Michele Neff Hernandez | A dynamic speaker who will show your audience how one person can change the world!

About Me

This website is my effort to share a bit of my personal, and professional, evolution with you. I would be thrilled to speak to your group about any of the topics listed under the Bookings tab…or to create a unique keynote or workshop especially designed for your population. As you explore the information, photos, and videos that you find here, know that there are two things I would especially love to share with your audience: one person CAN change the world, and hope absolutely matters.

Awards

Michele has been recognized by Congressman Elton Gallegly with a Special Congressional Recognition for her work in founding the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. She was awarded the 2011 Woman Today Award by the Ventura County Star, and was honored with the Simi Valley Community Foundation’s Humanitarian Award for 2010. Michele represented the Southern California region as their 2009 State Farm Insurance Embrace Life Award Honoree. She was a finalist for the Simi Valley Hospital Foundation 2009 Woman of the Year Award, and recognized by the Inspiration Room as one of their Women of the Month 2009.

Bio

Michele Neff Hernandez is the founding President, and Executive Director of the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. Soaring Spirits is a non-profit organization committed to providing resources and peer support to people grieving the loss of a loved one, with a special focus on those who are widowed. Michele is the creator, and Director, of the Camp Widow Program; a first of its kind event bringing together widowed people from across the country, and around the world, who are seeking to recreate their lives in the aftermath of the loss of a spouse or life partner.

Personal Truths

As a young woman entering into adulthood with lofty goals, sterling ideals, and great hope for the future I could have easily created a long list of my personal beliefs. This list would have included ideas about both the tangible and the intangible; broad concepts and specific ideals; God and mortal beings.

Love Past and Present

When I first was able to entertain the thought of marrying again after the death of my late husband, I was certain that I would fall to pieces when asked to utter the phrase, “till death do us part.” Those four words mean something completely different now…

Inner Voice

Decision making was never difficult for me. Options don’t often confuse me, and once I have made a choice I rarely question myself. Over my lifetime I have come to realize that many people engage in a mental wrestling match with every decision they make, and I have regularly been grateful that my mind and I generally agree pretty quickly. And then came widowhood.

Learning to Focus

A comment made by a special friend about yesterday’s post got me thinking about the fact that people who have lost someone instrumental in their lives tend to view the world from a new, and unwanted, vantage point. After Phil’s death I remember thinking that death swooped in and stole my rose colored glasses…

Quotes“I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.” - George Bernard Shaw

Recent Blog Posts

My Latest News

Nov 11, 2011

2011 Woman Today Award: Ventura County Star

Michele Neff Hernandez of Simi Valley was named the recipient of the 2011 Women Today award. Hernandez is the founder and executive director of soaring Spirits Loss Foundation. She said earning such awards is a great way to get word out about her organization, which she founded four years ago when her husband died.

Oct 14, 2011

Bike ride helps Simi woman find triumph amidst tragedy

Tomorrow, Simi Valley streets will be the backdrop for the second annual Share the Road bike ride. The event is an effort by cyclists to build respect and consideration between motorists and themselves.

Oct 13, 2011

The Open to Hope Foundation Elects Michele Neff Hernandez Executive Director of the SSLF to NAC

Dr. Gloria Horsley, Founder and President of the Open to Hope Foundation and Host of “Open to Hope Radio ” and Dr. Heidi Horsley, Executive Director