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Meet the Team

With over 100 years of combined experience, we work diligently to empower your teams to create a safer tomorrow. Meet the people behind the Safer Schools Together team!

Senior Leadership

SST’s senior leadership team comprises seasoned experts in the fields of education, law enforcement, and digital threat assessment, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization. Their strategic vision and dedication to school safety drive our mission to create secure and supportive educational environments.

Theresa Campbell

Theresa Campbell

President & Chief Executive Officer

Meet Theresa
Kelly LePrieur

Kelly LePrieur

Chief Operating Officer

Meet Kelly
John Callery

John Callery

Vice President

Meet John
Bill-Reynolds

Bill Reynolds

Consultant, Business Development

Meet Bill
Sherri Mohoruk

Sherri Mohoruk

Consultant, Safety & Wellness / Ministry Liaison

Meet Sherri

Rob Rai

Executive Senior Consultant

Meet Rob
ICDTA®-Doug-Strachan

Doug Strachan

Director of Media Relations

Meet Doug

Trainers & Consultants

SST’s expert trainers are seasoned professionals with a deep understanding of school safety and threat assessment. They deliver dynamic and interactive training sessions that equip participants with practical skills and knowledge to address digital and behavioral threats. Our trainers are dedicated to fostering a proactive approach to school safety, ensuring that educators, administrators, and safety teams are prepared to create secure and supportive educational environments.

ICDTA-Senior-Threat-Analyst-and-Trainer-Steven-MacDonald

Steven MacDonald

Director of Training and Development

Meet Steven
Colton-Easton

Colton Easton

Director of Project Development

Meet Colton

Dr. Greg Gerber

Senior Consultant & Trainer

Meet Greg
ICDTA®-Ocean-Van-Samang

Ocean Van Samang

Trainer & Senior Advisor for Mental Health

Meet Ocean
Randy Wallis

Randy Wallis

Senior Consultant & Trainer

Meet Randy
Jen Chambers

Jen Chambers

Senior Consultant & Trainer

Meet Jen
Dr. Melissa Reeves

Dr. Melissa Reeves

Ph.D., NCSP, LPC

Consultant & Trainer

Meet Melissa
ICDTA®-Tyler-Lum

Tyler Lum

Senior Threat Analyst & Trainer

Meet Tyler
ICDTA®-Nick-Brown

Nick Brown

Consultant & Trainer

Meet Nick

Jaclynn Dennis

Trainer

Meet Jaclynn

Jed Roffers

Trainer

Meet Jed
Christopher-Felton

Christopher M. Felton

Trainer

Meet Christopher
Eric-Tamashasky

Eric Tamashasky

Trainer

Meet Eric
Scott Rothermel

Scott Rothermel

Trainer

Meet Scott
Frank Grosspietsch

Frank Grosspietsch

Consultant & Firearms-Related Investigations

Meet Frank

Raj Jaswal

GRIP Trainer

Meet Raj

Dr. Margaret A. Sedor

NCSP

Trainer

Meet Margaret

Norman Miller

Trainer

Meet Norman

Dr. Joe Holifield

Trainer

Meet Joe

Nate Thompson

MSW, LCSW

Trainer

Meet Nate

Benjamin S. Fernandez

MS.Ed

Trainer

Meet Benjamin

Dr. Stephen E. Brock

Trainer

Meet Stephen

Holly Ryan

Trainer

Meet Holly

Shawna Rader Kelly

Trainer

Meet Shawna

Heilit Biehl

Trainer

Meet Heilit

Operations

SST’s administrators and operational staff are the backbone of our organization, ensuring seamless operations and exceptional customer experiences. Working diligently behind the scenes, they manage logistics, coordinate training sessions, and provide timely support to our clients. Their dedication to excellence and attention to detail guarantee that every interaction with SST is smooth, efficient, and impactful, allowing our customers to focus on creating safe and caring learning environments. Through their commitment and expertise, SST’s team continuously upholds the highest standards of service and reliability.

James Christopher

James Christopher

Director of Marketing

Meet James
Nancy-Hiebert

Nancy Hiebert

Office Manager & ERASE Coordinator

Meet Nancy
Lauren Lajambe

Lauren LaJambe

Client Account Manager

Meet Lauren
Nanette-Sears

Nanette Sears

Accounts Manager

Meet Nanette
Simran Sharma

Simran Sharma

Website Coordinator

Meet Simran
Jeanette-Mitchell

Jeanette Mitchell

Administrative Support

Meet Jeanette
Ilya Antyukhov

Ilya Antyukhov

Independent Contractor

Meet Ilya

Threat Analysts

Our team of highly skilled Threat Analysts is at the forefront of school safety and violence prevention. Available 24/7, these experts provide critical support and consultation during safety incidents, producing comprehensive Digital Baseline Reports (DBRs) and offering insights into digital and behavioral threats. With extensive experience in securing open-source social media information and collaborating on successful community interventions, our Threat Analysts are essential in helping schools and communities respond effectively to potential threats.

