Meet the Heart and Minds Behind Our Mission
Our leadership team, board of directors, and advisory council are the driving forces behind the Life Interrupted Foundation, working together to create meaningful change for those facing the sudden loss of a loved one. These compassionate individuals bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and expertise to our mission, united by a shared commitment to supporting grieving families and ensuring no one navigates loss alone.
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Each member of our team comes from a diverse background, contributing unique skills and perspectives that strengthen our ability to provide emergency financial aid, grief counseling, and critical resources to those in need. From nonprofit leaders and financial experts to mental health professionals and passionate advocates, our collective experience allows us to make a lasting impact.
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Learn more about the inspiring individuals behind Life Interrupted—what motivates them, their personal connections to our cause, and the vision they share for a future where every grieving person receives the support they deserve. Together, we are building a network of hope, resilience, and community.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Board Member
Founder & CEO, Life Interrupted Foundation
Emmy founded the Life Interrupted Foundation after witnessing firsthand the profound devastation that sudden loss creates for individuals and families. Her personal journey through unexpected grief ignited a passion to ensure that no one faces such hardship alone.
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With a background in entrepreneurship and over a decade of experience in the service industry, Emmy has always prioritized human connection, compassion, and resilience. As a self-employed hairstylist, she previously built a career centered on communication, trust, and authentic relationships—skills that now fuel her mission to support those navigating the aftermath of loss.
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Beyond her professional success, Emmy’s true calling lies in uplifting others. Through Life Interrupted, she has transformed personal pain into purpose, providing emergency financial aid, grief support, and advocacy for those struggling to rebuild their lives after loss. She is committed to fostering a community where healing is possible, and where no one has to walk the path of grief alone.
Board Member
CEO & Chairman, Centennial Holdings Company
W. Porter Payne Jr., known as Porter, is a prominent figure in private equity and real estate investment. As Chairman & CEO of Centennial Holding Company, he oversees a national portfolio of Class A multifamily properties and diversified real estate assets. Under his leadership, Centennial has established itself as an industry leader focused on strategic investments and value creation.
Porter also serves as Chairman of Payne Consolidated Holdings, a private equity firm with investments across multiple sectors including clean renewable energy, liquid natural gas, alternative power for data centers, real estate development, land banking, and artificial intelligence companies. With strategic vision for emerging opportunities, he has positioned the firm as a significant player in private equity, particularly in founding and pre-Series A capital rounds.
Additionally, Porter is a principal and financial backer of a full-service entertainment production company that produces theatrical films and streaming television series annually.
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Porter is a remarkable addition to the Board of Directors for the Life Interrupted Foundation. From day one, he has demonstrated a deep passion for our mission, offering not only his financial support but also his strategic insight and network to help grow our impact. His dedication to honoring the legacy of those we've lost and supporting families through the most difficult moments of their lives makes him an invaluable part of our leadership team.
Board Member
Director of Development, Audientice
Sydney is an adept business development specialist with extensive industry knowledge and a strong professional network. She has a proven track record of delivering value through projects, emphasizing continuous and substantial contributions to her companies, clients, and teams. With a broad skill set in sales, management, and customer relations, Sydney possesses a deep understanding of the revenue lifecycle. Her success is attributed to her ability to recognize the comprehensive vision of her clients, their businesses and their objectives.
Sydney possesses exceptional expertise in developing strategic partnerships, optimizing operations, raising capital, and enhancing client and investor experience. She excels in maintaining mutually beneficial client relationships, improving operational efficiency through cross-departmental communication, instilling investor confidence in the team's capabilities, and fostering trust and transparency for clients and investors.
Board Member
Founder & CEO, Sable & Rose
Maria is an Atlanta-based strategic communications enthusiast with a decade of experience bridging public relations, brand communications and business strategy. She has spent the past seven years of her career at Cox Communications, where she manages global public relations and communications for the company's newly launched mobile service, Cox Mobile.
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Marie started her career at Edelman PR, where she specialized in corporate and crisis communications supporting several global clients, including Novelis, Porsche, Papa John's and BP. Her early experience at Edelman laid the foundation for her unique ability to strategically navigate complex communications and business challenges with a deliberate, people-first approach.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Strategic Partnerships Advisor
Harrington Impact Group
Kristen Harrington is a results-driven nonprofit strategist with over 11 years of experience dedicated to advancing mission-driven initiatives. With a deep passion for helping nonprofits thrive, she specializes in strategic development, global social impact, fundraising, event management, branding, and volunteer engagement.
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Recognized for her relationship-driven approach and exceptional networking ability, Kristen excels at forging impactful partnerships that drive organizational growth and sustainability. Her visionary mindset, combined with a strong work ethic, allows her to identify opportunities that strengthen nonprofit missions and maximize their reach.
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As the Strategic Partnerships Advisor at Life Interrupted Foundation, Kristen plays a pivotal role in building meaningful collaborations that enhance the foundation’s ability to support those navigating the sudden loss of a loved one. Her dedication to creating lasting impact ensures that Life Interrupted continues to expand its reach and resources for those in need.
Growth and Development Advisor
Becton-Dickinson
Corey Jacobs embodies the philosophy that life is meant for growth, inspiration, and purposeful engagement. As a dedicated leader in personal development and high-performance strategies, he has cultivated a path of success through disciplined self-improvement, strategic mindset development, and the implementation of transformative habits. His journey from adversity to achievement reflects his commitment to continuous growth and excellence.
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As a top producer at Becton-Dickinson (BD), the world’s largest medical device manufacturer, Corey brings over a decade of expertise in healthcare sales, hospital management, and consulting. With a deep commitment to growth, service, and impact, Corey brings his strategic mindset and passion for personal development to the Life Interrupted Foundation. His mission is to empower others to take control of their lives, build resilience, and unlock their fullest potential—values that align closely with our foundation’s vision of supporting those navigating life after unexpected loss.