Tackling a loved one’s belongings and paperwork can be emotionally overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity to honor their memory and find closure. In this episode, Naeemah chats with Rachel Donnelly, Founder and CEO at Afterlight. Rachel shares practical tips and compassionate advice on how to sort through sentimental items, manage essential documents, and decide what to keep, donate, or let go of. Whether you’re navigating this journey yourself or helping someone else, this episode provides the tools and encouragement to take the next step with grace and intention.
Rachel Donnelly is a driven entrepreneur and compassionate leader, renowned for her innovative contributions to the after loss industry. Drawing on personal experiences of loss, including the passing of her parents, Rachel founded AfterLight (originally Black Dress Consultants). This pioneering firm assists clients in managing the intricate administrative tasks of legacy planning and estate administration, offering solace and support in times of grief.
As the CEO of AfterLight, Rachel has been pivotal in developing unique services, such as the Legacy Building Formula™, a 6-step coaching program aiding clients in preserving their stories and safeguarding their families' futures. Her expertise extends to managing complex cases involving digital assets and cross-border estates, a testament to her comprehensive approach to estate administration.
Rachel's entrepreneurial spirit is further exemplified in her co-founding of Professionals of After Loss Services (PALS), the first organization setting industry standards for after loss professionals. Here, she has played a critical role in creating the PALS Training Program™, an innovative online course shaping skilled professionals worldwide.
Prior to her ventures in the after loss sector, Rachel garnered extensive experience in higher education fundraising. She held significant roles at prestigious institutions like Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Shepherd Center Foundation.
Her diverse responsibilities spanning major and planned gift fundraising in higher education to philanthropic endeavors in non-profit healthcare, highlight the breadth and depth of her successful former career in development.
An alumna of Agnes Scott College with a B.A. in Political Science, Rachel's dedication to community service is evident in her board membership at Momento Foundation and involvement with the Atlanta Estate Planning Council. She is currently working on her first book, Late To Your Own Funeral: How To Leave A Legacy Rather Than A Logjam which will be a tapestry of stories of her experiences with loss and lessons from her journey in after loss consulting.
Rachel lives in Atlanta with her husband Zack, their two children, and their adorable black lab mix, Rhett Butler.
To learn more about Rachel and Afterlight, visit her website https://myafterlight.com
To learn more about Naeemah, visit her website naeemahfordgoldson.com
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