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- PARTNERS (List) | Safe and Sound| United States
Several of these organizations are school safety and security related. It is the responsibility of the consumer to research, vet, and decide whether any of our partners’ services or products may be of benefit to their individual school community. Safe and Sound Schools® makes no product or service recommendations or endorsements. Additionally, as a matter of policy, we do not accept partnership inquiries from organizations related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and firearms defense products. PARTNER TESTIMONIALS STATUS SOLUTIONS “Status Solutions recognizes the need to cultivate relationships with those who desire the same outcome. Our sponsorship with Safe and Sound Schools® educates Status Solutions with an honest perspective, allowing us to see the full picture. This relationship is the beginning of an empowerment initiative, uniting our communities to achieve one common goal—safer schools.” Mike MacLeod, President RAPTOR TECHNOLOGIES “Our partnership with Safe and Sound Schools® is an element of our commitment to helping local communities ensure the safety of their children and improving school security by utilizing tools and resources that stop potential threats the moment they walk through the door. Together we’re making our schools safer and creating a community that recognizes student safety as a top priority.” Jim Vesterman, CEO NAVIGATE360 “Safe and Sound Schools® is a remarkable organization with an incredible mission to inform, educate, and deliver critical school safety knowledge to school communities.” Jim Hummel, COO BECOME A PARTNER Your corporation, business, or organization may become a Safe and Sound Schools® corporate partner or supporter. Your contribution will enable us to develop and deliver materials to the nation’s school communities, at no charge, providing education, awareness, and resources for the improvement of school safety and security. BE A PART OF OUR NATIONAL SAFETY COMMUNITY PROVIDE EDUCATION, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS AND LEADERS NATIONWIDE SHARE YOUR ORGANIZATION’S THOUGHT LEADERSHIP ENGAGE AND INTERACT WITH SCHOOL COMMUNITIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE SAFETY OF OUR NATION’S SCHOOLS Safe and Sound Schools PARTNERSHIP REQUEST FORM We greatly appreciate your interest in partnering with Safe and Sound Schools! Due to the high volume if inquiries and limited number of partnerships available each year, we ask that you take a few moments to fill out the form below. Additionally, please keep in mind the foundational criteria our Partnership Committee considers when evaluating potential partnerships: Dedication to our Shared Mission Values Match Mutual Respect and Positive Reputation Additionally, as a matter of policy, we do not accept partnership inquiries from organizations related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and firearms defense products. Thank you once again for your interest in partnering with us. The Safe and Schools Team will be in touch with you soon! Safe and Sound PARTNERSHIPS These organizations, associations, and businesses have donated time, talents, expertise, and/or financial support toward our shared mission of Safe and Sound Schools®. We are truly grateful for their generosity, dedication, and partnership. To learn more about becoming a partner, click the button below. APPLY FOR PARTNERSHIP
- Speakers
FEATURED SPEAKERS Close SPEAKER PERSPECTIVE Filter items with SpeakerPerspective Educator (Teacher, School Counselor, Special Educator) Law Enforcement/Public Safety Medical (Crisis/Emergency Responder, School Nurse) Parent/Guardian Practitioner (Mental Health Professional, Social Worker, Crisis Responder) School Leadership (Principal, Administrator, District Leader) School-based Mental Health (Psychologist, Social Worker, Counselor) Survivor RESET FILTER COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY DISCIPLINE Filter items with Comprehensive School Safety Discipline Culture, Climate & Community Health & Wellness Leadership, Law & Privacy Mental & Behavioral Health Operations & Emergency Management Safety & Security PREVENTION & INTERVENTION Filter items with Prevention & Intervention Bullying & Cyberbullying Prevention Digital Safety & Online Threats Grooming & Exploitation, Intervention Strategies Identifying & Supporting At-Risk Students Leader-care/Self-care MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Security Sexual Abuse Prevention Substance Use & Addiction Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Support FILTER BY TOPIC Total Results: 29 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE Filter items with Emergency Preparedness & Response Active Shooter Prevention & Response Best Practices for Drills Emergency Preparedness & Response Staying Safe Stop the Bleed RESILENCE & RECOVERY Filter items with Resilience & Recovery Childhood Trauma & Adverse Experiences Lessons Learned from Tragedy Recovery & Resilience After Tragedy Trauma-Informed Practices Turning Pain Into Purpose THREAT ASSESSMENT Filter by Threat Assessment Averted School Violence Case Studies Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management Digital Threat Assessment Physical Security & Risk Assessment School Shooters: Profiles & Prevention Violence Prevention Strategies SAFETY OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS Filter by Safety of Special Populations Inclusive School Safety Practices LGTBQ+ & Safety Special Education Considerations TYPE OF PRESENTATION Filter by Type of Presentation Breakout Sessions Keynote Presentation Professional Development Training & Workshops FEATURED SPEAKER Filter items with FlagText FEATURED SPEAKER DR. STEPHANIE GRANT Developmental Psychologist, Neurodevelopment and Trauma Expert Learn More ANTOINETTE KING, CISSP Physical & Cyber Security Expert Learn More ANNEMOSS ROGERS Mental Health and Suicide Education Expert Learn More BEN FERNANDEZ Lead School Psychologist Northern Virginia School System Learn More DR. CJ HUFF Educator and Child Advocate Learn More DR. SAVAHANNA WAGNER Co-Founder Rescue in Color Emergency Medical Expert Learn More FRANK DEANGELIS Retired Principal of Columbine High School Learn More JONATHAN CRISTALL Prosecutor Certified Sexual Violence Prevention