Losing my mom was the hardest thing I have been through, and I still struggle with her absence every single day. Now, whenever I visit Santa Cruz, it is the only place I go to talk to her.

Recognizing the significance of National Grief Awareness Day (August 30th) and the ongoing impact of grief on our workforce, I encourage all leaders to embrace their responsibility to respond to their employees with compassion and empathy.

Whether your grief is your own battle with health, a significant life change for you or a loved one, or a dream that hasn’t been realized, it’s not always easy to wake up and embrace the unknown.