ICDTA®-Steve-Corbeil

Steve Corbeil

Threat Analyst Manager

Meet Steve
ICDTA®-Jordan-Granacki

Jordan Granacki, MPH.

Threat Analyst Manager

Meet Jordan
ICDTA®-Jackie-Cao

Jackie Cao

Threat Analyst Supervisor

Meet Jackie
ICDTA®-Antonio-Yasi

Antonio Ysasi

Senior Threat Analyst

Meet Antonio
ICDTA-Threat-Analyst-Gurveer-Kalkett

Gurveer Kalkett

Senior Threat Analyst

Meet Gurveer
ICDTA®-Sydnee-Mena

Sydnee Mena

Senior Threat Analyst

Meet Sydnee

Hakan Baris UMUT

Senior Threat Analyst

Meet Hakan
Meghan Holmes-Hannah - Threat Analyst ICDTA®

Meghan Holmes-Hannah

Senior Threat Analyst

Meet Meghan
Eagle Li - Threat Analyst ICDTA®

Eagle Li

Threat Analyst

Meet Eagle
Liza Lo

Liza Lo

Threat Analyst

Meet Liza

Brian Kang

Threat Analyst

Meet Brian

Jillian Fransen

Threat Analyst

Meet Jillian

David Wilson

Threat Analyst

Meet David

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Get in touch with any questions, training requests, and more!

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Contact Us

Theresa Campbell

President & Chief Executive Officer
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. She has worked extensively…  Learn More About Theresa

Kelly LePrieur

Chief Operating Officer

Kelly is the Chief Operating Officer for Safer Schools Together, an organization that is focused on violence prevention and promoting a climate and culture of safety in schools.

Kelly was in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 10 years, supporting families and staff with child development and growth. She owned and operated her own center before becoming a Regional Director at a large Canadian based childcare company. Kelly was responsible for overseeing and managing 13 facilities across British Columbia. While in this role, she developed an initiative that streamlined the daily reporting process for all center’s company-wide throughout North America, winning her an Award of Achievement.

Kelly has provided training and workshops for students, parents, and teachers. Through years of experience, she has developed a unique skillset in guiding professionals to help support children with challenging behaviors.

John Callery

Vice President

Mr. John Callery is a professional public speaker and has conducted hundreds of lectures around the world on a myriad law enforcement and counter-terrorism topics. Mr. Callery is the former Special Agent in Charge (SAC/SES) of DEA’s San Diego Division and held leadership positions for DEA in Los Angeles, DEA International Training, DEA/HQS and Hawaii. Mr. Callery has been a consultant to Safer Schools Together (SST) CEO Theresa Campbell since 2018 and is presently the Vice President of SST. He has dedicated his law enforcement experiences and efforts to school safety in his new role with SST.

Bill Reynolds

Advisor

Bill Reynolds is an accomplished Senior Executive with more than 20 years of success across the education, retail, insurance, financial services, healthcare, and nonprofit fields. Leveraging extensive experience improving cultural alignment and creating strategic channel partnerships for a B2B company, he is a valuable advisor to Safer Schools Together. His broad areas of expertise include entrepreneurship, product development, sales management, growth, analytics, business analysis, enterprise software, global operations (China), investments, and customer service.

Sherri Mohoruk

Consultant, Safety & Wellness / Ministry Liaison

Sherri Mohoruk is a dedicated safety and wellness consultant with Safer Schools Together (SST), where she acts as a liaison with the Ministry of Education. In this role, Sherri provides strategic advice on school safety and supports public school districts and independent schools in managing safety, critical incidents, and trauma-related matters. Her expertise stems from her extensive experience with the BC Ministry of Education, where she held leadership positions such as Superintendent of Integrated Services – Safe Schools and Superintendent of Liaison.

At the Ministry, Sherri was instrumental in implementing the provincial Expect Respect and a Safe Education (ERASE) strategy, addressing issues like bullying, violence threat risk assessment, critical incidents, and trauma response. She also coordinated efforts on student health and safety, emergency preparedness, and addressing issues like substance misuse and mental health.

With a background in public education in both Canada and the U.S., Sherri has served as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, among other roles. She has a longstanding interest in educational leadership, student health and safety, literacy, and early childhood education, and has presented her work nationally and internationally.

Doug Strachan

Director of Media Relations

Prior to joining Safer Schools Together, Doug had been the communications manager for the Surrey School District—the largest school district in B.C.—for 16 years. He was also the district’s privacy officer.
Doug was a member of the school district’s Critical Incident Response team, as well as the Communications Officer for the district Emergency Operations Centre. He worked closely with the Safe Schools department as well as the Media Relations Unit of the Surrey RCMP, Canada’s largest RCMP detachment. Doug had also established solid working relationships with the regional homicide and sexual crimes police investigation units that assisted him with crisis communications on a number of occasions.
Doug started his communications career working as a reporter at BCTV, then CKNW Radio. He later became the national director of external relations for Telus with responsibilities for crisis communications and emergency operations. He left Telus for a media consulting career, providing media planning and management services for the Air India and Robert Pickton trials for the B.C. Ministry of Attorney General, before joining the school district.
Doug has been a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society since 1998 and has served on the executive of the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education for nine years, including as president.

