Honorable Legacy Leadership
S. J. Nechama
President and CEO
S. J. Nechama (neh-HAA-mah) oversees the operations, strategic direction, and fundraising for Honorable Legacy.
During her time as a Funeral Director and Embalmer, S. J. Nechama, took a deep interest in the Guests of Honor and their Bereaved. Who are they? What did they do? What was their contribution? What did they give? What did they take? How can we be there for their Grieving? Honor for the Dead and Support for the Bereaved became the cornerstone of her work.
S. J also noticed a great discrepancy between those that had Support, Grief resources, Death Awareness, Community and Information and those that did not. There was a great deal of mistrust, misconception, Unresolved Grief, End-Life Decision regrets, lack of support and an overall misunderstanding in Humanity’s greatest unifying factor-Death-
The experiences of grieving families, friends and death-care professionals coupled with years of intense research inspired Honorable Legacy. She researched and piloted the programs: Honorable Legacy Empowers® Honorable Legacy Cares® Honorable Legacy Shares® Honor Forward® Honorable Legacy Acknowledges® Finally! people can have access to information and an opportunity to participate in death as a cause by turning their empathy in action.
S. J Combines her Love for Humanity, Entrepreneurial spirit, Sustainable Philanthrophy,Management skills and Educational background to lead Honorable Legacy. She believes that all people have the right to learn about death and Legacy.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Central Florida, A degree in Funeral Directing and Embalming from St. Petersburg College, under the leadership of Kevin Davis, and an MBA from The University of Florida. She is grateful for the teachers, professors, Colleagues and mentors that nourished her hopes of a death-mindful and empathetic world.
When S. J is not serving with Honorable Legacy, she can be found celebrating a Nursing Home resident’s Birthday.
Brian Williamson
Treasurer and CTO
Brian Williamson knew at a young age that computers would be his passion and upon acceptance into the University of Central Florida, pursued a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Computer Science. From there he worked as a software engineer for Lockheed Martin before transitioning to work in the space industry on embedded software. He has also worked as research support for UCF of which he has produced several publications.
Brian not only enjoys programming, but teaching it as well. At Valencia Community College he has worked as an adjunct professor for seven years and often comments that his favorite day of the week is the one he gets to spend in front of his students.
An avid learner, Brian has continued his education by learning more on management, accounting, and recently became a certified Funeral Director to help with his understanding of the Honorable Legacy mission. During his free time spent away from technology, Mr. Williamson enjoys painting miniatures and will gladly share any technique tips to those that are interested.
Brian joined the Honorable Legacy team, leveraging his technical experience as its CTO and serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer.
Phida Koljonen Cajuste
Secretary
Phida Koljonen Cajuste has been in the medical field for over 20 years and still enjoys each day that she spends helping someone to get better. Ms. Koljonen is a very compassionate person, caring, giving into love and known for taking care of her patients as members of her own family, in particular those whose family members have become estranged.
Recently, Phida returned to school to learn more about the instruments used within operating rooms to better assist doctors during surgery. Always seeking to help, she has been travelling the country to assist in the front line of the emergency relief effort for COVID-19 by providing COVID testing and vaccinations.
At the age of 52, Ms. Koljonen loves spending time outside of work with her two children; her daughter Jeanne and her son Miguel, along with her wonderful grandchildren: Angel, Jessany, Giovanni, Marcelo and Sophia.
Phida was enthusiastic to join the Honorable Legacy team given her natural empathy and concern for others. She currently serves on the Board of Directors as Secretary.
