• Some journeys begin with a map. Others begin with a calling. 

    For Holly Strelzik, Center for the Heart was not just an idea—it was a necessity born from personal experience, deep empathy, and an unwavering belief that no one should navigate the end-of-life journey alone. 

    Holly’s path to this work was shaped by love, loss, and the profound realization that grief and dying are not just medical events, but deeply human experiences. Like so many, she witnessed firsthand the gaps in our society’s approach to death—where families struggle in silence, where conversations about end-of-life are avoided, and where the emotional and spiritual needs of those passing, and those left behind, often go unspoken. 

    Determined to change this, Holly immersed herself in the world of grief support and end-of-life care, seeking wisdom from traditional practices, modern hospice work, and community-based healing. She trained as an end-of-life doula, guided families through some of their most vulnerable moments, and listened to stories of loss, love, and resilience. 

    But it wasn’t enough. She knew that true change required more than one-on-one care—it demanded a movement. 

    The Birth of Center for the Heart 

    Holly envisioned a place where people could access compassionate, grief-informed support no matter their income or circumstances. A place where end-of-life doulas, grief educators, and community advocates could come together to ensure that no one faces death or grief alone. 

    And so, Center for the Heart was born. 

    Today, through end-of-life doula services, grief-informed school programs, and community workshops, Center for the Heart is redefining how we talk about, prepare for, and experience loss. It is a safe space for those seeking comfort, guidance, and a sense of peace in life’s most profound moments. 

    Holly’s work is a testament to the belief that healing begins with human connection. That a gentle hand, an open heart, and a willingness to hold space can transform even the most difficult transitions into moments of grace. 

    This is her calling. This is her mission. This is Center for the Heart. 

Holly’s work is a testament to the belief that healing begins with human connection. That a gentle hand, an open heart, and a willingness to hold space can transform even the most difficult transitions into moments of grace. 

This is her calling. This is her mission. This is Center for the Heart. 

Meet the Team

At Center for the Heart, genuine connection isn’t just a goal—it’s part of how we work, every day.

We’re a diverse team of creative professionals who care deeply about people and our community. We bring a wide range of talents and experiences to the table, and we show up with curiosity, dedication, and a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact.

Outside the office, we’re just as varied—our interests range from yoga, massage therapy, and environmental advocacy to art, orchids, weightlifting, volleyball, knitting, and mountain climbing. But what truly ties us together is a love and a genuine interest for people and the world around us.

Center for the Heart is a place where we collaborate, grow, and support one another. And as our team expands, so does our ability to serve the community in even more meaningful ways.  

Kristina, Doula Navigator Lead

Christophe, Financial Advisor, Probono

Sierra, CEO

Natalia, Associate Director

Frances, Program Manager

Delaney, Social Media Manager

Leah, Community Partnerships Assistant

Ashley, Executive Assistant

Click below to learn more about us!

  • Sierra is a nonprofit leader and social entrepreneur with more than 10 years of experience as a management consultant and a decade in chief executive roles. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Center for the Heart, where she leads the organization in fulfilling its vision: to ensure that compassionate end-of-life care is available to all, and that no one dies alone.

    Throughout her career, Sierra has guided organizations through times of significant growth, transition, and challenge. With a breadth of expertise spanning strategic planning, finance, operations, marketing, fundraising, and organizational leadership, she has launched several businesses, built dozens of brands, and led statewide coalitions. In her work as a turnaround consultant, she dedicated herself to scaling and revitalizing struggling organizations, always with a clear focus on mission-driven impact.

    In addition to her business leadership, Sierra brings to C4TH a background in the health and wellness field and the grief therapy community. She has spent a lifetime working alongside and advocating for under-resourced communities, driven by a personal commitment to equity, dignity, and accessible services for all.

    Personally, Sierra is a self-proclaimed “hobby queen,” always diving into new interests that reflect her entrepreneurial spirit and love for creativity and holistic well-being. From yoga and meditation, gardening, and travel, her ever-growing list of passions keeps life full and vibrant. Deeply committed to service, Sierra continues to dedicate time and resources to causes close to her heart — especially those supporting under-resourced communities, the environment. She strives to weave her broad business experience and personal passions into work that makes a meaningful, lasting difference.

  • Natalia is a nonprofit leader with a passion for building partnerships and creating programs that drive community impact. She brings to her role over a decade of experience in organizational development, fundraising, marketing and strategic planning, having served as Executive Director of East Mt. Airy Neighbors and as a Senior Associate at ULI Philadelphia. Originally from the Jersey Shore and now based in Philadelphia, Natalia is a sustainability advocate who enjoys long walks in nature and spending time with her husband and daughter.

  • Frances, MSW, LSW, is the Program Manager at Center for the Heart, bringing over 20 years of experience in social work, including program monitoring, supervision, and direct clinical support. A Licensed Social Worker in the state of Georgia, Frances is deeply committed to compassionate, client-centered care and the thoughtful stewardship of programs that serve others.

    Frances earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religion from Emory University in 1995, followed by a Master of Social Work from Georgia State University in 2000. Her career has spanned a range of roles, consistently focused on strengthening programs and improving outcomes for individuals and families in need.

    Frances lives in Bogart, Georgia with her husband Darby, their dog Charlie, and cat Wonder. Together, they have three wonderful adult children and a daughter-in-law, and are embracing their new chapter as empty nesters. In her free time, Frances enjoys reading, tending to her garden, and is a self-proclaimed Gilmore Girls superfan.

  • Delaney is the Social Media Manager at Center for the Heart and has been part of the team since mid-2024. She graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Human Resources, but is now pursuing her passion for holistic healing by studying massage therapy. Outside of work, she enjoys weightlifting, creating and appreciating art, hiking, and diving into a good book. Deeply aligned with C4TH’s mission, Delaney is committed to serving her communities and spreading light and joy for years to come.

  • Leah is a compassionate and strategic leader dedicated to supporting families through life’s most tender transitions. As a seasoned operations expert and advocate for dignified end-of-life care, she brings heart-centered coordination to every initiative at Center for the Heart. Her work empowers the organization to provide seamless, non-medical support that honors each individual’s journey with empathy and grace.

  • Ashley is the Executive Assistant at Center for the Heart, bringing over a decade of experience supporting visionary founders and executives across corporate and nonprofit sectors. She blends strategic operations, IT expertise, and people-first leadership to streamline systems, manage complex projects, and keep teams aligned with their mission. Passionate about purpose-driven work, Ashley ensures our leadership can stay focused on creating meaningful impact.

  • Kristina brings 15 years of experience in family-centered support, including her ongoing role as a nanny consultant with one of the oldest and most established domestic staffing agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her background in personalized placement services drives her passion for supporting people through significant transitions—from welcoming new life to navigating end-of-life care. Outside of work she enjoys taking barre classes, competitive baking (she’s a two-time second-place cookie contest winner!), and spending quality time with her family and new puppy.

  • Christophe is a seasoned professional with a passion for developing financial models and solutions to help start-ups grow. He brings to C4TH extensive experience in operations and finance, garnered during a 25-year executive career working in retail with dozens of corporate brands such Procter & Gamble, Nestle, and General Mills. Christophe recently moved to the Philadelphia area from Lyon, France, and when not playing with numbers, he is committed to the environment and an active cyclist.