Speakers

Julia Armstrong supports knowledge mobilization initiatives at the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families. With a background as a mental health service provider and personal lived experience, Julia is passionate about understanding and addressing the unique needs of specific communities and equity-deserving groups. She is honoured to work alongside Veterans and Families to champion authentic engagement and leverage real-world evidence to create a better mental health system. 

Kim Assailly is a senior civilian leader with 13 years of experience at the Calgary Police Service (CPS), where she has led analytical and strategic teams to enhance organizational effectiveness. She has spearheaded initiatives that drive cultural transformation, strengthen accountability, and foster inclusive practices across the Service. Kim brings an expertise in systems thinking, engagement methods, research, and leveraging data to guide strategic decisions. She has contributed to cross-sector collaborations focused on crime prevention, public safety, human resource modernization, and improving workplace culture. Kim Assailly is passionate about bridging research and practice and ensuring that the CPS’s strategies reflect the values of equity and evidence-informed action. 

Kathy has over 20 years of experience as a frontline paramedic and leader in various capacities and currently works within the Employee Wellness team of Emergency Health Services-Alberta, as the Supervisor of the Provincial Peer Support Team. Equipped with an undergraduate degree in psychology, and enrolled in the Masters of Counselling program at Athabasca University, Kathy utilizes her professional and academic experience to promote the overall wellbeing of public safety personnel throughout the province. 

Amanda Berg is a psychiatrist whose clinical practice at the Carewest Operational Stress Injury Clinic focuses on treating trauma. This tertiary care clinic specializes in the comprehensive assessment and treatment of operational stress injuries for serving members and veterans of the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces. She is passionate about raising awareness of moral injury and sanctuary trauma among medical and public safety leadership, public safety personnel, and health care providers. With over 15 years of experience treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dr. Berg is trained in Prolonged Exposure Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy-based and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Berg is a frequent continuing education presenter. She has developed and delivered workshops and keynote addresses on a variety of psychotherapy-related topics. 

Raina Beugelink is a registered dietitian specializing in providing evidence-based nutrition education to first responders and shift workers. She is married to a member of the RCMP and understands the challenges that come with a shift-working lifestyle. With over 12 years working in nutrition education for chronic disease management, she brings real-life, shift work-specific recommendations to empower her clients to regain control of their health.

Dr. Leigh Blaney is Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Human Services, and Researcher at the Centre for Trauma and Mental Health Research at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Leigh is a seasoned nurse, researcher, educator and published author. As an educator, Leigh has been a leader in innovative curriculum design and implementation, utilizing team-based methods and multi-modal evaluation strategies in the classroom. Leigh’s research areas of interest and expertise are resilience, first respondermental health and health promotion, stress and coping, and capacity-building. Leigh’s innovative research promotes health, resilience, and wellbeing. Dr. Blaney has a firm grounding in front line emergency work and a proven ability to translate research to action; her research projects are always actively co-led by people in the field, ensuring that the research is relevant, practical, and actionable. Leigh has worked with fire rescue and other emergency services for over 25 years, and has researched, developed, and evaluated critical incident stress, resilience, and psychological health programs in healthcare, emergency service, and business organizations globally. Leigh volunteered for over 20 years as the clinical coordinator of the Archipelago Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Society, an organization dedicated to the psychological health of emergency services and healthcare personnel. Leigh is a sought-after content expert and speaker for health care and first responder organizations and at international conferences. 

Marnie Bolin is the Clinical Director of the Psychological Therapies Section. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Calgary and is a registered clinical social worker (RCSW) with the Alberta College of Social Work. Marnie has been working in the field of mental health and trauma for more than 20 years and holds special interest in the psychological wellness and resilience of first responders and their families. 

Marnie is trained in a number of generalist and specialized treatment modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy skills (DBT- skills), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) (EMDR, prolonged exposure (PE), and accelerated resolution therapy (ART). Marnie has complimentary training in mindfulness-based practices, traumatic grief and loss, and mind-body therapies. 

In her current role, Marnie is committed to development and facilitation of high-quality, evidence-based clinical programs and services for members of the Calgary Police Service. 

Nicole Smith Bringsli, is a Registered Psychologist with more than 25 years of experience in forensic, clinical, and trauma-focused psychology. She holds a Master of Science in Forensic and Legal Psychology from the University of Leicester and an Honours Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology and Psychology from the University of Ottawa.

