Alfred Flowers, Jr. is a Collaboration Specialist with the Barbara Schneider Foundation, a board member of Unity Community Mediation Team, Project Coordinator of Young People’s Task Force, and coaches hundreds of young boys in sports teams in the Black community in Minneapolis.

Alisha is a systems change specialist with a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Guelph and over nine years of experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives across mental health, primary care, and community services. At BoardWalk Group, she specializes in integrated service delivery, system transformation, and evidence-informed evaluation, with a particular focus on building practical frameworks that support shared learning and accountability across partners. Alisha has played a central role in the Halton Crisis Continuum since its inception, supporting governance design, workstream coordination, community engagement, and the development of a shared approach to data and insights across 14 partner organizations. She brings methodological rigour, mixed-methods expertise, and an instinct for connecting dots across sectors to help partners move from planning to coordinated delivery.

Ashlie Cormier is a Senior Analyst with the Community Wellness Supports Portfolio with Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. Ashlie has worked with Nova Scotia Health since 2007 and brings a range of experiences that span from front-line health promotion and outreach work to formal leadership at a provincial level. Ashlie brings extensive experience in program planning, facilitation, and strategic planning and partnership development. Ashlie has been involved with CIT since 2024, including helping to coordinate the CIT Train the Trainer in Nova Scotia. Ashlie has had the privilege to support the Northern Zone Team with strengthening program evaluation and engagement work and supported the team with a successful submission of a Nova Scotia Health Quality Award in 2025. Ashlie holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University, a Master of Health Studies with a focus on Leadership, from Athabasca University, and is graduating from her Master of Social Work at Wilfred Laurier University in October 2026. She is a dedicated community volunteer and is grateful to share her life with her husband Shane and son Kai, who keep her grounded and remind her slow down.

Benni serves as a CIT officer with York Regional Police, one of Canada's largest police services, and works as an independent behavioural scientist. His career in crisis intervention started with Germany's federal crisis negotiations team and continued at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Population Health, where he earned his PhD in psychology. Now based in the Greater Toronto Area, he is passionately exploring the cognitive processes that underlie empathy-based rapport-building and decision making in crisis intervention contexts and beyond. His research regularly includes police officers and translates into evidence-based training and peer-reviewed publications. He has also edited a number of corresponding book projects under the SpringerNature umbrellatage. Benni also serves on the Toronto Police Services Board's Mental Health & Addictions Advisory Panel and as the vice-chair of the board of directors for Distress and Crisis Ontario, the province's umbrella organization for suicide prevention and crisis intervention helplines. He is committed to using his unique insights as a police officer, researcher, and community advocate to deepen understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable community members during encounters with the police, both on an individual and systemic level.

Bill Baker is a Registered Psychotherapist and Mental Health Worker with the Concurrent Disorders Capacity Building Team at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. He works within the Emergency and Psychiatric Emergency Services, supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges, substance use concerns, and homelessness. Bill is a strong advocate for unhoused patients in the Emergency Department and recently played a leadership role on a team that established an overnight warming centre, providing discharged unhoused patients with a safe and warm space overnight. With 17 years of experience in the addictions and mental health field, Bill is known for his compassionate, client-centred approach to care.

Inspector Bruce Dickson joined the Halton Regional Police Service in 2001. Bruce is a graduate of Simon Fraser University in British Columbia where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. During his career he has worked in many areas including - District operations, the Emergency Services Unit, Regional Investigative Services, Training and Recruiting. In his current role within Community Services he oversees mental health, youth engagement, community support and Community Safety and Well Being. Prior to becoming a police officer Bruce played professional football for 8 years in the Canadian Football League winning the Grey Cup with both Toronto in 1991 and Edmonton in 1993. Bruce is married with 2 children and lives in Stoney Creek where in his spare time he enjoys volunteering in the community.

Carla is a seasoned leader in mental health and addictions, with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with substance use, gambling, and mental health concerns. Since 2019, she has held leadership roles across hospital and community programs, helping guide system responses during a time of increasing complexity and demand. Carla currently leads four multidisciplinary teams, providing direction to diverse health professionals with compassion, curiosity, and a strong commitment to person-centered care. She prioritizes collaboration, empowering her teams to work across sectors and disciplines to better meet the needs of the community. Under her leadership, teams have developed and strengthened effective, responsive mental health programming, improving access and continuity of care for individuals in crisis. Carla is dedicated to fostering supportive environments for both clients and staff, and to advancing integrated approaches that promote recovery and resilience.

Carling Provost, BScN, MScN, is the Clinical Director for Seniors Mental Health, Access, the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic, Addictions, and Community Psychiatry within the Mental Health and Addiction Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She provides senior clinical and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio serving individuals with complex mental health and substance‑related needs across the lifespan. In her role, Carling is responsible for advancing high‑quality, patient‑centred, and evidence‑informed care through program planning, quality improvement, and system integration. She works closely with physicians, advanced practice clinicians, interdisciplinary teams, and hospital and community partners to strengthen access, optimize care pathways, and support coordinated service delivery across hospital, community, and specialty settings. Carling plays a key leadership role in mental health and addictions system transformation, with a particular focus on improving access, flow, and continuity of care for older adults, individuals with concurrent disorders, and populations experiencing social and health inequities. Her work emphasizes collaboration across sectors, alignment with organizational and system priorities, and the development of sustainable models of care that respond to emerging population needs. Carling brings a strong clinical lens to decision‑making and is recognized for her collaborative, values‑based leadership style.

