Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawna Camilleri.
Hi Shawna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began through personal loss, which completely shifted how I understood grief and support. What I experienced was that while people genuinely care, they often don’t know how to show up—and that gap can make an already difficult time feel even more isolating.
From that, I created Keenan’s Caring Konnections, a space centered around connection, conversation, and understanding. What started as small, informal gatherings has naturally grown into a supportive community where bereaved parents can come as they are—whether to share, listen, or simply be in the presence of others who understand.
Over time, the work has expanded beyond just supporting parents. I’ve seen how important it is to also guide the people around them—friends, family, and communities—so they feel more confident in how to show up during grief. That’s led to more facilitated conversations, community outreach, and now speaking engagements, all rooted in the same intention: creating spaces where grief is met with compassion rather than discomfort.
Alongside this, I’ve spent the past decade building and leading Shawna’s Basket Brigade, a community-driven initiative focused on giving back. That experience has deeply shaped how I approach this work—grounded in connection, consistency, and the belief that small, thoughtful actions can have a meaningful impact.
Where I am today feels like a natural evolution of all of that—continuing to create space, expand conversations, and build something that meets people where they are, in a way that feels real and supportive.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but in many ways, that’s what has shaped the work into what it is today.
Grief itself isn’t linear, and building something rooted in that space comes with its own emotional weight. There have been moments of uncertainty—wondering how to grow something so personal in a way that still feels respectful, sustainable, and aligned. Balancing heart and structure has been one of the biggest challenges.
Another layer has been navigating how to talk about grief in a way that invites people in, rather than overwhelms them. It’s a topic people often want to support but don’t always know how to approach, so finding the right tone and creating spaces that feel safe—not heavy—has taken time and intention.
There have also been the typical challenges of building anything from the ground up—figuring things out as I go, wearing many hats, and learning how to expand thoughtfully without losing the essence of what made it meaningful in the first place.
But each of those challenges has also brought clarity. It’s reinforced that this work isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating something real, consistent, and genuinely helpful for the people who need it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work centers around creating spaces for connection and understanding around grief—particularly for bereaved parents and the people who want to support them.
Through Keenan’s Caring Konnections, I specialize in facilitating conversations that feel approachable, unpressured, and real. Rather than focusing on fixing or explaining grief, I focus on creating environments where people can simply be—whether that means sharing, listening, or just sitting in the presence of others who understand. At the same time, a meaningful part of my work is helping friends, family members, and communities feel more confident in how to show up, so support feels more natural and less uncertain.
What I’ve become known for is the tone of these spaces. They are intentionally calm, grounded, and non-intimidating—something that allows people to engage without feeling overwhelmed. It’s less about structured programming and more about creating a feeling of ease, trust, and connection.
What I’m most proud of is how organically this has grown. What started as a small idea has turned into a community where people feel comfortable returning, opening up, and even bringing others along. That kind of trust isn’t something you can force—it’s something that builds over time, and it’s been incredibly meaningful to witness.
What sets this work apart is the focus on both sides of grief—the person experiencing it and the people surrounding them. By creating space for both, it not only supports individuals but also strengthens the way communities show up for one another.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I tend to gravitate toward resources that feel grounding rather than overwhelming—things that create space rather than try to “fix” anything.
For podcasts, I’ve found a lot of value in shows like The Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, which blends mindfulness with practical support for navigating loss, and Griefcast, which brings a more conversational and human approach to grief through real stories and even moments of lightness. Podcasts like these help normalize the experience in a way that feels accessible and real.
I also appreciate simple mindfulness tools. Apps like Headspace and Calm can be helpful—not in a structured way, but as a way to take a moment to reset, breathe, and reconnect.
In terms of books, I’m drawn to ones that approach grief in a more expansive way. Second Firsts offers a perspective on how life can continue to evolve after loss, rather than focusing only on coping.
More than anything, though, what supports me most is staying connected—to people, to conversation, and to spaces that feel genuine. I think there’s a lot of value in resources, but I’ve found that real connection is often what makes the biggest difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caringkonnections.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenans_caring_konnections/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586669802693
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnacamilleri/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Bob8kSHHe/
Image Credits
Siera Rivera