Nicole has held psychologist positions in youth justice, community mental health, RCMP, education systems, and child trauma services across several Canadian jurisdictions. She is registered as a psychologist in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nunavut, and the Yukon. Her areas of expertise include trauma therapy, forensic assessment, violence risk assessment, occupational mental health, and critical incident response for first responders and communities.

Nicole is the President and a Registered Psychologist at Creative Works Psychological Services Inc., where she provides therapy, psychological assessments, and consultation to individuals, organizations, and government departments. Her clinical practice includes trauma treatment, forensic and psychoeducational assessments, and consultation on complex mental health and risk issues. She has provided trauma and critical incident support, to first responders through her private practice.

Nicole has a background of working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Occupational Health Services, where she conducted various services related to front line police officers, including screenings for specialized units, consulting with respect to critical stress injuries, crisis response to critical incidents, and disability management services.

Rhys Clark has over 20 years of experience in paramedicine, including roles as a frontline Primary Care Paramedic and Assistant Supervisor in the Calgary Zone. Currently, he is the Team - Lead Wellness Facilitator for the Calgary Zone within Emergency Health Services-Alberta, where he works alongside the rest of the EHS Wellness Team to develop and promote mental health and wellness initiatives to staff across the province of Alberta. He is also responsible for leading his team of peer supporters in the Calgary Zone. Rhys has completed a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology, and is currently completing a Master's of Health Services Research at the University of Calgary. When not at work, Rhys enjoys spending time with his wife and children, river surfing, and ice and rock climbing. He also contributes to his community by volunteering as a high school wrestling coach.

Andrée-Ann Deschênes holds a doctorate in Occupational Psychology and is a professor at the School of Management at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR). As the director of graduate programs in public safety organization management, she educates current and future managers in this sector. She is co-holder of the UQTR-ENPQ (Quebec National Police Academy) Research Chair in Occupational Psychological Health Prevention in Public Safety, and co-director (and researcher) of the UQTR branch of the International Centre for Comparative Criminology (ICCC). Her research, recognized both nationally and internationally, focuses on management psychology in public safety organizations, with particular attention to the prevention of occupational psychological health issues in police environments. 

Megan Edgelow became an occupational therapist over two decades ago and has been interested in mental health ever since. Seventeen years ago, she started a private practice to work with people on their mental health journeys and she continues to provide community-based occupational therapy services to people in the Kingston, Ontario region. Along with her BSc in Occupational Therapy, she has an MSc in Rehabilitation Science, and a Doctorate of Education (EdD). She is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University. She has teaching and supervision responsibilities in the Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Health Leadership, and Health Professions Education Programs. Her research focuses on mental health, workplace well-being, and activity participation. She is the author of numerous academic articles and a co-author of the popular occupational therapy intervention ‘Action Over Inertia’.

Dr. Shelley Fahlman, RPsych (she/her), is a registered Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of diverse experience within healthcare in Alberta. She has worked as a front-line Psychologist, Health Promotion Facilitator, Consultant, Team Lead, and Program Manager. She has extensive expertise in trauma-informed practices and trauma recovery—not only at the individual level, but also in group, community, and organizational settings. Throughout her career, Dr. Fahlman has led large-scale provincial initiatives focused on mental health promotion and suicide prevention. She has led complex clinical operations, including mental health crisis and tele-triage services. She has partnered with a wide range of collaborators across Alberta including Emergency Medical Services, RCMP, Police, Emergency/Disaster Management, Indigenous Health, Population Health, Primary Care, Workplace Health & Safety, non-profits, and provincial government. In addition to her clinical and leadership experience, she has expertise in social science research, program evaluation, psychometrics, grant management, and dashboard design. She is a certified Prosci Change Management practitioner, seasoned project manager, and a self-described strategic planning nerd. Dr. Fahlman is proud to have joined the Emergency Health Services- Alberta Employee Wellness team as a Senior Advisor, where she focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative wellness initiatives to support the mental health and wellbeing of EHS personnel. 

Annie Gendron, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in Psychology. She is a researcher at the Centre de recherche et de développement stratégique de l'École nationale de police du Québec (Centre for Research and Strategic Development, Quebec National Police Academy), an associate professor in the Psychoeducation Department at the University of Québec at Trois-Rivières, co-holder of the Research Chair in Prevention of Psychological Health at Work in Public Safety, and a regular researcher at the International Centre for Comparative Criminology (ICCC)-Interuniversity Centre. She has extensive experience in research and scientific publication. Her research interests focus on issues related to the prevention of psychological health problems in public safety, the selection of candidates for the police profession, training and police intervention in Quebec. She is also interested in the issues of police intervention in Indigenous contexts and with the Indigenous population. 