Steven MacDonald

Director of Training and Development

Steven joined Safer Schools Together (SST) as Director of Training and Development in 2019 after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. 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 a 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.

Colton Easton

Director of Project Development

Colton joined Safer Schools Together (SST) in 2016 after receiving his Diploma in Law Enforcement Studies at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. In his current role as the Director of Project Development, Colton works closely with SST CEO/Founder Theresa Campbell in the development and implementation of trainings such as Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) which is based on the USSS/NTAC model, Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA), and many more.

Colton is an accomplished trainer, having presented to thousands of individuals from organizations across North America including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and numerous other law enforcement agencies and both K to 12 school districts and higher education campuses.

Colton began his time at SST as a Threat Analyst where he gained invaluable experience and knowledge collecting social media data that is used to assist Safety/Threat Assessment teams in conducting accurate threat assessments. He has been involved in several high- profile cases relating to school safety in Canada and the US.

Dr. Greg Gerber

Senior Consultant / Trainer

With a Doctorate of Education (EdD), Dr. Gerber holds the position of Assistant Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, where he serves as the Associate Dean of the Master of Instructional Technology program and as the Director of the Vancouver Centre for Teaching and Learning, and is deeply engaged in the practice and scholarship of teaching.

Greg brings his extensive experience in conducting and facilitating threat assessments in K to 12 schools to his role as a Senior Consultant and Trainer for Safer Schools Together where he leads Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training based on the USSS/NTAC model, Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA), and Advanced Digital Threat Assessment® (ADTA) trainings.

Dr. Gerber’s previous professional experience includes working as Director of Learning for the Society of Christian Schools in BC (SCSBC) independent schools, Adjunct Professor in Education at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and TWU (Trinity Western University), and a Senior Technical Consultant.

Greg has extensive experience in technology infrastructure and securities, curriculum and pedagogy, leadership, and instruction and finds joy in solving complex problems and helping educators resolve tensions between practice and theoretical understanding.

Ocean Van Samang

Trainer / Senior Advisor for Mental Health

Ocean Van Samang is a specialized trainer and the mental health advisor for Safer Schools Together and has worked for over 20 years in the field of mental health and disabilities.

She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion PR and has worked as a therapist and educator in the areas of communication, anxiety, depression, resiliency, and trauma. Ocean has assessed youth for suicidal and self-harming behaviors in schools, community agencies, and hospitals. She has developed a curriculum for both K-12 and post-secondary.

Ocean provides training and support throughout North America in the areas of threat risk assessments, mental health literacy and trauma-informed classrooms.

Randy Wallis

Senior Consultant / Trainer

Randy Wallis, a Trainer and Case Consultant for Safer Schools Together (SST), boasts over 30 years of experience supporting at-risk youth and their families. His extensive background as an International School Counselor and Inner-City Youth Worker has equipped him with a unique skill set for developing social-emotional curricula and child safety protocols. Randy’s collaborative work with law enforcement, embassies, mental health clinicians, and hospitals highlights his dedication to ensuring safe and caring school environments. He is finalizing a manual to help educators support children through traumatic transitions in international school communities.

Jen Chambers

Senior Consultant / Trainer

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 trainer 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.

Dr. Melissa Reeves

Dr. Melissa Reeves

Ph.D., NCSP, LPC

Trainer

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.

Tyler Lum

Trainer / Senior Threat Analyst

Prior to joining Safer Schools Together in 2022, Tyler worked in the tech industry completing security audits and overseeing operations.

After completing his bachelor’s degree at Simon Fraser University, Tyler joined a non-partisan security think tank originally based out of Ottawa. The goal was to educate the public on both national and transnational security issues. Starting off his career by writing briefing notes, Tyler eventually joined the think tank in helping write two different books on Structured Analytical Techniques. Tyler has also published five double blind peer reviewed journals.

Tyler was born in the Lower Mainland of BC and continues to serve his local community in varying ways. In his free time, Tyler volunteers with the Red Cross, working as a virtual respondent helping those who have been affected by disaster.

Nick Brown

Consultant & Trainer

Upon completion of the Human Services Foundation program in 2003, Nick began his career at Lutherwood, a mental health treatment center and youth custody program. Throughout the next 16 years, he worked alongside a multi-disciplinary team, providing strength based, client centered treatment to vulnerable youth and their families. As time progressed, he moved into a Family Counsellor role, offering direct support to at-risk and high-risk families in the creation of goal setting and providing professional recommendations upon completion.

For 12 years, he worked for John Howard Society in the YARD Program – a community-based gang-exit program serving youth involved with/or at risk of joining a gang. Through this program, behaviour change support was provided to youth through the development of pro-social, leadership and employability skills.

