A.K. Dozanti

Lifesaver Wellness

AK Dozanti is a former Deputy Sheriff and the founder of Life Saver Wellness where she now serves as a First Responder Wellness Coach & Specialist. AK has upwards of 15 years in and around law enforcement and has first hand experience with burnout, PTS and trauma that forced her to leave the career just months after being named Officer of the Year. AK has used this experience to fuel her as she went on to work as a Criminal Court Victim Advocate during which time she obtained a master's degree, yoga instructor certification and countless additional accreditations to cover several facets of recovery. AK now coaches individuals and trains at first responder agencies all over the state of Ohio and the United States. Educating on the topics of managing chronic stress, burnout prevention, suicide awareness and prevention and mitigating the effects of working in a trauma-rich environment so first responders can stop "just coping" and start living.

Chris Scallon

Trauma Behind the Badge/Lakeview Health

Sergeant Chris Scallon retired as a 24+year veteran with the Norfolk Police Department, holds a Masters in Psychology, BS in Criminal Justice, and certified in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland BC Emergency Health Services. He is the Founder of Survival Mindset Training and Consulting and was the founder, and first Director, of the Norfolk Police Department’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) & Peer Support Unit, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Co-Coordinator for the Norfolk Police Department. Sgt. Scallon is a peer and current board member of Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP), a certified peer with the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat/First Responder Support Network. Having been involved in multiple shootings he is intimately familiar with trauma and the consequences of exposure. ​Chris is an approved instructor for International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) teaching Basic and Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor (Adult/Veteran Modules) through the National Council for Behavioral Health, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran’s Association (IAVA), and a Master Trainer for Homefront Protective Group teaching across the country and abroad. As an international speaker/trainer, he is often sought out to provide services in the wake of significant critical incidents. Chris has worked with victims of numerous mass shootings (e.g., Pulse Night Club, Sandy Hook/Newtown, Virginia Tech, Virginia Beach…etc.) Sgt. Scallon is currently a Training and Technical Assistance Consultant for the Office of Victims of Crimes (OVC TTAC). He is also on a team tasked with creating a nationally accepted CISM model with the IACP. Previously, a Vicarious Trauma Fellow with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Northeastern University working on a national grant from the U.S. Department of Justice-Office of Victims of Crimes, creating an evidence-based vicarious trauma toolkit for first responders (e.g. EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement, and Victim Advocates). He was recently selected to be the Chair person for the Peer Support portion of the National Consortium on Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide.

Matthew Garcia

National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund

Matthew Garcia is a retired member of the Connecticut State Police who has contributed 26 years of service as a State Trooper and Local Police officer. His career took him from patrol uniform, serving throughout Connecticut, to sergeant before retiring as a lieutenant with the State Police Bureau of Special Investigations. He served 12 years in the State Police Peer Support Program overseeing critical incident debriefings and 9 years as a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator attached to the State Police Emergency Services Unit (ESU). He has led debriefings in the wake of critical incidents to include the Sandy Hook School Shooting response in 2012 and numerous officer involved shootings. Matthew has supervised negotiators in a variety of barricade situations, particularly violent and suicidal individuals. As a negotiator his duties consisted of coordinating the efforts of State Police Negotiators and responding to incidents in support of the State Police Emergency Services Unit. Matthew was responsible for the training and certification of all new negotiators and ongoing refresher training for current members. He has conducted in-service training for many local departments in Connecticut and partner teams of the New England State Police Administrators Conference (N.E.S.P.A.C). Matthew has spoken on issues related to polices stress and suicide before the Ontario Police College, Missouri CIT Conference, Mental Health, and Recovery Services of Warren and Clinton Counties, OH., and Baltimore PD. Matthew is currently the Program Manager for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s Ambassador Program.

John Dilibert

National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund

Recently retired Captain John Dilibert has 36 years’ experience in law enforcement serving 29 and 7 years I respectively in the Los Angeles and Boise areas. John’s career includes assignments as an officer to commander in patrol, SWAT/CNT, investigations, emergency management, recruitment and training, internal affairs, grants, jail operations, and media relations. For 12 years, John was host of a live cable television show, “Street Beat” where he presented various topics of law enforcement to the public and answered questions from the public. John is an ambassador with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and for several years bicycles with the Police Unity Tour, an annual fundraiser for the NLEOMF to honor fallen officers. John has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in public administration and is a graduate of the National Counter Terrorism Academy.

Erik Lavigne

Two Cops One Donut

Born and raised in Flint Michigan, Served 4 years active duty 2006-2010 (current reservist in the United States Air Force as military police, Dual Master's in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Texas Christian University, A board member for the Brotherhood For The Fallen and the National Real Time Crime Center Association, Founder of the Two Cops One Donut Podcast, spent the last 13 years with the Fort Worth Police Department and currently serve as a Patrol Sergeant.

