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2024 Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Laura W. Bush

One of the most beloved and admired American First Ladies, for decades Laura Bush has championed key issues in the fields of education, health care, and human rights. She has traveled to more than seventy-six countries, including two historic solo trips to Afghanistan, and has launched groundbreaking education and healthcare programs in the U.S. and abroad. Mrs. Bush founded both the Texas Book Festival and the National Book. Today, through the initiatives at the Bush Institute in Dallas, Mrs. Bush continues her work on global healthcare innovations, empowering women in emerging democracies, education reform, and supporting the men and women who have served in America’s military.

 

Speaking at:
• Keynote: A Conversation with Laura Bush and Barbara Pierce Bush

Laura-W-Bush
Laura Bush

Former First Lady
of the United States

Barbara Pierce Bush

Barbara Bush is co-founder and board member of Global Health Corps (GHC), an organization that mobilizes young leaders to solve the world’s most pressing health issues. Barbara served as GHC’s CEO for its first 9 years. Bush and her co-founders are united by the belief that health is a human right and that their generation must build the world where this is realized. Since 2009, GHC has placed thousands of young leaders on the front lines of health equity in East Africa, Southern Africa, and the United States, developing a cadre of creative, effective, and compassionate change makers.

 

Speaking at:
• Keynote: A Conversation with Laura Bush and Barbara Pierce Bush

Barbara-Pierce-Bush
Barbara Pierce Bush

Co-founder and Board Member
Global Health Corps (GHC)

Gray Hall, Chief Executive Officer
Raptor Technologies

Gray manages Raptor’s vision, growth, products, and services. His career spans 20+ years of driving growth at cutting-edge technology companies in the SaaS and IT industries, including nine years as CEO of Alert Logic and eight years as co-founder and CEO of VeriCenter. Alert Logic and VeriCenter were fast-growing market leaders pioneering new cybersecurity and IT infrastructure business models. Both companies achieved successful outcomes for all stakeholders during his leadership.

 

Gray has a Master in Business Administration from Texas McCombs School of Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business.

 

Speaking at:
• Welcome and Opening Remarks

Gray Hall, CEO, Raptor Technologies
Gray Hall

Chief Executive Officer
Raptor Technologies

Marisa Randazzo, Executive Director of Threat Assessment, Raptor Technologies

Dr. Marisa Randazzo, Ph.D. is the Executive Director for Threat Assessment at Raptor Technologies and brings extensive expertise and experience in threat assessment, threat management, school shootings, and other types of targeted violence and protective intelligence investigations. Previously, she co-founded and led SIGMA Threat Management Associates LLC and served as Executive Director of Threat Management at Ontic. Dr. Randazzo also served for ten years with the U.S. Secret Service, eventually as the agency's Chief Research Psychologist where she co-directed the Safe School Initiative and co-developed the NTAC model, also known as the “federal model” for school threat assessment. Dr. Randazzo is a recognized author of four influential books on threat assessment in educational settings, widely referenced in federal guides and national standards. She holds a Ph.D. and Master's degree from Princeton University and a B.A. from Williams College in Psychology and Religion. 

 

Speaking at:
• Keynote Speaker: Marisa Randazzo - The Future of BTA Panel Discussion

Marisa Randazzo
Dr. Marisa Randazzo

Executive Director of Threat Assessment Raptor Technologies

Featured Speakers

Theresa Campbell, Founder, Safer Schools Together

Theresa founded Safer Schools Together & the International Center of Digital Threat Assessment® to promote safe climate & culture in schools through comprehensive violence prevention/intervention training for law enforcement, school districts, & community partners. As a Subject Matter Expert in behavioral assessment, violence prevention, and trauma response, she consults on high-profile cases throughout North America. She received the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award for superior service in gang prevention.

 

Speaking at:
Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

Theresa Campbell
Theresa Campbell

Founder
Safer Schools Together

Michele Gay, Founder & Executive Director, Safe and Sound Schools

Michele Gay, mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, became an advocate for school safety after losing her daughter Josephine in the Sandy Hook tragedy on December 14, 2012. With a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Towson State University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College, she previously taught in Maryland and Virginia public schools.

Now a recognized public speaker and school safety expert, Gay consults with schools, municipalities, law enforcement, and government agencies. She is the primary visionary behind Safe and Sound’s programs and materials, contributing to national legislative discussions and media outlets. Gay's work emphasizes a comprehensive approach to community safety, uniting stakeholders across disciplines.

Inspired by her daughter, Gay dedicates herself to enhancing safety in schools and communities, ensuring they are truly safe and sound.

 

Speaking at:

• Especially Safe: Ensuring the Safety of EVERYone in the School Community
• Gangs in our Schools: Recognizing, Responding, and Mitigating the Impact of Modern Gang Activity
• Beyond Lockdown: Best Practices for Safe and Successful Drills
• Pathways for Prevention: A Multi-Tiered Systems Approach to Building Resilient School Communities
• Leading the Way: How School Safety Starts with Campus-level Leadership
• Beyond the Bell: Best Practices for After School and Extracurricular Safety
• Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

MICHELLE-GAY
Michele Gay

Founder & Executive Director
Safe & Sound Schools

Pat Hamilton, Executive Director, "I Love U Guys" Foundation

Speaking at:
The Ultimate Reunification Training Program for K12 Schools

Pat Hamilton
Pat Hamilton

Executive Director
“I Love U Guys” Foundation

Kim Karr, Executive Director, Digital4Good

Meet Kim Karr, the heart and soul behind Digital4Good x #ICANHELP. After being a teacher for 13 years, Kim co-founded this movement to inspire students to use the internet and social media in a positive way. #ICANHELP is not just a program — it's a revolution that's been recognized by big names like Aaron Judge from the New York Yankees and major tech companies like Google, Snapchat, and Facebook.