Carly MacCuspic has spent the majority of her 11-year career as a social worker working within the realm of mental health crisis response. She spent eight year working with the Crisis Response and Urgent Care team with the Mental Health and Addictions program within Nova Scotia Health, and has recently transitioned to a new role within the New Glasgow Police Department as their Community Crisis Outreach Worker. Carly was initially introduced to CIT model in 2020, in response to the rising mental health crisis within our rural community and was part of the initial planning team to implement CIT in the Northern Region of Nova Scotia. Carly has been trained as a CIT Coordinator since August of 2023 and participated in the CIT Train the Trainer program in October 2024. Since the implementation of the CIT program in Northern Nova Scotia, Carly has trained upwards of 150 law enforcement officers, and the program has seen great success within our community. Carly brings a person-centred approach to her work as a CIT Coordinator, demonstrating the ability to be adaptive and responsive to emerging community needs. She looks forward to continuing to support the CIT program in her new role with New Glasgow Police, as she works towards developing the department's first ever mobile crisis response program. Carly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from St. Francis Xavier University, a Bachelor of Social Work from St. Thomas University and a Master of a Social Worker from the University of Waterloo. When not immersed in the world of crisis response and CIT, Carly enjoys spending her down time with her partner Chris and his two children, her dog Keltie, and reading books on Melmerby Beach.

Catherine McCarron is a Manager at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, providing leadership across a wide range of mental health and addictions programs serving diverse community needs. She is the Manager for Concurrent Disorders Outpatient, the Young Adult – Substance Use Program, the Concurrent Disorders Capacity Building Team, and the RAAM (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine) Clinic. In addition, she currently serves as Interim Manager for COAST and the Hamilton Halton Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT), supporting coordinated crisis and outreach services across region. Catherine holds a Masters in Social Work. As a manager, Catherine McCarron works closely with clinical leaders and frontline staff to support service development, quality improvement initiatives, and coordinated system-level responses to evolving client and community needs. She regularly collaborates with internal and regional partners and is actively involved in program planning, implementation, and evaluation within mental health and addictions services. Catherine McCarron is widely recognized as a compassionate and values-driven leader with extensive experience in mental health care. She is deeply committed to supporting staff wellbeing, fostering collaboration, and leading with empathy and integrity.

Chandni has over 10 years of experience working in public health in various areas, including research, policy, health promotion and knowledge translation. Over her career, she has led national-level projects to strengthen immunization programs, cannabis public education and harm reduction initiatives across Canada. Through her work, she aims to reduce the time it takes to move research and evidence into the hands of people and organizations who can take the knowledge and put it to practical use to strengthen public health activities and programs. Chandni has a BSc with honours in biopharmaceutical sciences (genomics) from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Public Health from the University of Waterloo and a Project Management Professional certification. Before joining CCSA in August 2019, she held roles at the Canadian Public Health Association, Immunize Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada.

Chealsea De Moor is a Knowledge Broker with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Hired by the Centre in 2017, she has been involved in a wide array of CCSA’s work, including youth prevention, stigma and drug-impaired driving. Her present areas of focus include community engagement, partnership management and equity, diversity and inclusion. Chealsea holds a BA in psychology from Carleton University and worked there as a teaching assistant. It was while she was finishing her MA in forensic psychology that CCSA asked her to lead the criminal justice section of the report on Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms (2007–2014). She has also contributed to CCSA projects on cannabis and driving under the influence of drugs. Chealsea was a major contributor in developing and promoting CCSA’s cannabis communication guide.

Christy graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and from West Virginia University in 2000 with a Master of Social Work degree. She obtained the highest level of clinical licensure in 2004 and has worked in inpatient psychiatry, community-based services, corrections, domestic violence programming, private practice, and first responder mental health services. After more than a decade serving first responders, she co-founded Over Watch First Responder Services, LLC in 2024, providing specialized mental health support through contracts with multiple government agencies. She also continues her private practice with PsyCare, Inc., where she has practiced since 2009. Her primary areas of focus include trauma and first responder mental health. Christy has served as an adjunct professor for West Virginia University Institute of Technology and has presented at local, state, and national conferences. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in the DSW program at University of Kentucky School of Social Work and is also a certified firefighter.

Cristina Latina is a Registered Social Worker with York Regional Police (YRP). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work. Prior to joining YRP, Cristina gained experience in case management and crisis intervention, working alongside police on a mental health partnership team. She also provided therapeutic support to youth during her time in the education system. Cristina focuses on prevention and early intervention, offering guidance on community resources and navigating the mental health system. She works closely with officers and community partners to foster collaboration and ensure individuals are connected to appropriate supports.

Curtis is a police officer with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department, where he focuses on mental health response, crisis intervention, and community-oriented policing. He is CIT certified and trained in Mental Health First Aid and actively provides training to other officers in the department on topics related to officer wellness, crisis response, and community engagement. Curtis also serves as a certified therapy dog handler for the department’s Therapy K-9 Program, helping to support student wellness and build positive relationships across campus. He is committed to strengthening law enforcement’s role in crisis intervention through education, empathy, and meaningful outreach.

Sergeant Dan Holmes is in his 20th year with the Hamilton Police Service and has worked in Uniform Patrol, the Public Order Unit, the Emergency Response Unit, the Explosive Disposal Unit, and the Training Branch. Sgt. Holmes was a founding member of the Hamilton Police Service Reintegration Team where he supported members returning to work after psychological injury, traumatic exposure, physical injury, and extended absence from the workplace.