Jesalyn Moore

The Farley Center

Jesalyn Moore, MSW, LSATP, LCAS, CAADC is the Market CEO of The Farley Center and Safe Harbor Recovery Center, where she oversees all operations, including program development, staff management, and community outreach. With over 10 years of experience in the field of mental health, Jesalyn is dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders and achieve long-term recovery. In addition to her role as CEO, Jesalyn also serves as an Executive Board Member of the Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals, where she works with other leaders in the field to promote education, advocacy, and quality training for addiction professionals. Jesalyn is also a committee member of NAADAC’s Military and Veteran Advisory Committee, where she utilizes her expertise to develop resources and support for service members and veterans who are pursuing or are currently members of the addiction professional community. Jesalyn’s educational background includes a Master’s in Social Work and licensure as a Substance Abuse Practitioner, reflecting her deep commitment to evidence-based treatment and care. She has also received foundational training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy through Behavioral Tech, a leading provider of clinical training and consultation. Jesalyn is the wife of a Navy veteran and LEO, and comes from a family of military veterans and active-duty service members. She describes her passion for working with this population as “deeply personal” and is continuously striving to make a positive impact for services members impacted by substance use disorders. Her focus to providing care is holistic and person centered; she believes that individualized interventions and robust family supports are key to “improving the lives we touch.” Through her leadership and expertise, Jesalyn is making a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by addiction, and she remains dedicated to advancing the field of addiction treatment and recovery.

Matt Domyancic

Tactical Chaplain

Matt volunteers as a chaplain and peer support for police agencies in Los Angeles. He also is a volunteer for nonprofits that support police officers in crisis, as well as those that are injured and disabled. Matt believes all first responders can have careers that provide deeper meaning and add richness to their spiritual lives if approached in the right manner. Matt is a medically retired police officer that worked patrol, Peer Support, SWAT, and as a full-time police academy instructor. Matt was the Wellness Coordinator for his agency integrating sports nutrition, strength, and conditioning, stress management, combatives-and-scenario training regarding officers as tactical athletes. He also was concurrently a collegiate strength coach at Yale and Georgetown Universities while a full-time police officer. Later he was a strength coach and mental skills trainer for NFL combine athletes. At Yale, he volunteered for Athletes in Action and at Georgetown, he created an ecumenical ministry Hoyas for Christ. Matt also has been a volunteer with Hockey Ministries International summer camps. Matt played linebacker and was a competitive powerlifter for the Air Force Academy and Colgate University. He has an MS in Forensic Science under Dr. Henry Lee, an MS in Sport Psychology under Dr. Ken Ravizza, a MA in Pastoral Theology with a concentration in Spiritual Direction from Loyola Marymount University, and an additional spiritual direction certificate from Stillpoint. Matt focused his studies and additional immersion experiences in the contemplative traditions as well as masculine spirituality and psychology.

Shauna "Doc" Springer

Chief Psychological Officer for Stella Center/Author of Relentless Courage

Dr. Shauna Springer is a graduate of Harvard University and is one of the world's leading experts on PTSD, Trauma, and Moral Injury among veterans. She co-hosts a weekly podcast on these topics in collaboration with MilitaryTimes. Her work has been featured on CNN, VICE, Dr. Oz, NPR, NBC, CBS Radio, Forbes, The Philadelphia Tribune, Washington Post, and Military Times. She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today.

Jay Smith

FitForce

Jay Smith, the founder of Integrated Fitness Systems (IFS), was involved in the development of FitForce prior to acquiring it from Human Kinetics (Publishing) in 1998. Jay is the president of FitForce™ , Inc., a primary instructor, project director and ‘on the ground’ person for the FitForce courses and validation studies conducted around the country for local, state and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies. He began his career in law enforcement training in 1989 as the first Director of Physical Fitness and Health Maintenance Programs for the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council (POST), a position he held for eight years before leaving state service and establishing IFS. During his nearly 30-year career he has assisted hundreds of agencies in meeting their physical readiness needs. Jay has a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology from the University of Kentucky. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Club Coach with the United States Weightlifting Federation. Jay has coaching credentials in track & field, rugby, and soccer in addition to Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certificate in Exercise Nutrition. He was the ‘Fitness Columnist’ for the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers Journal for five years. In addition, Jay has published several articles and chapters and along with his colleagues, Tom Colllingwood and Bob Hoffman (dec.), has written dozens of technical reports on fitness standards.

Nate Harder

Protectors' Peak at Shiloh Ranch

Nate Harder is the director of Protectors' Peak. He has served in law enforcement for over two decades holding positions as a police officer, field training officer, police trainer, detective, SWAT team member and leader, SWAT commander, Street Crimes officer, and his current position of Chief of Police. He is a former Marine and has been married to his wife, Becky, for twenty four years. Nate has been blessed with four beautiful daughters who bring him joy. Nate's vision and passion is serving our servants and connecting them to Jesus Christ through solace, rest, and the beauty of creation.

Ann Dorn

The Captain David Dorn Foundation

Ann is a retired Sergeant with the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department after 28 years of service. Ann is an Adjunct Instructor with I.P.T.M. at the University of North Florida and teaches Field Training, Field Training Management and Officer Wellness classes across the country. In addition to traveling across the country as a public speaker standing up for First Responders and their family’s rights and injustices.