Kim and her team focus on celebrating students who are making a difference online, helping young people become leaders in the digital world, and making sure the internet is a safe place for everyone. She has shared the #ICANHELP message with over 470,000 students and trained thousands of teachers and school administrators on how to guide their students in using social media wisely. Thanks to Kim, over a thousand harmful social media sites have been shut down. Kim Karr isn't just talking about making a change — she's making it happen every day.

 

Speaking at:
Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

Kim Karr
Kim Karr

Executive Director
Digital4Good

James Murray, Chief Security Officer, Snap Inc.

Jim Murray serves as the Chief Security Officer for Snap, Inc. In this role, Jim leads the organization’s Global Security, Intelligence, Resilience and Protective Services operations in safeguarding a workforce of 6,000+ people and 45 facilities in 23 different countries. In addition, Jim oversees Platform Integrity and Trust & Safety Operations in assuring protection of all Snapchat users from potential online harms. Prior to joining Snap, Inc., Jim served as the 26th Director of the United States Secret Service from May 2019 to September 2022, where he led a diverse workforce of more than 8,000 special agents, police officers and mission support personnel in the execution of the Secret Service’s integrated investigative and protective mission.

Jim began his Secret Service career in 1995 as a Special Agent in the New York Field Office, where he would later serve as the Agency’s primary representative on the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. His subsequent career assignments included operational and supervisory roles on the Presidential Protective Division; Resident Agent in Charge of the Atlantic City Office; Special Agent in Charge of the USSS James J. Rowley
Training Center; and Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office.

Serving Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations from 2016-18, Jim led combined agency efforts for the 2016 Presidential Campaign, Transition, and Inauguration. He would later be selected as the Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations [ADPO], where he was primarily responsible for coordinating and executing the Secret Service’s global protective mission.

A native of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Jim earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton, where he also completed the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and was commissioned as a U.S. Army Officer. He would go on to earn a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University and later be bestowed with Doctorate Degrees from both universities. Jim is a graduate of the American University Key Executive Leadership Program and the 2016 FBI Leadership in Counterterrorism (LinCT) Fellowship Program. Jim actively supports Heroes, Inc., honoring the families of fallen law enforcement officers; assists the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); and serves on the Advisory Board for Seton Hall University’s Police Graduate Studies Program.

For exemplary public service throughout his career, Director Murray was recognized as the 2021 recipient of the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and, in 2022, was awarded the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service by President Joseph R. Biden.

Speaking at:
• Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

James Murray
James Murray

Chief Security Officer
Snap, Inc (Snapchat)

Melissa Reeves, School Psychologist, Senior Threat Manager, Raptor Technologies

Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, licensed professional counselor, and former district coordinator of social/emotional/behavioral services. She is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (2016-17) and has over 20 years’ experience working in public schools and a private school, in addition to providing mental health services in day and residential treatment settings. Currently, Dr. Reeves is a threat assessment & mental health specialist and senior advisor and speaker for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by two parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy. She is also a consultant, trainer, and Senior Threat Manager for SIGMA Threat Management Associates/Raptor and a trainer and consultant for Safer Schools Together (SST). Dr. Reeves actively works and consults with K-12 schools regarding threat assessment cases and establishing safety, suicide, and threat assessment protocols. Dr. Reeves is a co-author of the internationally and nationally recognized NASP PREPaRE School Safety and Crisis Preparedness curriculum, has authored multiple books and publications, and travels both nationally and internationally training professionals in crisis prevention and intervention. She has also served as an expert witness in court cases involving targeted school attacks and threat and suicide risk assessments. Dr. Reeves was recently appointed by the Department of Homeland Security as an inaugural member of the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board, which will advise on school safety practices to better support K-12 communities.

 

Speaking at:
• The Future of BTA Panel Discussion
From Awareness to Action - Early Interventions and Suicide Protocols in Schools

Melissa Reeves
Dr. Melissa Reeves

School Psychologist, Senior Threat Manager, Raptor

Event Speakers

Theresa Campbell, Founder
Safer Schools Together

Theresa founded Safer Schools Together & the International Center of Digital Threat Assessment® to promote safe climate & culture in schools through comprehensive violence prevention/intervention training for law enforcement, school districts, & community partners. As a Subject Matter Expert in behavioral assessment, violence prevention, and trauma response, she consults on high-profile cases throughout North America. She received the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award for superior service in gang prevention. 

 

Speaking at:

• Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

Theresa-Campbell.png
Theresa Campbell

Founder
Safer Schools Together

Jason Cornwell, First Lieutenant of the School Safety Division, Frederick County Virginia Sheriff’s Office

Jason Cornwell is the First Lieutenant of the School Safety Division for the Frederick County Virginia Sheriff’s Office. He began his career in law enforcement in 1999. Jason worked in the patrol division for the first part of his career, where he moved his way up through the ranks, spending time as a supervisor on each shift. In January 2017, Jason assumed the position of First Lieutenant, overseeing the School Safety Division. Since taking over the division, Jason has been instrumental in implementing numerous programs in Frederick County such as Career Day, Criminal Justice CTE, High School Internship, and Back the Blue - Tribute Tuesday’s.