David Hennick is a Superintendent with the Hamilton Police Service, currently leading the Community Safety Division, where he oversees specialized units including Mental Health, Homelessness and Encampment Engagement, Emergency Response, Marine, Public Order, Traffic Safety, and Collision Reconstruction. He also serves as Co-Chair of the City of Hamilton’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, advancing collaborative, system-level approaches to complex social issues. David currently serves on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin. He is also Zone 4 Director and Chair of the Governance Committee with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, where he sits on the Board of Directors. He previously led Central Patrol Division and served as Inspector of Investigative Services. He holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Waterloo and has completed executive education at DeGroote and Rotman.

Detective Edwin Miranda is a veteran law enforcement officer with over a decade of experience in public safety. He currently serves in the Targeted Violence Unit (TVU) of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, where he has dedicated the past six years to investigating and managing threats of mass violence directed at the public. Detective Miranda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Barry University and has developed deep expertise in behavioral threat assessment and intervention. His work has led to numerous criminal arrests and the successful filing of Risk Protection Orders (RPOs), often involving individuals who made written or verbal threats to kill or carry out mass shootings. As the unit trainer for the TVU, Detective Miranda plays a key role in developing and delivering training on threat identification, assessment protocols, and proactive intervention strategies. His commitment to public safety, combined with his practical experience in the field, brings a valuable real-world perspective to the study of threat management.

Ms. Jones has been working with The Affiliated Santé Group for over 18 years. She has a wealth of behavioral health administrative support experience including program design, project management, proposal development, and data and reporting. She has worked with database design and reporting since 1999. She is currently the Director of Informatics for Santé and oversees development and data projects and daily advancement department activities. She is responsible for configuring, supporting, and training three separate data systems. She specializes particularly in crisis metrics and has participated in both local and State Crisis Metric workgroups and advisory sessions. Ms. Jones has a background in public health, particularly in the realms of development, data systems administration, and data analytics. She has had the pleasure of presenting on data best practices and strategies for crisis programs at CrisisCon, CIT International, American Association of Suicidology, and Open Minds Strategy and Innovation Institute.

Emma Gray is a Graduate Student in Experimental Psychology at the University of New Brunswick and a student affiliate of the Centre for Policing and Criminal Justice Research. She completed her Undergraduate Degree at Ontario Tech University, majoring in Forensic Psychology, as well as a Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University. Under the supervision of Dr. Mary Ann Campbell, her research interests include police psychology, police-civilian interactions, policing oversight, and procedural justice.

Francis is a mental health nurse with over nine years of experience in acute inpatient care and four years in an outpatient setting with the Mental Health and Addictions Emergency Follow-Up Service (MHAEFUS). Their work focuses on supporting adults aged 18 to 65 as they transition from hospital care back into the community following a mental health crisis. Drawing on clinical experience, Francis has developed a strong interest in addressing gaps in continuity of care that can lead to repeated hospital visits. They are particularly passionate about improving timely access to follow-up mental health support after emergency department visits or inpatient stays. In their current role, Francis provides short-term, responsive care aimed at stabilizing clients and promoting a smoother transition back into the community. They are committed to helping individuals feel supported and connected during a vulnerable period, while contributing to improved outcomes within the mental health care system.

Gabrielle earned her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from The Florida State University. She has been a Licensed Clinician for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors for NAMI Palm Beach County (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She has been employed by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office since 2015 where she began her career as a Licensed Therapist on one of the original co-responder teams within the Behavioral Services Division. As the Crisis Intervention Team Unit evolved, in 2018 her primary role began as the Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator for the Sheriff's Office. This includes coordination and facilitation of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trainings for all law enforcement within the entire county. Recently she has been recognized for her role in obtaining the 2026 Platinum level CIT International Program Certification.

Gina Rollo White is the founder and CEO of Mindful Junkie, a not-for-profit organization focused on first responder & military stress and trauma. Gina has over 20 years of experience as a mind-body teacher, educator, and author. Gina holds a Master’s degree in Mindfulness Studies from Lesley University. Her graduate thesis, Mindfulness and Law Enforcement: An Effective Approach to Implementing Mindfulness for First Responders, laid the foundation for her work with trauma-sensitive populations. Over the past decade, Gina has developed and delivered trauma-aware mindfulness and stress reduction programs tailored for law enforcement, fire services, medical professionals, military personnel, and other high-stress professions. She has trained hundreds of departments nationwide and is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, presenting at conferences across the U.S. on resilience, performance under pressure, and trauma recovery. Gina is the author of Tactical Brain Training: A Guide to Stress and Trauma Management for First Responders and Those Who Support Them, and the Justice Department–approved Criminal Justice Mindfulness Training Curriculum, Tactical Brain Training®: Mindfulness for First Responders. She also created and delivered the First Responder Mindfulness Journey on the AmDTx app and the Learn To De-Stress 15-day course with Mindful magazine.

Gord is currently employed by Halton Regional Police Service in the role of the complex service navigation. Gord has been in the field of mental health/crisis intervention for over 30 years having been involved with the Hamilton COAST program, Halton MCRRT program, Joseph Brant Hospital Phoenix Program and the Assertive Community Treatment Team. Gord has been a CIT coordinator for the last 8 years and he has worked over the last 25 years with law enforcement agencies in the Halton, Hamilton, Niagara and Brantford area to enhance training to front line officers.

Heather Radman is the Clinical Director of Acute Mental Health, Psychiatric Emergency Services, and Crisis Response Initiatives at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. In this leadership role, she provides strategic and operational oversight across acute inpatient mental health services, Psychiatric Emergency Services, and community-based crisis response programs. Heather is known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to strengthening integrated, compassionate, and responsive mental health care. Heather also holds an MBA from the University of Fredricton.

Heather Neal is Manager of Crisis Services at CMHA Halton, bringing 26 years of frontline and leadership experience to the field. Throughout her career she has focused on managing crisis interventions and developing streamlined response protocols that prioritize client safety and trauma informed care. As a leader, Heather focuses on empowering her teams to provide compassionate, effective support during a person’s most vulnerable moments.