Instructor, Digital Safety Advocate, Author Learn More LISA HAMP Survivor of the Virginia Tech Shooting Learn More MICHELE GAY Founder and Executive Director of Safe and Sound Schools Sandy Hook Parent Learn More MICHELLE DENAULT Survivor of Educator Sexual Abuse Learn More MISSY DODDS Survivor of the Red Lake High School Shooting Learn More MOLLY BRADLEY HUDGENS School Counselor and Congressional Medal of Honor Citizens Honor Recipient Learn More OFFICER MEG SOULTZ Co-Founder Rescue in Color Public Safety and Emergency Medical Expert Learn More PAUL TIMM PSP, Physical Security Expert Learn More AJ DEANDREA Retired Police Chief & Tactical Lead Trainer Learn More BRIAN TOWNSEND Retired Supervisory Special Agent/Resident Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Learn More DANIEL JEWISS Lead Investigator for the Sandy Hook School Shooting Learn More DAVE OKADA President, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) Learn More DR. AMANDA NICKERSON Professor and Director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention Learn More DR. MELISSA REEVES Former President of the National Association of School Psychologists Learn More DR. PETER LANGMAN Author and Expert in the Psychology of School Shooters Learn More DR. SCOTT POLAND Professor/Licensed Psychologist and Expert on School Violence Learn More DR. STEPHEN BROCK Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Educational Psychologist Learn More DR. TODD SAVAGE Professor of School Psychology Learn More JIN KIM FBI Veteran/Expert on Active Shooter & Workplace Violence Preparedness Learn More JOHN MCDONALD Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer, Council for School Safety Leadership (CSSL) Learn More MADALENA DEANDREA Borderline Bar and Grill Shooting Survivor & Resiliency Advocate Learn More NATALIE HAMMOND Elementary Principal and Sandy Hook School Shooting Survivor Learn More All speaking engagements are coordinated through Brian at Kirkland Productions. To coordinate an event, please contact Brian at brian@kirklandproductions.com or 866-769-9037 Book A Safe and Sound SPEAKER TODAY Our nationally recognized team of speakers are available for your event! Please complete the form below to get started, and a member of our team will be in touch soon! Empowering School Communities From keynotes to hands-on workshops and community-wide forums, our speakers can adapt their delivery approach to meet the unique needs of your event. Our speaking team can deliver content on a variety of topics related to safety, crisis prevention, response, recovery, and mental health. Our Speakers Safe and Sound Schools'® panel of school safety experts combine deep practical knowledge with engaging delivery to inspire and educate your school community. BOOK A SPEAKER
- EVENTS
Safe and Sound EVENTS Explore our events featuring top school safety experts on today's most critical topics. HOST AN EVENT “I have never heard from a more inspirational group than I have the last 2 days… I am so thankful to have heard your stories and found them so inspirational. Keep saying the names of the lives lost, keep telling your stories. Thank you!” – Nicole, Attendee EXCLUDE PAST EVENTS INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON THREAT ASSESSMENT REGISTER NOW - January 13-15 Join Safe and Sound Schools, Safer Schools Together, and the Beaverton School District for three transformative days of actionable insights, expert-led sessions, and invaluable connections. Open to international attendees, this is an event school leaders and BTAM teams do not want to miss! LEARN MORE 2026 SOUTHEAST SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT REGISTER NOW – February 26 & 27 Join Safe and Sound Schools and the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC) for an impactful and inspiring two-day event. Learn from nationally recognized speakers, explore best practices, discover programs, and gain actionable insights for your schools and communities. Don’t miss your opportunity to attend! LEARN MORE NORTHEAST SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT DETAILS COMING SOON Join Safe and Sound Schools for an impactful and inspiring two-day event. Learn from nationally recognized speakers, explore best practices, discover programs, and gain actionable insights. LEARN MORE 2025 MIDWEST SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT This event has concluded. Join Safe and Sound Schools and the Plymouth Police Department for an impactful and inspiring two-day event. Learn from nationally recognized speakers, explore best practices, discover programs, and gain actionable insights for your schools and communities. Don’t miss your opportunity to attend! LEARN MORE LESSONS IN PREVENTION WEBINAR This event has concluded. Join Safe and Sound Schools and NASRO for an engaging and informative webinar as we explore the Averted School Violence (ASV) Project and recognize these meaningful acts. The discussion will feature real-world cases analyzed for key takeaways to help attendees recognize warning signs, strengthen safety systems, and build more resilient schools. LEARN MORE THE TALL COP EMERGING DRUGS TRENDS CONFERENCE This event has concluded. Join Tall Cop Says Stop and Safe and Sound Schools for the 4th Annual Emerging Drug Trends Conference—an exclusive drug education, prevention and enforcement conference highlighting an array of superior speakers with expert knowledge. LEARN MORE GANGS, GUNS AND SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION This event has concluded. After 16 impactful years of the Gangs & Guns Training Symposium, we were proud to help expand the scope of this event to address broader aspects of school violence prevention. It was a deeply impactful event—an invaluable opportunity to lead the international conversation on school violence prevention and strengthen the connections that help keep our students, schools, and communities safe and sound LEARN MORE K-12 SCHOOLS & CAMPUS SAFETY SYMPOSIUM This event has concluded. Join Safe and Sound Schools and the Bureau Consortium for an event event is designed to bring together federal agency leaders and nationally recognized experts to deliver critical updates, actionable insights, and innovative, evidence-based solutions. LEARN MORE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA This event has concluded. The safety