Sam has worked with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for 11 years. Through years and dedication to service he now finds himself in the position of training new recruits.

Former Public Safety Minister and former Canadian High Commissioner in the UK.

Ali Harper is a Primary Care Paramedic with Yukon Emergency Medical Services (YEMS) in Whitehorse, Yukon, where she serves as a Wellness Coordinator and leads the EMS Wellness and Peer Support initiatives. Her work focuses on strengthening mental health supports for paramedics, and other Public Safety personnel in the Yukon. In addition to her operational leadership role, Ali provides oversight of the YEMS Public Relations (PR) team, supporting community engagement and outreach that highlights the work of EMS and builds stronger relationships with the public and allied agencies.

Ali works closely with the Peer Support Team and PR team, collaborating with allied partners including police, fire, healthcare teams, and community responders to support the wellbeing of first responders and promote a culture of psychological safety. She is passionate about creating supportive workplaces where open conversations about mental health are encouraged and supported.

Her education and professional development include training in first responder wellness, peer support, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), and psychological health and safety in the workplace. Ali continues to pursue opportunities to strengthen wellness programming and education within emergency services.

Ali is also the handler of PADS Thorin, an accredited facility dog who works alongside her to support first responders and healthcare teams by helping reduce stress, build connection, and create space for conversations about mental health in high-pressure environments.

Dr. Helena Hawryluk is the Co-Creator and Director of the Warrior Kids Program at Wounded Warriors Canada and an Associate Clinician committed to advancing mental health supports for trauma-exposed professionals and their families. With over 15 years of experience working alongside Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, Public Safety Personnel, and their families, she brings deep clinical expertise and a passion for meaningful systems-level change.

Helena’s work focuses on developing high-quality, evidence-informed programs that address the unique needs of youth living in homes impacted by operational stress injuries. She believes that strengthening families begins with supporting children early — positioning them not as an afterthought, but as central to long-term resilience.

Warrior Kids was created to fill a critical service gap for young people navigating the realities of parental trauma exposure. The national, psychoeducational program equips youth with mental health literacy, practical coping skills, and peer connection. It has had a significant impact on families across Canada and is recognized as a leading initiative supporting resilience within military and public safety communities.

Helena holds a BA in Psychology from Concordia University, a BSW, MCSW, and PhD from the University of Calgary. She was awarded the Wounded Warriors Doctoral Scholarship for her research, Through Our Eyes, highlighting the lived experiences of youth in military families affected by post-Afghanistan operational stress injuries.

Together with her co-director, Helena leads a national team dedicated to strengthening youth and families across Canada.

Belinda Johnson: has worked for the Government of Alberta in Occupational Health and Safety since early 1990s and started under the umbrella now known as Partnerships and has continued to work in various areas of OHS spanning both the policy and delivery side. Currently she is responsible for planning, implementing and managing annual grant cycles including Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders (SPHIFR) and the Gender Related Injury and Illness Prevention Program (GRIIPP) grant programs. Belinda is committed to helping Albertans have a safe and healthy workplace.

Cst. David Klein began his policing career in 2007, after graduating from the University of Alberta with a Double Major in Psychology and Criminology. Cst. Klein started in Downtown Division where he worked in patrol for 5 years, before transferring to the Inner CityPolice and Crisis Team (ICPACT). For 2 years, Cst. Klein was partnered with a psychiatric nurse; as they attended Edmonton’s inner-city shelters and drop in sites, conducting mental health assessments and assisting the inner-city population with obtaining mental health and social resources.  

Cst. Klein then transferred to Jasper Avenue Neighborhood Foot Patrol for several years until moving to the EPS Training Section, where he conducted Recruit and In-Service firearms training for 4 years. While at the Range, Cst. Klein was introduced to the EPS Reintegration Program and was immediately drawn to it, joining the team in 2018. In 2021, Cst. Klein left the Range to become the full-time Constable within the Reintegration Unit, a position he still currently holds. Over the last 5 years Cst. KLEIN has worked with over 250 members of the EPS, helping them return to work comfortable and confident, regardless of why they have been off work. In addition to working with members of the EPS, Cst. Klein has also travelled to teach numerous courses across Canada as well as internationally to help teach others the EPS Reintegration model. 

