Former Exec Turns Grief into Mission: Simple Acts of Presence Can Transform Lives

After a 30-year career in the medical device industry, Bryan Scott McMillan is now championing a different kind of leadership—one rooted in compassion and consistency for grieving families. Following the death of his wife to cancer, McMillan experienced firsthand the profound isolation that follows loss. This personal journey led him to volunteer with organizations like The WARM Place and Camp Sanguinity, and to establish Families with Holes, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting grieving families with practical support and counseling resources. In his new message, McMillan emphasizes that showing up consistently matters more than finding the perfect words, noting that families remember those who kept calling months later and who brought dinner on ordinary Tuesdays.

McMillan's call to action is backed by sobering statistics: over 3 million people die annually in the U.S., and about one in twelve children will lose a parent or sibling before adulthood. Yet many grieving families feel abandoned after the initial funeral period, as life speeds back up while grief lingers. Drawing parallels to his executive career, McMillan suggests that the same principles of attentiveness and follow-through that solve business problems can help support the bereaved. He encourages simple, concrete actions: calling to check in, marking anniversaries, offering specific help, and simply listening without trying to fix everything.

McMillan's message is a powerful reminder that leadership extends beyond the boardroom. By being dependable neighbors, friends, and coworkers, anyone can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are grieving. His advice is straightforward: presence beats perfection. As he puts it, "People rarely remember your title. They remember how you treated them when life became difficult."