Have you lost someone dear to you? A business? A relationship? Your independence? Yourself?
I have. All of them. In six months. In 2023.
I’m Sheena Hemens. In 2023 I lost my daughter suddenly when she was hit by a ute. I know what it feels like when everything falls apart at once — because it happened to me. If you recognise yourself in my story please know – you can come back from this. I know, because I had to.
If you’re looking for someone who genuinely understands what you’re going through, then I am so grateful you found me.
My grief journey has made me aware that our system does not support people experiencing bereavement in the workplace. We currently get 3 days Bereavement Leave. 3 days!!!! My background as a business owner and as a bereaved Mother gives me a unique perspective here and so I have started a Parliamentary Petition to increase the minimum bereavement leave entitlement to ten days for the death of an immediate family member, including extended whānau and de facto relationship partners.
This affects ALL New Zealanders. Grief deserves more than a long weekend. Sign the Petition and update this old and out of date law.
See Full Petition and SIGN HereTestimonials
In brief
Two conversations. One woman. One extraordinary story.
I speak about resilience and belonging — two things I’ve had to fight for my entire life. They’re not separate topics. They grew from the same ground, shaped by the same experiences, and they speak to anyone who has ever lost something — or someone — and wondered how to go on.
Whether you’re an event organiser looking for someone who will genuinely move your audience, a business wanting a speaker or facilitator for a workshop or conference who connects and challenges, or you’re simply someone going through your own hard time — I know I can help you.
“The foundations of our resilience are built brick by brick — every hard thing you’ve lived through was a gold brick – strengthening your resilience muscle.”
What Sheena Offers
For events. For organisations. For anyone going through it.
Grief/Resilience Speaking
Keynotes and workshops built around the THRIVE framework. Raw, real, and practically useful. For anyone facing adversity — in life or in business. Grief Fluency Workshops for business.
Diversity & inclusion facilitation
The Only One in the Room — a talk about belonging that doesn’t lecture or make anyone defensive. It just makes people see what it’s like if you are different and how to help – them and yourself.
Beyond three days
A Petition to increase the minimum bereavement leave entitlement to ten days for the death of an immediate family member, including extended whānau and de facto relationship partners; and enable those who have suffered a bereavement to have a more flexible return to work.