Ron Tite

Speaker. Author. CEO.
Church+State

A best-selling author, speaker, producer, and entrepreneur, Ron Tite has always blurred the lines between art and commerce. He has been an award-winning advertising writer and creative director for some of the world’s most respected brands including Air France, Evian, Fidelity, Hershey, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft, Intel, Microsoft, Volvo and many others.

He is founder of Church+State, host and executive producer of the hit podcast, “The Coup”, and publisher of This is That Travel Guide to Canada – a best-selling and award-winning satirical book. He has written for television. Penned a children’s book. Wrote, produced and performed a hit play. Created a branded art gallery. And was executive producer & host of the award-winning comedy show, Monkey Toast.

In demand as a speaker all over the world, Ron speaks to leading organizations about leadership, disruption, branding, and creativity.
Ron’s first book, Everyone’s An Artist – Or At Least They Should Be (Co-written by Scott Kavanagh and Christopher Novais), was published by HarperCollins in 2016. His most recent book, Think Do Say: How to Seize Attention and Build Trust in a Busy Busy World, hit store shelves in October or 2019.

Karli Farrow

President and CEO
Trillium Health Partners

Karli Farrow is the President and CEO at Trillium Health Partners (THP). Previously she was the Executive Vice-President of Patient Care Services and Chief Operating Officer where she was accountable for clinical operations and the delivery of exceptional patient experiences. She also oversaw capital planning and redevelopment to ensure that all future planning at THP is closely linked to the delivery of patient care.

Karli joined THP in 2009 prior to the merger of Credit Valley Hospital and Trillium Health Centre. She provided leadership to support the merger of the two organizations in 2011. She has since led innovative processes to engage people within the organization and in the community to achieve the hospital’s strategic mission to deliver a new kind of health care for a healthier community.

Prior to joining THP, Karli worked in health care consulting where she led projects focused on reducing wait times and improving chronic disease management. She has also served in senior advisory roles for the Ontario Government, including Director of Policy for the Premier of O​ntario and Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, where she helped develop and implement strategies to improve access to care and long-term sustainability of the health care system in Ontario.

Karli serves on the Board of Trustees of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and the Board of Directors of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).

Alison Cocking, BSc. PT, M.Ed.

Managing Director
Insight Health Solutions, Trillium Health Partners

Alison Cocking is a strategic healthcare leader who serves as Trillium Health Partner’s Managing Director, Insight Health Solutions, one of Canada’s largest hospital-based disability management third-party programs. As a senior leader in the healthcare sector, Alison has over three decades of experience leading high functioning teams and programs in their delivery of impactful value-based quality services. The ability to financially contribute Insight’s profits to the hospital’s programs and services to help create a new kind of healthcare for a healthier community, is what drives and inspires her. Alison is a UK-trained Physiotherapist with a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Toronto. An avid kayaker, hiker, traveler and general enthusiast of the great outdoors, Alison’s goal is to have visited 100 countries by 2045.

Scott Maxwell

Chief Executive Officer
Wounded Warriors Canada

Scott is a dedicated public servant, mental health champion, and not-for-profit leader.

Scott’s unique experience intersects public policy, national and provincial government, and non-profit business strategy and development.

His passion for those who bravely serve Canada stems from his high school friend, Trooper Darryl Caswell, from Bowmanville who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on June 11, 2007.
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As CEO of Wounded Warriors Canada, the country’s largest non-profit mental health training and counselling provider for Veterans, First Responders and their families, Scott successfully transformed what was a local volunteer-based initiative into a national organization that provides support to over 30,000 trauma exposed professionals and their families each year.

Scott has been awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medallion and the King’s Coronation Medal for Service to Canada.

Dr. Megan McElheran, R.Psych

Clinical Psychologist & CEO
Wayfound Mental Health Group

Dr. Megan McElheran is a Registered Clinical Psychologist and the CEO of Wayfound Mental Health Group. She completed her graduate training at the PAU-Stanford University Clinical Psychology Consortium, where she obtained specialized training in the treatment of PTSD through the National Center for PTSD in Menlo Park, CA. Dr. McElheran is passionate about arming frontline workers with the tools they need to help manage their workplace stress and has been in practice in Calgary, Alberta since 2008. She continues to focus on work with first responders, and her clinical practice involves work with active-duty members of the Canadian Forces, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, members of the Calgary Fire Department, medical personnel, and others who are directly or vicariously impacted by traumatic events. Dr. McElheran founded the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program to address the gap in preventative mental health training and support for public safety personnel and frontline workers. She routinely engages in teaching and supervisory activity to ensure the sound dissemination of empirically grounded interventions for trauma. Dr. McElheran is regularly engaged in speaking events, both locally and internationally.

Joe Burrows

OHS Consultant
Government of Alberta

Joe is a Forestry Occupational Health and Safety Consultant with expertise in safety and mental health program development. He currently serves as a Safety Officer for Wildfire Operations with Alberta Forestry. His career includes service as a Correctional Peace Officer at the Edmonton Remand Centre and as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Dr. Tim Black PhD, R. Psych.

National Clinical Director
Wounded Warriors Canada

Dr. Tim Black, R. Psych. is the National Clinical Director for Wounded Warriors Canada. During his more than 20-year career as a tenured Associate Professor at one of the top graduate counsellor education programs in the country, Dr. Black has been a researcher, clinician, program developer, program co-founder, and clinical supervisor specializing in group counselling approaches for working with Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExP) and Trauma Exposed Family (TExF) members. As National Clinical Director, Tim supports and oversees the development and delivery of WWC’s group counselling programs in Canada, as well as WWC’s TExP education and training programs, alongside an extensive team of dedicated mental health professionals committed to serving the needs of TExP and TExF communities.

​Mike Wionzek

Chief Operating Officer
Warrior Health

Mike Wionzek joined the Warrior health team as Director – Operations and Partner Support, following a 35-year career as a soldier, paramedic and Deputy Chief. Mike served as the Deputy Chief of Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS), the largest municipal Paramedic Service in Canada with over 1,600 staff that respond to over 320,000 emergency calls annually. Mike’s portfolio included the TPS communications centre (CACC), education and quality improvement, IT and systems engineering, hospital liaison, and system performance.

