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FEBRUARY 17-19, 2027

Agenda

View the full agenda to explore emerging trends, gain actionable insights, and collaborate with leading experts across multi-disciplinary sessions throughout the 19th annual symposium.

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Agenda

Please note that all times are in PCT. All symposium sessions will be available to in-person and livestream viewers. Pre-conference sessions are in-person only. 

Speakers and sessions are subject to change.

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To ensure a comprehensive and engaging experience, attendees are asked to remain within their selected track throughout the day. Switching between tracks is not permitted.

Train the Trainer: Emergency SRP/SRM

Pre-Conference Opens

8:30 AM

Kevin Burd

Training Director
I Love U Guys Foundation

Introductions & Foundation History

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SRP Classroom Training

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

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Morning Break

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

SRP Resources, Drills and Messaging

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM

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Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Introduction to Incident Command System

2:45 AM – 4:00 PM

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Introduction to Standard Reunification Method

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

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Reunification Exercise

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

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Resources, Administration, Evaluations

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Pre-Conference Ends

4:30 PM

Critical Incident Response and Management of a Mass Tragedy: Digital Implications in Today's Threat Assessment World

From Despair to Hope: A Journey of Transformation and Healing

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Rodney Nataucappo

Motivational Speaker | Ex-Gang Member | STR8 UP Board Representative
STR8 UP

Chantel Huel

Program Manager
STR8 UP

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Session TBD

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Rodney Nataucappo

Motivational Speaker | Ex-Gang Member | STR8 UP Board Representative
STR8 UP

Chantel Huel

Program Manager
STR8 UP

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Morning Break

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

More Information Coming Soon!

Melissa Reeves

Dr. Melissa Reeves

Senior Advisor & Trainer
Safer Schools Together

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Differentiating Autism-Related Behaviors from a True Threat

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Melissa Reeves

Dr. Melissa Reeves

Senior Advisor & Trainer
Safer Schools Together

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Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Navigating Complex Critical Incidents: A Trauma-Informed Framework Following a Mass School Tragedy Event

1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Safer Schools Together

Jen Chambers

Jen Chambers

Senior Trauma & Behavioral Threat Assessment Management Advisor
Safer Schools Together

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More Information Coming Soon!

1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Safer Schools Together

Jen Chambers

Jen Chambers

Senior Trauma & Behavioral Threat Assessment Management Advisor
Safer Schools Together

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Welcome & Opening Remarks

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Safer Schools Together

Gordon Stokes

Constable
Vancouver Police Department

chief-steve-rai

Steve Rai

Chief of Police
Vancouver Police Department

Current Gang Landscape

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

CFSEU

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU)

KEYNOTE

Ennobilizing: Gang Members Finding Their True Selves in a Community of Tenderness

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Father Gregory Boyle

Priest & Founder
Homeboy Industries

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KEYNOTE

The Latin American Syndicate Threat to Canada

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Lawrence Lujan

Commander
Major Crimes Division – Homicide, Crimes Against Children, Financial Crime, and the Crime Scene Unit, Texas Police Department

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Morning Break

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM

The Day We Train For

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

James Englert

President
National Association of School Resource Officers

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Lunch

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Hidden in Plain Sight: Identifying Vehicle Voids and Hidden Compartments

Frank Grosspietsch

Frank Grosspietsch

Consultant & Firearms-Related Investigations
Safer Schools Together

Jeff Kaye

Jeff Kaye

President & Founder
School Safety Operations Inc.

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The Intersection of School Suicide Risk Screening and Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management

Melissa Reeves

Dr. Melissa Reeves

Senior Advisor & Trainer
Safer Schools Together

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Afternoon Break

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Radicalized Communities: Decoding Digital Leakage to Prevent Real-World Tragedy

2:45 AM – 4:00 PM

Mike Johnson

Director of School Safety
Hamilton Southeastern Schools

Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Safer Schools Together

Steven-MacDonald- Executive Director

Steven MacDonald

Executive Director
Safer Schools Together

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Networking Event

Registration is required. In-person only.
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Dirt Road Rebels

Join SST and our expert speakers for a networking event featuring live country music from Dirt Road Rebels, known for their high-energy shows and catchy original songs.

Welcome

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM

Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Safer Schools Together

From Tragedy to Change: Stand with Parkland’s Story 

8:15 AM – 9:15 AM

Tony Montalto

President
Stand with Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools

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Anatomy of a School Shooting: Perry, Iowa

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Sheriff Adam Infante

Sheriff
Dallas County Sheriff's Office

SAC Adam DeCamp

Special Agent in Charge
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation

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Morning Break

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

PANEL

Panel Session

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

CEIA

Allegion

COSECURE

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Session TBD

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

James Englert

President
National Association of School Resource Officers

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Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Reading the Warning Signs: Digital Leakage, Threat Assessment, and Prevention in K-12 Schools

Dr. Angi Meyer

Public Safety Manager
Beaverton School District

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Indicators to Intervention: Understanding Gang Activity in Schools

Hunter Mcleod

Senior Director & School Safety Coordinator
Regional School Safety Center | North Central ESD 171

