Past & Upcoming
David's Events
Transforming final regrets into today’s wake-up calls—one story at a time.
CALA Conference
Featured Speaker - Debut Topic
We are humbled and overjoyed to announce that David has been selected to be a featured speaker at the 30th annual CALA (California Assisted Living Association) Conference, attended by over 1,000 professionals in the field of Senior Living. David’s presentation; “Supporting Residents In Their Final Journey” , is groundbreaking on many levels. It is the debut of the subject of Person-Centered End Of Life Care, the first of its kind on a CALA stage, the introduction of the role of a Death Doula in the world of Assisted Living and the first presentation by a Death Doula. Presentation description: If you could script your exit from life, what would that look like? No doubt, specific thoughts, images and ideas come to mind. The same can be said for residents who have envisioned and experienced much during their life journey. Through collaboration with residents, their family members, staff, hospice and other adjunct services, much can be done to support residents in their final days. Take a closer look at the death and dying process and examine uplifting examples of accompanying residents in their final days and in passing. You’ll leave better equipped to discover what matters most to residents and support them with compassion, empathy and respect during their final days.
CALA
We are humbled and overjoyed to announce that David has been selected to be a featured speaker at the 30th annual CALA (California Assisted Living Association) Conference, attended by over 1,000 professionals in the field of Senior Living. David’s presentation; “Supporting Residents In Their Final Journey” , is groundbreaking on many levels. It is the debut of the subject of Person-Centered End Of Life Care, the first of its kind on a CALA stage, the introduction of the role of a Death Doula in the world of Assisted Living and the first presentation by a Death Doula. Presentation description: If you could script your exit from life, what would that look like? No doubt, specific thoughts, images and ideas come to mind. The same can be said for residents who have envisioned and experienced much during their life journey. Through collaboration with residents, their family members, staff, hospice and other adjunct services, much can be done to support residents in their final days. Take a closer look at the death and dying process and examine uplifting examples of accompanying residents in their final days and in passing. You’ll leave better equipped to discover what matters most to residents and support them with compassion, empathy and respect during their final days.
8th Annual Deathfaire
Keynote - Moderator - Mock Burial
Multiple roles over the 3-day event attended by 500+ attendees. First, to open the event, Keynote speaker on the subject of “Tomorrow is Not Promised, Urgent Messages From Just Up the Road” - the wisdom of those who have gone before us. This presentation delves into the warnings and last minute deathbed guidance delivered by the over 1,000 patients David had the pleasure to have served as Doula. Although a heavy topic, David uses his gift of wel-timed humor and storytelling to make the subject matter easily relatable and digestible. His second role during this event was as Moderator for the Interfaith Panel on Death and Dying. And, last, to close the event, David orchestrated and presided over a Mock Green Burial which included an unforgettable, unexpected fully immersive interactive exercise that left everyone both stunned and inspired.
8th Annual Deathfaire
Multiple roles over the 3-day event attended by 500+ attendees. First, to open the event, Keynote speaker on the subject of “Tomorrow is Not Promised, Urgent Messages From Just Up the Road” - the wisdom of those who have gone before us. This presentation delves into the warnings and last minute deathbed guidance delivered by the over 1,000 patients David had the pleasure to have served as Doula. Although a heavy topic, David uses his gift of wel-timed humor and storytelling to make the subject matter easily relatable and digestible. His second role during this event was as Moderator for the Interfaith Panel on Death and Dying. And, last, to close the event, David orchestrated and presided over a Mock Green Burial which included an unforgettable, unexpected fully immersive interactive exercise that left everyone both stunned and inspired.
Harvard University
Keynote
Walking on the hallowed ground of one of the highest regarded learning institutions in the country, sent chills up David’s spine. Opening the heavy door to the auditorium that was standing room only converted the chills to butterflies. Little did he know that his presentation, which was set to simply open and support a day of learning and dialog about end of life care, would stir conversation among the prestigious Harvard faculty, leading to an invitation to return. David’s Keynote; “Urgent Messages From Just Up the Road”, sharing the wisdom of those who have gone before us and the many lessons learned from his 25 years as a Gerontologist and death doula stole the show. Despite his presentation being only 90 minutes, he was mobbed afterwards by students, alumni, faculty and visitors alike. The “afterglow” as he calls it, the period of time following his presentations where he makes himself available to his audience, lasted a record 8-hours, including an invitation to dinner and to a pub reminiscent of “Good Will Hunting”, where the conversation continued into the night. Initially intimidated by the setting, by the time he left Cambridge, he felt completely at home and vowed to return for a repeat performance.
Harvard University
Walking on the hallowed ground of one of the highest regarded learning institutions in the country, sent chills up David’s spine. Opening the heavy door to the auditorium that was standing room only converted the chills to butterflies. Little did he know that his presentation, which was set to simply open and support a day of learning and dialog about end of life care, would stir conversation among the prestigious Harvard faculty, leading to an invitation to return. David’s Keynote; “Urgent Messages From Just Up the Road”, sharing the wisdom of those who have gone before us and the many lessons learned from his 25 years as a Gerontologist and death doula stole the show. Despite his presentation being only 90 minutes, he was mobbed afterwards by students, alumni, faculty and visitors alike. The “afterglow” as he calls it, the period of time following his presentations where he makes himself available to his audience, lasted a record 8-hours, including an invitation to dinner and to a pub reminiscent of “Good Will Hunting”, where the conversation continued into the night. Initially intimidated by the setting, by the time he left Cambridge, he felt completely at home and vowed to return for a repeat performance.