During the COVID pandemic Mike was seconded to Toronto Public Health and the city’s Immunization Task Force as the Director responsible for managing the COVID-19 Mass Immunization Clinic and mobile response plan. Mike led the design, implementation and operationalization of the largest successful Mass Immunization Clinic (MIC) plan including the hiring and developing of over 2,000 new staff that vaccinated hundreds of thousands of clients, while working collaboratively with provincial, municipal, and local partners and organizations.

Mike has served over 35 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and is currently serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Health Services. Mike has held various positions including most recently Commanding Officer of 25 Field Ambulance and Deputy Commander and Reserve Advisor for the 4 Health Service Group. Mike also served internationally as a military observer and peacekeeper in Sudan, Africa.

Mike has been awarded the Order of St. John, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) Medal, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, King’s Coronation Medal, Canadian Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal, and long service medals for the Canadian Armed Forces, St. John Ambulance, and Toronto Paramedic Service. Mike is also Knight in The Order of St. George where he volunteers his time in raising funds for veterans’ organizations.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Pre-Hospital Care from Charles Sturt University and a Masters of Defence Studies degree from Royal Military College.

Mike believes in supporting our front-line public safety professionals (PSP) and advocates for the reduction of barriers to education and support. Leveraging his ability to build teams and processes Mike will assist in the Warrior Health team in ensuring that every PSP has ongoing and continual access to the best resources available.

Doug Ford

Premier of Ontario
He was also elected as the MPP for Etobicoke-North in 2018.

Previously, Doug Ford served as Toronto city councillor from 2010-2014, and was vice-chair of the Budget Committee, where he delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. While on city council, Ford served on the board of Build Toronto, and was a director of the Canadian National Exhibition. He also served on the Civic Appointments Committee and the Government Management Committee at Council.

A dedicated community leader, successful businessman with Deco Labels and passionate advocate for the people, Doug’s commitment to public service runs in the family. Three generations of Fords have served the people of Ontario in elected office.

Doug is a life-long resident of the community of Etobicoke, and lives there with his wife Karla and four daughters. His commitment to public service includes over 20 years of dedicated work with the Toronto West Rotary Club and serving as a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Jeffery Lang

President and CEO
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

As the President and CEO of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), I oversee the administration of Ontario’s workplace injury and illness insurance compensation system, serving more than five million people across 300,000 employers. With over 15 years of executive experience in alternative energy, government relations, and business strategy, I bring a diverse and innovative perspective to the insurance industry.

My mission is to make WSIB better, easier to work with, and faster to deliver, so people can recover and get back to their lives. Under my leadership, WSIB has achieved significant results, such as improving outcomes for injured workers, expanding online self-serve options, holding premium rates to a 20-year low, delivering the first-ever surplus rebate worth over $1.2 billion to safe Ontario businesses, and building an inclusive culture centered on accountability, collaboration, empathy, and integrity. I believe strongly in leadership through service, which I demonstrate with my teams, and giving back, which I do in my community and through my development charity.

Myron Demkiw

Chief of Police
Toronto Police Service

Myron Demkiw, a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M.), joined the Toronto Police Service in 1990, and became Chief in December of 2022. As head of the largest municipal police service in Canada, and the fourth largest municipal police service in North America, Chief Demkiw oversees 5300 police officers, 2200 civilian Members, and a budget of $1.2 billion.

Over the course of his career, he has served as the Unit Commander of Intelligence Services and the Officer in Charge of Strategy Management Corporate Projects, the Second in Command of 32 Division, Duty Senior Officer, and fulfilled several supervisory roles in various units throughout the organization. He has also participated in several Service-wide initiatives, including as an integral member of the Police and Community Engagement Review (PACER) Team, since its inception in 2012.

As a Staff Superintendent, he was responsible for two different pillars of the organization. He was in charge of Detective Services, which includes the Service’s high-profile investigative units, such as the Homicide Squad, Integrated Guns and Gangs Task Force, and the Hold-Up Squad. He also oversaw Corporate Risk Management, which includes Professional Standards, Professional Standards Support and the Toronto Police College.

In addition to his hands-on experience and community-building work, Chief Demkiw is a well-respected policing leader. He is the Vice-Chair of the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Global Policing Division Committee, he sits on the board of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), and is a member of the Major City Chiefs Association (MCCA). He is known for his ongoing commitment to counter-terrorism and national security. Chief Demkiw is engaged both nationally and internationally on these issues, including as President of the Leadership in Counter-terrorism Alumni Association (LinCT-AA), which counts senior police and intelligence leaders from other Five Eyes partner countries. He is also a member of the CACP National Working Group Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence, and a former member of the Countering Violent Extremism Working Group.

Chief Demkiw deeply understands the complex nature and dynamics of a major city like Toronto. He is committed to delivering police services that keep residents safe while making sure his members have the tools they need to perform their duties effectively. For example, he has introduced transformative initiatives focused on supporting the wellness and mental health of his members.

An alumnus of the University of Toronto, Chief Demkiw earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in his twenties, majoring in both Criminology and Political Science. He later returned to attend the Faculty of Law and completed the Global Professional Master of Laws program. He is also a graduate of the Rotman School of Management’s Police Leadership Program. Chief Demkiw is a married father of two and a proud member of Toronto’s Ukrainian community.

Dr. Nadia Aleem

Psychiatrist, MD, MHSc CCFP, FRCP
Mental Health Lead
Insight Health Solutions, Trillium Health Partners

Dr. Nadia Aleem initially worked as a Family medicine Doctor and Addictions Physician prior to retraining and starting her work as a Psychiatrist. She is currently the Mental Health Lead Physician at Insight Solutions, Trillium Health Partners and was formerly the Medical Head at the Work Stress and Health Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Nadia works exclusively in the field of Occupational Psychiatry, specializing in disability management and providing consultation and education on workplace mental health policies. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and provides education seminars to organizations and medical training programs across Canada.

