Yolaine Stout is president of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) and has served on its board since 2005. An honors graduate of UC Berkley, Yolaine is a writer and life coach who attempted suicide in 1982, due to severe depression and a failing marriage. The resulting NDE was a surprise to Yolaine, who at that time was a confirmed atheist. The experience changed her beliefs about the purpose and meaning of life to the point that she left a 25 year teaching career to devote herself to non-profit research into near death experiences. Her articles on the subject have appeared internationally and she is currently completing a book "Your Blueprint to Passion: A Spiritual Solution to Depression" and collaborating with Dr. Kenneth Ring on a workbook and workshops based on his "Lessons From The Light."