01/19/2023

Nie, McClary Address National Emerging Leaders

Two Michigan funeral directors were guest speakers at the recent session of the NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program (NELP). 

Dutch Nie, NFDA President-Elect, and owner of Nie Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Ann Arbor spoke to the twenty NELP participants on “Finite versus Infinite leadership;” the process of embracing innovation and developing strategies that are consistent with your mission and values.  Dutch also talked about leaving a legacy and his involvement in founding the Michigan Interdisciplinary Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT) years before it was activated by the COVID pandemic.

Gregory McClary, MFDA Secretary/Treasurer, and owner of Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home-Westland, was also a guest speaker at the National Emerging Leaders Program.  Gregory’s presentation was “The Uncommon Plan,” the importance of having a Culture Care Plan as well as a business plan.  The culture care plan addresses how everyone in your organization will develop relationships, demonstrate how much you really care for each family we serve, and how we plan to treat each other. 

Congratulations to Dutch and Gregory for the impact you are having on the next generation of leaders in the profession.