Shawna Meister is the Associate Director of Innovation and Evidence in Practice with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA). She conducts evidence-based research on substance use and the workplace and alcohol- and drug-impaired driving. Shawna also leads activities in new and diversified areas and works on transforming evidence into practice through training and implementation initiatives. Her background includes research, projects, and publications on impairment and safety-sensitive industries, substance use and workplace policies and practices, various road safety issues, alcohol and cannabis use, and education and training. 

Greg helped create and has been working with the BCSARA Peer CISM team since it was created in early 2009. He is the Chair and Human Resources advisor on their Steering Committee. Greg has volunteered with BC’s North Shore Rescue team for over 45 years. He is a Search Manager and he has held a number of Executive positions during his tenure with NSR, including Team Leader. Greg has his Master’s in Applied Behavioural Science (MA ABS) and is an Organizational Development specialist. He completed a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching (Certified Executive Coach) at Royal Roads University in 2014 and has been a certified conflict mediator through the Justice Institute since 1998. 

Sgt. Tim Moeller has been in Law Enforcement for the last 25 years, spending his first 6 years with Alberta’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Branch before being hired by the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) in 2007. 

Sgt. Moeller spent his first 8 years with the EPS working in both a Patrol and Neighbourhood Foot Patrol capacity. Sgt. Tim Moeller then spent the next 5 years as a fulltime firearms instructor in the Firearms Training Unit (FTU), teaching new recruits and in-service members firearms and officer safety skills. While in FTU, Sgt. Moeller became a Reintegration Facilitator working with members after Officer Involved Shootings. 

Sgt. Moeller returned to front-line Patrol for a year before being promoted to the Sergeant i/c of the Reintegration Unit. In this role, Sgt. Moeller works with members returning to work after critical incidents, leaves of absence due to physical or psychological injury, and/or parental leaves. Sgt. Moeller also assists in teaching the Edmonton Police Service Reintegration Program to Public Safety Personnel across Canada, including various presentations on the EPS Reintegration Program throughout Canada and into the United States. 

Kiersten Mohr (she/her) is the Founder and Managing Director of Terra Firma Transition Consulting and a registered provisional psychologist in Alberta. With more than twenty-five years of corporate and leadership experience, combined with a diverse academic background and lived experience, she is dedicated to advancing accessibility, inclusion, and equity within organizations across Canada. 

At Terra Firma Transition Consulting, Kiersten collaborates nationally with organizations across a range of industries. She leverages her academic background—including a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology—alongside her leadership background and experience as a transgender professional to support organizational transformation. Her objective is to equip organizations with the tools necessary to establish inclusive, equitable, and accessible environments. Through evidence-based initiatives delivered in safe, supportive ways, Kiersten believes and has observed transformative improvements within teams and workplaces which benefit all employees. Her methodology is immersive and cooperative: she engages with each organization’s unique culture, conducts thorough assessments of challenges and barriers, and partners with leadership and staff to design educational programs, develop inclusive policies, and implement effective change management strategies. Kiersten is committed to achieving lasting, sustainable improvements that foster positive experiences and allow every employee to reach their full potential. 

In addition to her consulting work, Kiersten is a committed community leader. She serves as an executive board member of the Airdrie Pride Society and as Board Chair for Distress Centre Calgary. Her volunteer work has been recognized through several honours, including being named one of Airdrie’s Amazing Women in Advocacy in 2020 and receiving a nomination for the Star of Alberta Award that same year. 

Ashlee Mulligan is the Director of Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement at the Atlas Institute on Veterans and Families (Atlas Institute), where she works to promote engagement, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, in view of foundationally embedding the lived experience and expertise of Veterans and Veteran Families into the programs, priorities, and networks led by the Atlas Institute. Ashlee has a Master of Science (specialization neuroscience) and a background in women’s studies and psychology. 

Chris joined the CISM team in 2013 and is an advanced peer who assists as a mental health professional at times. Chris started his GSAR volunteer work in Vanderhoof BC in 1997 primarily as a Search Manager and on the executive and now is a member of Central Okanagan SAR in Kelowna. He served on the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) Board since 2013 and recently retired from the Board as President. He has also volunteered as a hospice peer doing grief and loss supports for families. His day job involves academic advising, teaching and counselling in an online public K-12 school. He completed his M. Ed Counselling in 2014 from UNBC in Prince George BC.