of our schools and communities is a shared responsibility, and we invite you to be part of both the conversation and the solution! This summit is a timely and vital event featuring nationally recognized speakers who will guide us through best practices, innovative programs, and actionable insights. LEARN MORE SOUTHEAST SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT 2024 This event has concluded. Rethink school safety at the Southeast School Safety Summit. Learn and network with nationally recognized experts and walk away with best practices and programs for comprehensive school safety. LEARN MORE NATIONAL SUMMIT ON SCHOOL SAFETY This event has concluded. Join us for three days of inspiring keynotes, expert panels, and deep-dive breakout sessions led by another incredible line-up of national school safety leaders and practitioners. LEARN MORE MIDWEST SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT This event has concluded. Join Safe and Sound Schools and Michigan State University’s Prevent 2 Protect Project for the 2024 Midwest School Safety Summit! LEARN MORE Host an Event Be a Champion in Your Community The Burlington Police Department teamed up with the Safe & Sound Schools to host the Northeast School Safety Summit at the Cafe Escadrille, where professionals from all areas of school safety came together to share information and experience. READ ARTICLE Interested in bringing a school safety event to your community? Safe and Sound Schools is here to support your efforts with expert guidance and resources. Contact us today to learn how we can collaborate to make your school community safer and more prepared. CONTACT US NEED A KEYNOTE SPEAKER? WE CAN HELP. Many of our premier events feature speakers from the Safe and Sound Speakers Bureau. With more than 23 advocates and experts, you are sure to find the right fit for your next event. PAUL TIMM PSP, Physical Security Expert MOLLY BRADLEY HUDGENS School Counselor and Congressional Medal of Honor Citizens Honor Recipient MICHELE GAY Founder and Executive Director of Safe and Sound Schools Sandy Hook Parent MISSY DODDS Survivor of the Red Lake High School Shooting FRANK DEANGELIS Retired Principal of Columbine High School VIEW ALL SPEAKERS Partner with Safe and Sound Schools TO BRING A SUMMIT TO YOUR COMMUNITY Interested in bringing a Safe and Sound Schools Summit to your area? Please complete the form below, and a member of our team will be in touch soon!
- Current Events | Safe and Sound | United States
Safe & Sound EVENTS “I have never heard from a more inspirational group than I have the last 2 days… I am so thankful to have heard your stories and found them so inspirational. Keep saying the names of the lives lost, keep telling your stories. Thank you!” – Nicole, Attendee EXCLUDE PAST EVENTS 2026 SOUTHEAST SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT REGISTER NOW – February 26 & 27: Join Safe and Sound Schools and the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC) for a focused two-day summit addressing emerging drug trends, substance abuse, and digital threats in today’s schools. Discover practical strategies, evidence-based approaches, and actionable insights to help protect students and support their well-being. Network with school safety leaders and peers, share experiences, and leave with tools you can apply immediately in your school or district. Start Now INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON THREAT ASSESSMENT REGISTER NOW - January 13-15, Beaverton, OR Join Safe and Sound Schools, Safer Schools Together, and the Beaverton School District for three transformative days of actionable insights, expert-led sessions, and invaluable connections. Open to international attendees, this is an event school leaders and BTAM teams do not want to miss! Start Now NORTHEAST SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT DETAILS COMING SOON - Chelmsford, MA Join Safe and Sound Schools for an impactful and inspiring two-day event. Learn from nationally recognized speakers, explore best practices, discover programs, and gain actionable insights. Start Now EVENT HEADLINES BPD Partners with Safe & Sound Schools for Northeast School Safety Summit October 24th through the 25th, the Burlington Police Department teamed up with the organization Safe & Sound Schools to host the Northeast School Safety Summit at the Cafe Escadrille, where professionals from all areas of school safety came together to share information and experience. READ ARTICLE CONTACT US Would you like to speak to us about hosing an event? Contact us. CONTACT US
- LESSONS IN PREVENTION WEBINAR
This event has concluded. Join Safe and Sound Schools and NASRO for an engaging and informative webinar as we explore the Averted School Violence (ASV) Project and recognize these meaningful acts. The discussion will feature real-world cases analyzed for key takeaways to help attendees recognize warning signs, strengthen safety systems, and build more resilient schools. LESSONS IN PREVENTION WEBINAR THIS EVENT HAS CONCLUDED Join Michele Gay, Founder and Executive Director of Safe and Sound Schools, Mo Canady, Executive Director of NASRO, and other experts from the Averted School Violence (ASV) community for a 60-minute session designed to help school safety stakeholders learn from averted acts of violence. This session will cover: 10 Years of the Averted School Violence Database: Discover the origins of the ASV database, recent enhancements, and newly added averted cases. Real Cases of Averted Violence: Each averted incident offers critical lessons for school safety professionals, law enforcement, and educators. Learn from real-world examples to identify what worked, the challenges faced, and how others can apply these insights in their own schools and communities. How You Can Contribute: By sharing your case , you can help build a growing body of knowledge that establishes best practices, prevents future tragedies, and strengthens our collective understanding of effective school safety strategies. START DATE: December 10, 2025 LOCATION: Virtual END DATE: December 10, 2025 BACK LESSONS IN PREVENTION WEBINAR This event has concluded. Join Safe and Sound Schools and NASRO for an engaging and informative webinar as we explore the Averted School Violence (ASV) Project and recognize these meaningful acts. The discussion will feature real-world cases analyzed for key takeaways to help attendees recognize warning signs, strengthen safety systems, and build more resilient schools. THIS EVENT HAS CONCLUDED
