Formerly an educator in Speech and Special Education since 1986, Stella Haight-Wichman has been coaching children and their families through her career in Special Education for many years. After a recent tragic event, in the fall of 2007 she decided to start a full time coaching business with a turn of focus towards grieving. Following a rigorous one year training program through the Grief Coach Academy in California, Stella got her certification as a grief coach in 2008.

She is a member of the International Coaching Federation’s local Heartland Chapter in Lincoln, Nebraska. Locally, she offers her insight and support with others at Community Friends, a local support group for grieving parents. Stella has spoken at Mourning Hope, a grief center for children, teens, and families as well as with the Community Friends facilitators at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, NE.

She is married and currently living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Stella is the mother of three girls and an angel.

In July of 2005 Stella’s life took a tragic turn when her only son suddenly went missing at the age of 20. After almost two years of searching for him with many law enforcement and other agencies, two men stumbled upon his murdered remains in a remote area of Montana. Struggling for years to find answers and trying to cope with her pain and anger, she found several things- a website for grieving parents (www. MCLG.com), a grief coaching program from Los Angeles, California (The Grief Coach Academy), and support organization (The Community Friends) at which she began attending monthly meetings. Stella would like to thank and credit these organizations with helping her to get through her darkest times and inspiring her to honor her son’s life by helping others.

Stella knew she had to figure out a way to get through the grief of her son’s death and continue her life. Her mission grew from where she now saw a need to offer a lifeline of support to grieving parents. To use her years of coaching experience and now her personal experience and combine them with her certification and continuing education to ease the way for other grieving parents.

Having lived through a parent’s worst nightmare, she is passionate about helping both mothers and fathers live through theirs. Now Stella helps people pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. Her coaching helps people feel understood, supported, and encouraged!

She believes that just as in the familiar story “The Wizard of Oz,” The Cowardly Lion, Tin man, and Scarecrow teach us that Oz didn’t give them anything they didn’t already have! With proper guidance and support, we all can find our inner courage, heart, and wisdom.