Karen van Vuuren is founder and director of non-profit, Natural Transitions.  Her first exposure to death and dying was as a child.  Karen’s younger brother was ill from birth, dying at the age of nine.  Many years later, following a career in broadcast and print journalism, Karen felt called to work with end of life.  Her training ground was as caregiver, volunteer coordinator, and co-administrator for an assisted living.  She has also worked for hospice, bearing witness to the journeys of the dying and their families.  Apart from her role as director of Natural Transitions, Karen recently began WordWise productions to create audio features and documentaries focusing on end of life issues.