- MISSY DODDS | Safe and Sound
Featured AVAILABLE TO BOOK EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THE SAFE AND SOUND SPEAKERS BUREAU On Monday, March 21, 2005, Missy’s life was forever changed when a former student shot his way into her classroom at Red Lake High School, where he killed a co-worker and five of her students before taking his own life. Since that day more than 20 years ago, Missy has been on a meaningful journey from victim to survivor, finding her voice and purpose as an advocate and speaker. Having witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of school violence on her students and community, she now dedicates her work to helping schools build safer, more supportive educational environments. In her presentations, Dodds emphasizes the importance of comprehensive safety strategies, including mental health resources, emergency preparedness, and community engagement. Her unique perspective as both a survivor and a champion for change makes her an impactful speaker, offering valuable insights on how to create proactive, resilient school cultures that prioritize student safety and foster bright futures. WHY Book Missy FOR YOUR EVENT? “Thankful for Missy Dodds’ willingness to share her traumatic experience at the hands of a targeted mass shooter and her journey of healing in its aftermath. Her message was well received by the audience and her personal experience clearly had an impact on the attendees on the importance of behavioral threat assessment in the prevention of future mass attacks.” —Nicole Tuomi Jones, Ph.D., LP, CTM, Psychologist, Behavioral Threat Assessment Unit, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation WHO Books Missy ? Missy Dodds’ unique blend of raw honesty and deep compassion make her a popular speaker among a wide range of audiences and organizations, including: National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Indiana Department of Education North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Texas State University - Texas School Safety Center Texas Department of Public Safety Arkansas Safe Schools Association Delta Kappa Gamma West40 Intermediate Service Center (ISC) Vivent Health BOOK TODAY MISSY DODDS Survivor of the Red Lake High School Shooting BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Missy TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Safety & Security Culture, Climate & Community Recovery & Resilience After Trauma Turning Pain into Purpose Lessons Learned from Tragedy Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. Choosing to Survive: Lessons from Red Lake 1-2 Hour Keynote In this session, Missy shares both her personal journey of navigating life after a school shooting and her quest to understand how a school shooting can even happen. Through the pain, guilt and hard decisions, she is open and honest about her struggles, successes and how she now defines acceptance. Missy also shares how she found her “missing piece”—the answer to what she believes could have prevented the events on March 21, 2005. Missy’s presentation is suited for all educators, school-based law enforcement, school-based mental health providers, and community stakeholders. BOOK NOW Review 1 Review 2 Ms. Dodds was engaging, entertaining, and well-received by the audience. She made valid points that were useful for the threat assessment training, and shared her own story to highlight that targeted mass attacks have impacts on survivors as well. She also did a good job of stressing the value of threat assessment as a tool to prevent violence. —Earl Sam, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Missy provides a heart-wrenching and heart-warming presentation regarding her experience with a school shooting. She reminds us that safer schools are the responsibility of the entire community - the entire community, not just educators and parents. We are challenged to do something and build those safe and healthy connections between our students, educators, and community at large. —Nicole Lentz, Manager of Pharmacy Academics, Vivent Health Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY On Monday, March 21, 2005, Missy Dodds’ life was forever changed. A former student shot his way into her classroom at Red Lake High School in Northwest Minnesota. He killed a teacher and five of her students before taking his own life. Since that day, Missy has worked hard on her healing journey. This journey has taken her down many roads: learning to live with PTSD, the difference between being a victim and being a survivor and learning to allow her own children to experience and love school as much as she did. These paths have led Missy to becoming a school safety and mental health advocate. While Missy no longer teaches high school math, she is passionate about sharing what she has learned to help schools, parents and communities understand the importance of a comprehensive approach to school safety and recovery. Missy’s court case, Dodds vs Red Lake School District Workman’s Comp, helped to change the law in Minnesota to include PTSD as a viable workman’s comp claim. In 2015, Missy shared her story of recovery in the award-winning documentary, Red Lake, produced by Billy Luther. In 2018, Missy joined Safe and Sound Schools as a National Parent Ambassador and now serves as a regular speaker and outreach and training specialist for the national school safety non-profit. In 2022, Missy received the Outstanding Service Award from the Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for her work in school safety. She also serves as a parent representative for her local school district’s Emergency Operation Planning Committee and on her local Boys and Girls Club’s Program and Safety Committee. Born and raised in Arkansas, she lives in Northwest Minnesota with her husband and three children. Missy holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Bemidji State University. Book Missy TODAY! Testimonials
- PASS | Safe and Sound
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- JEFFCO/DEANGELIS FOUNDATION | Safe and Sound
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- Our Team | Safe and Sound Schools | United States
