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Connect with Deric!
Deric Milligan: Co-Founder and Executive Director

Deric graduated with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Music Performance from Northwestern University and the University of Michigan, respectively.  He enjoyed a professional career as a band director and then as a professional trumpeter as a member of the West Point Band.  Deric's life was changed drastically in 2003 when his wife, Kristen, was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer.  Apart from his time-consuming role as caregiver, he felt led to alter his professional aspirations.  Deric and Kristen founded Inheritance of Hope in 2007, and after completing an MBA (with distinction) from New York University's Stern School of Business, Deric became the Executive Director of Inheritance of Hope.  His passion is for serving and supporting families like his, families living with a parent battling a life-threatening illness.

Deric lives with his three children in North Carolina.

Connect with Candice!

Candice Walsh: Director, Team Inheritance of Hope

Candice graduated with a BA in Business Administration from Peace College and will earn her Master of Social Work degree from Western Carolina University in May 2013.  After losing her mother to cancer at age 16, Candice knew that she wanted to dedicate her life to serving families like hers.  During her mother's illness, Candice longed to meet other teenagers and other families who were in similar situations.  Her family needed a community of support, and Candice recognizes firsthand the life-changing experience that occurs through a Legacy Retreat.  She finds great joy in serving with Team Inheritance of Hope to ensure that more families receive the support they so desperately need.

Candice lives with her husband, Sean, in North Carolina.
Connect with Lisa!
Lisa Duscio: Coordinator, Team Inheritance of Hope

Lisa graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Materials and Logistics Management. She has worked in management for IBM, has owned and operated both a veterans / seniors home and a bed & breakfast, and is currently the Team Coordinator for Team Inheritance of Hope. Her heart is also wrapped up in her roles as wife and mother. Since a life-threatening diagnosis in 2001, Lisa has had a passion for fitness and nutrition. She has participated in 2 sprint triathlons and 3 marathons, and she hopes to participate in many more; however, her duties with Team Inheritance of Hope often keep her on the sidelines, cheering on her team.  Lisa has a heart for each and every Team IOH runner, and she has a heart for the families, particularly the children, served by Inheritance of Hope.

Lisa lives with her husband, Tony, and her daughter in North Carolina.

Connect with Jill!
Jill Thompson: Director, Legacy Retreats®

Jill graduated from Fairleigh Dickenson University with a BS degree and has worked as a Physical Therapy assistant.  She cherishes her roles of wife, mother, and friend, and she aptly describes herself as a natural-born cheerleader.  Her spirit is full, her voice is loud, and her smile is contagious.  Her heart is tender for all those who struggle, and she is not one to sit by when she sees a need.  Jill's life has been touched by life-threatening illness through the experience of loved ones, and she has always been the first at the door to lend support and encouragement.  Her gifts, her talents, and her extraordinary heart have greatly blessed Inheritance of Hope and each family we have been honored to serve since Jill accepted the position of Legacy Retreat Director -- a position that is a perfect fit for her.

Jill lives with her husband, Adam, and their two children in Georgia.

Connect with Meredith!

Meredith McDaniel: Lead Counselor

Meredith graduated from North Carolina State University with a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration in "Religious, Social, & Psychological Aspects of the Family."  She also has a Master of Arts degree in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina and works in private practice, mostly counseling teenagers and college students.  In college, through attending counseling herself, she felt called to pursue her dream of helping others reach their goals of experiencing full life through examining their personal story.  She falls more in love with the ministry of Inheritance of Hope after serving on each Legacy Retreat.  Meredith is our Lead Counselor, and she authors the blog "Hope at Home."  Her role enables her to train other counselors to serve families who attend Legacy Retreats.  She also serves families after Legacy Retreats by connecting them to longer term support in their hometowns.

Meredith also partners with her husband, Ben, in a non-denominational ministry to high school students called Young Life.  She spends most hours of the day chasing around her three young children in North Carolina.


Connect with Rebecca!

Rebecca Dix: Project Assistant

Rebecca graduated from Houghton College with a degree in Biology.  After playing basketball, field hockey, soccer, and softball in high school, she continued her athletic career by playing soccer in college.  In addition to her love of sports, she enjoys helping others in any way she is able.  Rebecca has served on several missions trips including a trip to Mexico and sports ministry trips to Ethiopia and Costa Rica.  After graduating from Houghton, Rebecca took the opportunity to serve as a volunteer on an Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat.  Since that first experience with Inheritance of Hope, she has been impressed with the organization’s desire to serve families and to help ease the burdens that they carry all the time. A desire to further this mission and reach more families brought Rebecca back to volunteer on many Legacy Retreats.  She eventually took on a consistent role, helping Inheritance of Hope "behind the scenes" on a regular basis.  Her outstanding gifts of organization, attention to detail, thoroughness, responsibility, and patience make her an excellent part of our team.  Rebecca’s heart for serving others and her athletic interests are now focused toward running half and full marathons to raise money and support for Inheritance of Hope.
Connect with Aaron!
Aaron Hedges: Director, Technology and Support

Aaron graduated from Carson-Newman College with a degree in math and Spanish and has served in various ministries from Kids Across America in Missouri, to missionary work with Pioneers in Bolivia, and finally to New York, where his hands have been in the development of Inheritance of Hope since its earliest days.  Aaron's focus is now on the technology of the Inheritance of Hope website, where he finds ways to better serve our families.  However, his role is not simply behind the scenes.  Aaron's heart for each of the families is seen through his selfless and sincere service during our Legacy Retreats.  The children LOVE him!  Aaron is pictured with his wife, Allison, who shares his heart for serving families.  In addition to his work with Inheritance of Hope, Aaron is also working to complete his Master of Divinity from Mercer University's McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia.  Aaron's gifts and talents ensure success in whatever he feels led to pursue, but our prayer is to keep Aaron with Inheritance of Hope for many years to come!