David J. Roberts, LMSW, became a parent who experienced the death of a child, when his daughter Jeannine died of cancer on 3/1/03 at the age of 18. He is a retired addiction professional and an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Utica College in Utica, New York. Dave is a featured speaker, workshop facilitator and coach for Aspire Place, LLC (www.aspireplace.com). He is also the chapter leader for The Compassionate Friends of the Mohawk Valley, whose mission is to support families who have experienced the death of a child. Mr. Roberts has been a presenter at the Southern Humanities Council Conference since 2017. Dave has also been a past workshop facilitator for The Compassionate Friends and a past workshop facilitator and keynote speaker for The Bereaved Parents of the USA. Dave has presented at other national, local and regional venues as well.

Mr. Roberts has contributed articles to the Huffington Post blog, Open to Hope Foundation, The Grief Toolbox, Recovering the Self Journal, Mindfulness and Grief, Thrive Global and Medium. Dave has written monthly columns on Grief and Loss for the Utica Phoenix newspaper since  April of 2017 . One of Dave's articles, My Daughter is Never Far Away, can also be found in Open to Hope: Inspirational Stories of Healing and Loss. Excerpts from Dave's article for The Open to Hope Foundation, called The Broken Places were featured in the 2012 Paraclete Press DVD video, Grieving the Sudden Death of a Loved One. He has appeared on numerous radio and internet broadcasts and Open to Hope Television. Dave was also part of a panel in 2016 for the BBC Podcast, World Have Your Say, with other grief experts, discussing the death of Carrie Fisher. If you are interested in having Dave speak to your organization, please contact Aspire Place.