Shelby Jensen

Safety Center Coordinator
ESD 123

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Afternoon Break

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM

Reading the Warning Signs: Digital Leakage, Threat Assessment, and Prevention in K-12 Schools

Michele Gay

Michele Gay

Co-Founder & Executive Director
Safe and Sound Schools

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After the Incident

Rob Rai

Executive Senior Manager
Safer Schools Together

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Afternoon Break

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Session TBD

3:45 AM – 4:30 PM

Jonathan Mubanda

Producer, Writer, & Safe School Liaison

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Closing Ceremonies

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM

Kevin Burd

Training Director

 I Love U Guys Foundation

Kevin Burd is the Training Director of The “I Love U Guys” Foundation and a retired Detective Lieutenant from Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

During his law enforcement career, he served in the Major Crimes Unit and as Commander of the Special Operations Unit. The Special Operations Unit consisted of SWAT, Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Active Threat Response and School Safety.

Early in his career, Kevin was instrumental in developing and coordinating the Hunterdon County Safe Campus Initiative, which included implementing the “I Love U Guys” Foundation Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method, along with other nationally recognized grant-funded programs and training.

Today, the Foundation is led and supported by survivors, family members, first responders, and community members with a vested interest in safety, preparedness, and reunification in schools.

pre-conference SESSION

February 17, 2027 • 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM PCT

Train the Trainer: Emergency SRP/SRM

Led by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation, the SRP/SRM Full-Day Train the Trainer Workshop introduces the concepts and history of the Standard Response Protocol and the Standard Reunification Method, and how to educate students and staff on the programs and strategies to implement the programs.

The SRP was introduced in 2009 and is a proven enhancement to school safety planning used by thousands of schools in the US and Canada. Later, in 2012, the SRM was introduced to fill a critical void in school safety planning: how to reunite students with their parents after a crisis.

Through discussion and real-world examples, you will discover how the SRP functions as an all-hazards, institutional response and learn how to apply the SRP in both daily operations and emergency situations. Learn about the roles and responsibilities involved in reunification and how the SRM provides school and district safety teams with proven methods for planning, practicing, and achieving a successful reunification. This pre-conference also includes a segment on Incident Command, highlighting its role in crisis management and coordination.

By the end of this pre-conference, you will have the tools to confidently implement the SRP and SRM, enhancing your school/district’s emergency response and reunification plans.

Rodney Nataucappo

Motivational Speaker | Ex-Gang Member | STR8 UP Board Representative

STR8 UP

Rodney Nataucappo, a proud member of Yellow Quill First Nation in Treaty Six Territory, has been inspiring audiences for over 15 years. He shares the raw truths of his past and the profound impact of growing up in a broken system shaped by intergenerational trauma. As a former gang member and someone who has overcome significant adversity, Rodney’s story resonates deeply with many Indigenous brothers and sisters who have never had the chance to share their own experiences.

Having spent 14 years incarcerated, including time in treatment centers and the penitentiary, Rodney’s journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. Sober since 2017, he now serves as a Board Representative for STR8 UP, where he helps guide others on their path to recovery. By practicing his culture and traditions, Rodney maintains his sobriety and continues to inspire others with his powerful story of hope, healing, and redemption.

Pre-Conference SESSION

February 17, 2027 • 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM PCT

From Despair to Hope: A Journey of Transformation and Healing

STR8 UP members Rodney Nataucappo and Chantel Huel share their personal journeys from despair to hope through STR8 UP’s model of healing and transformation.

Two journeys, two stories, and a powerful reminder that personal transformation is possible, and no one is beyond hope.

Chantel Huel

Program Manager

STR8 UP

Chantel Huel is a lived experience advocate who has walked the path from incarceration, drug addiction, and domestic violence to leadership and change-making. As a survivor of these battles, she understands the deep complexities of trauma, resilience, and recovery. With firsthand knowledge of street life, gang involvement, the justice system, and the barriers faced by those inside and outside the carceral system, she challenges how prison administrators make decisions and fights for meaningful change.
Her journey from serving time to mentoring others in recovery has shaped her into a fierce advocate. Through peer mentorship and system navigation, Chantel uses her voice and experience to uplift others, proving that transformation is possible and that no one is beyond hope.
Chantel is currently the Program Manager at STR8 UP, a Community Researcher with the Elizabeth Fry Society, and a Street Level Researcher with Dr. Robert Henry at the University of Saskatchewan, where she brings lived experience expertise to community engaged research and systems change initiatives.

Pre-Conference SESSION

February 17, 2027 • 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM PCT

From Despair to Hope: A Journey of Transformation and Healing

STR8 UP members Rodney Nataucappo and Chantel Huel share their personal journeys from despair to hope through STR8 UP’s model of healing and transformation.

Two journeys, two stories, and a powerful reminder that personal transformation is possible, and no one is beyond hope.

