Kirsten DeLeo, author of “Present Through The End. A Caring Companion’s Guide for Accompanying the Dying”, Shambhala Publications. Kirsten is lead faculty of “Authentic Presence”, a professional certificate in contemplative end-of-life care that was launched at Naropa University, Boulder/CO and now runs as an independent training (authentic-presence.org).  Kirsten has been teaching in the field of contemplative care for more than twenty-five years, and has served dying patients and their families in various healthcare settings. Kirsten has been immersed in Tibetan Buddhist practice for over twenty years. She is a member of the Buddhist Ministry Work Group, an initiative of Harvard School of Divinity and international trainer with the Spiritual Care Programme (spcare.org). Kirsten lives with her husband near Dzogchen Beara Buddhist Meditation Centre in West Cork/Ireland.