Conference Speakers
Wellness on the Front Line™ 2024
October 15-18, 2024
The 8th annual conference of the Public Safety Peer Support Association, Wellness on the Front Line is 3 1/2 days of intensive presentations. One ticket gives peer supporters access to presentations on all days, one lunch ticket and social event.
Speaker list is in alphabetical order by last name. We will post more speakers as they are finalized.
John Ades, Retired Assistant Sheriff, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
John was raised in the small mountain towns of Oakhurst and Coarsegold located on Highway 41 near the South Gate of Yosemite National Park. Johns father severed in the United States Navy during World War II and instilled in John the desire to serve his country. After graduating from Yosemite High School in 1993, John joined the United States Army Military Police Corps, attending Basic and Advanced Training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. During his subsequent service John was stationed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Fort Clayton, Panama and Fort Irwin, California. John was honorably discharged from the Army in 2001 deciding to stay in Southern California.
Upon his discharge from the Army John joined the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department attending and graduating from the Sheriff’s Academy. During his time with the Sheriff’s Department John served in every capacity from Deputy Sheriff to Assistant Sheriff. His duty stations and assignments included the West Valley Detention Center, High Desert Detention Center, Victor Valley Jail, Hesperia Station, Victor Valley Station, Apple Valley Station, Specialized Enforcement Division (SWAT), High Desert Regional Gang Team, Bureau of Administration, Sheriff’s Executive Staff and The Office of the Sheriff. John had the unique opportunity to teach sergeants from agencies throughout California tactics, leadership, teambuilding and followership at the POST Supervisory Course.
Seeing the need to provide support to employees dealing with hardship, John volunteer his time and later sat on the board of SEAT HEAT, a major fundraising effort for the Sheriff Employee’s Assistance Team (SEAT). SEAT is a non-profit that raises money to assist any department member both sworn and non-sworn in their time of need. As a Deputy Chief and later an Assistant Sheriff, John was tasked with creating, staffing and implementing the new Wellness and Reliance Unit for the Sheriff’s Department. John was a huge proponent of providing effective/confidential physical, mental/phycological and financial wellness tools and programs to all members of the department both active and retired. With his knowledge of budgets and funding opportunities John was able to find and fully furnish office space for the new unit along with securing funding for staffing and the technological support needed to provide first class service to department members.
Victor Aguirre, Battalion Chief, (Retired) Los Angeles City Fire Department
I have been with Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) for over 24-years. I have been a certified paramedic for 27-years and promoted through the ranks of Firefighter, Firefighter Paramedic, Apparatus Operator, Captain I, Captain II and Battalion Chief. Battalion Chief Aguirre lectures on the Boyd Street Incident at the local, state, and national levels, sharing his experience as the initial Incident Commander and Division Supervisor overseeing the ventilation operations on the roof. He provides invaluable insights into the survival story, offering lessons learned for the benefit of the fire service.
Victor has been happily married to his wife, Claudia, for 24 years and is a proud father to two grown children. Following in his father’s footsteps, his son, Tristan, serves as a firefighter with the LAFD, stationed at Fire Station 9, while his daughter, Celeste, is currently pursuing her nursing degree. In his free time, Victor enjoys spending quality time with his family, close friends, and fellow LAFD colleagues.
Mary Ashley, Deputy District Attorney, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office
Mary Ashley has been a prosecutor with the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office since 1998. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts & Sciences from the University of Southern California and received her Juris Doctorate from Western State University College of Law in Orange County, CA in 1997.
Mary was the first lead attorney of the Family Violence Unit, which consisted of homicide, child abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse and domestic violence cases. Mary has served as a supervisor, Chief Deputy and Assistant District Attorney and currently serves as the Legal Advisor to the Civil Grand Jury. She is the Co-Coordinator for the San Bernardino County DA’s Office Peer Support Team that she developed in 2015. The Peer Support Program was the recipient of a National Association of Counties Award in 2022.