Melissa Reeves

Dr. Melissa Reeves

Ph.D., NCSP, LPC

Senior Advisor & Trainer

Safer Schools Together

Dr. Melissa Reeves is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, and professional counselor with over 20 years of experience in public and private schools. She has taught psychology courses and served on the university’s Critical Incident Management Team and the College of Arts and Science COVID-19 Recovery committee. Dr. Reeves is a threat assessment and mental health specialist and senior advisor for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy. She is also a consultant and trainer for SIGMA Threat Management Associates, and delivers the USSS/NTAC model-based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training for SST. Dr. Reeves is the lead author of the South Carolina Department of Education School-Based Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Best Practice Guidelines for South Carolina K-12 Schools and has conducted over 350 workshops and presentations. She has authored six books and has testified in front of the U.S. Senate Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Disaster and Recovery.

Pre-Conference SESSION

February 17, 2027 • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PCT

Differentiating Autism-Related Behaviors from a True Threat

Autism-related communication and behaviors are sometimes misunderstood as indicators of dangerousness. This workshop helps behavioral threat assessment and management teams distinguish autism-related characteristics from behaviors that may indicate movement along a pathway toward violence. Participants will explore how autism may influence communication, emotional expression, social interaction, behavior, and online activity during the threat assessment process.

The workshop also examines Digital Threat Assessment® and vulnerabilities autistic students may experience in online communities, including social isolation, difficulty recognizing deception or manipulation, literal interpretation of online content, and susceptibility to exploitation or recruitment by harmful individuals or groups. Participants will learn to evaluate digital behavior within each student’s developmental, social, and educational context.

Through evidence-informed strategies and case studies, participants will learn how to conduct disability-sensitive interviewing, identify risk and protective factors, recognize relevant digital warning behaviors, and consider appropriate accommodations. These skills support accurate, equitable BTAM decisions while reducing unnecessary restrictive or exclusionary responses and respecting neurodiversity.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Differentiate autism-related communication and behavioral characteristics from warning behaviors that may indicate movement along a pathway toward violence.
  2. Evaluate concerning online activity within a student’s developmental, social, and educational context, including vulnerabilities to manipulation, exploitation, or harmful recruitment.
  3. Apply disability-sensitive interviewing strategies, appropriate accommodations, and relevant risk and protective factors to support accurate, equitable BTAM decisions.

February 18, 2027 • 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PCT

The Intersection of School Suicide Risk Screening and Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management 

This workshop explores the shared and distinct aspects of assessing and responding to suicidal and homicidal ideation in students. While both can represent last-resort coping behaviors that sometimes require a combined suicide risk and behavioral threat assessment, the two processes are not interchangeable. The session clarifies when a dual assessment is appropriate, emphasizing that suicide risk screening is often included in BTAM protocols, but threat assessment should not automatically accompany every suicide concern. Participants will learn how to determine when a combined approach is warranted, what it entails, and how to develop safety plans that address both suicidal and homicidal ideation.  

Theresa Campbell

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Safer Schools Together

Theresa Campbell is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of Safer Schools Together (SST), an organization focused on promoting a climate and culture of safety in schools. Theresa established SST in 2008 to provide law enforcement agencies, school districts, and community partners with comprehensive violence prevention/intervention training. In 2018, she expanded her role to include CEO and founder of the International Center for Digital Threat Assessment® (ICDTA). Previously, Theresa served as the Executive Director of the International Center for Threat Assessment (ICTA). As a Subject Matter Expert in School-Based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment, violence prevention, and trauma response, Theresa regularly consults on high-profile cases throughout North America.

Jen Chambers

Theresa Campbell

Senior Trauma & Behavioral Threat Assessment Management Advisor

Safer Schools Together

Jen Chambers has been an Educator and Counsellor in British Columbia schools for almost thirty years. Her career began with teaching English and Philosophy to high school students in the District Gifted Program in Greater Victoria, BC. After earning a Master’s Degree in Counselling, Jen broadened her professional practice to supporting struggling youth in schools.

Jen has held the role of District Counsellor, Safe Schools Coordinator, and District Critical Incident Response Lead for the past eight years. She is also a Behavioral Threat Assessment Management Consultant for Safer Schools Together (SST), where she presents the US Secret Service/NTAC model-based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA), Trauma-Informed Safe and Caring School Communities, and Anxiety, the Brain, and the Classroom: The ABCs of a Trauma-Informed Approach sessions.

Jen’s work focuses on supporting the most vulnerable youth in her community and providing professional development for staff, focusing on mental health initiatives, trauma-informed practices, harm reduction, BDTA®, and critical incident response.

Pre-Conference SESSION

February 17, 2027 • 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM PCT

Navigating Complex Critical Incidents: A Trauma-Informed Framework Following a Mass School Tragedy Event

Strengthen your Critical Incident Response and Management through a trauma-informed approach that promotes a unified and equitable response across your community.

