Meet the Mentors

Group picture of professionals who attended an event.
April 14-17, 2026 in Washington, D.C. A unique opportunity to learn from experienced funeral service professionals, network with fellow NFDA members who are newer to the profession and includes a powerful, hands-on introduction to advocacy on Capitol Hill.

Conference Q&A

NFDA-members, licensed funeral directors/embalmers age 40 or under, or newly licensed within the last five years, are invited to participate in the program and are chosen by random drawing.

One entry per person. Registration is not transferable. Spouses and guests are not eligible to attend. You must be 40 or under, or new to the profession (first licensed within the last five years), and an NFDA member at the time of entry. Previous Meet the Mentors attendees are not eligible to attend.
Mentees receive free registration and three nights of lodging. Your attendance includes the Welcome Reception and all meals during the event. 

This is an opportunity to learn from experienced funeral service professionals and network with fellow NFDA members who are newer to the profession.
“Meet the Mentors was such an eye-opening experience. I was able to learn so much from so many different funeral service professionals. This program inspired me so much to dream bigger in my career.” 

“This was a program that included a great mix of funeral directors and embalmers from all over the country. It was a chance to take a pause from serving and celebrate ourselves as professionals. We developed friendships and connections that we will carry with us for the rest of our careers and lives. I can’t say enough good things about this experience.”

Meet the 2026 Mentors

Speaker headshot
Speaker headshot

Amie LM Swenson

Amie LM Swenson

Owner, Funeral Director-Mortician at Farnsworth Mortuary and Crematory, Jerome, ID.

Amie LM Swenson is a 2nd generation mortician, following in her father’s footsteps. Being born and raised in funeral service created the foundation that shaped her career. She has been a licensed and practicing mortician for almost 30 years, having had the privilege of working side by side with her father for the first 20 years before his passing in 2017.   Amie and her husband, Paul, own and operate 2 funeral homes and a crematory in Southern Idaho. Being dual licensed in Idaho and Oregon, she is also a licensed preneed agent. Amie is the immediate past president of the Idaho Funeral Service Association, and launched the first IFSA Professional Women’s Conference in 2025.  Amie and Paul have four children and three grandchildren. When there is the occasional spare time, Amie has found a love for golf and will try to talk anyone into a round.
Amie LM Swenson is a 2nd generation mortician, following in her father’s footsteps. Being born and raised in funeral service created the foundation that shaped her career. She has been a licensed and practicing mortician for almost 30 years, having had the privilege of working side by side with her father for the first 20 years before his passing in 2017.   Amie and her husband, Paul, own and operate 2 funeral homes and a crematory in Southern Idaho. Being dual licensed in Idaho and Oregon, she is also a licensed preneed agent. Amie is the immediate past president of the Idaho Funeral Service Association, and launched the first IFSA Professional Women’s Conference in 2025.  Amie and Paul have four children and three grandchildren. When there is the occasional spare time, Amie has found a love for golf and will try to talk anyone into a round.
Speaker headshot
Speaker headshot