Mike Annan

Director of Service Dogs
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs

Mike Annan resides in Nanaimo, British Columbia on Vancouver Island. Mike, began his career in 2004 by founding Sal Pacific Canine Obedience, where he led a team of trainers and developed puppy and competition-level obedience programs. His LIMA-based, positive training methods attracted up to 120 dogs in classes each month.

In 2008, Mike partnered with Dr. Jeff Grognet, DVM, to launch the Academy for Canine Educators (ACE), a behavior clinic and online education platform serving veterinarians, pet owners, and shelter workers. Their programs included seminars, e-books, and training courses delivered to organizations such as the BCSPCA.

In 2013, Mike was invited to pilot a service dog program for military veterans with PTSD. The project grew rapidly, leading to the creation of VICD Service Dogs. Mike oversaw the program’s first Assistance Dogs International accreditation in 2017—making it one of the first organizations in the world to be accredited under ADI’s Military-Related PTSD Service Dog Standards.

In 2019, VICD Service Dogs merged with BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, expanding operations to include Vancouver Island, Vancouver, The Lower Mainland, Edmonton and Calgary. Mike now serves as an ADI Accreditation Assessor, trainer certification committee member, and Wounded Warriors Canada National Service Dog Advisor. Mikes passion for championing collaboration and excellence in service dog programs has led him to help build OSI PTSD programs around the globe mentoring programs across Canada as well as Japan, Sweeden, USA, Australia and Poland.

Vikki Madden, MSc (OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)

Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist
FunctionAbility Rehabilitation Services

Vikki Madden is a registered Occupational Therapist and Psychotherapist providing direct therapy services as well as Psychotherapy clinical supervision at FunctionAbility Rehabilitation. Vikki has over 20 years of experience supporting individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, brain injury, chronic pain and addiction. Vikki has completed an Honors Bachelors of Science degree from McMaster University and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Western Ontario. She has completed advanced training and certification in several areas including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Chronic Pain management, mindfulness-based interventions motivational interviewing and addictions counselling. Vikki is currently an adjunct professor for the school of Occupational Therapy at McMaster University and the University of Toronto. Vikki has significant experience working with the first responder population who are struggling with work related emotional health issues. She uses recovery principles and Psychotherapy modalities to support clients in their recovery journey and to enable function in day-to-day life. In her role as a Psychotherapy Clinical Supervisor, Vikki supports the growth and development of fellow OT’s who are developing their psychotherapy practice. In this role, Vikki provides 1:1 support and mentorship as well as facilitates group supervision and provides regular education sessions on a variety of OT psychotherapy interventions for supervisee’s.

Genevieve Bernardo, MScOT, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Occupational Therapist, Manager of Clinical Services, Clinical Lead for RTW Programs
FunctionAbility Rehabilitation Services

Genevieve Bernardo is a registered Occupational Therapist and Manager of Clinical Services at FunctionAbility Rehabilitation Services. She is also the Clinical Lead for Return-to-Work programming and supports OT psychotherapy program development across the practice in Ontario and BC. With over 20 years of OT experience, Genevieve began working in inpatient rehabilitation, treating individuals affected by a variety of neurological impairments. Following the transition to private community-based work, Genevieve has focused on assessing and treating clients with a spectrum of traumatic brain injuries, multiple orthopaedic injuries, and complex mental health with trauma-focused needs resulting from motor vehicle collisions, workplace incidences, and other personal injuries and conditions. Over the last 9 years, her clinical practice has shifted to focus on mental health and psychotherapy, providing direct assessment and treatment primarily with first responders and veterans, addressing the functional impact on quality of life and return-to-work. She has completed continuing education in several areas including: Neurodevelopment Treatment, Concussion Management, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Coaching for Return to Work. She uses her varied skill set and knowledge to manage complex caseloads and clients’ recovery, with the goal of restoring and enabling function and engagement in their daily lives. Similarly, she supports therapist teams in the quality of their practice.

Justin Mausz, Ph.D.

Paramedic-Scientist
Peel Regional Paramedic Services

Adjunct Professor
Department of Family and Community Medicine, the University of Toronto.

Dr. Justin Mausz is a clinician-scientist with Peel Regional Paramedic Services and adjunct faculty member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Dr. Mausz’s research occupational health well-being among paramedics.

Elizabeth Donnelly, Ph.D., NREMT

Professor
School of Social Work, the University of Windsor

Dr. Elizabeth Donnelly is a professor of social work at the University of Windsor and a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician. Dr. Donnelly’s research focuses on workforce mental health and well-being among paramedics.

Dave Wakely, LLM

President
OPSEU/SEFPO Local 277

Advanced Care Paramedic
Peel Regional Paramedic Services

Dave Wakely is an Advanced Care Paramedic and President of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 277, representing paramedics and logistics technicians in the Region of Peel.

Mandy Johnston, ACP

Commander
Peel Regional Paramedic Services

Mandy Johnston is a commander with Peel Regional Paramedic Services and lead of the External Violence Against Paramedics Program.

Cory Tkatch, BBA

Deputy Chief, Operations
Peel Regional Paramedic Services

Cory Tkatch is the Deputy Chief (Operations) at Peel Regional Paramedic Services.

Heather Humphrey, BSW, MSW, RSW

Social Worker & Psychotherapist
Insight Health Solutions, Trillium Health Partners

Heather is a mental health clinician (Registered Social Worker & Psychotherapist) in the WSIB Mental Health Specialized Care program and Community Mental Health Program, providing first responders experiencing psychological injuries with meaningful, evidence-based therapies to support their recovery and return to work goals. She has prior years of experience in several inpatient, outpatient, public and privately funded mental health and addiction programs. Her clinical work focuses on first responders who are impacted by psychologically traumatic events, and she was inspired to work with first responders after her experiences as an ER crisis worker and a volunteer in a correctional institution. Recently, she has enjoyed facilitating Warrior Health educational and training sessions to various Public Safety Organizations across Ontario.

