Meet the Chaston Centre Founders

Karen’s journey led her down the corporate path until the day life’s weight came crashing down upon her. The ceaseless balancing act of managing work, family, a lavish home, cars, and the resultant stress had been wearing her thin long before tragedy struck. In July 2011, her world was shattered by the sudden and unexpected death of her 27-year-old son, Dan, right at her doorstep.

Following Dan’s funeral, Karen resolutely returned to her demanding role as Chief Financial Officer in a Publicly Listed Company. She threw herself into work even more intensely, seeking solace in increased drinking and eating. She used every coping mechanism at her disposal to continue functioning and achieving at that high level.

In hindsight, Karen now recognizes that Dan’s passing was meant to be a wake-up call. The Universe chose this moment to reveal that death assumes many forms—loss of a loved one, a marriage, a job, a partnership, a pet, health, and wealth. Her second reckoning arrived 15 months later in the form of redundancy, as her company merged with another. This was the most profound blessing Karen had ever received. It gifted her the opportunity to pause, take a mindful breath, and reflect. Gazing at her reflection, she saw a stranger staring back.

That is when she started on the Journey to Becoming Her Own Best Friend. She very quickly

Swiftly, she understood that Dan’s presence was by her side, guiding each step. He had accrued wisdom and willingly shared it with her.

Together, they birthed The Chaston Centre’s initiatives—programs, webinars, books, podcasts, and TV shows.

These endeavors amalgamated Karen’s acquired wisdom (with Dan’s guidance) from her transformation: transitioning from an existence marred by monotony and ill health as a CFO to her current identity as an exuberant Beyond Loss Expert, International Best-Selling Author, and Global Speaker.

Karen and Dan enthusiastically unveil their newfound outlook, demonstrating how one can readily embrace Life and Love each day. They advocate harmonizing the nine spheres of existence—mental, physical, financial, familial, social, spiritual, emotional, and environmental—through the Live Love By Design 4 Pillars.

Karen’s personal experiences and her aspiration to redefine loss—both individually and within workplaces—form the bedrock of all Chaston Centre programs.

As individuals internaliae these principles, they can transcend various types of loss and forge improved daily lives.

For corporations, adopting these principles unlocks the nexus between people and profits. This ensures that employees consistently operate at their prime, valuing one another while delivering optimum customer experiences and enhancing corporate returns.

Her guiding motto encapsulates her philosophy: “Life is too fleeting to be ‘held prisoner by any form of loss. Unwrap the blessings it brings, then architect a life that is both lived and loved, each and every day.”