There are two versions of my bio on my site.   The one I like best is here.

This one is short and sweet one.   It is a little dry, if you ask me, but it is what conference planners want to put in a brochure.  Grab a glass of water...here we go.

Amy Florian is a widely recognized teacher and consultant specializing in the areas of grief, loss, and transition. In the past 15 years, Amy has delivered workshops and keynote addresses across the country.  The people that hear Amy speak and teach routinely give her a score of 9.0 or higher on a 10.0 scale for  her work.
 
Amy is currently an adjunct professor at the IPS, a graduate-only department of Loyola University in Chicago.   Within the last two years she also been an adjunct professor at St. Xavier University, Dominican University, and guest lecturer at the Catholic Theological Union.  In addition,  Amy served as the executive director of Stauros U.S.A. (www.stauros.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those who suffer and their care-givers.  She has published two books and dozens of articles.
 
Her company, Corgenius, specializes in teaching professionals how to support and interact with people who have experienced a life-changing loss. The companies that hire Corgenius come from many industries but all have one thing in common---the empathetic rapport they establish with their clients, patients, or resident's during life's painful times is crucial to creating the trust and long-term loyalty upon which good business is based.
 
Education
The most formative education Amy received was the experience of being widowed at the age of 25. Since then, she has made it her life work to help others coping with the losses, deaths, and the big changes that affect every human life. 
 
In 2006 Amy earned her Fellow in Thanatology certification from the Association of Death Education and Counseling.  This is the highest international academic certification one can earn in the field.
 
In 1999 she earned her Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University of Chicago with a GPA of 4.0 out 4.0.
 
In 1978 she distinguished herself at Iowa State University, graduating with a GPA of 4.0 out 4.0 as the valedictorian for her 4,000 member graduating class.

Ms. Florian lives in the Chicago area with her husband, Ken. She loves reading, cooking, water-skiing, and the performing arts. Both Amy and Ken are thrilled that their three grown sons (and expanding families) live within driving distance of the Florian homestead.