Meet the Team
At With Love, we believe in the power of community, collaboration, and creativity. Our team brings a diverse range of skills and experiences to every project—whether we’re guiding a family through end-of-life planning or producing a community-wide festival.
Lauren Ponder — Founder, Director & End-of-Life Planner
Lauren is the heart behind With Love and the creative force behind Last Call Ventures. As a certified End-of-Life Planner, educator, and speaker Lauren’s work centers around death literacy, legacy celebration, and compassionate care. She brings a warm, grounded presence to every conversation—whether one-on-one or in front of hundreds. Lauren also teaches end-of-life doula certificate courses and leads Advance Healthcare Directive workshops for individuals and organizations.
Kristina Golden — Event Manager
Kristina is a Certified End-of-Life Doula, Certified Grief Doula, and Certified Pet Doula. She specializes in death positive education and advocacy, with a deep commitment to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ communities and individuals experiencing estranged grief. As an Event Manager for With Love and Last Call Ventures, Kristina brings calm, clarity, and connection to every gathering. She is especially passionate about creating grief-informed spaces that allow people to show up exactly as they are.
Kelly Tecklenburg — Event Manager
Kelly brings creative vision and thoughtful coordination to each event she supports. Her background in the marketing world gives her a unique lens on how to make the mortality awareness space feel inclusive, engaging, and beautiful. As an Event Manager for With Love and Last Call Ventures Kelly shows up with warmth, humor, and zero judgment. She specializes in helping individuals and families “right-size” through the art of Swedish Death Cleaning—making space for what matters most.
Brian Kruger — Community Advocate
Brian is a steadfast supporter of With Love and a driving force behind many of our events. As a Community Advocate, he ensures that the logistical and practical elements of each gathering run smoothly. With a keen eye for detail and a genuine passion for the mission, Brian helps build welcoming, well-organized spaces where people can connect, reflect, and feel supported.