Helping People and Organizations Navigate Loss and Work/Life Transitions

Grief - Loss - Leadership - Resilience

We partner with individuals, leaders, and organizations to navigate grief, strengthen resilience, and build heathier workplaces.

Loss is a part of life. Support doesn’t have to be rare. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Workplace resilience through life’s transitions

For Organizations

Support for organizations responding to loss and building compassionate resilient cultures.

For Individuals

One on one consulting for individuals navigating grief, life transitions, job loss, and work life challenges.

Brenda L. Rushforth, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-SCP

For more than 35 years, Brenda Rushforth has devoted her career to understanding people—their work, their challenges, their relationships, and the moments that can profoundly change their lives. As a senior human resources executive, she has had the privilege of supporting people and organizations through times of growth, transition, conflict, uncertainty, and change.

Along the way, she has learned that behind every policy, organizational decision, or workplace challenge is a person with a story—and that people need more than solutions. They need to feel heard, understood, and supported. That belief is at the heart of Brenda’s work today.

She brings her years of leadership experience, combined with genuine compassion for the human experience, to helping people navigate grief, loss, life transitions, and the impact these experiences can have on our work and our sense of self.

Brenda believes grief does not simply stay at home when we walk through the doors of our workplace. Loss can affect our focus, confidence, relationships, leadership, and ability to move forward. Her goal is to create a safe, thoughtful space where people can acknowledge what they have experienced, find meaning in the midst of change, and discover a path toward resilience.

Her approach is grounded in empathy, practical wisdom, and a deep respect for each person’s individual journey. After decades of sitting across the table from employees, leaders, and organizations during some of their most difficult moments, Brenda understands that sometimes the most meaningful thing we can offer another person is simply the opportunity to be seen and heard.

Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management from Brigham Young University and maintains senior professional certifications through SHRM and HRCI.

Endorsements and Recommendations

Brenda is a successful and well-respected HR leader with exceptional coaching skills. We worked together for many years in the museum field, and I can highly endorse her.

Linda Silver, Ed.D., Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer, Perot Museum of Nature & Science

With over four decades of proven executive HR leadership, Brenda Rushforth brings an extraordinary blend of professional wisdom, deep empathy, and grounded guidance to her work-life coaching practice. Her specialized approach to work-life alignment offers clients a rare, safe harbor for personal restoration and meaningful professional growth. She’s the ultimate advocate, guide, and trusted partner for anyone seeking clarity, healing, and purpose, and I couldn’t recommend her more highly!

Paul Falcone, Bestselling author and former CHRO, Nickelodeon Animation Studios | Principal, Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Consulting, LLC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Global

I met Brenda at a SHRM conference many years ago, and we have maintained a trusted colleagueship over that time. I would encourage anyone thinking of one-on-one coaching to consider Brenda's thoughtful insights.

Jathan Janove, J.D., Principal, Author, Coach, & Consultant, Salt Lake City, UT

I have known Brenda for over 15 years, and throughout that time she has been an incredible mentor, trusted sounding board, and source of support. She has a genuine ability to listen, offer thoughtful perspective, and help others navigate challenges with both compassion and practical insight. I am grateful for the guidance and encouragement she has provided me over the years.

Natalie Walper, Acting CHRO, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas

I worked with Brenda for more than a decade as colleagues in higher education and saw first-hand her ability to navigate delicate and often complex situations with perspective, empathy and good judgement. If you are considering one on one coaching, I encourage you to consider working with Brenda. You’ll gain thoughtful, practical insights from someone who listens closely, asks the right questions, and understands how to move someone forward.

Seth Allen, Senior Advisor, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA

Bibliography

Beattie, Melody. Codependent No More : How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself. HarperSanFranciso, publisher. January 1, 1987.

Bernstein, Gabrielle. The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith. Hay House, Inc., publisher. September 27, 2016.

Brewer, M.D., Ph.D, Judson. Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind. Avery, publisher. March 9, 2021.

Brown, Brené. Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Random House, publisher. August 25, 2015.

Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search for Meaning. The book's 1946 original title is Ein Psychologe erlebt das Konzentrationslager ("A Psychologist Experiences the Concentration Camp"). Beacon Press, publisher. 1959.

Grenny, Joseph, et.al. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High. McGraw Hill, publisher. November 23, 2021 (Third Edition).

Hay, Louise. You Can Heal Your Life. Hay House LLC, publisher. January 1, 1984.

Hay, Louise L. and David Kessler. You Can Heal Your Heart: Finding Peace After a Breakup, Divorce, or Death. Hay House, Inc., publisher. January 1, 2014.

Kishimi, Ichiro and Fumitake Koga. The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life, and Achieve Real Happiness. Simon & Schuster, publisher. May 8, 2018.

Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth and David Kessler. On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss. Scribner, publisher. July 19, 2005.

Lerner, Ph.D., Harriet. The Dance of Anger: A Woman's Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships. William Morrow, publisher. August 16, 2016.

Lewis, C.S. A Grief Observed. HarperOne, publisher. March 29, 1989.

O’Neill, Jennifer. Energy Vampires: How to Deal with Negative People. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, publisher. April 16, 2013.

Peck, M.D., M. Scott. The Road Less Traveled, 25th Anniversary Edition: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth. Touchstone, publisher. October 7, 2002 (original publication, 1978).

Tuttle, Carol. Remembering Wholeness: A Personal Handbook for Thriving in the 21st Century. Elton-Wolff, publisher, May 1, 2003.

van der Kolk, M.D., Bessel. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking, publisher. September 25, 2014.