She has a Sociology degree from Queen’s University, a Bachelor’s of Social Work from McMaster University, and a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Waterloo.

Taylor Sayers

Director of Corporate Services
UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service

Taylor Sayers is a member of the Ketegaunseebee First Nation and currently works as the Director of Corporate Services with UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service. The police service serves six First Nation communities on and around Manitoulin Island. For the past 15 years she has provided senior leadership to the corporate functions of the police service, and has worked with the Police Service’s Commission, and the Chief of Police to meet and deliver the organization’s strategic objectives and meet its vision and mission. She is also a part of the negotiating team that secures the organization’s ongoing core funding with Public Safety Canada and the Solicitor General and also has served as a key part of ensuring pension parity Ontario Indigenous Police Service employees.

Taylor has been instrumental in being a part of the developments of culturally responsive policing initiatives for the organization, including most recently, the Lighting the Fire Within project. Under the Lighting the Fire Within initiative she developed the culture and trauma informed curriculum offered by the police service. The curriculum focuses on providing participants with crisis intervention and de-escalation training, responding to mental health and addictions crises in communities, trauma informed approaches to policing from a culturally safe lens, and ensuring a proactive approach to an individual’s own mental health as a first responder. This training has allowed individuals in the service to take part in seminars that focus on bettering their overall health and well-being from a holistic perspective - the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of an individual.

She is very passionate about mental health in the workplace and contributes as a member to various provincial and national working groups that focus on improving the mental health of public safety personnel (PSP). Some of the working groups include the Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario (IPCO), the Solicitor General’s Mental Health Secretariat - Joint Mental Health Collaboration Table, and the Executive Committee of the Canadian Public Safety Leadership. Taylor was also a part of the advisory panel for the IPCO Mental Health Review of the Indigenous Police Services of Ontario completed in 2021 and served as the police service representative during the review. Taylor is a graduate of Business Administration from Laurentian University – Algoma University College and holds certificates in Labour Law and Workplace Mental Health Law from York University.

Dr. Vivien Lee, C.Psych.

Chief Psychologist
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

Dr. Vivien Lee is the Chief Psychologist for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and concurrently served from 2021 to 2025 as the Bureau Commander of the OPP Healthy Workplace Team, a Bureau dedicated to the psychological, physical, and spiritual health for members, families, retirees, and auxiliaries. Dr. Lee has been the clinical advisor for Boots on the Ground – Ontario since its inception in 2018. She is a Board Director for Toronto Beyond the Blue, serves on the Psychological Services Committee of the Canadian Association Chiefs of Police (CACP), and is as a Contributing Editor for the Journal of Community Safety and Well-Being.

Dr. Lee previously worked in the Psychological Trauma Program / Work, Stress & Health Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and as a clinician for Wounded Warriors Canada. She has previously served as a Board Director on the Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA), and as Chair of the Service Provider Reference Group with the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families. In 2025, Dr. Lee was awarded the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal.

Dr. Lee earned her PhD and Masters in Clinical Psychology at Western University and HBSc from the University of Toronto. She is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

Dr. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D., R.D. Psych.

Professor of Clinical Psychology
University of Regina

R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D. is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and a registered clinical psychologist in Saskatchewan. His work is focused on supporting the mental health of first responders and other public safety personnel. He has published 300+ peer-reviewed articles and book chapters exploring the fundamental bases of anxiety- and trauma-related disorders, cited 25K+ times. He has completed 600+ national and international conference presentations. He also serves as an active member of several national and international professional associations. As principal or co-principal investigator he has been awarded $110M+ in competitive external funding. He has received several prestigious awards and recognitions, including induction to the Royal Society of Canada’s College and as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the 2020 Royal-Mach-Gaensslen Prize for Mental Health Research, and the 2023 Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Mid-Career Award, as well as Canadian Psychological Association Awards for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession and Distinguished Contributions to Public or Community Service. He is principal investigator for the RCMP Longitudinal PTSD Study (www.rcmpstudy.ca) and the associated extension study for Saskatchewan public safety personnel (www.saskptsistudy.ca), and co-investigator on the Federal Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for public safety personnel (www.PSPNET.ca).

Dr. Tim Black PhD, R. Psych.

National Clinical Director
Wounded Warriors Canada

Dr. Tim Black, R. Psych. is the National Clinical Director for Wounded Warriors Canada. During his more than 20-year career as a tenured Associate Professor at one of the top graduate counsellor education programs in the country, Dr. Black has been a researcher, clinician, program developer, program co-founder, and clinical supervisor specializing in group counselling approaches for working with Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExP) and Trauma Exposed Family (TExF) members. As National Clinical Director, Tim supports and oversees the development and delivery of WWC’s group counselling programs in Canada, as well as WWC’s TExP education and training programs, alongside an extensive team of dedicated mental health professionals committed to serving the needs of TExP and TExF communities.

Dr. Nadia Aleem

Psychiatrist, MD, MHSc CCFP, FRCP
Mental Health Lead
Insight Health Solutions, Trillium Health Partners

Dr. Nadia Aleem initially worked as a Family medicine Doctor and Addictions Physician prior to retraining and starting her work as a Psychiatrist. She is currently the Mental Health Lead Physician at Insight Solutions, Trillium Health Partners and was formerly the Medical Head at the Work Stress and Health Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Nadia works exclusively in the field of Occupational Psychiatry, specializing in disability management and providing consultation and education on workplace mental health policies. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and provides education seminars to organizations and medical training programs across Canada.

Margaret Campbell

Assistant Professor, Department of Aging and Family Science
Mount Saint Vincent University, Garnet Families

Margaret Campbell holds a PhD in Social and Cultural Analysis from Concordia University. Following her doctorate, she completed a Mitacs postdoctoral fellowship with the Vanier Institute of the Family and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aging and Family Science at Mount Saint Vincent University and a member of the Families Matter Research Group. Her research focuses on three areas: suicide and grief within military, Veteran, and public safety families; the intersection of work and family life; and families with disabilities. In collaboration with Dr. Heidi Cramm, she examines how families experience and make meaning of suicide loss, with particular attention to the organizational, cultural, and occupational conditions that shape grief and remembrance.