Nick is a trainer and consultant for Safer Schools Together and works for the District of Surrey where he is an active member of the WRAP team. His dedication and commitment for this work comes from his training and experience in attachment and restorative justice.

Jaclynn Dennis

Trainer

Jaclynn Dennis completed her undergraduate degree in political science and public administration from the University of Victoria, writing her thesis on the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court in spreading the norm of protection against human rights abuses for citizens. Following this, Jaclynn subsequently completed her Masters degree at Dalhousie University, focusing her publication on the opportunities and challenges for implementing substance-related harm reduction techniques within Canadian federal prisons.

Prior to her employment at Safer Schools Together, Jaclynn worked in Corrections, liaising with prisons on prison needle exchange programs and through her employment at two different community residential facilities (halfway houses) in Canada. She also assisted with teaching courses at Dalhousie University and worked on a research team for a crime-based knowledge synthesis project. 

Jed Roffers

Trainer

Jed Roffers, a Special Agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), has been a law enforcement officer for 16 years. He began his career in 2008 as a Trooper with the Wisconsin State Patrol. From 2013 – 2022, Jed served as a member of Wisconsin’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, where he became a subject matter expert on how perpetrators utilize mobile applications to facilitate child exploitation crimes. Jed is currently assigned to DCI’s Cyber Crimes Unit. 

In 2022, he joined the team at Safer Schools Together as a Professional Trainer, where he provides training on Digital Threat Assessment® as well as social media dangers and digital communications related to online/social media threats.

Jed enjoys Wisconsin’s two most significant influences, Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the Green Bay Packers.

Christopher M. Felton

PhD

Trainer

Dr. Christopher M. Felton, a Detective Sergeant with over 17 years of law enforcement experience, is dedicated to gang and violent crimes. He serves as an Adjunct Professor and Subject Matter Expert for a local university as well as a Trainer for SST, providing insights into criminal justice, forensic psychology, and first responder mental health. Christopher founded a Police Officer Peer Support Team and has presented at national conferences on criminological and first responder mental health research. His academic achievements include a BS in Criminal Justice, an MS in Forensic Psychology, a Masters in Philosophy, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice – Law and Public Policy. He is also a U.S. Army veteran.

Eric Tamashasky

Trainer

Eric Tamashasky, a magistrate judge in Indiana, has an extensive law enforcement background, including roles as a prosecutor, professor, and cybercrimes investigator. He led the St. Joseph County Cybercrimes Unit and has trained over 30,000 individuals on digital safety. Eric teaches “Cybercrime and the Law” at the University of Notre Dame and has contributed significantly to the field of online investigations and digital threat assessment. His education includes degrees from Hillsdale College, Ohio State, and Notre Dame Law School.

Scott Rothermel

Trainer

R/Cst. Scott Rothermel is currently the Safe School Coordinator for the Kootenay Lake School District #8 and is a trainer for Safer Schools Together. Previously, he was the Safe School Coordinator for the Sooke School District #62.

As a police officer for the past 12 years, his last 10 years have been spent working with youth and in specific youth-related programs. The role of the Safe School Coordinator provides VTRA, CIRT, crime prevention, education, investigation, and mediation between school staff, students and parents within the school environment. It is also a role that engages with outside agencies like RCMP, MCFD and Interior Health.

Scott completed an MA in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University.

Scott supports the belief that while youth make up only 20% of our population, they are 100% our future.

Frank Grosspietsch

Consultant / Firearms Related Investigations

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.

Raj Jaswal

GRIP Trainer

Staff Sergeant Raj Jaswal is a distinguished law enforcement professional with 17 years of experience in the criminal justice system. As a member of a municipal police department, Raj has excelled in frontline, investigative, and administrative roles, earning recognition for his exceptional leadership and commitment to community service.

Raj’s expertise in proactive intelligence gathering, gang enforcement, intervention, and suppression has been acknowledged through numerous awards and commendations. Notably, he was recognized as one of the top 40-under-40 police officers internationally by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2023.

Raj’s dedication to combating organized crime has been consistently demonstrated through his work. He received the Deputy Chief Constables commendation in 2014 for developing strategies to curb gang violence. In 2021, he was awarded the Frederick Milton Thrasher Award by the National Gang Crime Research Center in Chicago, Illinois, for his superior accomplishments in gang investigations. The Organization for National Gang Information and Awareness (ONGIA) honored him with the Jim Aspiotis Memorial Award in 2022 for his outstanding professionalism and dedication to community safety.

As a passionate advocate for combining practical experience with educational training, Raj serves as a board member for ONGIA and provides education on gang prevention and intervention across North America.

Dr. Margaret A. Sedor

NCSP

Trainer

Dr. Sedor is a School Psychologist and serves as the District Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing Coordinator within the Sweetwater Union High School District in California. She is also an Adjunct Professor Faculty in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at San Diego State University and has a private practice.  

Over the past 30 years, Dr. Sedor has provided leadership in the areas of mental health, well-being, suicide prevention, USSS/NTAC behavioral threat assessment, and crisis management at the county, state, and national levels.