Michelle O'Toole is a Teacher Practitioner, Researcher and Lecturer in Paramedicine, based in the Republic of Ireland. Funded by Movember’s Veteran and First Responders Mental Health programme, and assisted by a wonderful co-design team, she co-created the evidence-based HUGS@Home initiative, to train family and friends of first responders in psychological first aid and self-care.  As a former Firefighter and Advanced Paramedic, and importantly as a family member of service personnel, she brings unique insights into family life in the emergency services. As a qualified crisis intervention practitioner and instructor, she provides psychosocial trauma support and education to both individuals and teams and has recently co-founded an emerging social enterprise spin out company HUGS Community. She holds a Masters in Psychological trauma and is currently a PhD student in the Dept of Paramedicine at Monash University Australia, focusing on wellbeing for emergency personnel and those who support them. 

Jerris Popik is the Co-Creator and Director of the Warrior Kids Program and an Associate Clinician with Wounded Warriors Canada. A seasoned clinical social worker with more than 15 years of experience, Jerris has dedicated her career to supporting Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, Public Safety Personnel, and their families navigating the complex impacts of operational stress injuries.

As both a clinician and program developer, Jerris has been instrumental in designing and implementing evidence-informed, youth-centered mental health programming that addresses the often-unseen needs of children living in trauma-exposed households. She is deeply committed to strengthening family systems by equipping young people with the knowledge, coping skills, and peer connection necessary to foster resilience and long-term well-being.

Warrior Kids was developed to fill a critical gap in services for youth living with a loved one affected by operational stress. Under Jerris’ leadership, the program has grown into a nationally recognized initiative supporting resilience within military and public safety families across Canada.

Jerris holds a degree in Applied Psychology from Concordia University and a Master of Clinical Social Work from the University of Calgary. Together with her co-director, she leads a national team of facilitators and clinicians dedicated to strengthening youth and families impacted by operational stress injuries.

Kimberley Porter is the Advisor, Clinical Education Standards with Yukon Emergency Medical Services (YEMS), based in Whitehorse. A paramedic since 2007, she began her career with the Queensland Ambulance Service in Australia, where she held roles in frontline operations, clinical education, and leadership.

Since relocating to Canada in 2022, Kimberley has continued her work in EMS leadership with Yukon EMS, focusing on strengthening clinical education standards, advancing evidence-informed practice, and supporting the professional development of paramedics working in complex and remote environments.

Her work centers on clinical governance, workforce sustainability, and the systems required to support the psychological health and resilience of public safety personnel.

At the CIPSRT conference, Kimberley will share perspectives from EMS education and leadership on emerging challenges in public safety personnel mental health and the importance of building resilient organizations that support those who serve their communities.

Dr. Luke Schneider is a Registered Clinical Psychologist who completed his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Regina. The majority of Dr. Schneider’s clinical and research work focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating digital mental health programs in Canada. Dr. Schneider presently serves as a Clinical Research Associate for the PSPNET program, which involves providing therapeutic support to Public Safety Personnel and helping to spread the word about this innovative and free mental health resource. 

Mo Fahad Shaukat is a professional in Criminal Justice with more than fifteen years of combined experience in frontline operations, crisis negotiation, and mental-health leadership. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the Royal Military College of Canada, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University, and a Financial Accounting Certificate from Harvard Business School. During his career with the Correctional Service of Canada, Mo served as a Correctional Officer, Hostage/Crisis Negotiator, and a National Staff Training Officer. His work included developing and delivering national training on crisis communication, de-escalation, and use of force. He currently serves as a Reserve Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and teaches Justice Studies at Bow Valley College. Mo is also the provincial president of a national peer-support organization that operates a 24-hour helpline for first responders and military members. His work bridges lived experience and policy development, advancing trauma-informed leadership and resilience across public-safety sectors. A recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for service and community impact, Mo continues to speak nationally on crisis communication, leadership under pressure, and system-wide wellness. His approach combines field experience, academic insight, and practical strategies for navigating the human realities of high-stress professions.

Ms. Shields is a PhD candidate in clinical psychology under the supervision of Dr. R. Nicholas Carleton in the Psychological Trauma and Stress Systems (PTSS) Lab. She is currently on residency at the Edmonton OSI Clinic. She has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles and given dozens of conference presentations. Ms. Shields has won several academic and service awards, and has served in national committee and board capacities. She has long been actively involved in many aspects of the RCMP Study, as a research assistant and a student clinician. Her research interests include psychological stress injuries among PSP, with a particular fondness for paramedics, as she was previously a paramedic in Alberta. 