Kyle Reyes

Law Enforcement Today/ Silent Partner Marketing

CEO of The Silent Partner Marketing. Christian. Husband and father. Keynote speaker. Serial entrepreneur and investor fueled by a combination of bravado, caffeine and humility. A gun-toting, meat-eating, Christian, thin blue line backing, veteran loving patriot.

Melissa Robey

Founder, We Back Blue

Melissa Robey is the esteemed Founder of We Back Blue, a prominent national police advocacy organization dedicated to advancing professional and equitable public safety services for all communities through unwavering support for both law enforcement and the communities they serve. Melissa's heritage boasts a proud lineage of law enforcement officers, including her father, grandfather, and various close family members. It was her profound concern for the nation's response to those in the police profession that spurred her to action, leading to the inception of We Back Blue.

Melissa Robey

Founder, We Back Blue

Melissa Robey is the esteemed Founder of We Back Blue, a prominent national police advocacy organization dedicated to advancing professional and equitable public safety services for all communities through unwavering support for both law enforcement and the communities they serve. Melissa's heritage boasts a proud lineage of law enforcement officers, including her father, grandfather, and various close family members. It was her profound concern for the nation's response to those in the police profession that spurred her to action, leading to the inception of We Back Blue.

Tiffany Andres-Myers

Cognitive Resilience Expert, RippleWorx

iffany is a certified mindfulness teacher and evolutionary biologist. She has a B.S in Biology and an M.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Georgia Tech as well as minors in Psychology and Anthropology. Her current path focuses on utilizing a combination of research and education to better the human condition individually, organizationally, and as a whole. Through collaborative work in the fields of developmental psychology, neuroscience, meditation, yoga, group and environmental psychology, and education, she finds effective ways of teaching personal and social growth in a direction of improved physical and mental health, individual resilience, non-violent global prosperity, and small and broad-scale peace. She has been working to bring these tools of resilience and wellbeing to law enforcement, industry, and individuals for the last 9 years.

Dr. Mitch Javidi

National Command & Staff College, MAGNUSWorx

Mitch is a peak performance and human behaviorist with over 35 years of practical and hands-on experience in diverse industries, including Academia, Military, Public Safety, Government, Pharma, and Technology. He is the developer of “MAGNUS OVEA,” a general theory of peak Performance, Wellness, Resiliency, and Leadership. In addition, he has co-founded the MAGNUSWorx in partnership with Jeff Kingsfield and is the founder of the National Command & Staff College, Institute for Credible Leadership Development, and the Criminal Justice Commission for Credible Leadership Development.

First Sergeant Kenneth Blank

Virginia State Police Peer Support

First Sergeant Blank is an Area Commander in the Area 48 Office of the Virginia State Police in Fairfax County. He was born and raised in Red Wing, Minnesota where he graduated from Red Wing Central High School and entered the United State Marine Corps. He served as a military police man and for four years as part of the security force for the Presidential Helicopter Squadron. He was honorably discharged in 1993 at the rank of Sergeant. He was hired by the Virginia State Police in 1996 and was assigned to Fauquier County for his first duty post. He transferred to Culpeper County in 2001 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2005, and worked as a first line supervisor in Area 11, Prince William County until he was promoted to his current position, December 10, 2017. As a Trooper, First Sergeant Blank was recognized many times for his enforcement efforts. Some of his awards include the Superintendent's Award for Excellence, Superintendent's Trophy, and the Outstanding Safety Achievement Award. He has been a DCJS instructor since 1999, a Defensive Tactics Instructor since 2004 and teaches frequently at the State Police Academy. First Sergeant Blank graduated from the University of Virginia, National Criminal Justice Command College in 2008 as class co-president. First Sergeant Blank also teaches Critical Incident Stress Management and Suicide Prevention to many agencies. He became an ICISF Certified Instructor in 2016 and has taught Assisting Individual in Crisis and Group Crisis Intervention to many agencies. He became a BJA Suicide Awareness and Prevention Instructor in 2010, and has taught that course multiple times per year for many state, local, and federal organizations.

Major Eric K. Jones

NOBLE

Eric Jones currently oversees all operations for the Chesterfield County Jail as the Jail Administrator. He was previously assigned as a Captain to the Classification Division. Eric has been employed with the Sheriff’s Office since July 2000 where he began his career in public safety as a Deputy in Jail Security. Until January 2023, Eric was directly involved with overseeing the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group which includes three teams: Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) and Search and Rescue (SAR). Both CIRT and SAR were newly developed Sheriff’s Office teams and he was instrumental in developing policies and procedures for their implementation and training. He also developed procedures and training for an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) team and Mounted Unit. He and 3 other Sheriff’s Office personnel are certified UAS Pilots through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Sheriff’s Office currently has 2 UAS platforms that are used primarily for search and operational needs. The Mounted Unit is still in development and has one primary member but more are being solicited from the agency who meet the qualifications. Additionally, Eric oversaw all Honor Guard operations. He was directly involved with outfitting the team in their current uniform and ensures the team represents the agency with the utmost of dignity and respect.