Our BRAVE Team
Board of Directors
ABOUT LISA PRICE
FOUNDER / PRESIDENT
What is your professional background & skills?
Through my prior company, Better Not Bitter Mom LLC, I coached hundreds of bereaved parents and offered an online grief support program, in-person and online wellness workshops and conferences. I hold a life coaching certification from the Institute of Life Coach Training with an emphasis in grief and bereavement.
I authored two resource guides for bereaved parents and their supporters in hopes of bringing confidence to conversations surrounding death, grief, and healing. My writing can also be found in The Last Kiss, a memoir written by bereaved parents.
With over 35 years of dance training and teaching, I truly understand the importance of and value in physically moving our bodies, especially when we feel stuck. I have been a dance instructor at Young Dance Academy in Oak Creek, WI since 1997, and a student since 1987.
Why is the mission of BeReAVEd Together important to you?
In 2017, after experiencing the death of our infant daughter, Ari, my world shattered. Finding means of support to help our family move through grief and find healing became a necessity. Unfortunately, there were limited resources and waiting lists, and our local support groups that were available no longer served where we were on our journey. To help fill this gap, my greatest misery became my biggest ministry.
I find it a complete honor to be welcomed into someone’s sacred space of grief and healing and consider it a gift to share my daughter through the work I do within this organization. I truly have a heart for helping others on their journey to continue to seek possibility after a significant loss and to do so with healthy outlets of expression within a community of encouragement.
God charged my heart to expand my personal reach and mission to all bereaved individuals and build a supportive community that focuses on overall wellness to create consistent, healthy, and sustainable healing. He also placed a vision on my heart to open and operate a wellness-based community center, The BRAVE Space, for the bereaved.
What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
When I am not dancing or working on the backend of our organization’s programming and services, you can find me working out at the gym and breaking a sweat in a HIIT or Bootcamp-style class, running in my neighborhood to my favorite spot full of wildlife and water, or getting all zen-like in a yoga class.
Cheering on my son as I watch him play all of his many sports and listening to him sing in his school’s choir is my heart! I can get loud!
I love cooking and baking meals and goodies to share with family and friends. Creating different fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable juices for my guys at home is also a fav.
While you will not find me reading books all too often, I love meditating on Bible verses to ground myself and stay focused on His plans for my life, especially when things get hard.
I do enjoy a lovely glass of red wine by the fire in winter or tequila and water with a lime in the summer months.
ABOUT DENISE OPANSKY
BOARD MEMBER / TREASURER
What is your professional background & skills?
I am retired after working 13 years at the US Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics gathering pricing for the Consumer Price Index from local businesses.
Previous to my work with the government, I worked for Mattel, Inc. for 15 years as a Merchandiser. I was the account coordinator for Target brand stores in the midwest.
I was also the coordinator for our church choirs’ sunshine fund for 18 years and was also involved in the Girl Scouts of America and Coordinator for a local school’s fundraiser with Market Day.
Why is the mission of BeReAVEd Together important to you?
After experiencing many losses in my lifetime, especially my Granddaughter, Ari, I realize everyone experiences loss, and there seemed to never be a lot of support readily available.
When I saw what my own daughter, Lisa, went through after the death of her daughter, yet pursued helping other families, I wanted to help in whatever I could.
Her life mission through this organization is now a part of my life mission, too.
What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
Since retiring, (and having way more free time) my husband and I love to go to the theater to see local plays and musicals, watch live concerts, hike through our state and local parks, kayak, and travel.
Family time is the best time and we enjoy our grandchildren, but will always miss our granddaughter, Ari.
ABOUT SHELLY CANNISTRA
BOARD MEMBER / SECRETARY
What is your professional background & skills?
I am currently a Realtor in Southeast Wisconsin, but my career started in Digital Marketing. I worked for a local radio station group for 10 years, and 8 of those I handled their 3 station websites. This included everything from daily content updates, on-line contests/promotions, fielding listener requests, digital sales and so much more! After radio I briefly worked for an event marketing firm where I helped develop website content and managed our companies client database. But in 2011 I was ready for a change and wanted a job that allowed me to spend more time with my daughter... which lead me to real estate! I joined Shorewest in late 2011 and fell in love with my new job. Real estate has been the most rewarding because I get one-on-one contact with my clients, and it's incredibly fulfilling helping them find their new HOMES. Now that I have been selling for 10+ years, I can't imagine myself ever doing anything else for work.
Why is the mission of BeReAVEd Together important to you?
My family and friends are so important to me, and as I get older more of us are experiencing loss and grief. Unfortunately it is unavoidable, and the BeReAVEd Together mission can truly help so many people that I know. Our president Lisa Price is one of my best friends, and she has opened my eyes to a void that is missing in our communities. While family and friends can be there as a support system and shoulder to lean on, there is something to be said about being in the same room as others who have experienced loss at the same level. I want to help BeReAVEd Together, Inc. help others!
What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
I love spending time with my family and friends is my true passion, they are my lifeline! But I also very much enjoy working out at the gym (yoga is my favorite!), biking with my husband, reading, watching movies, and seeing live music as often as possible.
What is your professional background & skills?
I received my undergraduate and master’s level education from the University of Michigan.
I have a Master's degree in Social Work and currently practice as a Medical Social Worker.
I am also a peer grief support group leader at an organization in Michigan called Ele’s Place.
ABOUT RIANA HARDYNIEC
BOARD MEMBER / SOCIAL MEDIA
Why is the mission of BeReAVEd Together important to you?
I experienced my first loss at the age of 12 and have experienced the death of a number of family members since then. These losses ultimately led to my passion and mission to support individuals who have experienced loss. The mission of BeReAVEd Together is important to me because all grievers deserve a space to feel seen, heard, and understood. I hope that anyone who is grieving can find a small piece of something they can relate to in the work that we do. This organization is a testament to the fact that you are not alone in your grief.
What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
I love to read, teach dance, try new coffee shops, and spend time outdoors as much as possible. I am on a mission to travel to all 63 National Parks! I have been to 5 so far. I also compete in the Miss America Opportunity. You can often find me preparing for competitions!
ABOUT JO ANNA WALSH
BOARD MEMBER / DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
What is your professional background & skills?
I am currently a Pediatric Dialysis Technician at Children's Hospital Wisconsin. It has always been a dream of mine to work with children, and that dream came true for me in 2015! After working with adults for many years, I joined the dialysis team at Children's Hospital Wisconsin.
I am blessed to be able to care for some of the most special kids in the world! When I am not working at the hospital, you can find me instructing Barre at Barre Collective in South Milwaukee. With a passion for dance, health, and fitness, instructing is such an incredible addition to my life!
Why is the mission of BeReAVEd Together important to you?
Loss can be one of the loneliest feelings in the world. After our son (Wesley) was stillborn, I felt alone, isolated, and unsure where I fit in. Reconnecting with my former dance teacher, Lisa Price, was such a blessing. I was welcomed into a community that truly knew my pain, and provided me with such love and support.
Bereaved Together's mission is very special to me. I am honored to work alongside them, embracing grief, equipping hearts, and empowering healing. You never have to be alone in your grief.
What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
Spending time in the Northwoods with my husband and black lab is my favorite way to spend a long weekend! Jeep rides, and exploring the outdoors are among my favorite things! When I'm not with my family or friends, I can be quite the homebody. I love curling up with a good book and an even better glass of wine!