Dave McLennan

President, CEO
Boots on the Ground Peer Support for First Responders

Dave is a retired police constable having served over 30 years with Peel Police in Ontario. Dave is the founder and president of Boots On The Ground - Peer Support For First Responders. Boots On The Ground provides 24/7 peer support to all First Responders across the province of Ontario including Police, Fire, EMS and Corrections and Nurses. Boots On The Ground serves both sworn and civilian members of all services including serving and retired members.

Dave has answered hundred of calls on the peer support help line and he has intervened with many suicidal callers. He has seen first hand the effects of stress and trauma and has regrettably lost too many First Responder friends and colleagues to suicide. He has witnessed countless others struggle as they face the impacts of trauma, stigma, and reprisal. His continued call to serve has led to the path as Founder and President of Boots On The Ground, making suicide awareness, prevention, and intervention a priority for our anonymous peer support program run by First Responders, for First Responders. With 181 volunteers working the phone lines 24-7/365 and four trainers in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Boots On The Ground is passionate about creating safer communities for First Responders.

Chris Harkins

Deputy Commissioner
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

Deputy Commissioner Chris Harkins began his career with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in 1990. He has worked on the frontline, in crime, as a team leader, as an executive officer, and in covert operations. This includes serving as Commander of the Physical Surveillance Unit; Manager of the Analytical Section - Provincial Operations Intelligence Bureau; Deputy Director of the Organized Crime Section East/North; Commander of the Fleet, Supply and Weapons Services Bureau; Commander of East Region; and since 2019, as the Provincial Commander of Field Operations.

He co-led an organizational review on mental health to help strengthen health and wellbeing for members, resulting in the creation of the Healthy Workplace Team for the OPP. Deputy OPP Commissioner Harkins is a graduate of the Rotman School of Management Police Leadership Program as well as a graduate of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Global Studies Program.

He is an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, and in 2025, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing significant contributions to Canada.

Michael Ainger

Corrections Officer
Correctional Service of Canada

Mr. Micheal Ainger is a 17-year employee of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). While working at Beaver Creek Institution, he assumed a variety of roles (Correctional Officer, Crisis Negotiator, Emergency Response Team member, Security Maintenance Officer, Correctional Training Officer, and Correctional Manager). Additionally, Mr. Ainger gained experience with the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers (UCCO-SACC-CSN), where he contributed on local, regional, and national level initiatives, and as a union executive trainer.

He also assumed roles with CSC’s Learning & Development as a Training Officer with the Correctional Learning and Development Centre, and at the National Satellite Training Academy. When possible, Mr. Ainger continues to volunteer to deliver training sessions, particularly the New Employee Orientation Program, which allows him the opportunity to meet new staff as they begin their careers with CSC.

Most recently, Mr. Ainger has worked within the Workplace Wellness and Employee Wellbeing Directorate. In this area, he worked on the foundation team for CSC’s Workplace Health Management Unit and as a Regional Return to Work Advisor on various occasions. Currently, Mr. Ainger assumes the role of National Manager, Employee Mental Health Unit, and endeavours to apply his experience towards enabling better outcomes for staff throughout the organization.

Dr. Laura McKendy

Senior Manager, Research Branch
Correctional Service of Canada

Laura McKendy has a PhD in Sociology from Carleton University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Memorial University, with research focusing on the mental health and work experiences of correctional workers in Canadian provinces. She currently works as a senior manager in the Research Branch of the Correctional Service of Canada, working a on variety of projects, including employee mental health and well-being.

Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli, PhD

Professor and Research Chair: Safety, Security, and Wellness
Memorial University of Newfoundland

 Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli is Professor (PhD) in the School of Maritime Studies and Research Chair in Safety, Security, and Wellness, at Memorial University’s Fisheries and Marine Institute. The winner of the 2023 International Corrections and Prison Association’s Research Excellence Award, the Canadian Sociological Association’s Angus Reid Applied Researcher Award, and the President’s Award for the International Community Justice Association in 2024. Ricciardelli was also elected to the Royal Society of Canada and is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Her research centers on evolving understandings of the needs of public safety personnel, their leaders, and those who experience systems of justice with a focus on occupational and posttraumatic stress injuries, vulnerabilities, and risk. She has published 18 books, 320+ journal articles, and 75+ chapters and given over 600 presentations in the areas of police, firefighting, correctional workers, public safety communicators, security intelligence officers, and people who are criminalized, and social, mental, and physical health. As a sex and gender researcher, her interests lay in the supporting societies through empowerment of the frontlines for positive community impacts always informed by evidence. She leads a longitudinal study on the mental health and well-being experiences of correctional officers employed by Correctional Services Canada and has participated in correctional officer training with the Service and all Correctional Services in Canada. She also works in partnership with the Uganda Prison Service and Michigan Department of Corrections, as well as select youth justice and heath organizations, and contributes to MicroResearch International.

Matthew Pegg

Deputy Minister & Commissioner of Emergency Management
Ontario Government

Matthew Pegg was appointed Deputy Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response and the Commissioner of Emergency Management for Ontario in October 2025. In this role, he leads the province’s strategic planning, preparedness and coordinated response to emergencies, working in partnership with all levels of government, Indigenous communities and organizations, non-profits and private industry.

Prior to his appointment, Matthew served as Chief Operating Officer of Warrior Health, where he led the development and implementation of Ontario’s Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) strategy. He continues to be a passionate advocate for mental health, working to reduce stigma and promote resilience among public safety professionals across the province.

Matthew’s public safety career spans more than 32 years. From 2016 to 2024, he served as Chief of Toronto Fire Services, one of the largest and most complex in North America. Under his leadership, Toronto Fire Services focused on data, outcomes and people. He launched the country’s first emergency services Data Analytics and Decision Support team and the Toronto Fire Services Mental Health and Wellness Program.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Matthew was appointed the City of Toronto’s Incident Commander from March 2020 to April 2022. He led the longest sustained activation of the City’s Emergency Operations Centre and oversaw Toronto’s COVID-19 Immunization Task Force, which contributed to the design of the provincial playbook for vaccine clinic operations.

Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles in fire services across multiple Ontario municipalities, including Toronto, Brampton, Ajax and Georgina. He is also a licensed mechanic and commercial pilot, having worked professionally in both fields.

Matthew is a graduate of Dalhousie University in Leadership and Administration, Queen’s University in Labour Relations and the Schulich School of Business in Public Management. His service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Heroism and Community Service Medal, the Ontario Medal for Firefighter’s Bravery, the Canadian Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal, the Ontario Fire Services Long Service Medal and the King Charles III coronation medal for public service.

Mark Baxter

President
Police Association of Ontario

Mark was elected President of the Police Association of Ontario (PAO) in 2021. He is an accomplished leader recognized for advocating and advancing the rights, interests, and well-being of Ontario’s police personnel.    

He was elected to the PAO Board of Directors as a Uniform Director in 2014, serving for seven years, five of which as Board Chair. Mark sat on the Thunder Bay Expert Panel, currently sits on the Ontario Police Arbitration Commission, and is the Co-Chair of the Section 21 Advisory Committee. Mark is passionate about member wellness and mental health and is proud to serve on the Canada Beyond the Blue Awards Committee. 

Mark credits his local police association in Brantford, Ontario, for contributing to his work ethic and passion for labour relations. He served as Vice President of the Brantford Police Association from 2012 to 2015 and President from 2015 to 2021.     

His policing career started in 2005 as a police officer with the Brantford Police Service, serving in various capacities, including frontline patrol, high school resource officer, and collision reconstructionist. At the time of his election to the PAO, he held the position of frontline patrol sergeant.   

Mark is a proud father of two young boys. During his free time, he coaches U11 rep baseball and has been a basketball referee for over 25 years, officiating local, OCAA and USport games at a provincial and national level.    

Meredith Brown, B.A., J.D.

Partner, CALIBRATE
meredith@calibratesolutions.ca
www.calibratesolutions.ca

Meredith Brown is a Canadian justice sector leader and change maker with over 25 years of experience working locally, nationally and globally to bring positive change to human rights and system transformation challenges. She is a principal at CALIBRATE, a systems-change consultancy that works collaboratively with clients across the globe. She specializes in governance, justice system functionality and performance, gender equality and women’s empowerment, human rights, post-conflict development and access to justice. She is a recognized expert evaluator with UN Women, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA), and other international multilateral organizations.

Meredith has led Canadian projects in collaboration with, and hired by, governments and Indigenous organizations, including multi-community research, consultation, and inquiry on Indigenous justice and policing, policy and operational support to the building of First Nations-led justice centres, and collaborative workshops on organizational transformation and workplace health. Her work with Indigenous police on mental health and wellness has supported transformation in the First Nations policing environment in Ontario. She is a member of the Access to Innovation Advisory Council for the Law Society of Ontario.

Prior to joining CALBRATE, Meredith was a senior leader and Crown Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General for Ontario.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner

Solicitor General
Government of Ontario

Melanie Mayoh

Assistant Deputy Minister, Solicitor General Health Services Division.  Government of Ontario

Melanie Mayoh is a healthcare executive focused on improving care for vulnerable populations through system-level transformation.

She currently serves as Assistant Deputy Minister of Health Services with the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, where she leads healthcare delivery across Ontario’s adult correctional system and oversees the development of programs to support the mental health and wellness of public safety personnel. With nearly 20 years of experience across government and the broader health sector, her work spans correctional healthcare, mental health, cancer control, women’s health, HIV care and prevention, and health system quality improvement.

Melanie is known for her ability to lead complex system change, aligning patient and provider needs with system priorities to drive meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

She holds a BSc from Western University and a master’s degree from the University of Cape Town, and is a Certified Health Executive (CHE) with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Outside of her professional role, Melanie is actively involved in her community as a board member of a women’s shelter and a coach in youth hockey.

Amanda Neveu

Board LIason, Police Governing Authority
UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service

Amanda Neveu is an Anishinaabekwe and a proud member of Batchewana First Nation. Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, she maintains strong connections to her community, culture, and the lands and waters of Northern Ontario.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Windsor and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. She began her career in public service with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), where she spent over ten years as a Detachment Assistant. During this time, she developed extensive experience in operations support, administration, and community‑facing work.

In 2021, Amanda joined the Anishinabek Police Service, a move that allowed her to align her professional career with her passion for community connection, cultural engagement, and public service. She is deeply committed to supporting member wellness and takes pride in contributing to a positive and healthy organizational environment.

Outside of work, Amanda cherishes time with her two children and extended family. She especially values peaceful moments at her cottage on Lake Superior, her little slice of paradise.

Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos, PhD
Principal Investigator & Director
PSPNET

Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Regina and Founder of PSPNET, a national service delivering internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy to public safety personnel across Canada. Her research focuses on developing, evaluating, and implementing accessible, scalable, evidence-based digital mental health interventions.

She has secured over $60 million in funding and published more than 250 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the CPA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession, as well as the Leadership and Translational Research Awards from the International Society for Internet Interventions. In 2025, she was named Canadian Global Ambassador for the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies. She is a Fellow of both the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies and the Canadian Psychological Association.

J'Lyn Nye
Director of Marketing and Digital Media
Edmonton Police Service

J'lyn Nye is an award-winning journalist who spent 33 years in television and radio newsrooms across Western Canada. She went on to work as a civilian employee of the Edmonton Police Service for three years, before joining Integrated Strategic Partners in August.  As a Senior Consultant, she brings decades of strategic communications, storytelling and public sector experience to the firm's work with clients across government and industry.

J'lyn has long supported those who serve in uniform, including through her work with Wounded Warriors Canada.  She is the Honourary Colonel of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron with the RCAF and Patron of the Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre. She was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2022 and received the Queen Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023 for her steadfast commitment to the military and veteran community.