Grounded in SST’s firsthand experience across Canada, this specialized pre-conference is designed to assist your teams navigating complex critical incidents with intentional care and consistent practices, demonstrating the necessity to continue expanding their knowledge of trauma-informed response strategies. Led by SST’s Theresa Campbell and Dr. Melissa Reeves, we will explore new best practices, including Locker and Digital Reunification™ in the aftermath of a tragic event, as well as the valuable outcomes and potential challenges of establishing a memorial, the importance of community partnerships, intentional post-trauma connections, and much more. Equip your team with the tools and resources needed to promote unity, resilience, and trauma-informed care when it matters most/ in the aftermath of a critical incident.

Theresa Campbell

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Safer Schools Together

Theresa Campbell is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of Safer Schools Together (SST), an organization focused on promoting a climate and culture of safety in schools. Theresa established SST in 2008 to provide law enforcement agencies, school districts, and community partners with comprehensive violence prevention/intervention training. In 2018, she expanded her role to include CEO and founder of the International Center for Digital Threat Assessment® (ICDTA). Previously, Theresa served as the Executive Director of the International Center for Threat Assessment (ICTA). As a Subject Matter Expert in School-Based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment, violence prevention, and trauma response, Theresa regularly consults on high-profile cases throughout North America.

Pre-Conference SESSION

February 17, 2027 • 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM PCT

Navigating Complex Critical Incidents: A Trauma-Informed Framework Following a Mass School Tragedy Event

Strengthen your Critical Incident Response and Management through a trauma-informed approach that promotes a unified and equitable response across your community.

Grounded in SST’s firsthand experience across Canada, this specialized pre-conference is designed to assist your teams navigating complex critical incidents with intentional care and consistent practices, demonstrating the necessity to continue expanding their knowledge of trauma-informed response strategies. Led by SST’s Theresa Campbell and Dr. Melissa Reeves, we will explore new best practices, including Locker and Digital Reunification™ in the aftermath of a tragic event, as well as the valuable outcomes and potential challenges of establishing a memorial, the importance of community partnerships, intentional post-trauma connections, and much more. Equip your team with the tools and resources needed to promote unity, resilience, and trauma-informed care when it matters most/ in the aftermath of a critical incident.

February 18, 2027 • 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM PCT

Radicalized Communities: Decoding Digital Leakage to Prevent Real-World Tragedy

Mike Johnson from Hamilton Southeastern Schools will present on how the integration of digital inquiries into the threat assessment process can provide critical insight into pathway behaviors, online influences, and emerging risk factors. Drawing from a real case, he will discuss how Safer Schools Together’s digital threat assessment consultation helped clarify concerns related to Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) content and online radicalization, demonstrating that these issues can impact any community, including suburban school districts, and highlighting the value of early identification and intervention.

Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU)

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia is British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) “integrated anti-gang police agency”. CFSEU-BC is the largest integrated police program in Canada, made up of members from every police department in B.C., including the RCMP, and is the third largest police ‘force’ in the province with over 400 officers.

February 18, 2027 • 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM PCT

The Current Gang Landscape

Stay tuned for CFSEU’s session details.

Father Gregory Boyle

Priest & Founder

Homeboy Industries

Father Gregory Boyle, a Jesuit priest, is the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program in the world.

Born and raised in Los Angeles and Jesuit priest, from 1986 to 1992 Fr. Boyle served as pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights. Dolores Mission was the poorest Catholic parish in Los Angeles that also had the highest concentration of gang activity in the city.

Fr. Boyle witnessed the devastating impact of gang violence on his community during the so-called “Decade of Death” that began in the late 1980s and peaked at 1,000 gang-related killings in 1992. In the face of law enforcement tactics and criminal justice policies of suppression and mass incarceration as the means to end gang violence, he, the parish, and community members adopted what was a radical approach at the time: treat gang members as human beings.

In 1988, they started what would eventually become Homeboy Industries, which employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises, as well as provides critical services to thousands of individuals who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life.

Fr. Boyle is the author of the 2010 New York Times-bestseller Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. Followed by Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship (2017) and The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness (2021). His most recent work is Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times (2024).

He has received the California Peace Prize and has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame. In 2014, President Obama named Fr. Boyle a Champion of Change. He received the University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. Homeboy Industries was the recipient of the 2020 Hilton Humanitarian Prize validating 32 years of Fr. Greg Boyle’s vision and work by the organization for over three decades. In 2024 he was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.

KEYNOTE SESSION

February 18, 2027 • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PCT

Ennobilizing: Gang Members Finding Their True Selves in a Community of Tenderness

Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world, will talk about the work of ennobilizing that Homeboy Industries does—fostering a community of tenderness in which gang members discover and become their true selves. If love is the answer, community is the context and tenderness the methodology. Ennobilization is not about saving lives, but about our own willingness to be reached and transformed by the poor, the easily despised and demonized, so that the demonizing stops.