Anna F. Zvirman-Nesbit, Owner, Licensed Funeral Director, CFSP

Anna F. Zvirman-Nesbit, Owner, Licensed Funeral Director, CFSP

Soxman Funeral Homes, Ltd., Pittsburgh, PA

Originally from Plum Boro, Anna was a 2003 graduate from Plum Senior High School. In 2006, she graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2007 and served as President of her class. Anna coordinates the funeral home’s Aftercare and Advanced Funeral Planning programs. Anna has earned her designation as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) which is the highest professional designation you can achieve in funeral service. Under her direction, Soxman Funeral Home has proudly achieved the highly prestigious Pursuit of Excellence Award.  She is a member of the National, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Funeral Director Associations (NFDA, PFDA, ACFDA), ICCFA, as well as serving as the past Chairman of the Board for the Plum Chamber of Commerce. Anna was inducted into the 2024 class of the Plum High School Distinguished Alumni, and recently recognized with the 2025 Women in Business Award from Pittsburgh Magazine, both esteemed honors for the hometown girl. As a Certified Funeral Celebrant, she provides families without a church affiliation or those looking to create a personalized service a unique way to remember their loved one. Her designation as CPC from the NFDA has marked her as achieving the standard of excellence in funeral service for individuals who help families plan funerals, memorial services and other life tribute events in advance.
Originally from Plum Boro, Anna was a 2003 graduate from Plum Senior High School. In 2006, she graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2007 and served as President of her class. Anna coordinates the funeral home’s Aftercare and Advanced Funeral Planning programs. Anna has earned her designation as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) which is the highest professional designation you can achieve in funeral service. Under her direction, Soxman Funeral Home has proudly achieved the highly prestigious Pursuit of Excellence Award.  She is a member of the National, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Funeral Director Associations (NFDA, PFDA, ACFDA), ICCFA, as well as serving as the past Chairman of the Board for the Plum Chamber of Commerce. Anna was inducted into the 2024 class of the Plum High School Distinguished Alumni, and recently recognized with the 2025 Women in Business Award from Pittsburgh Magazine, both esteemed honors for the hometown girl. As a Certified Funeral Celebrant, she provides families without a church affiliation or those looking to create a personalized service a unique way to remember their loved one. Her designation as CPC from the NFDA has marked her as achieving the standard of excellence in funeral service for individuals who help families plan funerals, memorial services and other life tribute events in advance.
Speaker headshot
Speaker headshot

Tracy McAdams

Tracy McAdams

Managing Partner and Funeral Director, Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, OH

Tracy McAdams is originally from Bucyrus, Ohio and began his career in funeral service in 1989 at Munz-Pirnstill Funeral Home. After spending two years at The Ohio State University he attend Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and received his Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree in 1993, completed his apprenticeship at Jerry Spears Funeral Home, and became licensed in 1995.  Before coming to Dwayne R. Spence, he worked with Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service as an advanced planner, a funeral director, and a managing funeral director at both the Gahanna and Dublin locations. Before that, he was a funeral director in Bucyrus at Wise Funeral Service. He holds an Ohio Master Funeral Director and Embalmer Certification. Tracy is the current President-Elect of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and serves on the Leadership Development Committee. He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, where he serves on the Remembering A Life Work Group Committee.  Outside of work, Tracy has been involved in the Dublin Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy and the Selected Leadership Academy. He is involved in several community theaters, both acting and directing. He is a current board member of the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce and a former board member of Camp Michael and Bucyrus Little Theatre. He was active in the Galion Jaycees and Venus Lodge #152 F&AM in the past.
Tracy McAdams is originally from Bucyrus, Ohio and began his career in funeral service in 1989 at Munz-Pirnstill Funeral Home. After spending two years at The Ohio State University he attend Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and received his Bachelor of Mortuary Science degree in 1993, completed his apprenticeship at Jerry Spears Funeral Home, and became licensed in 1995.  Before coming to Dwayne R. Spence, he worked with Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service as an advanced planner, a funeral director, and a managing funeral director at both the Gahanna and Dublin locations. Before that, he was a funeral director in Bucyrus at Wise Funeral Service. He holds an Ohio Master Funeral Director and Embalmer Certification. Tracy is the current President-Elect of the Ohio Funeral Directors Association and serves on the Leadership Development Committee. He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, where he serves on the Remembering A Life Work Group Committee.  Outside of work, Tracy has been involved in the Dublin Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy and the Selected Leadership Academy. He is involved in several community theaters, both acting and directing. He is a current board member of the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce and a former board member of Camp Michael and Bucyrus Little Theatre. He was active in the Galion Jaycees and Venus Lodge #152 F&AM in the past.
THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT!

The fine print:

Meet the Mentors is being held in Washington, D.C. 25 NFDA-members, licensed funeral directors/embalmers age 40 or under, or newly-licensed within the last five years, are invited to participate in the program and are chosen by random drawing. One entry per person. Registration is not transferable. Spouses and guests are not eligible to attend. You must be 40 or under, or new to the profession (first licensed within the last five years), and an NFDA member at the time of entry. Previous Meet the Mentors attendees are not eligible to attend. NFDA reserves the right to cancel the program due to circumstances beyond its control. NFDA’s liability for any cancellation shall not extend to claims, including, but not limited to, travel expenses, cancellation fees, lost wages, inconvenience and other related costs.