Steve Farina

Steve Farina is a retired Fire Captain whose 32-year career in the British Columbia fire service shaped him into one of Canada's most trusted voices in First Responder mental health, resilience, and peer support. Beginning in 1992 as a Paid-on-Call firefighter in Langley Township and later serving with Coquitlam Fire Rescue from 1997–2025, Steve spent more than two decades supporting members through Peer Support and CISM teams, where his ability to show up authentically during crisis, transition, and recovery became a defining part of his leadership.

As Executive Vice President of the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Association, Steve championed province-wide initiatives in psychological health and safety, occupational wellness, and legislative advocacy. He represented the BCPFFA on the WorkSafeBC-chaired BC First Responder Mental Health Committee, helping advance meaningful improvements in how First Responders are supported throughout their careers.

Steve is also a co-founder of the Blueprint First Responder (Firefighter) Resiliency Program, a groundbreaking cohort-based mental wellness program launched in 2017. He helped shape the program's early development, recruited participants, secured seed funding through successful WorkSafeBC grants for the first 10 pilot cohorts, and promoted the program through speaking engagements, including for Movember Canada. Today, he continues this work as a peer support facilitator for U.S. Firefighter pilot programs funded by Movember USA, expanding the model across borders.

Although retired from active service, Steve's commitment to First Responders and Veterans remains central to his mission. He serves as a Director with the Legion Veterans Village Research Foundation, and as an Advisor to Roots to Thrive and Diversified Rehabilitation Group, guiding cutting-edge approaches to trauma recovery, psychedelic-assisted therapy, moral injury, and community-based healing.

His contributions have been recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025), a Certificate of Commendation (2025), and the CIPSRT Champions of Mental Health Award (2022).

In the classroom, Steve brings a grounded, relational, and deeply human teaching style, shaped by decades of frontline experience, system-level leadership, and thousands of conversations with First Responders navigating trauma, grief, moral injury, and return-to-health. Retirement has simply opened a new way to serve: building systems, communities, and programs that support the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Mallory Cole

Occupational Therapist, Psychotherapist, Psychotherapy Clinical Supervisor

FunctionAbility Rehabilitation Services

Mallory is a registered Occupational Therapist and Psychotherapist providing direct therapy services as well as Psychotherapy clinical supervision at FunctionAbility Rehabilitation. Mallory has worked with public safety personnel for the duration of her career in both inpatient and community settings. Mallory has completed an Honors Bachelors of Arts degree and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. She has completed advanced training in several areas including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy certification, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, public safety personnel-focused courses, and is presently working towards a Trauma certificate. In Mallory's current work with FunctionAbility Rehabilitation Services she provides clinical services to clients in the community with a focus on restoring function and enhancing quality of life. She uses interventions in her work including Exposure Therapy, psychotherapy skill building, and return to or stay at work supports. In her role as a Psychotherapy Clinical Supervisor, Mallory supports the growth and development of over 40 OT’s who are developing their psychotherapy practice. In this role, Mallory provides 1:1 support and mentorship as well as facilitates group supervision and provides regular education sessions on a variety of OT psychotherapy interventions for supervisees.

Dr. Greg Anderson

Dean of Health

Thompson Rivers University

Dr. Greg Anderson is a Professor and Dean at Thompson Rivers University and a founding member of the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment. His research interests lie in occupational health and wellness, and occupational physiology of high-stress low-control physically demanding occupations. In his roles, Greg carries his passion for improving the well-being of Canadian public safety personnel and frontline health care professionals, their colleagues, their organizations, and their families through world class research resulting in evidence-informed practices, policies, and programs for all public safety personnel in Canada.

Emma Vester

EHN Guardians National Research Coordinator
EHN Canada

Ms. Emma Vester is a registered psychotherapist and research coordinator who works exclusively with first responders and their loved ones. She also is a family member of a first responder who has grown up understanding the family tie to this workplace culture.

Shawn Carter, M.ADS., BCBA, D.Sc(c)

National Director, EHN Guardian Clinical Programs
EHN Canada

Mr. Shawn Carter is a doctoral candidate and National Director of EHN Guardians Clinical Programs as well as Executive Director of EHN Guardians Gateway. His research efforts explore bridging the gap between first responders and their significant others while they're receiving residential care for trauma and substance use issues.

Lane Douglas-Hunt

Lane knew she had a heart for service at a very young age. At 19 she signed up for the Police Reserve Program and there was no looking back. At 21 she was hired as a sworn officer and immediately set her sights on the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) which required countless hours of training and studying to prepare for. While training for the upcoming tryout in 2011, Lane was ambushed and stabbed several times by a man who endeavored to kill a police officer.

2011 was an interesting time in policing. Mental Health was very much stigmatized, no one was talking about it. Lane observed that her wounds were tended to by an incredible team of medical professionals who were there every step of the way however, when the wounds healed she was left with an invisible injury that she had no idea what to do with.

Many years into the journey of trying to figure it out, she hit the lottery when she attended a presentation by Dr. Tim Black who explained the science and physiological processes behind a traumatic injury. Understanding the how and why this happened was the first step to unlocking a healing path forward.

Lane served on the GVERT for 7 years, was selected as a Tactical Police Explosives Technician, spent 5 years in SVU and created and led the Peer Support Team where she counted on the incredible services of Wounded Warriors Canada Programming to train and assist her colleagues throughout their Trauma Exposed Careers. She has travelled to police agencies all over Canada in an effort to give back and continue the work of de-stigmatizing mental health injuries for trauma exposed professionals. She believes strongly that we truly are all in this together.

Lisa Smith, MACP, RCC
Director, Special Care Services | WorkSafeBC

Lisa Smith is the Director of Special Care Services at WorkSafeBC, where she oversees case management for workers in British Columbia who have experienced serious physical injuries and mental health injuries. A Registered Clinical Counsellor, Lisa holds a Social Service Worker Diploma, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She brings extensive experience in social and community services and has developed significant expertise in return-to-work strategies for individuals affected by trauma and workplace mental health injuries. Lisa is passionate about supporting vulnerable populations, promoting equitable access to services, and advancing inclusive employment opportunities. She also serves as a volunteer board member with the Canadian Association for Supported Employment.