Lawrence Lujan

Commander

Major Crimes Division – Homicide, Crimes Against Children, Financial Crime, and the Crime Scene Unit, Texas Police Department

Lawrence Lujan is a seasoned law enforcement executive, having accumulated an impressive 35-year tenure with the El Paso, Texas Police Department. Currently serving as the Commander of the Major Crimes Division – Homicide, Crimes Against Children, Financial Crime, and the Crimes Scene unit, Commander Lujan has honed his skills in the field of gang investigations, leadership, critical incident management, officer safety, firearms instruction, mobile field force, and specialized tactical units, such as SWAT. A graduate of the FBI National Academy (NA) – Session 274 and the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) Class 58, Commander Lujan has shared his expertise internationally, presenting in El Salvador, Canada, and South Korea. His military operational experience spans across Honduras, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. In 2021, Commander Lujan was recognized for his superior service with the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award by the National Gang Crime Research Center (NGCRC). He has also contributed to the Organization for National Gang Information & Awareness (ONGIA) events in Calgary and Kingston, and spoke at SST’s GGSVP 2025 conference in Vancouver. With a unique and highly sought-after skill set, Commander Lujan’s contributions to the law enforcement sector are truly exemplary.

KEYNOTE SESSION

February 18, 2027 • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PCT

The Latin American Syndicate Threat to Canada

Organized crime and gangs prey upon citizens and exploit our communities. These groups commit murder, rape, extortion, assault, deal drugs, and radicalize our youth. Structural, social, and economic issues like poverty, inequality, and unemployment contribute to immigrant populations fleeing their nations in search of hope in new countries. Sadly, organized crime and gangs see opportunity in these mass migrations, embedding themselves in the new migrant communities. They then expand their criminal enterprises in the new communities and spread fear and violence. This discussion will provide an overview of known Latin American Syndicates that have found footholds in Canada. It will also provide methods of identification and provide strategies for response.

James Englert

President

National Association of School Resource Officers

James Englert is a deputy with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office in Centennial Colorado, where he has worked for 23 years. He has been a school resource officer (SRO) since 2005. He is currently the SRO at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, where he has worked for 15 years. James is a practitioner and instructor with the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), and he serves on the board of NASRO as the 2nd Vice President. He is also an instructor with the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA), and he has served on the board of IPMBA for 9 years. James previously served on the board of Colorado Safe2Tell and is currently the President of the “I Love U Guys Foundation.” James consults and is a speaker on school safety. James was the first responder to the shooting at Arapahoe High School December 13, 2013.

February 18, 2027 • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM PCT

The Day We Train For

The day we train for…and things you don’t expect. Hear the details of the shooting at Arapahoe High School in Centennial from the SRO on scene. What events occurred prior to 12/13/13. Hear dispatch tapes from during the event and tactics used. Learn what worked and didn’t work during the lockdown and reunification. Hear directly from the Deputy that was on scene. Join us for an in-depth, firsthand account of the Arapahoe High School shooting in Centennial. Hear directly from the School Resource Officer who was on scene as he walks through the critical events leading up to December 13, 2013. Experience actual dispatch audio from the incident, gain insight into the tactics used, and learn what proved effective—and what didn’t—during the lockdown and reunification process. This is a rare opportunity to learn from the deputy who lived.

Frank Grosspietsch

Consultant & Firearms-Related Investigations

Safer Schools Together

Frank Grosspietsch, a retired RCMP officer, offers expert consultation services for SST, specializing in firearms investigations and enforcement. With 14 years as a firearms investigative and enforcement support specialist, Frank has supported SST’s Annual Gangs and Guns Conference. His qualifications include firearm identification, criminal use of firearms, and international firearms trafficking. Frank is also a UN-recognized expert in small arms and light weapons, contributing his vast expertise to enhancing public safety.

February 18, 2027 • 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM PCT

An Introduction to Radicalization

Stay tuned for more details regarding Frank Grosspietsch’s session.

Brian Shalley

Detective

Calgary Police Services

Brian has 14 years of service with the Calgary Police Service (CPS), working in general patrol, the mountain bike unit, offender management, surveillance teams, and, most recently, spending 4.5 years with the Organized Crime Enforcement Team before being promoted to Detective in July 2025. In 2022, Brian discovered his first aftermarket hidden compartment, sparking a strong interest in vehicle concealment methods. He completed Pipeline/Convoy and aftermarket compartment training with the Vancouver Police Department and the RCMP in 2023. Since then, he has identified numerous sophisticated hidden compartments and voids, leading to the seizure of several firearms, large quantities of drugs, and currency. His expertise has supported various units’ investigations within CPS and Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT). Currently serving in the CPS General Investigations Unit, Brian continues to lead training efforts within CPS on detection and concealment techniques. He remains committed to refining his skills in locating and sequencing compartments while assisting investigators across the service. Brian is passionate about advancing awareness surrounding hidden compartments. He shares his knowledge to enhance officer safety and operational success and is excited to share these insights.

BREAKOUT SESSION

February 12, 2026 • 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM PST

Hidden in Plain Sight: Identifying Vehicle Voids and Hidden Compartments

Criminals are increasingly using sophisticated concealment methods to transport and store drugs, currency, and weapons. While hidden compartments are not new to organized crime, law enforcement is encountering them more frequently. This presentation will highlight this growing trend, focusing on common vehicle voids and outlining the key indicators that will help officers detect hidden compartments during investigations.

