MATTAPOISETT — Patrick T. Saunders of the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals in New Bedford and Mattapoisett is one of 20 funeral service professionals selected as a member of 2022-2023 class of the National Funeral Directors Association’s National Emerging Leaders Program. 

The selected participants will develop leadership skills that will serve them well in any setting they may find themselves, including their funeral home, professional associations and their community, according to the association.

“Congratulations to Patrick for being selected as a member of our 2022-23 National Emerging Leaders Program class,” said National Funeral Directors Association President Randy Anderson “Helping funeral professionals build sustainable businesses and become pillars in their communities is an integral part of NFDA’s mission. As Patrick and the other members of our 2022-23 class make their way through the National Emerging Leaders Program, they will develop the essential skills they need to become strong leaders.”

All funeral service professionals from the United States and Canada were invited to apply for one of 20 seats in the National Emerging Leadership Program. The only requirement was that applicants be in the process of building their careers in the profession, either first-career funeral directors licensed 5 to 10 years or second-career funeral directors licensed 3 to 8 years.