 

He is a member of the threat assessment oversite team, division safety team, and mobile crisis team. Jason’s other primary duty with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office is team leader for the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. Jason joined the SWAT team in 2002 and took on the role of team leader in 2017. He is a firearms, defensive tactics, Stop the Bleed, and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) instructor. Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal justice, Graduate Certificate in Organizational Management, and Master of Arts in Management. He believes one of the keys to success is partnerships. He has had the opportunity to provide debriefs and speak about partnerships at several state and national conferences.

 

Speaking at:
• Leading the Way: How School Safety Starts with Campus-level Leadership

Jason Cornwell
Jason Cornwell

First Lieutenant of the School Safety Division, Frederick County Virginia Sheriff’s Office

Adam Coughran, President Safe Kids, Inc

Adam Coughran, M.A. is an industry leader in safety and security training for schools, businesses, and organizations. Adam is a Southern California law enforcement veteran who utilized his expertise to found Safe Kids Inc., an organization dedicated to helping deter crime and mitigate violence in PreK-12 schools. For his work in schools across the country, Adam was named 2023’s “Man of the Year” in education by the Top 100 Registry and 2022’s “Who’s Who in America” by Marquis Publication Board.

 

He has also received awards from the US Secret Service, the US Department of Labor, the United States Congress, the California State Assembly, and the California State Senate. He’s been recognized as one of the “Go-To” experts for national media outlets, appearing on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, FOX’s Nancy Grace, CBS’s Entertainment Tonight, CBS This Morning, Spectrum News, and numerous live interviews. He's also a contributing author to Newsweek, Forbes, and Fast Company Magazines.

 

Speaking at:
• Understanding What it Means to be “Age-Appropriate” and “Trauma-Informed” for Active Shooter Training

Adam Coughran

Adam Coughran

President
Safe Kids, Inc

James Feger, School Threat Assessment Consultants
Lead National Trainer

Jim is a school psychologist with over 30 years of experience in healthcare and education. His tenure in public education is supplemented by an early career in clinical psychology where he served at-risk youth in residential, inpatient, and outpatient settings.

 

Speaking at:
• The Future of BTA Panel Discussion

James-Feger

James Feger

School Threat Assessment Consultants
Lead National Trainer

Ben Fernandez, School Psychologist/Crisis Intervention Specialist Safe and Sound Schools

Benjamin S. Fernandez, MS. Ed, is a lead school psychologist in Northern Virginia with 23 years of experience. He oversees psychological and mental health services, coordinates crisis teams, and implements crisis interventions. As a PREPaRE WS1 and WS2 master trainer, he trains school psychologists, interns, social workers, and counselors.

 

Mr. Fernandez has contributed to presentations, articles, books, and webinars on youth suicide and school safety. He conducts workshops on school safety and crisis response and has testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Federal Commission on School Safety.

 

He was named School Psychologist of the Year by both the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). He received the NASP Presidential Award in 2015 and 2018 and leads professional development for NASP’s School Safety and Crisis Response Committee.

 

Speaking at:

• Especially Safe: Ensuring the Safety of EVERYone in the School Community

• Pathways for Prevention: A Multi-Tiered Systems Approach to Building Resilient School Communities

Ben Fernandez
Ben Fernandez

School Psychologist/Crisis Intervention Specialist
Safe and Sound Schools

Deputy Brian Frazier, Montvale Elementary School SRO
Blount County Sheriff's Office

Brian Frazier is a Deputy Sheriff for the Blount County Sheriff's Office in Maryville, Tennessee. In his 25 years of service, he has served as a Patrol Deputy, Criminal Investigations Detective and a Field Training Officer. Currently, he is in his 8th year as a School Resource Officer.

 

Brian implemented the first Especially Safe® safety plan in the Blount County School District. He has worked with numerous school administrators in four phases of emergency preparedness mitigation, planning, response and recovery, by having school administration utilize emerging technology for communications. Brian has also trained faculty and staff at several schools on student accountability technologies and comprehensive emergency operations plans.

 

Speaking at:
• Leading the Way: How School Safety Starts with Campus-level Leadership

Brian-Frazier

Brian Frazier

Montvale Elementary School SRO, Blount County Sheriff’s Office

Rachael Freeman , Executive Director of School Safety & Security, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

Rachael spent 20 years as a police officer serving the citizens of Coppell, TX. After retirement, she transitioned to Coppell ISD, and then C-FBISD. She has successfully integrated Raptor Visitor/Volunteer Management and Emergency Management at both school districts.

 

Speaking at: 
•Everyday Emergencies: Getting the Right Level of Response

Rachel-Freeman
Rachael Freeman
Executive Director of School Safety & Security, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

Brian Gard, Director of Safety
National Heritage Academies (NHA)

Brian Gard currently serves as Director of Safety for National Heritage Academies (NHA), leading safety initiatives and support for 100 K-12 schools in nine states. He also serves on the board of directors for the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, and as chairman for the State of Michigan’s School Safety Commission. He serves on the North Carolina School Safety Advisory Council, a Physical Safety Workgroup in Colorado, and as a peer reviewer of grants for the U.S. Department of Justice. He was previously a runner up for Campus Safety Magazine’s Director of the Year award.

Prior to his career at NHA, Gard served as a police officer in Grand Rapids, MI for over a decade in multiple capacities, ranging from the tactical team to the training bureau.

 

Speaking at: 
• Beyond Lockdown: Best Practices for Safe and Successful Drills

Brian-Gard

Brian Gard

Director of Safety
National Heritage Academies (NHA)

Kyle Garner, Director Strategic Alliances JDP, Inc.

