Our Team
Founding Director & Board President
Amber is a Dying & Death Educator and Community Health Leader with 25 years of experience in international medical research, public policy, and community programs. Through her volunteer work with hospice and palliative care organizations worldwide—from Ghana to Australia to Buffalo—she recognized that too many of us miss the opportunity to live the end of our lives the way we wish we would have. She founded A Storied Life to bring neighbors together for informational and spiritual preparation around death, creating safe spaces where community members share stories and truly listen to one another.
Amber L. Sastry, MPP
Board of Directors
Wendy Ayers, RN, MPH - Vice President
Wendy serves as a local school nurse and has been a dedicated Registered Nurse since 2011. Her extensive healthcare experience spans hospitals, community health centers, hospice, pediatric centers, the VA, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She earned her Master of Public Health in 2019 and played a pivotal role in A Storied Life's initial Story Circle pilot program, providing instrumental insights that helped refine the initiative.
Julie brings over 20 years of social work experience across foster care, medical settings, and preventative services. She spent 16 years as a School Social Worker specializing in disability support and trauma-informed care, and currently works in student services while providing family counseling. Julie is passionate about helping students, families, and educators through practical, compassionate, and creative approaches.
Julie Vinkle, LCSW - Secretary
Paul serves as Vice President of Finance at Elderwood Administrative Services, bringing over 20 years of healthcare financial management experience. His background spans long-term care, non-profit organizations, community hospitals, and home health agencies. Paul specializes in financial planning, revenue cycle management, and operational excellence, with a hands-on leadership style focused on mentoring staff and driving strategic innovation in senior care services.
Paul Vinkle, MBA - Treasurer
Volunteers
Suzanne Christ is a nurse with over 50 years of experience in healthcare, from newborn care to end-of-life support. She served as Director of the freestanding hospice unit in Alden with Hospice Buffalo and pioneered hospice and palliative care services at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about helping people share their complete stories, believing that "we all have complex pieces that we might not show" and that speaking these truths is essential for healing. Her own transformative experience as a Story Circle participant inspired her to become a co-facilitator, and she remains committed to community care through her volunteer work and church involvement.