Heather Hotz, Director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Executive Institute at Western Illinois University. Since becoming the Director of the ILETSB Executive Institute in August 2020, Heather has been providing visionary leadership that advances education, training, research, and technical assistance for criminal justice leaders across the state. She brings over 20 years of experience in curriculum development, instructional design, and expertise in various educational modalities. Heather has been instrumental in shaping educational programs that meet the evolving needs of criminal justice professionals, focusing on developing innovative online courses that enhance the user experience and learning outcomes. Heather holds a Master of Arts in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Psychology from Eureka College.

James Curtis-Welsh is a social worker with over 10 years of experience in community mental health. He holds a combined Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bachelor of Social Work from McMaster University and a Master of Social Work from York University. He currently serves as the Director of Clinical Services and Collaborative Care at the Hamilton branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association; overseeing clinical programming and peer support with a focus on the implementation of Stepped Care 2.0 across the agency. Outside of CMHA, James is a part time associate therapist with Integra Skills Counselling with a focus on the LGBTQ+ population. James is a sessional lecturer at York University and also holds the title of Adjunct Lecturer with the Factor-Intwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto

Janine is a registered Master of Social Work with extensive experience across both the healthcare and developmental services sectors. In healthcare, she has worked in addictions, mental health, and emergency department settings. She also brings over 15 years of experience in the developmental sector, where she has held a variety of roles, including mental health therapist, staff training and wellness facilitator, direct support professional, and behaviour interventionist. Most recently, she contributed to the development of Bethesda's hospital-to-community transition program supporting adults with co-occurring mental health and developmental disabilities. Driven by a strong interest in systems improvement for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Janine is currently pursuing a Master’s thesis in Disability Studies at Brock University. Her research examines the supports needed to transition from the hospital to the community following long-stay hospital admissions, exploring these needs from the perspectives of those with lived experience. Additionally, Janine is passionate about developing proactive approaches to reduce the risk of housing breakdown and prolonged hospitalization. Janine is committed to providing support that is trauma-informed, strength-based, and person-centred.

Sergeant Jeanette Rivers has 20 years of law enforcement experience with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Jeanette currently serves as one of the Sergeants for the Targeted Violence Unit and the Sergeant for Crisis Intervention Team Unit. Jeanette is part of the Palm Beach County Threat Management Team. Jeanette is also a member of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF) and Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). Jeanette’s law enforcement experience includes over 10 years as a Narcotics Agent, DEA Task Force member, ATF Task Force member and FDA Task Force member. Prior to her career in law enforcement, Jeanette worked in the nursing field and holds a Bachelors in Public Safety.

Jeffrey F. Kessler has dedicated his life to the fire service since becoming a junior firefighter at the age of 16. Throughout his career, he has served with multiple fire and EMS departments across several states, gaining extensive experience in emergency response, leadership, and public service. He currently serves as Captain with the South Charleston Fire Department. In addition to his fire service career, Kessler is a Pierce Certified Master Technician specializing in fire apparatus maintenance and repair. Outside of the firehouse, he performs fire truck mechanical repairs, combining technical expertise with his lifelong commitment to the fire service. Following his own mental health crisis, Kessler became deeply committed to supporting individuals experiencing acute mental health challenges, particularly fellow first responders exposed to cumulative trauma and occupational stress. His advocacy for first responder mental health has become a central focus of both his professional and personal life. Outside of work, Kessler enjoys fishing and managing his small rural farm while remaining dedicated to the first responder community he has served for decades.

Dr. Jenna Mehnert Baker is the CEO of the American Association of Suicidology and a former CIT International board member. Dr. Baker previously led a NAMI state chapter where she built a platinum certified CIT program. As part the CIT team she oversaw, Jenna also created a statewide peer support team for LEO, certified over 1,000 LEO in MHFA, and trained clinicians to provide culturally responsive services to LEO. Later, in her capacity as the Policy Director for Pennsylvania's mental health authority, she was the primary drafter of new crisis system regulations, worked with counties to implement crisis system transformation, and monitored 988 implementation. Jenna holds a master's in social work, and a doctorate in public administration. She is a certified trainer by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) in the Power in Peers model to prepare police to provide peer support to one another. Additionally, Dr. Baker serves as half-time faculty for Kutztown University School of Social Work where she teaches master's level policy courses and doctoral leadership.

Jennifer Wooldridge is the State CIT Coordinator for Illinois and has grown the program from 3 to 60 classes per year over a 20 year span. She has led the Illinois team to expand to all 102 counties of the State, created advance courses for seasoned officers, and conducts annual conferences to enrich the community. She also serves as Deputy Director of Operations for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board and is a certified crisis response therapy canine handler, along with Trooper.

Dr. Jennifer Lavoie is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada. She received her PhD in psychology and law from Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Addition and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada. She conducts research focused on the intersection of policing, mental illness and crisis intervention. Jennifer co-led the development and testing of a scenario-based training program for frontline police officers focused on enhancing de-escalation, cultural safety and community co-designed approaches to relational policing. She is the lead author on the De-escalating Persons in Crisis Competencies Tool (DePICT), a framework to assess de-escalation in the context of policing. She has been recognized through Laurier’s Award for Research Excellence (2017, 2020, 2023), the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology’s Wayman Mullins Award. Jennifer is currently the Scientific Director of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Mental Health Crisis Response (MHCR) program, a required training program for Ontario police officers.