Kathleen Achenbach, MSc
Director, Return to Work Services | WorkSafeBC

Kathleen Achenbach is the Director of Return-to-Work Services at WorkSafeBC, where she leads provincial strategies to support recovery, collaboration, and sustainable return-to-work outcomes. She holds a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology with a specialization in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies and completed doctoral coursework in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies through the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine. With more than 25 years of experience at WorkSafeBC, Kathleen has held progressive leadership roles and developed expertise in disability management, rehabilitation, counselling practices, and the impacts of workplace injury and trauma on workers, families, and organizations. She is committed to advancing psychologically healthy workplaces that support people in thriving at work and in life.

Kimberly Dyson, MA, RCC
Senior Manager, Clinical Services | WorkSafeBC

Kimberly Dyson is the Senior Manager of Clinical Services at WorkSafeBC, leading teams that provide clinical advisory services and direct supports to injured workers across British Columbia. Her career has included clinical practice, program development, operational leadership, and strategic service delivery in both public and private sector organizations. Kimberly currently serves on the Board of the BC Association of Clinical Counselling and is a longstanding advisory member of the First Responder Mental Health Committee. As a Registered Clinical Counsellor, she is passionate about improving access to quality mental health care, fostering psychologically healthy workplaces, and supporting recovery, resilience, and successful return-to-work outcomes.

Christian Lane

Christian Lane is a retired Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Chief of Intelligence and Enforcement Operations. Throughout his 24-year career, Christian managed complex, high-stakes environments, leading frontline personnel and navigating the intense pressures inherent in protecting Canada's borders and responding to public safety challenges.

Christian continues his commitment to the broader service community as a Board Member of the Canadian Peace Officers' Memorial Association (CPOMA) and an Ambassador and Advisory Committee Member with the True Patriot Love Foundation. In this role, he actively champions the Canadian Walk for Veterans, helping bridge the gap between national organizations and grassroots support networks to ensure military members, Veterans, first responders, and their families are never left to walk their recovery journeys alone.

In 2021, Christian recognized a critical gap within service culture and founded The Team Ten Eight Podcast. More than a professional platform, the podcast was created as a space for honest conversations that challenge the culture of stoic silence often found among those who serve. Through candid discussions with military members, Veterans, first responders, healthcare professionals, and community leaders, Christian helps model the vulnerability, connection, and shared understanding that make healing possible.

Christian's passion for mental wellness is rooted in his own lived experience. Throughout his career, he accumulated the compounding effects of chronic operational stress and unresolved trauma, much of it originating long before he entered public service. In 2024, he experienced a profound mental health crisis that challenged long-held beliefs about strength, identity, and self-worth. Choosing to step out of the shadows, Christian immersed himself in recovery through therapy, journaling, meditation, and deep self-reflection. What followed was a complete re-examination of purpose and a realization that healing is not about returning to who we once were, but about becoming more fully ourselves beneath the roles, expectations, and survival strategies we adopt along the way.

His contributions to public safety and community advocacy have been recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal, and the CBSA President's Award for Management Excellence. Christian also brings his commitment to service into his work as a mortgage professional, supporting the financial wellness of the communities he spent decades protecting.

Christian offers a perspective grounded in vulnerability, self-discovery, and the belief that even our deepest struggles can become catalysts for healing, post-traumatic growth, and meaningful personal transformation.

Cst. Jessica Brown

Constable Jessica Brown is a serving member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with more than a decade of frontline service, the majority of it in rural Alberta.

Throughout her career in public service, she has also served as a Lieutenant with a volunteer fire department and as an Emergency Medical Responder, giving her a unique perspective on the realities faced by first responders across multiple disciplines.

In addition to her frontline policing duties, Jess is a firearms instructor and an active member of the Alberta RCMP's Ceremonial Troop, reflecting her commitment to professionalism, mentorship, and service within the organization.

Jess is a passionate advocate for first responder mental health and psychological wellness. She serves as a facilitator with the RCMP's National Reintegration Program, supporting officers as they return to work following critical incidents or extended leaves. Through mentorship, practical guidance, and peer support, she helps members rebuild confidence and successfully transition back to operational policing.

In 2022, Jess faced the fight of her life. Charged with manslaughter and aggravated assault following a fatal officer-involved shooting, she was thrust into a relentless legal storm. As the world watched, she endured not only the courtroom battles but also the profound personal toll of trauma and public scrutiny.

Ultimately acquitted, Jess emerged from the experience with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep appreciation for the role that resilience, connection, and positive psychology play in recovery.

Jess now shares her powerful story with audiences across Canada, offering an honest and deeply personal perspective on trauma, resilience, and the unbreakable human spirit. Her presentations challenge stigma, encourage meaningful conversations about mental health, and remind audiences that healing is possible, even in the aftermath of life's most difficult experiences.

Paul Hills

Paul Hills has spent over 27 years on the front lines as an Advanced Care Paramedic in Saskatoon, SK. A career that has covered care from the ground, air to ERs and ICUs, he’s seen the best and worst of humanity — and carried the weight that comes with it. Beyond the job, he’s served as a union leader, advocate, and relentless voice for first-responder mental health and wellbeing across Saskatchewan and Canada.

In 2016, Paul was diagnosed with Complex PTSD and depression after years of trauma exposure. He fought to return to work but in 2020, a struggle with suicidality forced him to step away again. This time, the path back wasn’t just about survival — it was about transformation.

Paul began to rebuild with the support of his wife and two sons and the right people around him searching for healing modalities. He stopped pretending he was fine and started living the truth: that real strength is asking for help and that healing takes a community and time.

Paul brings lived experience, leadership, and a deep sense of purpose. His passion is clear: to shift hearts and minds, open doors to support, and ensure that no First Responder — or their family — has to carry the weight alone.