Mike Johnson

Director of School Safety

Hamilton Southeastern Schools

Mike Johnson is the Director of School Safety for Hamilton Southeastern Schools in Fishers, Indiana, where he leads district-wide safety planning, staff training, and emergency preparedness.

After a full career with the Fishers Police Department, including years as a School Resource Officer, Johnson stepped into his current role, with his direct experience shaping how he thinks about keeping kids safe. Johnson serves as an instructor with the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and teaches behavioral threat assessment with Safer Schools Together under Dr. Melissa Reeves. I previously served as President of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association.

February 18, 2027 • 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM PCT

Radicalized Communities: Decoding Digital Leakage to Prevent Real-World Tragedy

Mike Johnson from Hamilton Southeastern Schools will present on how the integration of digital inquiries into the threat assessment process can provide critical insight into pathway behaviors, online influences, and emerging risk factors. Drawing from a real case, he will discuss how Safer Schools Together’s digital threat assessment consultation helped clarify concerns related to Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) content and online radicalization, demonstrating that these issues can impact any community, including suburban school districts, and highlighting the value of early identification and intervention.

Steven-MacDonald- Executive Director

Steven MacDonald

Executive Director

Safer Schools Together

Steven joined Safer Schools Together (SST) as a Threat Analyst in 2019 after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. As an Executive Director, he collaborates closely with SST’s CEO, Theresa Campbell, to design and implement training programs such as Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) and Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA).

Steven has trained professionals across North America, including those from DHS, FBI, law enforcement agencies, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions. His expertise lies in creating safer school environments by equipping teams with the knowledge and tools to conduct accurate threat assessments.

He previously worked as the Director of Training & Development and Senior Threat Analyst, specializing in social media data analysis for Safety/Threat Assessment teams, contributing significantly to school safety cases in Canada and the USA. Steven’s background in language analytics, artificial intelligence, and social media trends allows him to effectively collect data and evaluate threats. He presents workshops on social media awareness, online safety, and strategies for managing threat-related behaviors in today’s digital age, making him a valuable asset in promoting safety in North American communities.

February 18, 2027 • 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM PCT

Radicalized Communities: Decoding Digital Leakage to Prevent Real-World Tragedy

Mike Johnson from Hamilton Southeastern Schools will present on how the integration of digital inquiries into the threat assessment process can provide critical insight into pathway behaviors, online influences, and emerging risk factors. Drawing from a real case, he will discuss how Safer Schools Together’s digital threat assessment consultation helped clarify concerns related to Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) content and online radicalization, demonstrating that these issues can impact any community, including suburban school districts, and highlighting the value of early identification and intervention.

Tony Montalto

President

Stand with Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools

Tony Montalto is the father of forever 14-year-old Gina Rose Montalto, who was a victim at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.

Tony is also the President of Stand with Parkland – The National Association of Families for Safe Schools, an advocacy group founded by families that had a loved one killed in the Parkland, FL school massacre. The organization promotes a unique, inclusive and all-encompassing approach to safer schools by advocating for improved campus safety, improved mental health programs, and responsible firearm ownership. In honor of his daughter, Tony is also President of the Gina Rose Montalto Memorial Foundation, Inc.  and the Vice-Chairman of the Parkland 17 Memorial Foundation.

Tony is a captain for a major airline with over 35 years of experience, flying both international and domestic routes. He is also a recipient of The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service and served as a member of Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board. 

February 19, 2027 • 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM PCT

From Tragedy to Change: Stand with Parkland’s Story

In this session, Tony Montalto from Stand with Parkland will share his daughter Gina’s story, reflecting on his family’s loss and turning pain into purpose, drawing on lessons from aviation safety: prevention, training, and vigilance. This presentation will examine lessons learned from Parkland, including missed warning signs, security failures, and the vital need for coordinated prevention, before outlining the “School Safety Triad”: secure campuses, mental health support, and responsible firearms ownership. Attendees will explore legislative progress and resources, alongside practical prevention strategies and actionable safety measures, ranging from parent communication and staff training to family reunification planning and effective law enforcement response. 

Sheriff Adam Infante

Sheriff

Dallas County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Adam Infante is a competent and highly-committed leader whose resume includes a 26-year law enforcement career in the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office where he has been dedicated to the people who live and work in Dallas County. Prior to being appointed Sheriff in 2022 and subsequently elected Sheriff in 2024, he was active as a Patrol Deputy, Investigator, Task Force Officer, and supervisor. He is engaged in the lives of his loving family and the betterment of his community. On the morning of January 4, 2024, Sheriff Infante was pulling into his office when an active shooter call was broadcast over the police radio. The efforts of Sheriff Infante and the entirety of law enforcement in Dallas County, before, during, and after, helped mitigate the negative impacts of the shooters actions and aid in the recovery of the students, staff, and community impacted by the events inside Perry High School.

February 19, 2027 • 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM PCT

Anatomy of a School Shooting: Perry, Iowa

On January 4, 2024, Perry, Iowa, joined a list of communities forever changed by a shooting in the hallways of a school building.