Jerry is a 25-year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and currently serves as Director of the “Tails of Redemption” program which allows incarcerated individuals to provide basic training programs to rescue dogs. Utilizing his background as a wellness trainer, Jerry has helped place hundreds of rescued dogs with adoptive families and is now offering training and certification for crisis response teams – with over 30 serving the public in various settings including hospitals, police agencies and dispatch centers.

John is the Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board serving as the primary policy analyst for the statewide body that oversees law enforcement officer training and certification. This role involves implementing reforms to increase police professionalism and improve community interactions. Additionally, this role serves as a coordinator for the statewide program addressing recognition and response tactics for officers interacting with those in crisis and expanding opportunities for officer wellness throughout the state. Prior to joining ILETSB, he served as a civil attorney and as legislative counsel for the Illinois General Assembly. John also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Suicidology.

LCPC, ILETSB Instructor: John is the Northern Illinois CIT Regional Coordinator. John has over 30 years’ experience working at the intersection of youth and families, communities, law enforcement, school and mental health in prevention, counseling, intervention and crises situations. He instructs at the Chicago Police Academy and across the state on multiple courses including CIT, School Resource Officers, Juvenile Officer Training, and others.

Joseph Reid is the Founder and Executive Director of Broken People Peer Support, an international peer support organization focused on connection, hope, and recovery for individuals impacted by mental health challenges. He is the author of the Amazon national bestseller Broken Like Me: An Insider’s Toolkit for Mending Broken People. Joseph graduated third in his class from the Flint Regional Police Training Academy and briefly worked in law enforcement with the Grand Rapids Police Department. His education includes an Associate Degree from Henry Ford Community College, a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University, and a Certificate of Ministry from Berean College/Global University. He has a passion for supporting people who feel broken and has served alongside like-minded organizations, including leading multicultural ministries at his local church and working with NAMI as an In Our Own Voice presenter and Peer Connections facilitator. Outside of his professional work, Joseph enjoys traveling with his wife, spending time with his four adult children and new granddaughter, listening to audiobooks, and drinking chocolate milk.

Constable Kenneth Breitenbach is a member of the Hamilton Police Service Reintegration Team, where he supports members returning to work after psychological injury, traumatic exposure, extended absence, or other significant disruptions. With approximately 20 years of policing experience, he brings a practical understanding of police culture, operational stress, and cumulative trauma exposure. Kenneth is also pursuing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University. His work focuses on police mental health, reintegration, resilience, early intervention, and the development of practical systems that help organizations identify and support members before crisis occurs.

Kerrie is a Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Nurse and CIT trainer in the Halton Region with over 18 years of experience across the mental health spectrum. Her diverse clinical background spans emergency nursing, psychiatric intensive care, and community psychosocial rehabilitation, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the patient journey through the healthcare system. Kerrie’s work is centered on the importance of hearing a person’s unique story and experience and working collaboratively with them to alleviate suffering. She views it as a profound privilege to walk into an individual's most challenging and vulnerable moments, meeting them exactly where they are when they need support most.

Kevin Fraser has been working in the Mental Health & Addiction field for more than 3 decades as a clinician, clinical manager, educator and consultant. During this time, he has continuously demonstrated dedication to exploring how mental health and substance use clinical systems and service providers can reorganize to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical interventions and responsiveness to population needs. Kevin is an experienced clinical manager and advanced clinician with significant administrative and clinical supervisory experience in addictions and mental health service delivery and management. He also brings knowledge and experience in policy and standards development, performance measurement, evaluation and facilitating partnerships with external and internal stakeholders and collaborative shared-care service delivery. Since 2021, Kevin has been the northern zone CIT manager lead for the start up, development and roll out across the northern zone. Outside of the health authority, he operates a very busy couples therapy private practice and is a motorcycle (Ducati) enthusiast. He has been happily married for 38 years despite his wife’s lack of enthusiasm for his riding lifestyle.

Lisa Whittingham (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Disability Studies. Lisa’s research interests are situated at the nexus of disability, law, and crisis responses. She is interested in helping first responders safely and effectively support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Her area of research is inspired by her past clinical work with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities who were involved in the criminal justice, forensic, and acute mental health systems.

Lu is the Community Justice Coordinator for Mental Health Court Support Services at CMHA Hamilton, where they have spent the past eight years supporting individuals involved in the criminal justice system who are experiencing mental health challenges. They began their career working with youth navigating both the mental health and justice systems, including within a gang exit strategy program, where they developed a strong commitment to restorative justice and community-based approaches to care and accountability. In their current role as the Community Justice Coordinator, Lu works collaboratively with community partners to advance court diversion initiatives, reduce unnecessary system involvement, and promote more equitable, person-centered outcomes for individuals in the justice sector. Their work is grounded in compassion, harm reduction, and a belief in the importance of dignity and connection in recovery and justice processes. Outside of their professional work, Lu is deeply passionate about wellness and has been teaching yoga and mindfulness for over 15 years. When not working in the community, they can often be found lifting heavy things at the gym or playing softball.

Maeghan Bassett is a mental health professional with more than 20 years of experience working across the community, healthcare, and justice sectors. Her work has ranged from direct clinical support to regional coordination and systems planning within crisis intervention services. She was a Lead Facilitator for Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training with Niagara Regional Police Service for eight years and worked on the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT), co-responding with police on 911 calls. She is a certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coordinator and a member in good standing with the Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals. Drawing from both extensive professional experience and her own lived experience navigating workplace trauma and PTSD, Maeghan is passionate about supporting other helping-professionals in building sustainable approaches to resilience and wellbeing. She founded This Place I Love to share what she has learned through integrating creativity, reflection, clinical knowledge, and practical strategies into meaningful, lasting approaches to wellness.

