A Team Driven by Compassion & Experience
At Near we are a collective of compassionate, skilled individuals highly motivated by personal experience with loss, grief, and the realities of a broken system. Together we are working to improve the end of life for patients and caregivers through one-on-one navigation and support.
Founders

Christy Knutson
Christy’s work within end of life care began in 2006 when she managed programs and communications for an organization serving cancer patients, many through end of life. She has spent her career in marketing and communications bringing meaningful ideas to life. This work is deeply personal for Christy, who as a teenager was a primary caregiver for her grandmother living with Alzheimer’s and later, at the age of 22, lost her person to cancer after 4 years of illness.

Jane Butler
When Jane’s fiancé (now husband) was diagnosed with brain cancer at the young age of 24, they quickly learned the value of grief therapy in their own healing. Since then, she has spent her time in marketing and design, bringing brands and ideas to life through visual development. She has served alongside startups and non-profits bringing dignity to the lives of all people. Jane believes strategic design can play a key role in guiding us all toward the support we need.
Board of Advisors

Shoshana Ungerleider, MD
End Well Founder

Trenor Williams, MD
CEO and Co-Founder at Socially Determined

Alua Arthur
Going with Grace Founder

Claire Bidwell Smith
Grief Expert & Author

Renee DeSilva
CEO at The Health Management Academy