The Commonwealth Club Keynote
Keynote
The holy grail of speaking venues, David was shocked when he was asked to speak at the Commonwealth Club so early in his speaking career. A member who had attended his presentation at a rotary function entitled, “I’ll Have the Plate of Chaos, Hold the Crisis, how to order in the long term care café” was so impressed that he was able to fast track David’s appearance. The Commonwealth Club being the stage for the likes of Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries of State, Authors, Film Stars and other Celebrities, David was honored to be among them. His keynote was simulcast live on KTLN television and KQED radio. After his presentation, he was invited to speak all over the country on the subject, including “The Carmel Foundation”, where he is currently a speaker in residence offering 5 different lectures a year which are simulcast virtually all over the world. He was also offered a consulting position with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing and several prominent large Assisted Living Providers.
PFAC Annual Conference
Keynote
When David got the invitation to speak as Keynote for the Professional Fiduciary Association of California’s annual conference, he thought they were looking for someone else. David knows little about the role of the fiduciary and even less about their day to day responsibilities. However, the association wanted a powerful and memorable keynote speaker to open the conference. One of the board members had been in attendance for his presentation: “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, little known facts about sexual expression among seniors in communal living settings” At first, given the audience and the 8am time slot, David was concerned that it was a mismatch. He soon found out that it was the perfect opener to their day. David was met with an overtly engaged audience who were highly interactive and riveted by the subject matter. David, a Gerontologist, Sexologist and Death Doula never would have guessed that fiduciaries would be among his biggest fans. The hall of approximately 1,000 attendees sounded like a baseball stadium during portions of his humorous but serious talk, leading to several invitations for talks for multiple chapter meetings throughout the years.
Holistic Pathways of Care
Keynote and Funshop Leader
Passionate about focusing on the most important person in the system of care for those at the end of life, the caregiver, this Symposium offered a day-long retreat including inspirational talks, fully immersive funshops and rejuvenating exercises to keep the batteries of the caregivers charged. David’s Keynote Speech titled, “Go Fly Your Kite, a field guide for the living”, showcased excerpts from his book of a similar title, inspiring caregivers to live their best lives in pursuit of avoiding end of life regret, but also under the philosophy that caregivers are only as effective as they are healthy themselves. The theme of the day - caring for the caregiver. David also lead two of his most popular, highly interactive funshops, “Experiencing Food”, which is a full-participation guided meditation showcasing the difference between consuming food and experiencing food while holding gratitude. His second funshop, and most popular, “Yakoke”, the first of its kind call and response Native American gratitude rap using an authentic native drum was a smash hit, as usual, leaving participants fired up.
The Commonwealth Club
The holy grail of speaking venues, David was shocked when he was asked to speak at the Commonwealth Club so early in his speaking career. A member who had attended his presentation at a rotary function entitled, “I’ll Have the Plate of Chaos, Hold the Crisis, how to order in the long term care café” was so impressed that he was able to fast track David’s appearance. The Commonwealth Club being the stage for the likes of Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries of State, Authors, Film Stars and other Celebrities, David was honored to be among them. His keynote was simulcast live on KTLN television and KQED radio. After his presentation, he was invited to speak all over the country on the subject, including “The Carmel Foundation”, where he is currently a speaker in residence offering 5 different lectures a year which are simulcast virtually all over the world. He was also offered a consulting position with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing and several prominent large Assisted Living Providers.
Goal Alignment Strategy
When David got the invitation to speak as Keynote for the Professional Fiduciary Association of California’s annual conference, he thought they were looking for someone else. David knows little about the role of the fiduciary and even less about their day to day responsibilities. However, the association wanted a powerful and memorable keynote speaker to open the conference. One of the board members had been in attendance for his presentation: “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, little known facts about sexual expression among seniors in communal living settings” At first, given the audience and the 8am time slot, David was concerned that it was a mismatch. He soon found out that it was the perfect opener to their day. David was met with an overtly engaged audience who were highly interactive and riveted by the subject matter. David, a Gerontologist, Sexologist and Death Doula never would have guessed that fiduciaries would be among his biggest fans. The hall of approximately 1,000 attendees sounded like a baseball stadium during portions of his humorous but serious talk, leading to several invitations for talks for multiple chapter meetings throughout the years.
Holistic Pathways of Care
Passionate about focusing on the most important person in the system of care for those at the end of life, the caregiver, this Symposium offered a day-long retreat including inspirational talks, fully immersive funshops and rejuvenating exercises to keep the batteries of the caregivers charged. David’s Keynote Speech titled, “Go Fly Your Kite, a field guide for the living”, showcased excerpts from his book of a similar title, inspiring caregivers to live their best lives in pursuit of avoiding end of life regret, but also under the philosophy that caregivers are only as effective as they are healthy themselves. The theme of the day - caring for the caregiver. David also lead two of his most popular, highly interactive funshops, “Experiencing Food”, which is a full-participation guided meditation showcasing the difference between consuming food and experiencing food while holding gratitude. His second funshop, and most popular, “Yakoke”, the first of its kind call and response Native American gratitude rap using an authentic native drum was a smash hit, as usual, leaving participants fired up.
Magazine Feature
David Hahklotubbe
"Go Out and Fly Your Kites"
By
Cindie Farley
Feature
Carmel Living Magazine
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