Shaylee is a clinical social worker, researcher, university lecturer, former public safety personnel (PSP), and PSP spouse. She brings years of frontline service and hours of discussions to the work that she does. She has knowledge and insight regardingthe difficulties PSP careers place on the individual and their families. Her passion comes from the desire to create effective change that leads to overall wellbeing while PSP navigate their careers. 

Dr. Streukens has spent 3 decades providing treatment services to individuals, couples, and groups. His primary areas of expertise include substance use disorders and clinical psychodiagnostics- primarily in the psychological disability management area. Currently Dr. Streukens is involved with operating his clinical practice, teaching at two universities, and providing clinical oversight for the peer support program at Emergency Health Services-Alberta. Dr. Streukens was educated at the University of Calgary and the University of Regina where his research interests consisted of the study of alcoholics in relation to personality, spirituality, moral development, and emotional maturity factors. Dr. Streukens initiated the term SAE (Substance Abuse Expert) as a Canadian response to the SAP (Substance Abuse Professional). Finally, Dr. Streukens is an active member of CAP, PAA, CRHSP, and the CACCF. 

Dr. Karina Thomas is the Occupational Disease Science Lead within the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Prevention Services branch at the Government of Alberta. Her role encompasses leading evidence-finding to support OHS policy and program development and delivery and evaluation for continuous improvement and accountability in the OHS program. 

 Her team administers the Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders grant program. These activities inform the province-wide OHS System, which aims to create safer work environments for Albertans. Dr. Thomas has a Ph.D. in Public Health and over 20 years of experience with the Government of Alberta, including leading the work for the Psychosocial Hazards pillar of the OHS Prevention Initiative. 

Jenelle Tizzard has worked as a Primary Care Paramedic for over 9 years. Throughout this time, she has been able to draw on her experience from a variety of roles within her organization, including frontline PCP, Public Relations Liaison, Peer Trainer, and Acting Qualified Supervisor. Her current role is the Team Lead - Wellness Facilitator for the Central Zone within Emergency Health Services-Alberta, where she leads her Zone's peer support team and works collaboratively with other Wellness Facilitators across the province to promote mental health and wellness initiatives.

Laurie VandeSchoot has spent more than 30 years in public safety, serving as a Deputy Fire Chief with The City of Calgary and now as Assistant Chief with Okotoks Fire & Rescue. She consults nationally and internationally on responder mental health, emergency management, and organizational culture. Laurie leads complex projects spanning operations, culture reviews, after-action reports, and leadership programs—including the ResponderStrong suite of mental health programs for first responders, developed in partnership with leading researchers such as Dr. Sara Jahnke and Dr. Dan DeGryse. A frequent collaborator with National and International Associations, Laurie’s work integrates science with lived operational experience to create practical, evidence-based approaches to resilience, inclusion, and leadership. Her research interests include moral injury, peer support, and the intersection of technology and human performance in high-stress professions. Laurie holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Development from Wageningen University (Netherlands), and teaches in Community Studies at local post-secondary schools. She’s known for her humour, authenticity, and relentless focus on making mental health support accessible, credible, and culturally aligned within the responder community. 

Jenny Van Nistelrooy is the Program Manager for Employee Wellness with Emergency Health Services - Alberta. With more than 25 years of experience in EMS, she has worked across a range of roles throughout her career. Her background includes frontline service as an Advanced Care Paramedic, as well as leadership roles such as Senior Strategist in Quality and Patient Safety, Contract Manager, and Senior Project Manager, where she led the development of the Provincial Peer Support Program. In her current role, Jenny leads the Employee Wellness Program — a comprehensive strategy she helped design and implement. She oversees a team of 15 dedicated staff who deliver mental health and wellness programming across Emergency Health Services, with a focus on peer-driven support, psychological safety, and trauma-informed practices. 

Kara Vincent is a knowledge translation specialist with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), where she leads the development of innovative, accessible, and evidence-based mental health resources for Canadian public safety personnel, their families, and leadership. She brings over fifteen years of experience in communications across academic and research-based environments, along with a background in academic and managerial editing.