Kyle brings over a dozen years of solution engineering expertise, developing risk mitigation solutions for SMB and Fortune 500 companies. His expertise extends to managing robust HCM/ATS/HRIS integrations with industry giants like iCIMS, Oracle, and Ultimate Software. Kyle’s strategic approach has significantly enhanced operational efficiencies and client partnerships, ranging from SMBs to Fortune 500 companies. He excels in fostering technical integrations and expanding communication across global continents, continually driving growth and technological advancement.

 

Speaking at:
• Gold Sponsor Panel Discussion

Kyle Garner

Kyle Garner

Director
Strategic Alliances
JDP, Inc.

Michele Gay, Founder & Executive Director
Safe and Sound Schools

Michele Gay, mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, became an advocate for school safety after losing her daughter Josephine in the Sandy Hook tragedy on December 14, 2012. With a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Towson State University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College, she previously taught in Maryland and Virginia public schools.

 

Now a recognized public speaker and school safety expert, Gay consults with schools, municipalities, law enforcement, and government agencies. She is the primary visionary behind Safe and Sound’s programs and materials, contributing to national legislative discussions and media outlets. Gay's work emphasizes a comprehensive approach to community safety, uniting stakeholders across disciplines.

 

Inspired by her daughter, Gay dedicates herself to enhancing safety in schools and communities, ensuring they are truly safe and sound.

 

Speaking at:

• Especially Safe: Ensuring the Safety of EVERYone in the School Community
• Beyond Lockdown: Best Practices for Safe and Successful Drills
• Pathways for Prevention: A Multi-Tiered Systems Approach to Building Resilient School Communities
• Leading the Way: How School Safety Starts with Campus-level Leadership
• Beyond the Bell: Best Practices for After School and Extracurricular Safety
• Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

MICHELLE-GAY
Michelle Gay

Founder & Executive Director
Safe & Sound Schools

Guy Grace, K-12 National Security Program Manager

Guy has worked in the security field for 39 years.   He currently serves as the National K-12 Security program manager for ASSA ABLOY.  He also served for over three decades.

 

Speaking at:

• Empower the Safety in the Learning Environment Proactively and Efficiently

• Future-Proofing School Safety: Integrating Advanced Technologies for Better Outcomes – Platinum Sponsors Panel Discussions

Guy-Grace

Guy Grace

K-12 National Security Program Manager

Joseph Gullo, VP of Sales, Wahsega

Joseph Gullo has helped hundreds of schools across the US solve their PA system problems over the last decade, implementing innovative solutions to transition from old analog systems to next-generation digital communication systems. He leads a large team of solutions advisors dedicated to assisting schools nationwide with their PA, intercom, and bell scheduler needs.

 

Speaking at:
• Advancing School Safety Through Innovative Technology Integrations

Joseph Gullo

Joseph Gullo

VP of Sales
Wahsega

Dr. Amy Grosso, Director, Expert in Residence, Raptor Technologies

Dr. Grosso is a highly accomplished professional with a Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, more than 15 years of experience and a passion for student wellbeing. Dr. Grosso provides in-depth subject knowledge, technical expertise, industry-specific guidance and support on requirements, and helps validate the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of project outputs.

 

At Round Rock ISD, she led the creation of the Behavioral Health Services Department, overseeing a team of social workers providing vital support to students and families. Dr. Grosso pioneered the threat assessment process, creating a safe environment for over 46,000 students. She also updated suicide protocols district-wide, implementing evidence-based practices. Nationally, Dr. Grosso serves on the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's National Chapter Leadership Council, contributing to suicide prevention efforts.

 

Speaking at:

• From Awareness to Action - Early Interventions and Suicide Protocols in Schools

Dr-Amy-Grosso

Amy Grosso

Director
Expert in Residence
Raptor Technologies

Pat Hamilton, Alliance Director
"I Love U Guys" Foundation

With his 23-year tenure at Adams 12 Five Star Schools and new role as the Executive Director of The “I Love U Guys” Foundation, Pat Hamilton demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing school safety. His involvement with The "I Love U Guys" Foundation since 2008 underscores his dedication to creating safe learning environments and protecting the joy of youth.

 

Pat's knowledge of school safety is evident through his contributions to the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and the Standard Reunification Method (SRM), which earned him the moniker "grandfather of reunification," an acknowledgment that reflects his contributions to school safety.

 

The dedication Pat exhibits to enhancing the safety of schools, districts, departments, agencies, organizations, and communities around the world establishes him as a respected leader for The "I Love U Guys" Foundation as it moves forward.

 

Speaking at:

• The Ultimate Reunification Training Program for K12 Schools

Pat-Hamilton.jpg
Pat Hamilton

Alliance Director
“I Love U Guys” Foundation

Chelcie Howley, Accountant Mansfield ISD

Bachelor's Degree Business Administration University of North Texas 2005 2nd Court of Appeals - Legal Clerk - 6 years Mansfield ISD - Accountant - 12 years.

 

Speaking at:

• School Payments: Improving Cash Flow and Reducing Administrative Burden

Chelcie Howley

Chelcie Howley

Accountant
Mansfield ISD

Sgt. Raj Jaswal, Gang Reduction Trainer
Safer Schools Together

Sergeant Raj Jaswal has worked within the criminal justice system for over 15 years in a frontline, investigative and administrative capacity as a member of a municipal police department. Raj has excelled in pro-active intelligence gathering along with gang enforcement, intervention and suppression.
In 2023, Raj was recognized for his strong leadership abilities by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as one of the top 40 under 40 police officers internationally.