Mary is on the board of the National District Attorney’s Association and is the Vice-Chair of the NDAA Women Prosecutors’ Section as well as the NDAA Well-Being Committee. In addition, Mary is a past board member of the California Public Safety Peer Support Association and a current board member for the Addiction Policy Forum, which is a national non-profit organization. Mary has now published several articles in the area of prosecutor wellness, peer support and resiliency. Mary regularly conducts trainings, presentations and webinars across the country.
Ashlea Barnaby, Retired Firefighter, Paramedic, LPCC, MCC, Longmont Fire Department
Ashlea’s journey to the world of mental health has been quite unique! Having served for almost ten years in public safety as a firefighter and paramedic in Longmont, Colorado, her knowledge and lived experience as a first responder fuel her passion for mental health especially those with trauma histories. In her career of fire and EMS, she has been a member of the Boulder County Regional Hazmat Team, Boulder County Tox Medic Program, EMS educator and FI, and wildland firefighter.
Ashlea completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Counseling and her Masters in Mental Health and Clinical Counseling at Colorado Christian University. Ashlea enjoys working with both individuals and couples and is trained in various modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, Neuro-Somatic Intelligence, and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. She does extensive work specifically with military, police, fire, and other members of public safety.
Dianne Bernhard, Executive Director, Concerns of Police Survivors
Deputy Chief Dianne Bernhard of the Columbia, MO, Police Department retired after 22 years of service to become the Executive Director of C.O.P.S. in March 2014. Dianne came to know C.O.P.S. through the line-of-duty death of a co-worker, Officer Molly Bowden, in 2005. She had been aware of the great care that C.O.P.S. gave to the officer’s family ever since Molly’s death and decided to honor her friend Molly by spending her second career working as a leader in the C.O.P.S. organization, helping surviving family members and co-workers of officers who have died in the line of duty, training agencies on how to respond to LODD, and developing a National Conference on Officer Wellness and Trauma.
Molly Day, Casualty Assistance/CISM Program Manager, Pacific Southwest Regional Office, USFS
Molly is the Dep. Regional CAP/CISM Program Manager and has been with the Forest since 1995. She started at the Summit RD on the Stanislaus NF in Ca, slinging wilderness permits & maps to visitors at the Front Desk for the summer. She then went to an engine crew and started the road that led her to the taking a Lead FF position during the MEL hiring of 2001.
Once in the driver seat and working year-round, she really started to see how this career was more of a calling and really experienced the cohesion that fuses us together in this work. From there she spent time on the Stanislaus Hotshots as a squad leader (best job in the FS) until 2011 when she was promoted to Mom. Seeking balance, but also feeding that calling, her road took her to the Patrol world. There, the flexibility to serve others & also serve family could flourish. Helping behind the scenes became a big part of her training as gaps in support began to be realized in painful ways and solutions were sought. During this time, she became involved with Peer Support & Liaison work to help take care of people when they are experiencing the worst moments of their own calling.
molly.day@usda.gov 209-916-5248
Egan de los Cobos, Firefighter/Paramedic, Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Egan de los Cobos grew up in Santa Barbara County in the small town of Solvang. He entered the fire service at the age of 18 as a Paid-Call Firefighter. Concurrently he was full-time on a private ambulance as an EMT for 1 year and then Paramedic for 5 years until 2007 when he got hired in his current position of Firefighter/Paramedic at Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Egan is active as a Peer Support Team Lead, Stress First Aid Instructor, and Instructor of SCBA and Search in the Academy for the past 15 years.
Egan is a Certified Health Coach and Gut Health Nutrition Specialist. He lives for the beach, to surf, and be with his wife and 3 children as much as possible.