With academic training in cross-cultural research methods and decolonizing approaches to knowledge production, Kara’s work focuses on making research meaningful, relevant, and accessible in real-world contexts. She is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to work that supports the mental health and wellbeing of Canada’s public safety personnel.

Superintendent Nadine Wagner currently leads the Learning and Recruitment Division of the Calgary Police Service, overseeing Service-wide training and sworn recruitment. She is dedicated to equipping members with the tools, tactics, knowledge, and support needed to serve Calgarians with excellence—and retire happy, healthy, and whole. Since joining CPS in 2002, Supt. Wagner has held diverse investigative and operational roles, including frontline patrol, drug enforcement, undercover work, and specialized assignments in Child Abuse, Homicide, and Domestic Conflict Units. She has served in leadership roles in District 5, the Criminal Investigations Division, and most recently led the Technical Investigations Sections. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and strategic partnerships to enrich investigative capabilities and enhance public safety. Supt. Wagner holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Calgary and is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Values Based Executive Leadership at Royal Roads University. She serves as the Chair of the Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addictions and in her second term as a member of the Alberta Family Violence Death Review Committee. 

Lana Wells is a nationally recognized leader in the prevention of domestic and gender-based violence, known for her work advancing upstream strategies across systems—including policing. She is the Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Lana leads Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence, a prevention research hub focused on systems, practice and policy change, and co-founded Shift to Learn, an online learning platform focused on building a prevention workforce. She has advised police services, justice officials, and all orders of government across Canada to support evidence-informed prevention practices, and co-developed the Changing Contexts approach, currently being tested and evaluated within Calgary Police Service. Her work has earned provincial and national recognition, and she is deeply committed to working alongside police and community partners to stop violence before it starts. This will be a co-delivered presentation, with an option to do virtual polls and a Q&A so that members of the audience can participate and be encouraged to share their respective organization’s journey in this space. In addition, during the presentation we intend to share our learnings (what didn’t work) as well as our successes so that we are touching on practical learnings for the audience and will leverage table discussions and interactive tools to integrate lessons learned. 

Professor Emma Williams is the director of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services (CEEUPS) which aims to promote equity, inclusion, and wellbeing in uniformed public services through transformational change, effective leadership, and trauma-informed practices. Emma has extensive experience spanning operational research, policy, and higher education - beginning her career as a Principal Researcher with the Metropolitan Police Service, where she led applied and strategic studies on critical areas such as rape and serious sexual offending, neighbourhood policing, and public trust and confidence in policing. Her work informed both frontline practice and senior decision‑making. 

Following a two‑year secondment with the Ministry of Justice, Emma joined Canterbury Christ Church University as a Senior Lecturer, later becoming Principal Lecturer in 2016. She played a central role in designing and delivering a highly successful MSc programme for serving police officers, and in 2017 founded the Canterbury Centre of Police Research, which she directed until moving to CPRL as Research Director in 2021.

From 2021, Emma led a key research pillar within Operation Soteria, a major Home Office-funded programme focused on transforming rape and serious sexual offence investigations. Her team’s work on officer wellbeing, learning, and development directly contributed to the redesign and piloting of a specialist national training course in partnership with the College of Policing.

Guided by policing scholarship, justice theory, and organisational research, Emma’s work is driven by a commitment to evidence-based practice and meaningful reform.

Samantha Zahra is a Registered Psychotherapist and Chief Clinical Officer at Nellie Health, where she leads clinical strategy and service innovation grounded in trauma-focused, evidence-based care. With over a decade of experience as a primary care paramedic before transitioning into psychotherapy, Samantha brings a rare dual perspective as both a former first responder and a mental health clinician. Her clinical focus centers on trauma- and stressor-related disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use. Samantha’s approach is deeply informed by her own lived experience with an occupational post-traumatic stress injury and her role as the spouse of a first responder, giving her a profound understanding of the personal and professional challenges faced by public safety personnel and their families. Samantha holds an MA in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University, a BA in Social Sciences with a minor in Psychology from Brock University, and a Paramedic diploma from Niagara College. She is a CPT Quality-Rated Provider and is trained in gold-standard trauma treatments including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD, and Prolonged Exposure. Through her leadership at Nellie Health, Samantha champions clinical excellence, regulatory integrity, and innovation in trauma care. She continues to advocate for systemic improvements that support the mental wellness of those who serve on the front lines, fostering resilience and recovery through compassionate, evidence-based practice.