 

Raj has been the recipient of a numerous recognitions for his work around organized crime and his commitment to community service.
In 2014, Raj recognized for his work with a Deputy Chief Constables commendation for developing strategies to curb gang violence. In 2021, he was recognized for his superior accomplishments in gang investigations by the National Gang Crime Research Center in Chicago, Illinois with the Frederick Milton Thrasher Award. In 2022, he was recognized for demonstrating outstanding professionalism and profound dedication to the safety of the communities he serves by the Ontario Gang Investigators Association with the Jim Aspiotis Memorial Award.
Raj has a genuine passion for combining his practical experiences with his educational training.

 

Raj serves as a board member for the Ontario Gang Investigators Association (ONGIA). Further, Raj provides education on gang prevention/intervention as a guest lecturer for post-secondary criminology departments.

 

Speaking at:
• Gangs in our Schools: Recognizing, Responding, and Mitigating the Impact of Modern Gang Activity

raj-Jaswal

Raj Jaswal

Gang Reduction Trainer
Safer Schools Together

Kim Karr, Executive Director
Digital4Good

Meet Kim Karr, the heart and soul behind Digital4Good x #ICANHELP. After being a teacher for 13 years, Kim co-founded this movement to inspire students to use the internet and social media in a positive way. #ICANHELP is not just a program — it's a revolution that's been recognized by big names like Aaron Judge from the New York Yankees and major tech companies like Google, Snapchat, and Facebook. Kim and her team focus on celebrating students who are making a difference online, helping young people become leaders in the digital world, and making sure the internet is a safe place for everyone. She has shared the #ICANHELP message with over 470,000 students and trained thousands of teachers and school administrators on how to guide their students in using social media wisely.

 

Thanks to Kim, over a thousand harmful social media sites have been shut down. Kim Karr isn't just talking about making a change — she's making it happen every day. 

 

Speaking at:

• Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

Kim-Karr.png
Kim Karr

Executive Director
Digital4Good

Nelson Lins, Chief Operations Officer
Raptor Technologies

Nelson has over 6 years of experience providing school safety software services, with 6 years’ experience in operations and 5 years’ experience in technology consulting. Nelson focuses on product and operations management. He is a native of Brazil.

Nelson has a BS in Management Information Systems from Northeastern University.

 

Speaking at:
• Executive Keynote

nelson-lins

Nelson Lins

Chief Operations Officer
Raptor Technologies

TJ Markland, General Manager, PayK12

TJ Markland is a recognized expert in school system payments and the General Manager of PayK12, a cloud-based software platform designed to streamline school payments and financial management. With over five years of experience at PayK12, TJ has played a pivotal role in expanding the platform's capabilities, particularly focusing on reducing risks and improving efficiency in school payment systems.

 

Before joining PayK12, TJ worked for a payments company that built its own payment gateway for vertically integrated SaaS (Software as a Service), helping companies easily accept payments. Under TJ's leadership, PayK12 has grown significantly, now serving over 5,000 administrators across 23 states. PayK12 has recently become part of the Raptor Technologies family, allowing the integration of payment systems with safety and security features, further enhancing the offerings for school districts.

 

Speaking at:
• Simplifying Event Management

TJ Markland
TJ Markland

General Manager
PayK12

Karin Marquez, Chief Public Safety Brand Officer at RapidSOS

Karin Marquez is the Chief Public Safety Brand Officer at RapidSOS, the world’s first intelligent safety platform securely linking data from over 500M devices, apps, and sensors to safety agents and 911 centers. Karin is a public safety veteran, having started her career in 1997 as a dispatcher, where she dispatched Police, Fire and EMS. Since beginning her career, Karin has risen through the public safety industry, helping to design, shape, and innovate the 911 infrastructure in use by agencies across the United States. Today, Karin serves as the Private Sector Director on the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Board. What she loves most about these opportunities is bringing the front-line user needs to the right people to drive enhancements.

 

Speaking at:
• Future-Proofing School Safety: Integrating Advanced Technologies for Better Outcomes – Platinum Sponsors Panel Discussions

Karin-Marquez

Karin Marquez

Chief Public Safety Brand Officer
RapidSOS

Kelly Martin, Lieutenant/Deputy Director of School Safety, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

For the last 17 years, I have been honored to serve the community of Seminole County as a law enforcement professional. In 2016, I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and assigned to the School Safety Department. Through groundbreaking collaboration with Seminole County Public Schools, my team has redefined safety protocols and serves as a blueprint for districts nationwide. We have implemented creative school safety solutions and technology while adhering to the cornerstones of school safety leading practices. In addition to serving as the Deputy Director of School Safety, I also sit on the Board of Officers for the Florida Association of School Safety Specialists (FS3) as Director of Mental Health and District Threat Management Coordinators. I'm also an instructor with the National Tactical Officers Association. My expertise extends beyond local initiatives, as I present at national conferences on a wide range of school safety topics, influencing best practices and shaping the dialogue around safer educational environments.

 
 
Speaking at:
• Left and Right of Bang: Active Threat Preparation/Response and Large Scale Reunification
Kelly Martin Headshot

Kelly Martin

Lieutenant/Deputy Director of School Safety, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office

Carrie Mockler, VP of Operations
PublicSchoolWORKS

Carrie Mockler is the VP of Operations at PublicSchoolWORKS (PSW), a Raptor Technologies company. PSW is a fully automated, all-in-one learning management system (LMS) for online training for school staff and comprehensive risk management program. In her 15 years at PSW, she has transformed it into the K-12 safety and wellness trailblazer it is today. Carrie is a people-centric leader and the heartbeat of the organization, building an infrastructure that ensures long-term positive outcomes for teachers, staff, and students.
 
