PANEL SPEAKERS

Born in the Dominican Republic, Anne Marie moved to Canada when she was a teen not speaking a word of English. Now having been in Canada for over 50 years, she has not only mastered the English language but also attained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and

Sociology from St. Thomas University and a Master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of New Brunswick. Anne Marie puts action into the ideology of giving back. For the last 20 years, she’s been devoted to improving her community through her work managing charitable organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association, Miramichi Branch and NB Division; Meals on Wheels of Fredericton; and most recently Family Enrichment and Counselling Service.

She’s also helped hundreds of people find new and innovative ways of addressing life’s challenges, big and small, through her development and facilitation of personal and professional

development programs in the areas of psychological wellness and practical life management. As a monthly columnist, Anne Marie has shared her expertise with over eighty published newspaper columns. Anne Marie has lived in Fredericton, New Brunswick since 1992. She has two grown children

and four grandchildren.

 Navigating Grief: Supporting Mental Health After Loss 

Alison Lynch Richard (BSW, RSW) is the Director of Psychosocial Services at Hospice

Fredericton, where she oversees psychosocial support to patients receiving end-of-life care at

Hospice House and grief and bereavement services for grieving community members in

Fredericton and surrounding areas. With a background in Social Work, Alison is dedicated to meeting people where they are in their grief journey, offering support that is compassionate, adaptable, and rooted in deep listening. As a panelist for Navigating Grief: Supporting Mental Health After Loss, she brings expertise in the complexities of grief, the importance of

connection, and the power of holding space for those processing losses.