As a Family Caregiver Consultant, End-of-Life Doula, and founder of Be Present Care, Stefanie Elkins has over 20 years of experience supporting and helping people navigate challenging life transitions such as caregiving, end-of-life, and grief.
Her expertise includes being an educator and facilitator on advance care, caregiving and end-of-life conversations as well as creating plans and programs for families, healthcare and senior-focused organizations. As the Medical Outreach Manager, an integral part of Compassion & Choices California Campaign team, she assisted in passing and then implementing the California End of Life Option Act that passed in 2015.
Merging her passions: love of craft beer and encouraging candid conversations on end-of-life, Stefanie created Death over Drafts, a community event held at breweries across the United States to spark curiosity & meaningful connection around death and dying.
Stefanie is an accomplished professional and life long learner. Her credentials include completion of the University of Vermont End of Life Doula Professional certificate program, double MA degrees in Management specializing in Human Services and Jewish Communal Service from Brandeis University, and a BA in Social Relations from UC Riverside.
She also holds leadership roles as the LA Unit Chair of the Western Region of the Aging Life Care Association®, and is actively involved with various organizations dedicated to promoting end-of-life choices and providing support to seniors, including Compassion & Choices, End of Life Choices California, Foundation for Senior Services, Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (CTAC), Reimagine, Silent Book Club of Death, and Valley Chevra Kadisha.