Dr. Douglas DiSiena B.Sc., D.C., IDE, QME, FICA, C.N.S., Chief Medical Advisor, Bud’s Odyssey Foundation
Dr. Douglas DiSiena- From 1986 – Present: Private practice and Director of Irvine Chiropractic Offices, Irvine, CA. Co-Founded Renaissance Corporate Wellness Fairs bringing “wellness” screenings and lectures to industry and Founded Orange County Chiropractic Fellowship, speaking monthly to a gathering of chiropractors, paraprofessionals and their families. Co-Keynote Speaker at Possibility Living Wellness Seminars; published co-author with Robert A. Schuller of the best seller, Possibility Living: Add Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years with God’s Health Plan, HarperCollins, 2000. Literary review from Publishers Weekly, “DiSiena’s thoughts about the Spirit’s healing power are helpful and similar to those of Andrew Weil. He echoes … many other health professionals when he admonishes readers to exercise regularly and to eat more vegetables and fewer processed foods … DiSiena writes compellingly about these topics, as well as about his own gift of healing, and as such deserves his own book…” (October, 2000, Copyright, Cahners Business Information) He is also a Regular Lecturer at Chiropractic Colleges and regular lecturer to Doctors on Nutrition and Lifestyle Management. His special achievements include: Family Chiropractic Special Service Award, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Center for Excellence for StopChronicDisease.com, Assembly Representative Distinguished Service Award (International Chiropractic Association), Distinguished Fellow of the International Chiropractic Association (FICA). and Top LA Times Reader Poll OC Chiropractor 2018, 2019, 2020
Michael Federico, Chief, Port Hueneme Police Department
Michael “Rico” Federico started in law enforcement in the late 1980’s as a Ventura County Sheriff’s Explorer until he became part of the Port Hueneme Police Department. He served 10 years as a reserve officer, patrol officer/FTO, and detective before lateraling to the Santa Monica Police Department where he started over and served as an officer/FTO agent, detective, sergeant, and lieutenant. It was his start at Santa Monica PD where he was recruited onto the peer support team, due to his personality, sincerity towards others, and the many relationships he quickly built with people in the department. He started out as a peer team member and stayed on the team as a team supervisor sergeant, and team manager lieutenant. Over the years, he responded to many critical incidents and assisted many peers during his time as a peer supporter. Even as a lieutenant, he was sought out for peer support by many frontline employees. He was also part of a regional network that responded all over Southern California to assist other agencies in times of peer support need. Over the years, Mike has also assisted other agencies with starting and developing peer support teams at their agencies, including speaking to police personnel in Italy. In addition, he has spoke at several peer support and mental health supported events on the need for public safety peer support. During his time on peer support, he saw the development of a well-established and city funded blind billing program for professional mental health services. They had their own in-house contracted psychologists that were selected, contracted, supervised, and directed by the peer support team leadership and not the department or city. As the years went on, he was also part of the team that brought an all-encompassing wellness program to Santa Moncia PD including health, nutrition, and other personal affairs such as financial wellbeing. During several of those years, Mike was the president and working board member for Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles.
Mike left Santa Moncia PD in 2023 because he was recruited to be the Chief of Police in Port Hueneme, the city where he started as a young police officer and the area where he still lived after 30 years with his daughter Cameo, who has Down Syndrome. Cameo is 25 and is the center of his life. Cameo is commonly referred to around town as Hueneme PD’s “Commish” because she tells everyone she is her dad’s boss. Cameo is a celebrity around the halls of both Santa Moncia PD and Hueneme PD. Cameo’s future is the main reason Mike take steps to care for his own physical and mental health. As Port Hueneme PD’s Chief, Mike developed their first peer support program and first wellness program. He is also building on some things that he was unable to get accomplished years before, because of too many “Why’s” from others who were in charge of organizations. Now he is in charge of an organization and often asks, “Why Not?” in order to make things happen. He has spent a career in public safety asking “Why Not” when it came to trying something new, especially in the peer support and wellness world.
Jack Harris, Retired from Tucson Arizona Police Department
Jack Harris conducts training on a variety of topics aimed at Helping Keep Good People Good. His combination of public safety, management and behavioral science experience and a passion for practical solutions, allows Jack to help people develop skills they can apply to everyday, real-life situations.
