Our Team
Founding Director & Board President
Amber L. Sastry, MPP
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.
Board of Directors
Wendy Ayers, RN, MPH - Vice President
Wendy serves as Nurse Care Manager at Kaleida Health 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 Vinkle, LCSW - Secretary
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.
Paul Vinkle, MBA - Treasurer
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.
Rev. Father Nadeem Yaqoob, MDiv, CPT
Father Nadeem serves on the Spiritual Care Team at Niagara Hospice, as Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve, and as Pastor of Holy Trinity National Catholic Church in Woodlawn, NY. Ordained in Rome in 2012, he has served internationally across four countries and holds a Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Pontifical Gregorian University, where he also taught. He is certified in Clinical Pastoral Education and brings deep experience in providing spiritual care across diverse communities.