01/16/2025

Kathy Ryan Announces Plan to Retire in May 2025

Dear Members: 

 After 10 years as your Executive Director, effective May 1, 2025, I will retire from the position.  My time at PFDA has offered both challenges and opportunities and upon reflection, I am thankful for the great professionals who are dedicated to uniting our profession and elevating our association.  The job of the Executive Director includes many varied tasks including staying abreast of issues impacting funeral service, lobbying and drafting legislation and regulations, organizing a convention and other meetings, publishing a newsletter and more.  In my role I have gained a tremendous respect for what each of you do on a daily basis with great sacrifice to yourselves and your families.  Your service to your communities stands as a testament to unwavering dedication and hard work.  The reason PFDA is one of the largest organized funeral associations in the country and why it has accomplished so much is due to the contributions of time and talent from all of you and for that I thank you.  It certainly made parts of my job easier. 

During my ten years as your leader, there have been some major changes forced upon us such as the fallout from the recession of 2008 and of course, the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.   In addition, there have been many forces within funeral service which have forced our members to change and modify their business models.  Social media, rising cremation rates, demands for innovative services and increasing costs have pressured you to make adjustments to how you serve families.  The past cannot control what we do in the future. 

I am excited and confident that your new Executive Director, Adam Shaffer, will be a thoughtful and talented leader.  I have worked with him for just under a year and I believe his skill set and energy will serve the Association well.  I will remain as counsel to the Association and members and also to advise and guide Adam as he assumes the leadership of PFDA.  

The brass ring in a career isn’t in the paycheck.  It’s when you have given your best and made other peoples’ lives easier.  I hope I have done that for all of you.  May 2025 bring prosperity to your businesses.

                                                                                                             Kathy