 
With a B.S. in organizational leadership, an M.S. in business informatics, and an entrepreneurial spirit, Carrie strikes the balance of creating processes around implementation, research, and development and empowering the PSW team to evolve each product. As the organization made an immediate impact on education and expanded, Carrie had the foresight to incorporate multiple support systems, streamline implementation processes, and help grow a culture of productivity, dedication, and fun. She has been recognized six consecutive years by the Stevie Awards for her leadership and the success of the PSW customer service department, as well as by NKY Pride Center for her impact in education.
 
 
In addition to leading a successful Client Services and Research and Development organization, Carrie has a strong passion for strengthening education in rural areas, social equality, and neurodiversity acceptance. At the heart of it, this is what drives her to be the best she can be for the company, staff, and the school districts we serve.
 
Speaking at:
• Empowering Educators: Safeguarding Students from Human Trafficking
Carrie Mockler
Carrie Mockler

VP of Operations
PublicSchoolWORKS

James Murray, Chief Security Officer
Snap Inc.

Jim Murray serves as the Chief Security Officer for Snap, Inc. In this role, Jim leads the organization’s Global Security, Intelligence, Resilience and Protective Services operations in safeguarding a workforce of 6,000+ people and 45 facilities in 23 different countries. In addition, Jim oversees Platform Integrity and Trust & Safety Operations in assuring protection of all Snapchat users from potential online harms. Prior to joining Snap, Inc., Jim served as the 26th Director of the United States Secret Service from May 2019 to September 2022, where he led a diverse workforce of more than 8,000 special agents, police officers and mission support personnel in the execution of the Secret Service’s integrated investigative and protective mission. Jim began his Secret Service career in 1995 as a Special Agent in the New York Field Office, where he would later serve as the Agency’s primary representative on the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force.

 

His subsequent career assignments included operational and supervisory roles on the Presidential Protective Division; Resident Agent in Charge of the Atlantic City Office; Special Agent in Charge of the USSS James J. RowleyTraining Center; and Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office. Serving Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations from 2016-18, Jim led combined agency efforts for the 2016 Presidential Campaign, Transition, and Inauguration. He would later be selected as the Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations [ADPO], where he was primarily responsible for coordinating and executing the Secret Service’s global protective mission. A native of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Jim earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton, where he also completed the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and was commissioned as a U.S. Army Officer. He would go on to earn a Master’s Degree from Seton Hall University and later be bestowed with Doctorate Degrees from both universities.

 

Jim is a graduate of the American University Key Executive Leadership Program and the 2016 FBI Leadership in Counterterrorism (LinCT) Fellowship Program. Jim actively supports Heroes, Inc., honoring the families of fallen law enforcement officers; assists the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC); and serves on the Advisory Board for Seton Hall University’s Police Graduate Studies Program. For exemplary public service throughout his career, Director Murray was recognized as the 2021 recipient of the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and, in 2022, was awarded the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service by President Joseph R. Biden. 

 

Speaking at:

• Digital Dangers: Addressing Complex School Safety Challenges in the Digital Age

James-Murray.png
James Murray

Chief Security Officer
Snap, Inc (Snapchat)

Chris Noell, Chief Product Officer
Raptor Technologies

Chris leads Raptor’s Product and Engineering teams, developing solutions to meet school safety needs. He brings 25+ years of experience designing, developing, and operating security software. Prior to Raptor, Noell was the head of product for Alert Logic, a Managed Detection and Response company. He was also formerly the senior vice president of engineering at Alert Logic and the founder of TruComply, a payments security SaaS provider. During his tenure at Alert Logic, Noell created the industry’s leading cloud security solution, integrated acquired endpoint, web application firewall (WAF) and vulnerability scanning technologies to broaden the company’s threat detection and response capabilities, and led the transition of Alert Logics platform to a modern microservices architecture.

Chris Noell brings a strong background in security software and data but also understands that when time and lives matter, speed, accuracy and simplicity are critical. His ability to lead the development of powerful software that must be used by school staff, who may not be tech-savvy, in times of crisis offers an integral component to this discussion.

 

Speaking at:
• Executive Keynote

• Future-Proofing School Safety: Integrating Advanced Technologies for Better Outcomes – Platinum Sponsors Panel Discussions

chris-noell

Chris Noell

Chief Product Officer
Raptor Technologies

Jonathan Norton, Regional Vice President, ZeroEyes

Jon leads the ZeroEyes east coast sales team and legacy strategic accounts. Jon led all commercial sales from January 2022 - August 2024, and converted multiple fortune 100 company ZeroEyes pilots into production contracts and led the growth of ZeroEyes in multiple commercial verticals to include logistics, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, gaming, community centers, houses of worship, telecommunications, grocery stores, retail, shipping and transportation, hospitals, financial services, etc. Jonathan is a combat veteran and Army Ranger, who served multiple deployments with the 10th mountain division. Jonathan resides in Connecticut with his wife and three children.

 

Speaking at:

• Future-Proofing School Safety: Integrating Advanced Technologies for Better Outcomes – Platinum Sponsors Panel Discussions

Jonathan Norton
Jonathan Norton

Regional Vice President
ZeroEyes

Brandie Parks, Assistant Principal
South Sumter High School

Brandie serves as an Assistant Principal and Threat Management Chair at South Sumter High School. Brandie is also a proud parent of two remarkable young men—one that just began his first year in college and the other is in his junior year at SSHS. With a 15-year tenure at the Sumter County Clerk’s Office in the Criminal Division, followed by a brief period in Oregon as a child welfare investigator, Brandie’s career is marked by diverse experiences. Upon returning to Florida, she worked in various roles within Court Administration before transitioning to teaching. Holding a BS degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, she spent five years as a classroom teacher, during which she also coached girls' basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, and softball.

