has experienced great loss, Jessica has chosen to help turn pain into purpose by serving others through the mission of KT Humble Hearts. This work is a meaningful way for her to honor Kaylie and Tyler while helping others who are hurting.
Jessica has pursued grief coaching classes, Revelation Wellness training, and certification through the Grief Recovery Method. She has a special heart for helping families and children navigate grief and is passionate about creating community and support for those walking through loss.
Jessica Malone
Secretary
Jessica Malone serves as Secretary for KT Humble Hearts. She is the bonus daughter of Deb and the sister of Kaylie and Tyler. After the loss of her siblings, Jessica began a personal journey of navigating grief rooted in faith and hope found in Jesus.
Being part of a family that has experienced great loss, Jessica has chosen to help turn pain into purpose by serving others through the mission of KT Humble Hearts. This work is a meaningful way for her to honor Kaylie and Tyler while helping others who are hurting.
Jessica has pursued grief coaching classes, Revelation Wellness training, and certification through the Grief Recovery Method. She has a special heart for helping families and children navigate grief and is passionate about creating community and support for those walking through loss.
Sara Severson
Chairman of the Board
Sara Severson serves as the Chair of the Board for KT Humble Hearts. She developed a close friendship with Deb Hadley while working together in hospice, where they traveled to serve patients and families through ministry, music, and spiritual care.
Sara is a therapeutic musician for hospice, playing and singing for patients and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Through music, she brings comfort, hope, and healing to those nearing the end of life.
Sara also brings personal understanding to the mission of KT Humble Hearts. While her grief journey has not come through death, she has experienced significant life losses, including divorce and the loss of a career she deeply loved. These experiences have given her compassion for those navigating grief in its many forms, and she is grateful to serve an organization dedicated to bringing hope and healing to others.
Sara Severson
Chair of the Board
Sara Severson serves as the Chair of the Board for KT Humble Hearts. She developed a close friendship with Deb Hadley while working together in hospice, where they traveled to serve patients and families through ministry, music, and spiritual care.
Sara is a therapeutic musician for hospice, playing for patients and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Through music, she brings comfort, hope, and healing to those nearing the end of life.
Sara also brings personal understanding to the mission of KT Humble Hearts. While her grief journey has not come through death, she has experienced significant life losses, including divorce and the loss of a career she deeply loved. These experiences have given her compassion for those navigating grief in its many forms, and she is grateful to serve an organization dedicated to bringing hope and healing to others.
Konnie Evans
Board Member
Konnie Evans serves as a Board Member of KT Humble Hearts. She is a Registered Nurse, BSN, with more than 14 years of leadership experience and a strong commitment to servant leadership and helping others.
Konnie met Deb through their work together, and during that time Deb helped her begin processing the grief she had carried after the unexpected loss of her father. Through that experience, Konnie found healing, strengthened her faith, and discovered a passion for helping others who are hurting.
Grounded in Christian values, Konnie is grateful to serve on the board and is dedicated to helping KT Humble Hearts provide hope, healing, and compassionate support to those navigating grief.
Konnie Evans
Board Member
Konnie Evans serves as a Board Member of KT Humble Hearts. She is a Registered Nurse, BSN, with more than 14 years of leadership experience and a strong commitment to servant leadership and helping others.
Konnie met Deb through their work together, and during that time Deb helped her begin processing the grief she had carried after the unexpected loss of her father. Through that experience, Konnie found healing, strengthened her faith, and discovered a passion for helping others who are hurting.
Grounded in Christian values, Konnie is grateful to serve on the board and is dedicated to helping KT Humble Hearts provide hope, healing, and compassionate support to those navigating grief.
Lynn Arnquist
Grief Support Specialist
Lynn Arnquist leads KT Humble Hearts’ estrangement grief support, using principles inspired by Dr. Joshua Coleman to support individuals and families navigating the pain of estrangement.
She is currently pursuing certification in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition.
