Judith Pedersen, MSW, LSW, FT, is an expert on the topic of coping with grief and loss. A licensed social worker with advanced degrees in the specialty of bereavement counseling, Judith has helped countless people who felt overwhelmed by grief and loss learn to move forward with their lives.

Judith began working with families and individuals in 1998 with Lourdes Hospice in Upstate New York. She expanded her knowledge and experience with life-altering loss as Director of Patient and Family Services for a division of the American Cancer Society, and founded Interregnum in 2005.

Judith received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She earned a masters degree in Social Work, with a specialty in Death, Dying and Bereavement from Marywood University. She is certified as a Fellow of Thanatology (FT) in Death, Dying and Bereavement by the Association for Death Education and Counseling.

“Grief is a process that must be actively experienced so we can go on living through loss. Loss is universal; we will all experience it in our lives. It is my continuing honor and privilege to offer services that convey the message: You are not alone.”

-  Judith A. Pedersen

Susan Macheska, has been with Interregnum since 2008, helping to share the gift of hope and compassion with the people who need it most. Inspired by her own loss, Susan’s passion and energy has helped grow the program tremendously – more than 15,000 hearts have been painted and delivered since she began. Susan completed her education at Montclair State University earning a B.A. in Marketing. She was a marketing director for more than 18 years at various accessories and apparel companies in New York City.

Bari Adelman manages both internal and external communications for Interregnum, with the goal of helping to ‘bring grief out of the closet.’ With a background in organizational development and consulting, as well as twenty years of experience as a writer, Bari is dedicated to spreading the word about the amazing grief counseling, education, and support services offered by Interregnum. Bari has a Masters degree in organizational behavior from Harvard University, and a B.A. from Brandeis University.

Heidemarie Killen began consulting with Interregnum in 2007. Working behind the scenes on tracking and budgeting, Heidi makes sense of the organization’s dollars and cents. Heidi aims to keep the organization functioning smoothly and efficiently through a dedicated focus on maximizing cost efficiencies and minimizing losses. In addition, she is a certified grant writer who diligently explores grant opportunities with appropriate partners. Her degree in Business Administration and a long career in finance make her an asset to Interregnum.