 

Last year marked her first year in administration, coinciding with her role as Threat Management Chair for the school. During Brandie’s tenure, Florida transitioned from the CSTAG model to the new Florida Model. Collaborating with the District Safety Coordinator, she was invited to become a trainer for the FL Model and the Raptor contact/trainer for the district. In her current roles, she trains the district chairs, vice chairs, principals, school resource officers, guidance counselors, and other team members on the FL Model and Raptor's Student Safe program. Additionally, starting this year, Brandie will lead all-staff training sessions on identifying concerning behaviors within the school.

 

Speaking at:
• The Future of BTA Panel Discussion

Brandie Parks

Brandie Parks

Assistant Principal
South Sumter High School

Melissa Reeves, School Psychologist, Senior Threat Manager, Raptor Technologies

Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LPC is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed special education teacher, licensed professional counselor, and former district coordinator of social/emotional/behavioral services. She is past president of the National Association of School Psychologists (2016-17) and has over 20 years’ experience working in public schools and a private school, in addition to providing mental health services in day and residential treatment settings. Currently, Dr. Reeves is a threat assessment & mental health specialist and senior advisor and speaker for Safe and Sound Schools, an organization founded by two parents who lost their children in the Sandy Hook tragedy. She is also a consultant, trainer, and Senior Threat Manager for SIGMA Threat Management Associates/Raptor and a trainer and consultant for Safer Schools Together (SST).

 

Dr. Reeves actively works and consults with K-12 schools regarding threat assessment cases and establishing safety, suicide, and threat assessment protocols. Dr. Reeves is a co-author of the internationally and nationally recognized NASP PREPaRE School Safety and Crisis Preparedness curriculum, has authored multiple books and publications, and travels both nationally and internationally training professionals in crisis prevention and intervention. She has also served as an expert witness in court cases involving targeted school attacks and threat and suicide risk assessments. Dr. Reeves was recently appointed by the Department of Homeland Security as an inaugural member of the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board, which will advise on school safety practices to better support K-12 communities.

 

Speaking at:
• The Future of BTA Panel Discussion From Awareness to Action - Early Interventions and Suicide Protocols in Schools

Melissa Reeves
Melissa Reeves

School Psychologist,
Senior Threat Manager,
Raptor Technologies

Lieutenant Pam Revels, President of NASRO

 

Speaking at:
• The Collaborative Approach to Improving Student Outcomes

pam-revels

Pam Revels

President
NASRO

Tad Roberts, Supervisor of Safety & Social Services
Meigs County Schools, TN

Tad Roberts, native of Decatur, Tennessee, serves as the Supervisor of Safety and Student Services for the Meigs County School District. He began his career as a School Resource Officer and later developed the first criminal justice program for high school students in Meigs Co. Today he serves as a TN School Safety Specialist and Safety Mentor throughout the State of Tennessee.

 

Mr. Roberts has extensive training and experience in the development of multi-hazard emergency operation plans, behavioral threat assessment, social work/school-based law enforcement, crisis management, and postvention recovery. Tad is a licensed POST Certified Law Enforcement Officer, as well as a NASW Licensed Social Worker. He serves as an Adjunct Professor of Social Sciences at Tennessee Wesleyan University. He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Social Work from The University of Tennessee, and is currently, pursuing his Doctorate of Social Work at The University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul, MN.

 

Speaking at:
• Beyond the Bell: Best Practices for After School and Extracurricular Safety

Tad Roberts

Tad Roberts

Supervisor of Safety &
Social Services
Meigs County Schools, TN

Donna Russell, Principal, Montvale Elementary School

Donna Russell is an experienced educator with a rich background in teaching and leadership. She dedicated 16 years to classroom teaching with Blount County Schools and further enriched the learning experience as a K-5 Math instructional coach for 7 years. In June 2016, she embraced the role of principal at Montvale, bringing her passion for education and leadership to the forefront.

 

Donna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. She also earned her Instructional Leadership License from Bethel University, equipping her with the skills to drive educational excellence.

 

Beyond her professional achievements, Donna is a proud mother to three wonderful children: Landon and his wife Sydney, Talley and her husband Nolan, and Garrett and his fiance Shealey.

 

Speaking at:
• Leading the Way: How School Safety Starts with Campus-level Leadership

Donna Russell

Donna Russell

Principal
Montvale Elementary School

Curtis Ryan, Chief Revenue Officer
Raptor Technologies

Curtis leads our sales organization, helping customers worldwide to identify the optimal solutions for their schools’ specific safety needs. He oversees all sales-related activities, developing strategies to maximize the value customers receive from Raptor school safety solutions. Curtis has spent 25+ years helping organizations achieve their goals successfully via advanced technology solutions.

He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Technology Management from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management from Baylor University. 

 

Speaking at:
• Executive Keynote

curtis-ryan

Curtis Ryan

Chief Revenue Officer
Raptor Technologies

Doug SutterDirector of SLED Sales
Rhombus

Doug Sutter is Director of State, Local Government, and Education Sales at Rhombus. He has a strong track record of driving sales growth across public and private sectors. He currently oversees sales strategy for SLED and manages a growing sales team while building relationships with key stakeholders. Before joining Rhombus, he was a sales manager for Cisco Meraki and Pure Storage.

