Westfield Resident Named Treasurer, Imagine Board of Trustees

Dave Burns, a resident of Westfield for 15 years, has been named treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, opening May 7th in Westfield.  

Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual in 2011 where he specializes in Asset & Income Protection, Disability Income Insurance, Special Needs Planning and Long-Term Care Insurance, Dave spent close to 20 years in the investment management industry where he was a portfolio manager and international equities trader, and earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst ®. He graduated from Siena College in 1984 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Management and was a member of their NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse team.

Dave is married to his wife Patrice of 22 years and has two children, Kristen and David. In addition to his work with Imagine, he serves on the advisory boards of The Paul Jackson Fund and TheAlternativePress.com. He also volunteers at Junior Achievement of New Jersey, is a youth coach for the Westfield Lacrosse Club and is a graduate coach at Dale Carnegie Training. Additionally, Dave is the founder of Volition, a Westfield based networking group whose members maintain a local business presence and strive to be a positive influence in the lives of others throughout the community.

“A series of losses that occurred in my life from 1999 to 2004 are what drew me to the mission of Imagine,” said Burns.  “ In 1999 my father died due to melanoma, and then on September 11th, 2001 I was fortunate to escape the south tower from the 94th floor but 87 of my colleagues and friends did not.  Then, in 2004 my mother died from pancreatic cancer. These experiences taught me the importance of having a personal support system, to value each and every personal and professional relationship, to find things in life to be passionate about and to endeavor to make a difference in the lives of others.”

“My goal is not only to ensure that Imagine has the financial stability to provide its services to those in need for years to come but to also serve as its ambassador, ensuring that our communities are aware of what Imagine has to offer and that children and adults find in us a place that welcomes them with open arms, embraces them in their hour of need, and helps them heal.”

Imagine provides free year-round peer support groups for children age 3-18 who have had a parent or sibling die with concurrent groups for parents and guardians.  Free support groups are also available for young adults 18 and up who have had a friend, sibling or parent die.  For more information about Imagine visit their website at www.imaginenj.orgor contact info@imaginenj.org or 908-264-3100.