Currently, Dr. Sedor serves on the NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee, the CASP Legislation Committee, the CASP Mental Health Committee, and recently the California Department of Education Social Emotional Learning Task Force.  

She also leads Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training for Safer Schools Together (SST), which is based on the US Secret Service/NTAC model.

Norman Miller

Trainer

Norman Miller, a law enforcement veteran with 28 years of experience, specializes in gang prosecution and digital threat assessment. He serves as Director of Training for the Florida Gang Investigators Association and Vice-Chairman of the Tampa Bay Multi Agency Gang Task Force. Norman’s extensive background includes investigating major crimes and gang activities. As part of the SST team, he provides Digital Threat Assessment training across North America, leveraging his deep knowledge and practical experience to educate and protect communities.

Dr. Joe Holifield

Trainer

Dr. Holifield is a clinical psychologist and school psychologist who has an independent practice in San Luis Obispo and Ventura, CA. He received his master’s degree in clinical psychology in 1995 from Xavier University-Cincinnati and doctoral degree in School Psychology from Loyola University-Chicago in 1999.

 

With over 20 years of experience, has conducted behavioral threat assessments for many school districts, being the lead psychologist for threat assessment for several districts. He was originally trained in the U.S. Secret Service Model/NTAC model and presents Safer Schools Together (SST)’s Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA), which is based on that model.

 

From 2019-2023, Dr. Holifield designed, implemented, and evaluated a 4-year community-based threat assessment project (B-HARP) in San Luis Obispo County, CA. He is presently the Project Director for a 3-year federal school violence grant for two counties in CA.

Nate Thompson

MSW, LCSW

Trainer
Nate Thompson is the Director of Social, Emotional, & Behavior Services for Littleton Public Schools in Littleton, Colorado. He has spent his entire career supporting people in crisis. Trained as a clinical social worker, he has served as a crisis outreach specialist, child and family therapist, clinical director, nonprofit executive, and school administrator. He has led or supported the response and recovery process for multiple school gun violence incidents and other community tragedies and has consulted with school districts across the country regarding school mental health, trauma recovery, and psychological safety protocols. He is also a trainer for Safer Schools Together (SST) where he presents the USSS/NTAC model-based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training.

Benjamin S. Fernandez

MS.Ed

Trainer
Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed, completed his graduate studies in School Psychology at Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA) and has worked as a school psychologist in Pennsylvania and Virginia with over 27 years of experience as a practitioner. Currently, he serves as a crisis intervention specialist in Northern Virginia, providing leadership and the coordination of crisis intervention services, and response consultation after acute traumatic events. He has worked as a lead school psychologist and coordinator providing a broad array of psychological and school-based mental health services including assessment, suicide screenings, threat assessments of students and nonstudents, consultation, counseling, prevention, and intervention as well as serving as a crisis team leader. In 2015 and 2018, Benjamin received the NASP Presidential Award and in 2021 received the National Association of School Psychologists Crisis Management and Grief Support in Schools Interest Group Award for Excellence for significant contributions to the field of school safety and crisis intervention. He is also a Trainer for Safer Schools Together (SST), where he delivers the USSS/NTAC model-based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training.

Dr. Stephen E. Brock

Trainer

Dr. Stephen E. Bro is a Professor Emeritus of School Psychology in the College of Education at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). His professional preparation includes undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology and a Ph.D. in Education (with an emphasis on psychological studies) from the University of California, Davis, where he researched Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

With an extensive background in school psychology, Dr. Brock brings a wealth of experience to his role as a professor. He spent 18 years as a school psychologist with the Lodi (CA) Unified School District, including a 6-year tenure as Lead Psychologist.

Dr. Brock lectures extensively (both nationally and internationally) on a diverse range of topics, including school safety, traumatic stress, emotional disturbance, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, professional burnout, ADHD, and special education eligibility. He has authored dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Holly Ryan

Trainer

Holly Ryan is a qualified and professional behavior threat assessment and management specialist. As a 24-year veteran psychologist she is well versed in assessment and human behavior. Currently serving on the FBI’s Minneapolis Behavior Threat Assessment and Management team, she is also a Threat Liaison Officer with the Minnesota Fusion Center.

Holly has presented at numerous institutions and conferences across the United States, including a panel presentation at the Safe and Sound Schools Midwest Safe Schools Conference, and a case study on the management of a high-profile threat using behavioral threat assessment to Minneapolis FBI threat managers. In 2023, Holly started School Threat Solutions, a consulting company providing training and consultation in behavior threat assessment and management. She also delivers Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training for SST.

Holly is an active member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), trained in Basic and Advanced Digital Threat Assessment® through Safer Schools Together and received Train the Trainer certification from I Love You Guys.