Margo Hinchberger is a current master's student in Applied Disability Studies at Brock University and a behaviour therapist. She has experience supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who experience behavioural crises, including providing behaviour analytic services and caregiver and team support. Margo’s research interests focus on the intersection of disability, mental health, and the criminal justice system, with particular emphasis on justice-based accommodation and institutional responses to individuals with disabilities.

Maria Spetalnik is a Board Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) with 30+ years of experience helping others to establish control of their lives by helping them control their clutter. Her company, Conquer the Clutter, employs a team of organizers using a holistic, harm reduction approach with clients. She works with other professionals to help her clients work past the physical, mental and emotional causes of the clutter. Maria has taught classes internationally about Chronic Disorganization and Hoarding to the FBI, Police Officers, Sheriffs, Adult Protective Services, Code Compliance Officers, Fire Marshalls, Animal Control Officers, EMT’s, Social Services Departments, Therapists, and others. Maria has been a Volunteer in Police Service (VIPS) for 15 years and a member of the Fairfax County Interagency Hoarding Committee 10+ years. Her book, Hoarding for Law Enforcement and Other Public Officials – 2nd edition, is a guide for public officials on how to navigate in a world that can be overwhelming for the unprepared. Her book, A Practical Guide to Hoarding for Friends and Family, is for those that know the person who's hoarding and want simple, clear ways to help. Her newest book is a supplement to the guide for Therapists.

CCC Instructor

Mark Anderson is Executive Director of the Barbara Schneider Foundation, an organization named for a woman who was tragically killed by responding officers in the year 2000 in her own home when she was in mental health crisis. The Foundation provides Memphis Model CIT training and works with police, jails, hospitals, social workers, educators and community members to improve the response to individuals who are in mental health crisis. He was a policy aide to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone for 12 years on all his mental health, health care and human rights reform initiatives in the US Senate and has been the founding Executive Director of the Barbara Schneider Foundation since 2002. Since 2020, he has been the Board Secretary of the Unity Community Mediation Team.

Mark Benson is the central and southern Illinois regional coordinator for CIT Illinois. Mark is the owner of NSE Solutions, an out-patient counseling practice. He was previously a clinician and program manager for a mobile crisis response team in three Illinois counties and he also provided mental health services in the McLean County Detention Facility for approximately 18 years. He has been a certified instructor with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board since 2003 and CIT since 2008 serving as a regional coordinator since 2013.

Michelle Grigsby-Hackett, CEO. Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) with over 22 years of experience in the behavioral health industry. Michelle completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and her Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. She has devoted her career to assisting adults, children, and families experiencing challenges with mental health, substance use, and behavioral health crises. Michelle has served several roles during her 20 years with Affiliated Santé Group, including Director of Psychiatric Recovery Services, Outpatient Behavioral Health Director, and Vice President of Crisis Response Services. Michelle is dedicated to understanding the needs of our communities, as well as developing partnerships with state and community stakeholders to meet the growing needs of individuals living with behavioral health conditions, as well as those experiencing crises. In her role as Chief Executive Officer, Michelle is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, as well as leading the operational responsibilities for Santé. As a service provider and organizational manager for five entities, Michelle's role is to effectively manage all service and business operations.

Mike Alexander is a nationally recognized expert in ethics, integrity, leadership development, and coaching. His expertise developed over a distinguished 41-year career in law enforcement and continues to shape his work following retirement. Through organizations such as the U.S. Department of Justice Community Policing Divisions, Regional Community Policing Institutes, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Texas Municipal League, and the Texas Police Chiefs Association, he has trained officers and communities nationwide on leadership, ethics, and organizational culture. In 1999, he founded the LION Leadership Institute, focusing on leadership engagement, wellness, psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and healthy work environments. Mike began his career as a Correctional Officer and Deputy Sheriff before serving 25 years with the Austin Police Department, retiring as a sergeant. His roles included leadership in patrol, training, and behavioral science education. He later served as a Major with the Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, overseeing statewide investigations. He has held multiple interim leadership roles, including Police Chief and City Manager in Texas municipalities. Mike holds degrees in criminal justice and organizational development and is widely certified in leadership, ethics, coaching, and Enneagram-based development.

Mike Lavelle has been a Peer Support Worker with the CMHA Hamilton since 2020. He has lived experience with the justice sector and the mental health and addictions sector, and works to build capacity and recovery pathways for those impacted by similar experiences. Mike’s compassion and lived experience allows him to meet people where they are at. His presence, perspective, and approach is pivotal to the outreach work at 541 Eatery and Exchange, the Hamilton Public Library, outreach to encampments, and with clients supported by the Drug and Mental Health Treatment Court

Miles Wilson is the Founder of United Not Divided, a mental health support program for young Black men. He is also a board member of Hennepin County Community Action. President of Young People’s Task Force, and Board Treasurer of Unity Community Mediation Team.

Mirelle L’Estrange is a Registered Social Worker with York Regional Police (YRP). Mirelle has her Master of Social Work, with a professional focus on adult mental health. Her experience includes case management, crisis work and private practice. In her role with YRP, Mirelle is client-facing. She collaborates with various community partners and officers to identify and close service gaps. Training is also a passion and part of Mirelle’s role. She provides Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training for sworn officers, civilian members, and community partners along with yearly CIT training for officers. Mirelle serves her community of 1.2 million with honour, working towards collaboration, connection and systemic change.

Misty Thaler, she/her/hers; Thaler has obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, Community Services Worker diploma, and a variety of certifications in the MHA sector. Thaler supports the wide variety of programming within the Peer Support Team and facilitates outcomes for both internal and external stakeholders. Thaler is the one of the Peers actively working within the HPL.