Jack’s interest in Helping Keep Good People Good began during his career with the Tucson (AZ) Police Department. He is a licensed counselor, a Board-Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, an EMDR-trained therapist, and an approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). He holds a Masters Degree from the University of Arizona and a Bachelors Degree from Western Illinois University.
Jack has been a resource to organizations, management teams and individuals following tragedies such as fires, aviation and vehicle accidents, shootings, suicides, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. He co-facilitates trauma retreats and Post Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) for fire, EMS, law enforcement and other first responders.
Travis Howze, International Touring Speaker and Motivational Wellness Educator
Travis Howze is an international touring speaker, author, and motivational wellness educator who spent 14 years in the military and emergency services as a U.S. Marine, Police Officer and Firefighter.
From taking human life to being assigned to the body recovery team of 9 brother firefighters, including one of his best friends, Travis was plagued with extreme Post Traumatic Stress dating back to early childhood. With little to no resources available during his recovery, he decided to become a resource by developing “Post Traumatic Purpose – an empowering, educational course and keynote presentation on Leadership, Mental Wellness and Resiliency.”
Authentically raw and uncensored, Post Traumatic Purpose gives a realistic view of the mental health epidemic that plagues our first responders and their families. Travis’ transparent approach builds a relatability that not only connects with the individual responder but their families; including spouses who are always encouraged to attend in hopes of promoting career and family longevity.
His motivational message focuses on mental health; targeting in on signs and symptoms affected personnel may be displaying through various behavioral patterns and changes, ways of coping with trauma as it applies to the individual, the family and the team. Travis provides a holistic talk by covering various available resources, the culture and why many never seek help. He is the author of the Best Selling book and top-ranked Podcast both titled, “Create Your Own Light.”
For over a decade, he has had the pleasure of speaking and teaching to departments nationwide and countless emergency services and mental health conferences, including law enforcement, firefighters, clinicians, the FBI, SWAT teams, private mental health organizations, and the top nationally ranked university student veterans’ program.
Robert Jahn, Detective and Carolyn Jahn, Spouse, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
Robert and Carolyn have been married for over 29 years and have four daughters and one granddaughter. Carolyn has been working as an RN for 24 years and Robert began his law enforcement career at the age of 40 when he was hired by the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department.
Sam Kabert, Breathwork Teacher and Keynote Speaker
Sam spent the early part of his career chasing success and in the process was named to Silicon Valley’s 40 under 40 list at just 31 years old.
Despite building a million dollar business as an Entrepreneur, Sam realized that he was unfulfilled and was lacking a deeper purpose to his life. Since 2019, Sam has courageously embraced a transformative path of self-discovery, centering his focus on prioritizing mental health.
This personal evolution has become the heartbeat of his message, as he passionately speaks about the profound practice of SOUL/Life Balance and how to Overcome Overwhelm with the 6-Step B.R.E.A.T.H. Process. Sam is a Breathwork Teacher and Keynote Speaker on a mission to teach the tools to Overcome Overwhelm while encouraging the rise of Compassionate Leadership to eradicate the glorification of “Hustle Culture”.
Sam is also a 2x Bestselling Author and host of the Soul Seekr Podcast and Spirituality Simplified YouTube Channel.
Dr. Cherylynn Lee, Police Psychologist, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office/The Counseling Team International
Dr. Lee is a Police Psychologist and a full-time employee of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office overseeing the Behavioral Sciences Unit (BSU). The BSU houses four mental health co-responder teams, provides Crisis Intervention Training, conducts behavioral threat assessments, and houses the departments wellness unit and peer support team. Dr. Lee serves on the crisis negotiation response teams for both the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office and the Santa Barbara Police Department, is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and provides instruction for the FBI 40-hour negotiations course in the areas of mental health, suicidal subjects, and officer wellness.
