Meet Shantell Riley – A Guide Through Life’s Transitions

Happy to meet you!

Hey! I'm Shantell, human and owner of Shantell Riley Consulting LLC. I'm grateful that you took time to visit my website to learn more about me and what I do.

What is a "Consultant for Life, Loss, and Healing" you ask? Well, I'm glad you did. As a Consultant for Life, Loss, and Healing, I support individuals and organizations through life's most critical transitions- whether its preventing burnout, cultivating healthier workplace cultures centered around wellbeing and bereavement programs, navigating end-of-life planning, or healing from trauma and loss. My work centers the human experience with compassion, clarity, and care.

After more than 17 years as a registered nurse, certified grief counselor, and wellness practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how burnout, trauma, loss, and unhealthy environments impact our ability to live and lead well. Whether you’re navigating end-of-life planning, building a trauma-informed organization, or healing from grief, I’m here to help make those transitions feel less overwhelming and more intentional.

Through my unique blend of nursing, thanatology (study of death, dying, and bereavement) trauma-informed care, and holistic practices like yoga, I help individuals and organizations create sustainable, healing-centered approaches to wellness, work, and life.

It would be an honor to walk alongside you—whether you’re redefining how you care for yourself, your workplace, or your community.

My Story

My journey in this work started when I was in high school. My mother was on a heart transplant waiting list and it led to me becoming a registered nurse. in 2007. My introduction with death started with of end-of-life conversations with mom and my grandmother early but it didn't prepare me for emotionally and mentally for mom's death in 2009.

Fastforward to March 17th, 2016. The moment that changed my life was the receiving the news of the death of my oldest son, Jeveontese Sr. It took me down to my core and I was left to redefine my life. In 2017 the death of my grandmother allowed be to see death not only through a traumatic lens but a beautiful one too. During this redefining journey, I became aware I have been living in survival mode and functioning in autopilot. No longer wanting to stay in that place, with support of therapy and building a "toolbox" of coping and living skills, my transformation started.

This was the catalyst that started the birth of several ideas to expanding work into the community. Redefining Life Services Inc, the nonprofit with a mission to provide services to enhance the wellbeing of individuals in communities impacted by trauma. Dignity With Departure LLC was the end-of-life focus venture that provided education and support centered around death, dying, and grief. Blue Lotus Life LLC focus was centered around holistic wellness and healing.

I believe in any service offering, your first client should be you. In the journey I have been in positions to take risks and made difficult choices to improve my wellbeing that included changing jobs and leaving traditional work settings that were contributing to burnout and moral distress. Now you can find me educating and empowering individuals, groups, and organizations to navigate redefining the "human experience". I accomplish this by combining my education and experience creating and providing classes, presentation, workshops, and program developments that puts the human first in life, loss, and healing in all settings.

Experience | Training | Affiliation

Over 17 years of experience as a registered nurse
End-of-Life Doula training Lifespan Doula Association (2018)
Advance Care Planning Facilitator (2018)
Death Café Affiliate (2018)
Registered Yoga Teacher (2020)
Certified Grief Counselor (2023)
Certified Perinatal Yoga Teacher (2023)
Trauma-Informed Practitioner (2023)
Clinical and Grief Support Specialist (2023)
Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher (2023)
Certified Thanatologist (2023)
Accessible Yoga Teacher (2024)
Restorative Yoga Teacher (2025)
National Home Funeral Alliance (member)
National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (member)
International Stillbirth Alliance (member)
The American Academy of Bereavement (member)
Association for Death Education and Counseling (member)
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Alliance (member)
Wisconsin Public Health Association (member)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (member)

Projects | Presentations

Clinic attendance policy development
Perinatal and Infant Loss Bereavement Support Program Development for African American Breastfeeding Network (since 2019)
It's Too Soon Until It's Too Late: The Value of Advance Directive Presentation (2019) Health Fair New Covenant Baptist Church
Black Grief Is Different Presentation: Comforting Through Covid Webinar (2020)
Creator and facilitator of Grief, Perinatal Loss, and the Role of the Doula Workshop (2020)
Coping with Anxiety Presentation (2020) Covid Relief Wellness Retreat Event
Caring for Yourself Naturally Presentation (2020) Alzheimer's Association - Milwaukee Caregiver's Event
Dealing with Perinatal Loss During the Holidays Presentation (2020) African American Breastfeeding Network
Stress and Black Women Presentation (2021) Molson Coors
Perinatal Loss and the Role of the Doula Presentation (2022) African American Breastfeeding Network
Organizer and facilitator of African American Breastfeeding Network's Wave of Light event (since 2022)
Case Management and the Long-Term Effects of Covid Presentation (2023) Concordia University Wisconsin
Consultant for City of Milwaukee Health Department for revision of Fetal Infant Mortality Review Parental Interviewer position. (2023)
Caring for Professionals Who Care for Caregivers Presentation (2023) Wisconsin Caregiver Support Community Statewide Webinar
Consultant for City of Milwaukee Health Department for development for Fetal Infant Mortality Review Community Action Team (2024)
Companioning at the End-of-Life Presentation (2024)
Healing Through Movement Presentation (2024) Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
The Grief I Didn't Know I Had Presentation (2024) Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
The Culture of Care: Self-Care, Caring for Others, and Creating Nurturing Environments Presentation (2024) Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Caregiver's Grief Resource Development Project for Milwaukee County Aging Disability Resource Center (2024)
Caregiver's Garden: Growing Mindfulness (2024) Alzheimer's Association - Milwaukee Caregiver's Event
Navigating the Unknown: Empowering Caregiver with Practical Coping and Self-Care Tools Presentation (2024)
Self-Care for School Social Workers Presentation (2024) Wisconsin School Social Workers Association Conference
Sustaining Strength: Managing Trauma and Burnout in Maternal Health Work Presentation (2025) Wisconsin Fulfilling the Promise Conference
Consultant for State of Wisconsin Maternal Health Innovation Grant Strategic Planning Team (2024)

The Meaning Behind Our Logo

Our logo is more than design—it’s a reflection of the work we do and the lives we touch

Every element was intentionally crafted to represent the essence of Shantell Riley Consulting: guiding life’s journeys, one transition at a time.

The Spiral & Tree

The spiral speaks to growth, evolution, and the natural cycles of life—from beginning to end, and everything in between.
The tree, with its deep roots and expansive branches, honors our connections—to each other, to healing, and to the possibility of renewal.

The Open Hand

The upward-facing hand is a gesture of care and presence. It holds space for grief, for change, for becoming.
In its palm, light and growth emerge—representing how we nurture strength, self-trust, and transformation in individuals and communities.

The Wave & Flowing Lines

The wave reminds us that healing isn’t linear. Life ebbs and flows, and so does grief.
These flowing lines echo our holistic and compassionate approach—anchored in truth, responsive to change, and always moving toward restoration.