Monika Musan is Hamilton’s Community Reintegration Planning Table Coordinator. Currently a candidate for her Master of Social Work, her passion for working towards the equity of vulnerable populations is highlighted through her early post-graduate experience with several populations including newcomers, individuals experiencing homelessness, seniors, and people who use substances. Monika is passionate about community-based research and has been involved in multiple research projects including research with Hamilton’s youth and their experiences of discrimination, and the intersection of HIV, food insecurity, and housing in Toronto. Outside of work Monika, spends most of her time reading with her cat or winding down from the day at hot yoga.

Deputy Chief Nick Hirtle has been a Police officer for 19 years, serving his home community. Nick worked general duty patrol for majority of career with assignments to Integrated Street Crime Unit and Major Crime Unit. Nick achieved rank of Corporal in 2018, Sergeant in 2020, Deputy Chief in 2025. He was also a former Officer Safety and Departmental Use of Force Instructor. Nick was CIT trained in 2021 (End User) and became a Certified Trainer in 2024 as part of the Provincial CIT Training hosted in Nova Scotia. Nick is a champion of CIT and has been able to see the positive impacts the program has in the field. Born and raised in New Glasgow, NS, still reside in New Glasgow. Married for 14 years to his wife Lindsay and two children – daughter Kenley (10) and son Colton (7).

Olivia Reilly (MA) is a PhD student in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John campus, where she works under the supervision of Dr. Mary Ann Campbell at the Centre for Policing and Criminal Justice Research. Her research focuses on vulnerable populations and evidence-based interviewing and interaction approaches in policing contexts. She has examined police officers' interviewing approaches with sexual assault victims and their interactions with individuals during mental health crisis calls. Her future research will explore victims of sexual violence and police officers' decision-making processes regarding interview approaches.

Peggy has worked in mental health for over 40 years. She has remained in front-line roles exclusively as she finds that the most effective means to establish change and recovery. Peggy has worked in the shelter system in Toronto, done extensive street outreach work, worked with most of the crisis services in the GTA and spent 16 years working for Halton COAST prior to coming into the CSN role with HRPS. She has been a CIT trainer for 9 years and continues to provide other mental health related training to HRPS officers, civilians, dispatchers and Special Constables. Peggy is known to be “creative” in her approach to dealing with complex cases.

Pete began his career in 1997 as a Correctional Officer before transitioning to policing with the Hamilton Police Service in 2001. Throughout his career, he served in various units, most notably as Sergeant of the Crisis Response Branch, where he built key community partnerships and addressed the complex intersection of mental health, addiction, and homelessness. In 2021, Pete led the creation of the Rapid Intervention and Support Team (RIST) and successfully secured an $8.3 million Solicitor General grant. This initiative established a collaborative response model, bringing together police and nine specialized social service agencies to support high-risk, marginalized individuals. After retiring from policing in 2025, Pete joined Street Smarts VR, the official partner for Mental Health Crisis Response (MHCR) Training. This evidence-based program, mandated for all Ontario police officers, integrates scientific research and virtual reality to enhance de-escalation and crisis intervention skills.

Rolando Nooks is the Founder and Executive Director of Compassionate Reprieve, a nonprofit organization pioneering the field of GriefTech within correctional systems. His work focuses on the often-overlooked intersection of incarceration, family loss, and institutional responses to grief. Nooks was inspired to create Compassionate Reprieve after experiencing the impact of family loss when a loved one died while another family member was incarcerated and unable to attend the funeral. That moment revealed a gap in how correctional systems respond to grief and motivated him to develop solutions that help individuals in custody remain connected to their families during moments of loss. Through Compassionate Reprieve, he has developed secure, policy-compliant digital systems that enable correctional facilities to provide controlled access to funeral services, memorials, and other significant family events. These systems are designed to preserve institutional security while supporting emotional stability and strengthening family connections. With more than two decades of experience in technology infrastructure, cloud systems, and digital media platforms, Nooks combines technical expertise with social innovation to develop scalable solutions for justice-involved populations. His work explores how structured responses to bereavement events can influence behavioral stability, mental health outcomes, and institutional safety within correctional environments.

Dr. Rosina Mete is the President of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)’s Counsellor Educators & Supervisors Chapter, a Registered Psychotherapist (Ontario) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor. She has clinical experience in community health, hospital, and academic settings. Dr. Mete has won awards for her academic and clinical work. She presently works at Yorkville University (Canada) as the Director of Mental Health and Scholarly Initiatives. Her research interests include emotional well-being, stress management, social support, and workplace mental health. Her educational credentials include a BSc in Psychology from Carleton University, an MSc in Clinical Mental Health Counselling and a PhD in Leadership and Policy, both from Niagara University.

Ryan Leil is the Chief of Police for the New Glasgow Police in Nova Scotia, bringing over 22 years of policing experience, including service with both the New Glasgow Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Throughout his career, Ryan has been deeply committed to advancing community safety through a focus on mental health, collaboration, and organizational wellness. A founding partner in the development of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programming in Nova Scotia’s Northern Zone, Ryan has played a key role in shaping a rural, partnership-driven approach to crisis response. His work reflects a strong belief that effective policing in today’s environment requires integration with health, social services, and community stakeholders. He continues to support this work as Co-Chair of the CIT Northern Zone Steering Committee and a member of the Pictou County Mental Wellness Roundtable Coordinating Committee. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from Cape Breton University, along with specialized education in police leadership, psychologically safe leadership, and justice studies. His contributions to policing and community service have been recognized through numerous honours, including the Police Exemplary Service Medal, the Nova Scotia Police Long Service Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dr. Sabrina Kaur Syan is Clinical Lead of the Young Adult Substance Use Program and a Clinical Psychologist within the Concurrent Disorders Outpatient Service at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She is also the Addiction Psychology Lead for the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience at McMaster University. Dr. Syan has dual PhDs in Neuroscience (2017) and Clinical Psychology (2022) from McMaster University and completed her Clinical Psychology Residency at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Her research bridges cognitive neuroscience with clinically meaningful outcomes, particularly in populations with complex needs such as those with concurrent disorders.