The Safe and Sound Schools team of speakers, trainers, and experts. Our mission is to support school crisis prevention, response, and recovery, and to protect every school and every student, every day. EXECUTIVE TEAM Michele Gay Founder & Executive Director Mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools®, Michele Gay chose to take action after losing her daughter Josephine Grace on December 14, 2012 in the Sandy Hook School tragedy. Since that time, Michele has channeled her work as an advocate, improving safety and security in schools and communities across our country. With a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Towson State University, Michele earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, she taught at the elementary level in the Maryland and Virginia public schools. Now a nationally and internationally recognized public speaker and school safety advocate, Michele speaks to audiences and consults with all levels of community institutions — schools; municipalities; houses of worship; educational and public safety leadership; state and federal governments; law enforcement agencies; and top news media sources. Through her work, and always with a goal of helping others increase the safety within their own communities, Michele shares her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned. The recipient of numerous national awards, Michele is a regular contributor for print, radio, and television outlets. Visionary, author, and co-author of Safe and Sound’s programs and materials, Michele has served as a stakeholder voice in national legislative discussions. Through these works, Michele continues to build Safe and Sound Schools® as a national hub of school safety education, technical assistance, expert content, and best practices. Michele’s impassioned position on school safety hinges on every community taking a comprehensive and sustainable approach to safety. She works diligently to unite stakeholders of all disciplines and perspectives. As an educator, mother, and survivor of tragedy, Michele is uniquely positioned to help others prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from tragedies of their own. Michele remains inspired by Josephine, every day. She dedicates herself to honoring Josephine’s memory through this work to ensure that every school, every child, and every community is truly safe and sound. Kim Vann Kim joined Safe and Sound Schools in 2019 and currently serves as the Deputy Director where she works collaboratively with the executive director, the board of directors, the staff, and Safe and Sound partners to advocate for and provide research-based education, tools, and resources to ensure the safest possible learning environment for our students. Kim ensures Safe and Sound Schools operates effectively by providing strategic and operational leadership in their mission to reach every community, to utilize resources that support school crisis prevention, response and recovery, and to protect each and every student in each and every school. Her transition to Safe and Sound Schools was natural, because she had already served as Executive Director and Co-Founder of Bright Futures USA Network, where she continues working closely with communities across the country, bringing together businesses, faith-based organizations, parent groups, and human resources to meet the needs of each student so they can succeed in school and beyond. Kim also served with the Joplin R-8 school district as the Executive Director of Communication and Community Development, where she was responsible for overseeing district communication, district development efforts, and community engagement efforts. She is a past president of Soroptimist International of Joplin. Kim has been honored with many awards over the years, including one of Joplin Tri-State Business Journal’s 2007 “10 Most Influential Women,” Joplin Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and Joplin’s 15 People to Watch. Kim is married to Joel, and they have two children. Prior to her work in education, she served as the Business Development Director for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for advocating for small business, and acted as the liaison between the Chamber’s small business members and Chamber leadership. Kim was responsible for many programs and services that served the Chamber membership. Kim sat on the US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council for four years and also served on the American Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council. Deputy Director OUR STAFF Kate Reynolds Senior Director, Marketing & Communications Dr. Frank Straub Senior Director of Violence Prevention Research and Programs Brittani Keel Director of Administration Ben Fernandez Director of Programs & Curriculum Development Dr. Kate Rahi Associate Director of Projects & Training Jessica Vann Associate Director of Development Doug Hunt Associate Director of Bright Futures Mission Advancement Megan Erdmann Communications Manager Sarah Richardson Bright Futures Manager Lindsay Durham Program Marketing Manager Madi Koenig Special Events Manager Missy Dodds Speaker and Trainer Martha Gonzalez-Corona Visual Communications Specialist Nancy Mango Research Specialist Jennifer Honeycutt Bookkeeper Ashley Shead Event Support Specialist Brian JK Regan Booking Agent Marie Gay Research and Special Projects Assistant Alyssa Hollingshead Systems Administrator BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIRECTORS Bob Gay | Bob Martin | Adam Safir, Esq. | Susan Sawyer, Esq. CO-CHAIRS Tina Cantu JD, MBA, RN | Jim Murtha, Ph.D. TREASURER Mark Santamaria ADVISORS & PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTORS Stephen E. Brock, Ph. D Licensed Educational Psychologist Nationally Certified School Psychologist Author PREPaRE: Crisis Intervention and Recovery Lead Editor Best Practices in School Crisis Prevention and Intervention Professor and School Psychology Program Coordinator Graduate and Processional Studies in Education California State University, Sacramento Sacramento, CA C.J. Huff Ed. D. Retired superintendent, Joplin, Missouri Special Advisor for Education and Community Leadership to Safe and Sound Schools Founder, Bright Futures USA Expert: U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students Expert: Missouri