Shawna Rader Kelly

Trainer
Shawna Rader Kelly is a nationally certified school psychologist in Bozeman, Montana, where she serves as the school psychologist at Bozeman High School and leads the school district’s crisis response team. In her daily work, she is actively involved in providing direct and indirect services to students, implementing multi-tiered systems of support, responding to crisis events, conducting evaluations, leading threat assessment teams, and supporting program evaluation. Shawna is a frequent presenter at the state and national levels on topics including mental and behavioral health services, school-based threat assessment, school safety and crisis response, MTSS implementation, and professional supervision. She is also a member of Safer Schools Together (SST)’s training team, where she presents the US Secret Service/NTAC model-based Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) training.

Heilit Biehl

Trainer

Heilit Biehl is the Director of Judicial Services for Jeffco Public Schools in Jefferson County, Colorado. She is a member of the district’s Department of School Safety Management Team. In this role, Heilit is responsible for a department of five who manage court monitoring of juvenile cases, oversight of records, processes, training, and consulting on school-based and district-level threat assessment & safety plans. She has worked in education for over 15 years including in PreK-12, colleges, and universities in Colorado, Florida, and Utah.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the “I Love U Guys” Foundation as Vice-Chair, is the President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and is a board delegate and the Scholarship Chair for the Colorado Association of Latino/Latina Administrators & Superintendents (CO-ALAS).

James Christopher

Director of Marketing

James Christopher is a strategic marketing leader recognized for his expertise in product marketing, demand engineering, and B2B strategy. He excelled as the Director of Go-To-Market Programs at Blackline Inc., where he was instrumental in developing and implementing robust marketing and sales motion strategies that fueled company revenue in new markets. His achievements include leading transformative initiatives at Deckard Technologies Inc. as VP of Product Marketing, where he spearheaded the launch of innovative AI solutions for real estate market data and leading engagement and partnerships for Azion’s flagship computing platform. James has also led growth and technical marketing teams for clients across the life sciences, enterprise software, and cybersecurity sectors.

He holds an MSc in Marketing and Information Technologies from the University of Liverpool and Kingston University London respectively, in addition to postgraduate work in Data Analytics from Northwestern University and Behavioral Economics at the London School of Economics, integrating analytical acumen with market insights to fuel growth.

Nancy Hiebert

Office Manager / ERASE Training Coordinator

Nancy joined the Safer Schools Together team in the spring of 2019. Her role as the ERASE Training Coordinator involves the delivery of the provincial-wide ERASE strategy.

Nancy was born and raised in Vancouver and worked as an administrative assistant for a structural engineering firm for more than 10 years. She took a hiatus from the workforce to raise her 3 children in South Surrey. With her children now teenagers, she is passionate about working to promote safety for all children.

Lauren LaJambe

Client Account Manager

In her role as Client Account Manager for Safer Schools Together, Lauren is responsible for scheduling and planning Digital Threat Assessment®, Mental Health, and Student / Staff / Parent sessions for law enforcement agencies, school districts, and community partners. She also manages PSSTWorld, Case Consultation, and Worrisome Online Behaviour (WOB) contracts.

With a degree in Business Administration, Lauren brings over 15 years of experience with her to SST and is passionate about working to promote school safety and resources.

Nanette Sears

Accounts Manager

Nanette was born in Vancouver and is proud to now call South Surrey home. Prior to joining Safer Schools Together, she was a manager at an international shipping company before taking a hiatus to raise her young family. With her children now in school, she looks forward to transferring her 25+ years of experience in customer service to her position with Safer Schools Together.

Simran Sharma

Website Coordinator

Simran works on various Marketing and Website-related projects, including SST and ICDTA® website maintenance, enhancing our Learning Management Systems (LMS), and curating marketing content for SST.

Simran has a Bachelors in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University (SFU), concentrating in Marketing and Management Information Systems (MIS), with a certificate in Business Analytics & Decision Making (BADM). She has previous experience and a passion for marketing, web development, and data analysis. 

Jeanette Mitchell

Administration

Jeanette handles all things Administration-related at Safer Schools Together and also leads on organizing the company’s annual Gangs and Guns Training Symposium.

Ilya Antyukhov

Independent Contractor / Software Engineer
Ilya provides a range of services to Safer Schools Together, including website setup and support, assistance with our Learning Management Systems (LMS), and supports enhancing the Data Toolkit Architecture. These services encompass various technical aspects essential for the smooth operation and security of SST’s digital infrastructure. Ilya is a Software Engineering and Data Privacy professional with experience in various programming languages and technologies. He has a passion for sharing his knowledge and helping others learn. He studied Computer Science and Software Engineering. He was a visiting lecturer at MSU and worked with students for several years. He is proud to be an active Kaggle Mentor, leveraging his expertise and experience to support and guide the next generation of data scientists and machine learning engineers.

Steve Corbeil

Threat Analyst Manager

Steve completed a Master of Arts in intelligence studies with a focus on criminal intelligence from the American Military University. Prior to this, he completed a Bachelor of Technology in forensic investigations with a focus on crime and intelligence analysis at BCIT in Vancouver. His studies included courses in open-source intelligence, street gangs, organized crime, drug cartels and the narcotics threat, and criminal intelligence analysis. Steve further developed his investigative skill set in the workforce during his time as a Private Investigator before joining Safer Schools Together where he is currently a Threat Analyst Manager.

