The 820 Foundation seeks to dramatically increase the number of Americans who have made end-of-life decisions early, thus avoiding the pitfalls of their state’s rules and regulations.

The 820 Foundation was started by Meredith Flint Sowers Koen whose relationship with her first husband, Seth, was tragically altered by an accident that left him immobile and nonverbal. Koen vulnerably, publically shares details of her life in an effort to urge couples and individuals to engage in end-of-life planning for themselves and for their family members. The 820 Foundation exists to educate, inspire, and empower individuals to see end-of-life planning as a part of life. The foundation provides tips, tools, and expert advice to simplify the planning process for all.

About Our Founder

Portrait of 820 Foundation founder, Meredith Flint Sowers Koen

A seasoned entrepreneur, Meredith Flint Sowers Koen has owned and operated Flip-Flop Gymnastics in her hometown of Rolla, Missouri since 2004. Tragically, in 2009, her life changed in an instant when her husband, Seth, was in an automobile accident, which left him incapacitated with a traumatic brain injury. This-life altering experience led Meredith to found the 820 Foundation, which exists to educate, inspire, and empower individuals to see end-of-life planning as a part of life. She hopes to use her tragedy to help others avoid the pitfalls of putting emergency planning on the back burner. More importantly, she wishes to show others the kind of love Christ blessed her with as she’s navigated life’s twists and turns. Meredith is wife to Jared Koen and mom to Tucker and Lemon, the most awesome kids in the world. She and her family still reside in Rolla within walking distance of family and life-long friends. 

End-of-Life planning is for everyone, regardless of age and life stage.

OUR TEAM

Board Members:

Alee Anderson
Alee AndersonSecretary
Alee Anderson is a world-renowned ghostwriter and editor who specializes in books on processing acute trauma and loss. Her
clients have been published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, HarperCollins, BenBella Books, Simon & Schuster, and more, and are represented by some of the top literary agents in the industry. Her books have been heralded as breathtaking works of art that shape cultural conversation and catalyze change. In addition to her work with beloved clients, Alee owns and operates a youth mentorship platform called Hey! Young Writer, which boasts 11,000 followers on Instagram. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three beautiful children, Maddy, Lucas, and Millie.
Jeff Burns
Jeff BurnsLegal Counsel
Jeff Burns is a founding partner of Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, L.C., a plaintiff’s personal injury firm located in Kansas City, with a national practice. Jeff has focused his practice for the past 30 years on representing victims of Big-Rig Truck Crashes and working in Washington D.C. to improve trucking statutes and regulations with a goal of making our highways safer. Jeff has seen first-hand the difficulties crash-victim families encounter when a loved one is unexpectedly seriously injured, and hopes that the work of The 820 Foundation can help alleviate some of the unnecessary complications that arise when helpful documentation is not available.
Alhesha Lane Whitmire
Alhesha Lane WhitmireTreasurer
Alhesha Lane Whitmire is a wife (widowed and remarried), mother of three fiercely independent children and (finally!) has received the title of grandmother. She is a Grief Educator with a desire to help people to grieve well so that they can live well again after loss. She and her husband work for Rural Compassion, a non-profit, humanitarian, ministry organization that brings education, resources and encouragement to small (and often poverty stricken) communities in rural America. Her hobbies include reading and hiking. Her love language is bbq which has made her add gym attendance to her hobbies.

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