Sam Richberg, Chief of Programs with Affiliated Sante Group, is a licensed clinical professional counselor, holding a Master’s Degree from Trinity University. He began his career in behavioral health as a clinician working with children, adolescents and adults struggling with severe and persistent mental illness. Remaining in the behavioral health field Sam transitioned into a management role as Director of Residential Rehabilitation Programs. Throughout his career he has gone on to be director of community-based psychiatric rehabilitation programs and outpatient clinical programs. With an understanding of the vast services within the behavioral health field, Sam became a certified CARF surveyor, where surveys and assisted behavioral health programs with obtaining necessary accreditation.

Sandra Cabral is the Director of Mental Health Court Support Services with CMHA Hamilton, where she has dedicated 20 years to providing mental health support in the community. Sandra’s passion for mental health began early. She became the first student in her high school to secure a co-op placement at what was then the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital. Since then, she has built a career rooted in advocacy, compassion and collaboration. She spent the first few years of her career in supportive housing and has spent the last 2 decades at CMHA Hamilton providing support to individuals within the justice system as a Case Manager in the Court Support program, the Community Justice Coordinator for Hamilton, and the co-chair for Hamilton’s Community Reintegration Planning Table. Her time at CMHA has allowed her to continue pursuing this lifelong commitment to supporting mental health and fostering strong community partnerships. Outside of work, you often find her with a drill in hand tackling home improvement projects or with a book in hand relaxing.

Superintendent Sarah Riddell began her career with York Regional Police in March 1999. During her 26 year career she has worked in Uniform Frontline, Youth Programs, Criminal Investigations Bureau, Community Orientated Response, Traffic Enforcement and the Road Safety Unit. She is currently assigned to the Community Services Bureau, overseeing Youth Engagement, Crime Prevention, the Community Engagement and Wellbeing Bureaus, Diversity and Cultural Resources Bureau, Hate Crime Prevention, and the Community Safety Village. Sarah is the Chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Response to Persons in Crisis Committee, and a member of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. Sarah is an executive member of the York Region Community Safety and Wellbeing committee and Co-Chairs the Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Carleton University and an Advanced Certificate in Justice Studies with Honours from Humber College. Sarah has completed the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management Police Leadership Program, and Carleton University’s Advancing Women In Leadership Program. She recently completed the Osgoode Law School certificate in Mental Health Law.

Sarah is a registered Occupational Therapist who has worked as a mental health clinician since in the Crisis Outreach and Support Team since 2001. She has developed and introduced CIT training in the Hamilton and surrounding region in 2006 as well as in other police services across the province. The 55th CIT was just held in Hamilton. In 2013, she developed and assisted in implementing Hamilton's Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team which has been highly successful and replicated across the province. .

Sue Phipps BSCn, MHM 20+ years serving people experiencing mental illness, substance use, and homelessness in hospital and community and a practicing psychotherapist. Co-Chairs the MHA Adult Secretariat for the GHHN, Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of SW at McMaster and a founding member of McMaster’s Community Research Platform.

Susan Mifsud is a mother, friend, colleague, volunteer, and writer, who lives with mental illness. As a fierce advocate for stigma elimination, she spreads her message of hope, recovery, and empowerment. Susan has been a speaker and advocate related to mental health and addictions for almost 20 years, including work with the Canadian Mental Health Association-Niagara as a member of the Speakers’ Bureau (including guest speaking for the Niagara Police Services CIT), Board Director, and current Co-Chair of the Client and Family Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the advisory committee for Peer Support Canada, serves on the Board of The Hope Centre and as a member of the City of Welland Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. After a 26 year career in Human Resources Management, Susan completed her Master’s degree and began her “encore” career as a Peer Specialist with Niagara Region Mental Health where she served participants within their communities. In retirement, she continues to volunteer in areas related to health equity and poverty reduction. In addition to her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Master of Education, Susan is a Certified Coach Practitioner, and completed her Peer Support Certification through Peer Support Canada (PSC).

Tina-Marie Brown, LCSW-C has been with Affiliated Sante’ group for 15 years. Currently the Regional Director for Eastern Shore Crisis Response and Southern Maryland Crisis Response, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the regional crisis program which includes traditional mobile crisis teams, mobile response stabilization teams, specialized child and adolescent teams, safe station services, a regional call center which services a local hotline, 988 and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). This is a rural regional crisis system that serves 8 counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and 2 counties in Southern Maryland. Tina received her MSW from University of Maryland School of Social Work, her BSW from Salisbury University and has her Trauma Certification from Justice Resource Institute of Boston and is trained in Critical Incident Stress Management. She is a certified instructor by the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission, completed the CIT coordinators course and is an approved instructor for group crisis intervention. She is experienced in program and policy development, program evaluation and management.

With over 10 years of hands-on experience working with animals, Veronica Grigorio is a dedicated member of the Cook County Sheriff's Office Tails of Redemption team. Her background includes work in veterinary hospitals and animal shelters, including Cicero Waggin Tails who has been one of Tails of Redemption's trusted partners for over 5 years. She is passionate about promoting the benefits of Therapy K9s in law enforcement, for officers and the communities they serve.