Jordan Granacki, MPH.

Senior Threat Analyst

Jordan Granacki recently completed a Master’s of Public Health in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. During this program, Jordan was a founding member of USC’s Maternal Cannabis Lab and contributed as a graduate research assistant on several qualitative research studies regarding maternal health inequality. In 2023, Jordan co-authored a peer-reviewed article published in Women’s Health Reports.

Jordan is a Senior Threat Analyst at Safer Schools Together. She began her career with SST in 2019. She collects social media data that assists schools in Canada and the United States in addressing worrisome and threat-related online behaviors.

Prior to her employment at Safer Schools Together Jordan earned a Bachelor’s in Science from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. While enrolled, Jordan worked in student services as a Lead Peer for Student Academic Support Services and served on multiple committees discussing the accessibility of student services. Her role focused on academic advising and connecting students with supports ranging from tutoring to mental health services.

Jackie Cao

Threat Analyst Supervisor

Jackie completed a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences with a major in Criminology and a Certificate in Police Studies from Simon Fraser University. Specialized courses Jackie completed during his post-secondary studies include computers and cybercrime, criminal procedure and evidence, organized crime, and criminal profiling. His interests include open source intelligence and crime analytics.

Prior to joining Safer Schools Together (SST) as a Threat Analyst, Jackie worked as a Project Coordinator conducting research in the health sector. In his free time, he volunteered at a local YMCA as a youth mentor working with at-risk youth. Jackie also spent time teaching technology-based courses to seniors and the elderly at senior and retirement homes.

Antonio Ysasi

Senior Threat Analyst

Since his youth, Antonio has been a computer enthusiast, building and modifying his own computers along with his families and peers. In high school, he collaborated with a teacher and helped petition to offer a computer programming class as an elective, as well as founded the school’s first-ever computer club as an elective.

Before working at Safer Schools Together, Antonio worked for a local business as a web developer to expand their products and services to the vastness of the internet. Once understanding the fundamentals of E-Commerce, he sought a larger challenge. He led a team of graphic designers, sales specialists & customer support agents, to create and expand multiple E-Commerce websites simultaneously, which are still flourishing today.

Gurveer Kalkett

Senior Threat Analyst

Gurveer completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Criminology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. He is currently completing a Bachelor in Technology in Forensic Investigations focusing on Crime and Intelligence Analysis at BCIT. His studies include courses in project management for investigation, tactical analysis, strategic analysis, and cybercrime. Gurveer worked as a surveillance operator for Great Canadian Gaming before joining Safer Schools Together where he is currently a Senior Threat Analyst.

Sydnee Mena

Senior Threat Analyst

Sydnee earned a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs from California State University Maritime Academy and is currently a Senior Threat Analyst for Safer Schools Together.

While attending Cal Maritime, Sydnee completed an internship with Central California Intelligence Center and continued employment with them through her graduation. The position focused on conducting site security assessments for houses of worship and schools, providing risk factors, and providing recommendations on how to mitigate those risks. Sydnee also created pamphlets and posters for local law enforcement regarding hoax threats. She worked closely with retired law enforcement, FBI agents, and TSA agents.

Hakan Baris UMUT

Senior Threat Analyst

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Bilkent University, Hakan developed an interest in open-source intelligence. He began an internship as an analyst for a company in Belgium where his work focused on transnational crime, political risk, and security concerning various geopolitical locations like the Americas, Middle East, and Caucasia.

Following his internship, he volunteered for a research center in Switzerland, where he monitored and reported illicit drug trafficking-related activities in Turkey.

Hakan now works as a Senior Threat Analyst at Safer Schools Together.

Meghan Holmes-Hannah

Senior Threat Analyst

Meghan completed a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences with a major in Criminology and Certificate in Police Studies from Simon Fraser University. After graduation, Meghan decided to pursue her dream of becoming an analyst and enrolled in the Crime Analysis and Intelligence Advanced Certificate at BCIT.

Currently, Meghan is finishing the BCIT CIA Advanced Certificate, while working as a Senior Threat Analyst with Safer Schools Together. In her free time, she also volunteers with the Coquitlam RCMP.

Eagle Li

Threat Analyst

Eagle completed a Computer Information and Technology certificate at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He is currently completing a bachelor’s in technology in Forensic Investigations focusing on Crime and Intelligence Analysis at BCIT. Prior to joining Safer Schools Together in March of 2023, Eagle worked in the customer service industry for 6 years.

In his spare time, Eagle enjoys playing video games and at one point, he even live-streamed on Twitch. He also enjoys watching true crime documentaries, studying geography, and learning more about random facts and stories.

Liza Lo

Threat Analyst

Liza completed her Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Social Sciences, specializing in Sociology with a minor in Psychology, focusing on family and childhood development. She gained practical experience as an activity leader and childcare worker, fostering behavioral and conflict management skills with school-aged children.