With personal experience navigating estrangement with her own child, Lynn brings authenticity, empathy, and purpose to her work—creating a compassionate, faith-based environment where individuals can process grief and move toward healing.
Lynn Arnquist
Grief Support Specialist
Lynn Arnquist leads KT Humble Hearts’ estrangement grief support, using principles inspired by Dr. Joshua Coleman to support individuals and families navigating the pain of estrangement.
She is currently pursuing certification in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition.
With personal experience navigating estrangement with her own child, Lynn brings authenticity, empathy, and purpose to her work—creating a compassionate, faith-based environment where individuals can process grief and move toward healing.
Julie Dornbusch
Grief Support Specialist/Donor Relations
Julie Keller Dornbusch, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, CT, FT, is a nurse practitioner, educator, Certified Thanatologist, and Fellow in Thanatology through ADEC. She is also certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition. Her work is rooted in whole-person healing, grief support, and the belief that even after life’s hardest seasons, renewal is possible.
After experiencing multiple profound losses and surviving a life-altering car accident in 2020, Julie has walked her own journey of healing, faith, and resilience. Through these experiences, she brings deep compassion and understanding to those navigating grief and life’s unexpected challenges.
Julie also serves KT Humble Hearts through donor relations, where she builds meaningful connections with supporters, strengthens community partnerships, and supports events that further the mission. She is deeply passionate about helping grow a strong foundation so that more individuals and families can experience hope, healing, and renewed purpose.
Julie Dornbusch
Grief Support Specialist/Donor Relations
Julie Keller Dornbusch, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, CT, FT, is a nurse practitioner, educator, Certified Thanatologist, and Fellow in Thanatology through ADEC. She is also certified in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition. Her work is rooted in whole-person healing, grief support, and the belief that even after life’s hardest seasons, renewal is possible.
After experiencing multiple profound losses and surviving a life-altering car accident in 2020, Julie has walked her own journey of healing, faith, and resilience. Through these experiences, she brings deep compassion and understanding to those navigating grief and life’s unexpected challenges.
Julie also serves KT Humble Hearts through donor relations, helping build meaningful connections with supporters, strengthen community partnerships, and support events that further the mission. She is passionate about helping grow a strong foundation so that more individuals and families can experience hope, healing, and renewed purpose.
Marsha Murphy
Grief Support Specialist
Marsha Murphy spent many years working in a family business before life took a deeply personal turn that led her to seek greater support and purpose.
In 2019, she was introduced to Deb Hadley through The Morning God Boost, a connection that would later become especially meaningful. Following the tragic loss of one son and the estrangement of another, Marsha leaned into that foundation of faith and encouragement, finding strength and healing through the community Deb helped create.
Through her grief journey, Marsha discovered a passion for supporting others facing loss. She is currently pursuing certification in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition and now serves as a co-facilitator for grief groups with KT Humble Hearts. She specializes in grief following the death of a loved one, as well as estrangement grief shaped by her own lived experiences.
With compassion and understanding, Marsha walks alongside others, offering hope, healing, and the reminder that they are not alone.
Marsha Murphy
Grief Support Specialist
Marsha Murphy spent many years working in a family business before life took a deeply personal turn that led her to seek greater support and purpose.
In 2019, she was introduced to Deb Hadley through The Morning God Boost, a connection that would later become especially meaningful. Following the tragic loss of one son and the estrangement of another, Marsha leaned into that foundation of faith and encouragement, finding strength and healing through the community Deb helped create.
Through her grief journey, Marsha discovered a passion for supporting others facing loss. She is currently pursuing certification in Death and Grief Studies through the Center for Loss and Life Transition and now serves as a co-facilitator for grief groups with KT Humble Hearts. She specializes in grief following the death of a loved one, as well as estrangement grief shaped by her own lived experiences.
With compassion and understanding, Marsha walks alongside others, offering hope, healing, and the reminder that they are not alone.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 320-219-7144
KT Humble Hearts
400 Cedar Street
Suite 44
Alexandria, MN 56308
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