 

Speaking at:
• Gold Sponsor Panel Discussion

Doug Sutter

Doug Sutter

Director
SLED Sales Rhombus

Ben Thompson, Principal
Dowell J. Howard Center

Ben Thompson currently serves as the Principal of Dowell J. Howard Alternative Education and CTE Center. Prior to his current role Mr. Thompson served as Assistant Director of Student Support Services for 6 years with Frederick County Schools in Virginia. Ben has served in both school based and division level administrative roles in Loudoun County and Frederick County public schools.

 

Speaking at:
• Leading the Way: How School Safety Starts with Campus-level Leadership

Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson

Principal
Dowell J. Howard Center

Paul Timm, Director of Education Safety, Allegion

Paul Timm, Director of Education Safety at Allegion, is a board-certified Physical Security Professional (PSP) and author of School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program. He hosts "The Changing Face of School Security" podcast and was named one of the Most Influential People in Security in 2020 by Security Magazine.

 

With over 2,000 vulnerability assessments conducted, Paul is also a seasoned keynote speaker and a School Crisis Assistance Team volunteer through NOVA. He serves on multiple advisory boards, including the Campus Safety Conferences Advisory Board and the ASIS International School Safety and Security Community.

 

Paul is certified in Vulnerability Assessment Methodology (VAM) through Sandia National Laboratories and the ALPHA vulnerability assessment methodology. He holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary.

 

Speaking at:
• Beyond the Bell: Best Practices for After School and Extracurricular Safety

Paull Timm

Paul Timm

Director
Education Safety
Allegion

Peter Trate, Director, Product Management, Raptor Technologies

Peter brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record in driving technology and product management initiatives. Peter combines his strong technical acumen with a passion for delivering exceptional results. Peter's technical skills are complemented by his dedication to exceptional customer service, ensuring solutions that meet and exceed client expectations. Known for his ability to fuse business acumen with technical expertise, Peter effectively envisions the broader strategic goals while driving concrete results. His dynamic approach and commitment to transforming visionary ideas into reality have significantly impacted the organizations he has worked with, enhancing product innovation and the overall customer experience.

 

Speaking at:

Advancing School Safety Through Innovative Technology Integrations

 

Peter-Trate

Peter Trate

Director Product Management
Raptor Technologies

Katelyn Warnock, Director, Professional Services
Raptor Technologies

Katelyn directs the Professional Services division focusing on project implementation, process improvement, professional services, and change management. Katelyn has over 5+ years of experience leading project implementations with both states and school district across the U.S. Notably, Katelyn led the Statewide implementation of Raptor’s silent panic alert technology, Raptor Alert for the Florida Department of Education. This project serves approximately 30,000 end users. Katelyn also designed and created the Compliance and Success Program (CSP) for new Emergency Management implementations, which includes interactive training, ongoing access to best practices and system success monitoring. Katelyn earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University.
 
 
Speaking at:

• Bridging the Gap - Raptor Alert, School Staff, and 911
• Launching a Panic Alert System - Considerations, Best Practices, and Getting Buy-In from School Staff
• Reunification for Small Districts
• The Ultimate Reunification Training Program for K12 Schools

Katelyn Warnock
Katelyn Warnock

Director
Professional Services
Raptor Technologies

Allison Willemin, Executive Director of School Safety
Oxford Community Schools

Dr. Allison Willemin serves as the Executive Director of School Safety, Operational Technology, and Student Services for Oxford Community Schools. Since assuming this role in November 2022, she developed the school safety department with a focus on addressing both physical and psychological safety. She led the creation of protocols for student threat and suicide risk assessments including facilitating monthly BTAM team meetings at each school to ensure proper implementation. She is a trainer for PREPaRE Workshop 1, Standard Response Protocol, Standard Reunification Method, and MiBTAM (NTAC model). Dr. Willemin is a seasoned educator, with over 20 years of experience in Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas as a secondary teacher, campus administrator, and district administrator.

Dr. Willemin earned a superintendent certification from Lamar University; Doctor of Education in Professional Leadership, Inquiry, and Transformation from Concordia University - Portland; Master of School Administration with a minor in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke; and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with concentrations in English and Social Studies from Oakland University.

 

Speaking at:
• School Safety: Creating Consistency and Clarity

Allison-Willemin

Allison Willemin

Executive Director of School Safety
Oxford Community Schools

Doug Wozniak, Executive Director of Operations, Medina Valley ISD

Doug has been in Education for 23 years, 11 years as a principal and the last 7 years in support services. He is currently the Executive Director of Safety and Operations for Medina Valley ISD. He has also participated in multiple SBLE training sessions (master level graduate) and is currently a trainer for SRP, CRASE and Stop the Bleed. Most recently, he has presented at the TSSC and ALERRT conferences on the topic of collaboration between an ISD and first responders to tactically plan for an active attack.

 

Speaking at:
• The Ultimate Reunification Training Program for K12 Schools
Doug Wozniak

Doug Wozniak

Executive Director of Operations
Medina Valley ISD

Kevin Wren, School Safety Advocate
The Cook and Boardman Group

Kevin Wren has been in school security and emergency management for over 20 years as a School Resource Officer, and Director of Security, Risk, and Emergency Management. He has been able to obtain over 15 million in grant funding for the school districts that he works for. Additionally, Kevin is a former Campus Safety Magazine Director of the Year, Steering Committee Director for Partner Alliance for Safer Schools, an Advisor for Safe And Sound Schools, a REMS and ASIS Subject Matter Expert. He holds a Master of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management and currently serves as the School Safety Advocate for The Cook and Boardman Group.

 

Speaking at:
• Beyond the Bell: Best Practices for After School and Extracurricular Safety

Kevin Wren

Kevin Wren

School Safety Advocate
The Cook and Boardman Group

Speakers are subject to change.

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