Prior to joining Safer Schools Together, Liza was a volunteer coordinator at a community policing center, documenting community crimes and providing recommendations to crime victims. Additionally, she has worked in conveyancing and privacy & information fields.

Currently, Liza is completing her Bachelor’s in Crime and Intelligence Analysis at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new baking recipes.

Brian Kang

Threat Analyst

Brian studied in Berlin, Seoul, and Shanghai before enrolling in BCIT. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Technology in Forensic Investigations, specializing in Crime Intelligence Analysis at BCIT. His studies include crime mapping, open-source investigation, and cybercrime.
 
Prior to joining Safer Schools Together as a Threat Analyst in 2024, Brian worked as a Pharmacy Assistant for Shoppers Drug Mart and as a Supervisor at Access Family Services. Since studying at BCIT, he gained an interest in open-source research, which has led him to partake in events like Trace Labs, where teams gather to help find missing people.
 
Brian has volunteered at an animal shelter, where he looked after abandoned cats and prepped meals for the food bank. He has also volunteered in Ecuador, where he helped build a school for a village and dug trenches to install water pipes, providing the villagers with easier access to potable water.

Jillian Fransen

Threat Analyst

Jillian recently graduated with a degree in Psychology and Criminology from Simon Fraser University, where she developed a strong interest in behavioral psychology, cybercrime, and radicalization in the digital age. She is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Crime and Intelligence Analysis at BCIT, gaining hands-on experience in open-source investigative techniques, threat detection, and risk assessment, with a focus on transnational crime and national security. Outside of work, Jillian enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and exploring topics related to geopolitical security.
 
Jillian now works as a Threat Analyst at Safer Schools Together.

David Wilson

Threat Analyst

David Wilson attended Ball State University where he studied Criminal Justice and Criminology with a minor in Digital Forensics. Shortly after graduating, David accepted a role with the Indiana Department of Correction as an Investigator. In this role, David identified and monitored Security Threat Groups, investigated crimes within the correctional system, and provided training to staff on threat awareness, including gang activity and extremism.

Following his time with the IDOC, David worked as an Intelligence Analyst for Allied Universal’s Operational Intelligence Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this role, he monitored over 270 physical locations and provided real-time intelligence updates to key stakeholders. David also served as the subject matter expert (SME) on open-source intelligence (OSINT), leading numerous projects, including the identification and procurement of monitoring software.

David joined Secure Community Network as an Intelligence Analyst in 2020. During this tenure, David was promoted to Director of Intelligence and Information Sharing. As Director, he expanded the intelligence team from three analysts to a 15-person operation, forged key information-sharing relationships with government and non-governmental organizations, and authored several and reviewed all intelligence products over a three-year period. His work directly contributed to identifying and mitigating multiple threats before they could materialize.

Chelsea Payne, MSE

Senior Threat Analyst / Resource Coordinator

Chelsea Payne is a Senior Threat Analyst and Resource Coordinator at Safer Schools Together. She began her career with SST in 2019 after receiving her Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs and her Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations at Fort Hays State University. During that time, Chelsea was an academic advisor and assisted students in the career exploration process. As an academic advisor and career counselor, she began teaching and presenting to classes on specifically self-awareness which included goal setting, personality traits, and assessing one’s strengths. Throughout her experience, Chelsea found her passion for working with students and is determined to create a positive climate and culture.

Coming from a family background of law enforcement and school safety, her passion for helping students is continued through collecting worrisome online data for school districts in the United States and Canada to ensure early intervention and prevention.

Giovanna Coronese

Accounts Manager

Giovanna has been an Accountant and Bookkeeper for many years in financial administration. After moving to Canada, she has worked hard to apply her skills in this new environment, ensuring financial accuracy and efficiency.

She brings a multicultural perspective to her work and is passionate about human rights and equality. Giovanna is dedicated to supporting initiatives that create safer and inclusive environments.

Giovanna is excited to bring her expertise to SST and help create safer, inclusive, and supportive school communities.

Jessy Johal

Gang Reduction Lead / GRIP Trainer

Jessy Johal started his career as a Safe School Liaison with the Surrey School district. He then moved to a specialized role of Outreach Worker with Surrey School’s award-winning Wraparound program where he built relationships with at-risk youth and supported RCMP Youth Section staff with daily high risk situations (altercations, substance use, school misconduct). In this role, Jessy also worked on gang prevention and intervention strategies in partnership with the Surrey RCMP Gang Enforcement team. Shortly after, Jessy moved on to a supervisory role with the City of Surrey where he developed unique programs tailored to the needs and interests of vulnerable youth.

In his current role, Jessy helps to deliver the Gang Reduction Through Informed Practice (GRIP) strategy implemented by Safer Schools Together in partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Education. The GRIP strategy is comprehensive training designed to deliver proven prevention and intervention strategies to communities throughout B.C. in response to youth gangs. Jessy is responsible for conducting social media / GRIP presentations to students, parents, and school professionals. As GRIP consultant, Jessy assists police agencies and school district professionals with safety plans and community consultations.