Meet our Team!

 Juli Schragel is the founder of Billy’s Place. She is the Director of Care and Compassion and works with Billy's Place families as she is the first point of contact thru intake.  She is invested in continually learning - not only from her own journey and that of her son, though expanding her knowledge on how to best help the children and families of Billy's Place. She has completed extensive training in grief support including multiple seminars and workshops from a world-renowned grief expert , Alan Wolfelt. Since 2012, Juli has successfully managed all aspects of the organization since inception and is involved on a daily basis.

Juli grew up in the Chicago area and moved out to AZ in 2008. She remarried after the loss of her husband and loves on their 4 childen and two dogs who she often considers her kids!  Juli spends her time active in her church, relaxing with friends and family and volunteering in her community.  She has a passion for helping, loving and encouraging others who are hurting.  The title of Director of Care and Compassion is so perfect for her! 

Kris Friedman is the Executive Director of Billy’s Place. Through her own experiences encountering the death of her father as a teenager and watching a dear friend’s child deal with the loss of his father at an early age, she is passionate about helping children as they walk along their grief journey. Kris has been a business owner with an extensive marketing and fund-development background. She attended numerous seminars including the yearly National Alliance for Grieving Children and continuing education from Dr. Alan Wolfelt. 

Kris began Billy’s Place with the founder, Juli Schragel, in 2012. Grieving teens hold a special place in her heart and she continues to help lead the teen group as well as the YA Grief group. Kris manages the day to day operations of Billy's Place as well as fund development, grant writing, curriculum, outreach, and overseeing the staff of 4, and interns. She grew up in the Chicago area, is an avid Bears fan along with her husband, 4 kids, 2 grand kids and 3 fur babies!! To say she loves helping others is an understatement as her heart is with each and every family that walks through Billy's Place door. 

Hannah Hunter is the Executive Assistant of Billy's Place. She first started volunteering with Billy's Place in January of 2017, and after working with the amazing volunteers and families, she realized she wanted to help as much as she could. In the Fall of 2017, she began interning with Billy’s Place through ASU, and once that was completed she was hired as the Administrative Assistant. She now completes a wide range of tasks from creating flyers for events, to filing the bookkeeping, to running Kid’s Kicking Back Night (her favorite way to have fun while connecting with the kiddos). 

Hannah has worked with kids since she was 15 and has always been passionate about helping her friends and family through seasons of change. She graduated from ASU in the Spring of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development, and is now getting Health and Life Coach certified. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her friends and family, read, and play with her 3 dogs. Working with Billy’s Place fills her heart with joy, and she is so excited to continue walking alongside the strong, brave, inspiring individuals she has met here. 

Melody is a wife, mother of 3 and grandmother of 8. She was a volunteer at Billy’s Place before joining the staff and especially loves the “Littles”. 

Melody has worked in the early childhood field for 25 years. Many of those years she gave leadership and oversight to hundreds of volunteers. She recruited, trained and supported them, helping them to find the area where they could make a positive and rewarding contribution. She provided encouragement, opportunity and good communication, creating a solid foundation for success. 

Melody also has years of experience as a director of programs. She brings positive structure, creative systems, effective communication and curriculum insight to help Billy’s Place continue to develop meaningful peer group programs for our families. 

Melody loves helping people and giving them opportunity for further growth and development. She’s excited to be on the Billy’s Place staff and help them as they help others.