Center for Education Safety Senior Advisor for Education to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Hurricane Harvey Recovery Joplin, MO Mo Canady Executive Director National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Hoover, AL Jin Kim FBI (ret) Active Shooter Subject Matter Expert & Practitioner FBI/ALERRT & CRASE Tactical Instructor Law Enforcement Tactical Resolution Trainer FBI (ret) SWAT Operator and Observer/Sniper Founder & Principal of the PerSec Academy, LLC Julia Cook, M.S. Award-Winning Children’s Author Former Teacher and School Counselor International Speaker Parenting Expert Melissa Reeves, Ph. D. Senior Advisor School-based Mental Health and Behavioral Threat Assessment Nationally Certified School Psychologist Licensed Professional Counselor Licensed Special Education Teacher Co-Author: PREPaRE: Crisis Prevention and Preparedness Co-Author: Identifying, Assessing, and Treating PTSD at School Co-Author: Comprehensive Planning for Safe Learning Environments Lecturer, Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Frank DeAngelis Retired Principal Columbine High SchoolSpecial Advisor for Education Leadership to Safe and Sound Schools Consultant for Safety and Emergency Management for the Jefferson County Schools Colorado High School Principal of the Year Finalist, National Principal of the Year Denver, CO Jeff Allison Senior Advisor Law Enforcement Coordinator Jim L. Accomando James L. Accomando is an Advisor to Safe and Sound Schools and an Advocate for Parents for Safer Schools Program. Jim believes that the Mission to support crisis prevention, response and recovery and to protect every school and every student, every day is not only relevant but a must for all parent groups. Jim was elected as the 55th President of the National PTA Board of Directors at the June 2017 National PTA Convention. Jim has been engaged in fulfilling the Mission of PTA since his oldest child began Kindergarten. For over 20 years, he has volunteered at every level and has had the pleasure of being President of his child’s High School PTA, the District’s PTA Council and the State of Connecticut Parent Teacher Association. Jim believes that family and community engagement is one of the key strengths of PTA in providing equity and quality in our educational system today. He advocates to look beyond the school community to develop partnerships with other educational stakeholders in order to further the Mission of the Association. William Modzeleski Former Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools U.S. Department of Education Co-Author: The Safe School Initiative Co-Author: Threat Assessment In Schools Co-Author: School Associated Violent Deaths in the U.S. National School Safety Expert, Author, Lecturer Shari Nacson, LISW-S Child Development Consultant Clinical Social Worker Adult Educator, Editor Cleveland Heights, OH Susan Payne Special Advisor to Safe and Sound Schools Founder, Safe2Tell 28-year Law Enforcement Veteran Former Detective, Colorado Springs Police Department Former Special Agent Colorado Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Subject-matter expert: school safety, prevention, response, and recovery Author, Consultant, Trainer Colorado Springs, Colorado Scott Poland, Ed. D. Licensed Psychologist Nationally Certified School Psychologist Author: Coping with Crisis Professor, The Center for Psychological Studies Nova Southeastern University Hollywood, FL Paul Timm, PSP Allegion Author: School Security: How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program Chicago, IL Amanda Nickerson, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York Licensed psychologist in New York state and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist Lead author of Assessing, Identifying, and Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at School Co-author of School Crisis Prevention and Intervention: The PREPaRE Model Co-editor of Handbook of School Violence and School Safety: International Research and Practice, 2nd Edition Co-author of Lockdown Drills: Connecting Research and Best Practices (2022, MIT Press) Chief Jeffrey Yarborough Chief of Police, Hutto Police Department, TX School safety expert with 28 years of law enforcement experience Author of The Four Pillars of School Safety and Policing: A Transformative Four Pillar Model Sharon Newport, CAE Organizational and Leadership Consultant, Diversity, Equity Inclusivity Subject Matter Expert General Inquiries: info@safeandsoundschools.org Media Inquiries: media@safeandsoundschools.org Meet OUR TEAM
- Our Story | Safe and Sound Schools | United States
Safe and Sound Schools story. We are Sandy Hook parents, educators, and community members—all inspired by our children and educators who perished on December 14, 2012. We chose to raise our families in Newtown, CT, a small town where crime is low and values are strong. We chose Sandy Hook Elementary School, a place of love, learning, and acceptance. When our children boarded their school buses and their teachers left for work on December 14th, we never imagined that it might be for the last time WHO WE ARE We are Sandy Hook parents, educators, and community members—all inspired by our children and educators who perished on December 14, 2012. We chose to raise our families in Newtown, CT, a small town where crime is low and values are strong. We chose Sandy Hook Elementary School, a place of love, learning, and acceptance. When our children boarded their school buses and their teachers left for work on December 14th, we never imagined that it might be for the last time. We all felt safe in our peaceful town and in our high-ranking schools. We learned, too painfully, that we were not. Gaining entry to our locked school–and access to our beloved children and teachers–was as simple as breaking a glass window. The measures, plans, and procedures we relied upon failed us, tragically. Despite our sorrow, and though we come from a variety of backgrounds, we are united in our mission: To better protect our schools. To provide safe schools, secure schools, for our children and educators. And to help others do the same in their communities. Joined by school communities across the country and supported by national school safety experts, mental health, fire, and law enforcement professionals, our community has grown and our resolve has strengthened. Together we can make a difference. Together we can make our schools Safe and Sound. ABOUT THE FOUNDERS Michele Gay Founder & Executive Director Mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools®, Michele Gay chose to take action after losing her daughter Josephine Grace on December 14, 2012 in the Sandy Hook School tragedy. Since that time, Michele has channeled her work as an advocate, improving safety and security in schools and communities across our country. With a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Towson State University, Michele earned a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College. Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, she taught at the elementary level in the Maryland and Virginia public schools. Now a nationally and internationally recognized public speaker and school safety advocate, Michele speaks to audiences and consults with all levels of community institutions — schools; municipalities; houses of worship; educational and public safety leadership; state and federal governments; law enforcement agencies; and top news media sources. Through her work, and always with a goal of helping others increase the safety within their own communities, Michele shares her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned. The recipient of numerous national awards, Michele is a regular contributor for print, radio, and television outlets. Visionary, author, and co-author of Safe and Sound’s programs and materials, Michele has served as a stakeholder voice in national legislative discussions. Through these works, Michele continues to build Safe and Sound Schools® as a national hub of school safety education, technical assistance, expert content, and best practices. Michele’s impassioned position on school safety hinges on every community taking a comprehensive and sustainable approach to safety. She works diligently to unite stakeholders of all disciplines and perspectives. As an educator, mother, and survivor of tragedy, Michele is uniquely positioned to help others prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from tragedies of their own. Michele remains inspired by Josephine, every day. She dedicates herself to honoring Josephine’s memory through this work to ensure that every school, every child, and every community is truly safe and sound. Alissa Parker Alissa is the mother of Emilie Parker, one of the 20 children who died tragically in the Sandy Hook School Shootings on December 14, 2012. In the wake of the tragedy, Alissa was moved to engage parents in securing the safety of their children’s school by becoming an active member of the Newtown Public Schools’ Safety Committee. Now, Alissa is a nationally-recognized advocate for school safety, speaking to school communities, educational leadership events, and top news sources across the United States. Alissa graduated from Weber State University in her hometown of Ogden, Utah. She is a Co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, and also co-founded The Emilie Parker Art Connection, which gives to art programs for kids across the country. She is the author of the book, "An Unseen Angel", a memoir of faith, hope and healing. Alissa brings a powerful perspective and passion to Safe and Sound Schools. She is devoted to creating a legacy of safety for our nation’s children in honor of her beloved Emilie. Founder Michele & Alissa OUR STORY Founded by Michele Gay, mother of Josephine Grace Gay, and Alissa Parker, mother of Emilie Parker, Safe and Sound Schools is a national nonprofit safety advocacy and resource center that provides research-based tools and support for crisis-prevention, response, and recovery. Safe and Sound Schools is committed to protecting every school and every student, every day. SEE OUR STORY
- DAVE OKADA | Safe and Sound
WHY Book Dave FOR YOUR EVENT? WHO Books Dave ? BOOK TODAY DAVE OKADA President, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Dave TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Book Dave TODAY!
- MADALENA DEANDREA | Safe and Sound
Madalena DeAndrea is a compelling voice in the conversation around school safety, resilience, and trauma-informed leadership. Her dynamic presentations empower students, educators, and administrators to proactively navigate crisis, recovery, and mental wellness with confidence and clarity. By blending real-world experience with practical strategies, Madalena helps organizations move beyond fear toward a culture of preparedness and emotional strength. Her message resonates deeply with audiences seeking not just awareness, but meaningful, actionable change. WHY Book Madalena FOR YOUR EVENT? “ One of the most unique and inspiring voices in school safety today, Madalena DeAndrea shares her personal and lived experiences with a kind of bravery and pure intention few people can come close to demonstrating in their lifetime. From growing up as the daughter of a police officer to surviving a deadly mass shooting, DeAndrea reflects thoughtfully on her own heroic journey forward, finding purpose in pain and healing through helping. Nowa lauded public speaker, Madalena delivers powerful inspiration and practical takeaways to all who hear her message.” —Michele Gay, Founder & Executive Director , Safe and Sound Schools WHO Books Madalena ? Madalena’s expertise makes her a valuable speaker for schools and organizations seeking to foster resilience, emotional preparedness, and a culture of safety. Her unique approach equips communities to respond to trauma with strength and purpose while promoting proactive strategies for mental wellness and crisis recovery. Recent audiences include: Jeffco Public Schools FBI National Academy at Quantico Safe and Sound Schools Virtual National Summit on School Safety National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Add your school or organization to the list of those inspired by Madalena - book her today! BOOK TODAY MADALENA DEANDREA Borderline Bar and Grill Shooting Survivor & Resiliency Advocate BOOK NOW << Back to All Speakers Get Inspired TO BRING Madalena TO YOUR NEXT EVENT! SPEAKER Topics Include Safety & Security Culture, Climate, & Community Operations & Emergency Management Violence prevention Strategies Emergency Preparedness & Response Active Shooter Preparedness & Response Recovery & Resilience After Trauma