Lost & Found Grief Center hires executive director

Lost & Found Grief Center has hired a new executive director to start this summer.

Mark Miller, who has worked in marketing and communications at Ozarks Technical Community College since 2014, is slated to take on the role at Lost & Found Grief Center on June 3, according to a news release.

Miller has personal experience with the nonprofit's services. He and his wife, Kelly, received counseling after the death of their son, Luke, to a seizure in 2019, according to the release.

“I am a living example of the healing power of grief counseling,” Miller said in the release. “After losing a child, you cannot imagine a future without them, but Lost & Found helped my family find a way forward. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this compassionate and caring staff.”

As executive director, Miller succeeds Mike Woody, who retired in 2023. Woody, who previously retired from Herschend Family Entertainment Corp., took over leadership of Lost & Found after the 2021 exit of Emily Givens, according to past reporting.

At OTC, Miller has served since 2020 as chief media relations officer, according to the school's website. Formerly Drury University’s spokesperson, he also has experience at KOZL and KOLR in Springfield.

Miller said via email that the job description for the position he's vacating at OTC has not been finalized. He said the position would be posted on OTC's website and on job search platforms, and applicants would go through multiple rounds of interviews.

At Lost & Found, Miller will lead a nonprofit with a 2024 operating budget of around $1 million and 13 employees, said Melanie Blair, the nonprofit's assistant executive director. The nonprofit provides grief support services for survivors of loved ones who have died.

"Mark’s experience with Lost & Found combined with his leadership style made him an excellent fit for the executive director position," said Josh Kitchin, Lost & Found board chair, in the release. "Mark’s communication skills and community connections will help drive awareness of our organization to those who can benefit from our services.”