Dr. Lee is contracted with The Counseling Team International as both the Clinical Operations Director for the Tri-Counties and a practitioner. She offers individual counseling and emergency response services across the state of California. She has led over dozens of critical incident stress debriefings for OIS, LODD and natural disasters for local and state agencies. Dr. Lee maintains a private practice in the Santa Ynez Valley where she exclusively works with first responders and specializes in trauma and post-traumatic stress.
Dr. Lee is also a subject-matter expert with CA Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) on both officer and dispatcher wellness and teaches officer wellness in the basic academy. Dr. Lee was also named one of the IACP 40 under 40 award recipients for 2023 and is named CIT International’s Behavioral Health Practitioner of the Year for 2024.
Cerena Lewis, Fire Dispatcher, Los Angeles County Fire Department
I have been with La County Fire Department for 9 years in October. I am a Fire Dispatcher ll. I answer 911 calls as well as operate the radio for all the units, including ground equipment (i.e. engines, squads) as well as copters, boats and outside agencies.
I work a 12 hour graveyard shift from 7pm to 7am, with some shifts being 24 or 36 hours.
I have also been apart of the departments peer support team for approximately 3 years. A board member of the 9-8-8- Technical advisory board as well as most importantly, I am a single mother to two beautiful little girls.
Andrea Moore, Police Officer, Lacey Washington Community
Officer Andrea Moore stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of a dedicated police officer, proudly serving the community of Lacey, Washington. Raised by a single mother amidst less-than-ideal circumstances, Officer Moore learned the vital lessons of hard work, perseverance, and survival from an early age.
Her journey from adversity to triumph led her to a distinguished career in law enforcement. Officer Moore’s unwavering commitment to her duty and unyielding dedication to her community have been exemplified through her remarkable experiences. On March 26, 2021, she found herself facing a life-threatening situation, emerging victorious after a harrowing encounter. Her triumphant survival is a testament to her courage and determination.
With a forward-looking perspective, Officer Moore eagerly anticipates sharing her insights with others. Her unique perspective on mindset, informed by her life experiences and the unwavering determination that guided her survival, offers a compelling narrative that resonates with colleagues and the broader community.
Gus Moreno, Police Officer, Fontana Police Department
After many years of working for the Fontana Police Department and being involved in many critical incidents and cumulative trauma, I found myself coping with alcohol and maladaptive ways. A turning point in my career was receiving a DUI in 2015. I tried to cope and quit on my own for several years but realized it required professional help. After treatment in 2020 for my alcoholism and PTSI. I saw the positive impact it had on me. I changed my life and focused on sharing my story to break the stigma among first responders and make a difference. With the positive coping skills and tools I was provided, I have saved my life, thrived in my career and grown personally. I lead by example to show that things can happen in life and within our profession but it doesn’t have to be career-ending.
Wendy Mortier, National CISM Coordinator, USDA Forest Service, Washington Office
Wendy is currently serving as the national critical incident stress management (CISM) coordinator. For 3 years she served as the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Casualty Assistance Program Manager and Critical Incident Stress Management Coordinator. Wendy began her Forest Service career during the fire season 1992 with the Laguna Hotshots on the Cleveland National Forest.
During 1995, she was accepted into the Forest Service Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program, completing Academy #7, sponsored by the Stanislaus National Forest. She went on to spend 3 years on the Stanislaus Hotshots, 1 year with the Helicopter 517 crew and 1 year on Dorrington Fire Engine. During 2003, she began a stint as a dispatcher for the Stanislaus National Forest and would later go on to serve as Assistant Center Manager and the Stanislaus Dispatch Center Manager, spending a total of fifteen years with that ECC.
When asked what her focus and passion is, she responded: “Always in taking Care of Our Own, our Forest Service employees, and partners, the ‘heart’ work is hard work, but it is necessary and rewarding.” wendy.mortier@usda.gov 209-283-4552
If you would like to review information covering previous conferences, visit our Training Calendar archive section.