Drawing on firsthand experiences, this presentation takes participants beyond the headlines to explore what happened before, during, and after the shooting. By examining critical decisions, unforeseen challenges, lessons learned, and extraordinary acts of courage, the presentation offers a candid look at the complexities of a tragedy that unfolded in minutes, but whose impact will endure for generations.

This is not a presentation about assigning blame or finding fault. It is an opportunity to share experiences, challenge assumptions, and offer perspectives that may help other communities better prepare for, respond to, and recover from the unimaginable.

SAC Adam DeCamp

Special Agent in Charge

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation

Adam DeCamp currently serves as a Special Agent in Charge for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, bringing over 30 years of law enforcement experience to the role. While he has spent several years in leadership at headquarters, including a stint as Bureau Chief of the Professional Standards Bureau, Adam has dedicated most of his career to the Major Crime Unit (MCU). For the past seven years, Adam has overseen a team of MCU agents serving the south-central region of Iowa.On January 4, 2024, a lone shooter inside Perry High School killed a student and a school administrator, injured six others, and terrorized an entire community before taking his own life. In the moments immediately following the shooting, Adam was the on-scene supervisor, leading the investigation into not only the incident itself, but also the pathway to violence the shooter traveled. Since the Perry High School shooting, Adam has remained committed to sharing the insights and lessons learned throughout the investigation. His goal is to support law enforcement agencies, officers, and investigators in strengthening their preparedness and response —before, during, and after critical incidents.

February 19, 2027 • 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM PCT

Anatomy of a School Shooting: Perry, Iowa

On January 4, 2024, Perry, Iowa, joined a list of communities forever changed by a shooting in the hallways of a school building.

Drawing on firsthand experiences, this presentation takes participants beyond the headlines to explore what happened before, during, and after the shooting. By examining critical decisions, unforeseen challenges, lessons learned, and extraordinary acts of courage, the presentation offers a candid look at the complexities of a tragedy that unfolded in minutes, but whose impact will endure for generations.

This is not a presentation about assigning blame or finding fault. It is an opportunity to share experiences, challenge assumptions, and offer perspectives that may help other communities better prepare for, respond to, and recover from the unimaginable.

Dr. Angi Meyer

Public Safety Manager

Beaverton School District

With over 20 years of experience in education, I am a passionate and visionary leader who strives to create a culture of belonging, resiliency, and sustainability for students, staff, and families. I currently serve as a Manager for Public Safety in the Beaverton School District. I previously served as the Associate Director of Risk Management and School Safety at EUGENE SD 4J, where I oversaw the district’s policies, practices, and programs related to prevention, intervention, and postvention of various risks and challenges.

I have a strong background in suicide prevention, behavioral threat assessment, sexual incident response, and substance use and misuse programs, as well as in training, educating, and advocating for mental health and wellness. I am pursuing my Doctor of Education degree at the University of Oregon, with a focus on threat management. My mission is to empower and support schools and communities in fostering a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment for all.

February 19, 2027 • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PST

Reading the Warning Signs: Digital Leakage, Threat Assessment, and Prevention in K-12 Schools

Research consistently demonstrates that individuals planning violence often communicate their intentions before acting. In today’s environment, those warning signs frequently emerge online. This presentation explores the intersection of digital leakage, behavioral threat assessment, and violence prevention in K-12 settings. Through real-world examples and lessons learned from school investigations, participants will gain practical strategies for turning online warning signs into opportunities for intervention, support, and prevention.

Hunter Mcleod

Senior Director of the Regional School Safety Center & School Safety Coordinator

North Central Educational Service District 171

Hunter McLeod is the Senior Director of the Regional School Safety Center and School Safety Coordinator at North Central Educational Service District 171 in Washington State. Before moving into school safety leadership, she worked as a classroom teacher and a law enforcement officer. Hunter works with school districts on student behavioral threat assessment, gang awareness, and comprehensive school safety. She helps multidisciplinary teams respond to complex situations and trains educators and community partners to recognize concerns early and coordinate support for students. Her commitment to gang-impacted youth comes from her time in the classroom. Teaching students affected by gangs showed her how much a consistent relationship with an adult can matter, particularly when a student is struggling. She brings that perspective to her work with schools: take safety concerns seriously, stay connected to the student, and work together to find a path forward.

February 19, 2027 • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PCT

Indicators to Intervention: Understanding Gang Activity in Schools

Gang involvement is about far more than colors, symbols, or hand signs. This session explores current trends in youth gang activity, how gang-related behaviors may appear in schools and online, and the factors that can increase a young person’s vulnerability to involvement. Participants will move beyond simply identifying indicators to discuss practical prevention and intervention strategies, including how to approach conversations with students when concerns arise. The session will also examine how unaddressed gang-related behaviors can affect school climate, culture, and perceptions of safety among both students and staff. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what to look for, how to start the conversation, and what to do next

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify current trends, behaviors, and indicators associated with youth gang involvement in school and online environments.
  • Differentiate between observable gang-related indicators and assumptions, examining how bias and stereotypes can contribute to over-identification or misinterpretation of student behavior.
  • Recognize risk and protective factors that may influence a young person’s vulnerability to gang involvement, including connection, belonging, peer influence, and trusted adult relationships.
  • Apply practical, nonjudgmental conversation and response strategies when concerns arise, while considering how timely intervention can support the individual student and strengthen overall school climate, culture, and perceptions of safety.