Turning Pain into Purpose Lessons Learned from Tragedy Signature PRESENTATIONS Click on the titles to learn more about each signature presentation and fill out the form below to book for your next event. A Hero's Daughter: A Survivor's Journey 1 to 2-hour Presentation Audience: Civilians & Law Enforcement, High School Aged Students In this keynote, Madalena DeAndrea deep dives her experience of surviving the Borderline Bar and Grill shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA in November of 2018 where 12 people were tragically killed, including a responding police officer. Madalena is a current Senior Manager of Strategic Projects, Recovery, and Resiliency for Jeffco Public Schools Department of School Safety and the daughter of Deputy Chief AJ DeAndrea (Retired), who was in a leadership role in three school shootings that changed the fabric of American society and police response to active shootings around the world. Madalena shares how the protective factors she learned growing up ultimately saved her life and the unfiltered reality of what it takes to experience post-traumatic growth after a profound experience of evil. Madalena also empowers attendees with real-world takeaways, mindsets, and tools they can put into place today to make themselves, their loved ones, and their communities more resilient prior to crisis occurring. This keynote culminates in an opportunity for audience questions if time allows. Active Shooting Survivor Panel 1 to 2-hour Presentation Audience: Civilians & Law Enforcement In this panel, Madalena DeAndrea and other active shooting survivors each break down their experiences surviving and healing from an active shooting. Each panelist will give a high-level overview of the event they survived, their experience, and their healing journey. This panel culminates in an opportunity for audience questions facilitated by a member of your organization. Specific additional panelists will be coordinated on a case-by-case basis for each request. Dark Nights of the Soul: When Terror Hits Home 3 to 4-hour Presentation with Madalena DeAndrea and her father, AJ DeAndrea, also a Safe and Sound Schools speaker Audience: Civilians & Law Enforcement Deputy Chief AJ DeAndrea (Retired) was in a leadership role in three school shootings that changed the fabric of American society and police response to active shootings around the world. He takes a deep dive into these tragic events and more importantly analyzes the positive things that came from them in decision making, improved tactics, and mental health practices. He is accompanied by his oldest daughter, Madalena DeAndrea, who survived the Borderline active shooting incident in Thousand Oaks, CA in 2018. Madalena, a current Senior Manager of Strategic Projects, Recovery, and Resiliency with Jeffco Public Schools Department of School Safety in Colorado shares how the protective factors she learned growing up the daughter of a lifelong law enforcement officer ultimately saved her life. She shares her insights as a survivor of an active shooter, and her choice to experience post-traumatic growth following an experience of evil. This keynote culminates in an opportunity for audience questions if time allows. BOOK NOW Testimonials Review 1 Review 2 Review 3 “[Madalena DeAndrea’s keynote] was my favorite part of the conference. It truly was one of the most impactful things I have ever heard.” —Student, Jeffco Public Schools “Madalena was fantastic. Her presentation has left a resounding impact on me and although she doesn't claim to be an expert, she is truly a blessing. We use the protocols in place and I'm hoping my schools are on board to bringing her in to do a countywide training with her as the presenter.” —Attendee, 2023 Iowa Homeland Security Conference Go Go Speaker BIOGRAPHY Madalena DeAndrea is an active shooting survivor, resiliency advocate, and the oldest daughter of Deputy Chief AJ DeAndrea (retired). The backdrop of Madalena’s childhood was her father’s historic law enforcement career which included serving in a leadership role in three school shootings that changed the fabric of American society and police response to active shootings around the world. A Colorado Native, Madalena received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Strategy from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2018. During her time at CU, she served as Student Body President for her 30,000 classmates which gave her the unique opportunity to directly manage a $24 million budget, lead a 500-person organization, speak to crowds of 8,000+ people, and work with world leaders like His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Vice President Joe Biden. Following her undergraduate studies, Madalena worked for a non-profit in Los Angeles, CA. While serving in this role she went out for a night of dancing with her friends at Borderline Bar and Grill and the unthinkable happened - a gunman came in and started shooting. Using the skillsets and mindsets she learned growing up, Madalena was able to find safety in the attic above the bar where she stayed for the remainder of the tragedy as 12 people, including responding Police Officer Sgt. Ron Helus, were killed. After surviving the Borderline tragedy, Madalena made a choice to not let evil win and to be a force for good in the world. After serving for four years as an Emergency Management Specialist for Jeffco Public Schools, the School District she grew up in, Madalena now proudly serves as the Senior Manager of Strategic Projects, Recovery, & Resiliency for Jeffco. In this first-of-its-kind position, Madalena supports the proactive implementation of strategic safety initiatives and recovery planning prior to crisis occurring. She is a certified Threat Liaison Officer for the state of Colorado and is trained in CPTED, CIT, FEMA’s Incident Command Series and Professional Development Series, and Single Officer Response to an Active Shooter. In her spare time, Madalena travels the country telling her story and sharing her message of hope, resiliency, and post-traumatic growth with law enforcement agencies, school districts, businesses, and community organizations. Madalena is passionate about empowering individuals and communities with the mindsets and tools needed to build resiliency even in the face of life’s uncertainties! Book Madalena TODAY!