Shelby Jensen

Safety Center Coordinator

ESD 123

Shelby Jensen is a Safety Center Coordinator at ESD 123 in Pasco, WA. Shelby Jensen has dedicated more than 25 years to promoting safe, supportive, and inclusive schools, with extensive experience working directly with youth impacted by gangs, violence, behavioral challenges, and other safety concerns. Throughout her career, Shelby has focused on helping schools recognize risk early, strengthen relationships with students, and create consistent systems that support both safety and student success. A significant part of her work has involved educating school staff, administrators, and community partners about gang awareness, emerging youth trends, prevention, intervention, student behavior, and effective responses to safety concerns. Shelby emphasizes that school safety is a shared responsibility and that all staff need the knowledge, confidence, and consistency to respond appropriately when concerns arise. Shelby also brings more than 20 years of experience with student behavioral threat assessment, supporting schools in identifying, assessing, and responding to concerning behaviors while balancing student support with the safety of the school community. Her work centers on proactive prevention, meaningful adult-student connections, consistent behavioral expectations, collaboration, and creating school environments where students and staff can feel safe, supported, and prepared to succeed.

February 19, 2027 • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PCT

Indicators to Intervention: Understanding Gang Activity in Schools

Gang involvement is about far more than colors, symbols, or hand signs. This session explores current trends in youth gang activity, how gang-related behaviors may appear in schools and online, and the factors that can increase a young person’s vulnerability to involvement. Participants will move beyond simply identifying indicators to discuss practical prevention and intervention strategies, including how to approach conversations with students when concerns arise. The session will also examine how unaddressed gang-related behaviors can affect school climate, culture, and perceptions of safety among both students and staff. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what to look for, how to start the conversation, and what to do next

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify current trends, behaviors, and indicators associated with youth gang involvement in school and online environments.
  • Differentiate between observable gang-related indicators and assumptions, examining how bias and stereotypes can contribute to over-identification or misinterpretation of student behavior.
  • Recognize risk and protective factors that may influence a young person’s vulnerability to gang involvement, including connection, belonging, peer influence, and trusted adult relationships.
  • Apply practical, nonjudgmental conversation and response strategies when concerns arise, while considering how timely intervention can support the individual student and strengthen overall school climate, culture, and perceptions of safety.
Michele Gay

Michele Gay

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Safe and Sound Schools

Michele Gay is a mother, former teacher, and one of the founders of Safe and Sound Schools: A Sandy Hook Initiative. Following the tragic loss of her daughter, Josephine, in the Sandy Hook School tragedy, Michele Gay joined Sandy Hook mother, Alissa Parker, to establish Safe and Sound Schools as a national resource for school safety. She now travels across the country sharing her message of inspiration, recovery, and school safety education and advocacy. 

February 19, 2027 • 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM PCT

From Despair to Hope: A Journey of Transformation and Healing

Stay tuned for details regarding Michele Gay’s session. 

Rob Rai

Executive Senior Manager

Safer Schools Together

Rob Rai is an Executive Senior Manager with Safer Schools Together. An innovative thinker with more than 25 years of experience working with vulnerable youth in school systems, Rob has been at the forefront of developing culturally responsive gang intervention programming for diverse youth. Rob has been recognized for his contributions to redirecting criminally involved adolescents by municipal, provincial, and national governments, including the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian schools. Rob continues to advance the movement of supporting all youth to realize their full life potential.

February 19, 2027 • 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM PCT

After the Incident

Stay tuned for details regarding Rob Rai’s session. 

Jonathan Mubanda

Producer, Writer, & Safe School Liaison

Jonathan Mubanda is a dedicated youth worker with nearly 20 years of experience. His passion for changing lives stems from a transformative experience he had with a high school coach. Alongside his commitment to youth work, Jonathan has a deep passion for film. He has acted in numerous films and TV shows and recently participated in an award-winning documentary. This success gave him the confidence to produce his own film, which will debut as a TELUS original. Jonathan focuses on telling impactful stories through film, continuing to inspire and make a difference in the lives of young people through his dual passions for youth work and filmmaking.

February 19, 2027 • 3:45 AM – 4:30 PM PCT

Redirecting Youth off the Pathway to Gang-Associated Behavior

Stay tuned for more information regarding Jonathan Mubanda’s session. 

Which cyber behaviors pose security threats to schools?

  • Cyberbullying and Harassment
  • Signs of Radicalization
  • Data Breaches and Privacy Violations
  • Sextortion and Exploitation
  • Scams Targeting Students or Staff
  • Hacking Tools and Phishing Campaigns

ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Proactive cybersecurity is not just an IT concern—it is a shared responsibility. Our Cybersecurity in Education training equips you with practical tools to address cyber risks with no technical jargon.

Learn More