Keynote Speaker

AK Dozanti, MA is an award-winning former deputy sheriff, bestselling author, and nationally recognized speaker reshaping how first responders understand burnout, stress, and human performance. With a Master’s in Victimology and expertise in trauma, behavioral science, and leadership under pressure, AK combines lived experience with evidence-based insight to help first responders build clarity, capacity, and longevity in trauma-rich careers.

As the founder of Life Saver Wellness and author of Beat the Burnout and Responder Reset, AK is known for delivering grounded, practical strategies that challenge burnout culture without compromising performance. Her work has been featured in numerous industry publications and podcasts, and she continues to train and speak for agencies and conferences across the country."

Speaker Bio: Hannah Longley, LCSW, owner of DOCHAS WELLNESS, LLC is a Maine native and licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience in community mental health, crisis response, and supporting first responders. Her background includes work within the mental health crisis system, contracting with the Maine Army National Guard, and prior work with NAMI Maine. She brings a strong, trauma-informed and systems-based approach to her work.

Session Title: Resilience Through Reflection

Session Description: Resilience Through Reflection explores how suicide mortality reviews can serve as powerful tools for learning, prevention, and organizational wellness within first responder communities. First responders are not only exposed to repeated trauma through their work, but exposure to suicide deaths, among colleagues, patients, and within the community, can itself increase suicide risk factors, emotional distress, and cumulative psychological burden. This presentation examines how structured mortality review processes can identify contributing factors, systemic gaps, and opportunities for earlier intervention while honoring the lives and service of those lost. Participants will learn how intentional postvention practices, organizational review, peer support, and coordinated wellness responses can reduce isolation, mitigate contagion risk, strengthen resilience, and promote cultures of psychological safety and continuous learning.

Speaker Bio: With more than 28 years as a first responder, Dr. Keven McNeill has spent his career facing critical incidents while quietly carrying the burden of unresolved childhood trauma. What became his breaking point ultimately inspired a new mission: advocating for mental health, resilience, and suicide prevention within the first responder community.

Holding a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in the psychology of leadership, Keven combines personal experience with academic expertise. He is the President and Co-Founder of the Quiet Corner Peer Support Group and works alongside Hope, a golden retriever therapy dog who provides comfort and support to first responders, veterans, and their families.

Keven is the author of Pushing It Down, Paws for Hope, and We Didn’t Sign Up For This, a series that explores trauma, recovery, family impact, and leadership in the first responder profession. Together, Keven and Hope continue their mission of breaking stigma, fostering healing, and reminding those who serve that they are never alone.

Session Title: Spot the Signs: Not All Wounds Are Visible

Session Description: Founded in 2018 by Dr. Keven McNeill, Spot the Signs emerged from his personal journey following a PTSD diagnosis after a violent assault during a traffic stop. What began as one first responder sharing hard-earned lessons about post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) has grown into a movement focused on awareness, education, and peer support for first responders and military veterans.

In 2025, alongside the launch of QCPS, Spot the Signs expanded into a collaborative team of experienced presenters who deliver impactful training and conversations to agencies, departments, and communities.

The mission of Spot the Signs is to promote proactive mental health awareness through honest dialogue, practical education, and lived experience. By combining real-world perspective with evidence-informed training, the program helps individuals recognize the early signs of PTSI, depression, burnout, and cumulative stress. Its goal is to reduce stigma, encourage early intervention, and foster a culture where seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Courtney Brown is a Clinical Psychologist with nearly a decade of experience serving Active Duty Service Members, Veterans, and First Responders. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University and completed advanced fellowship training in Integrative Health through Dartmouth Medical Center and the White River Junction VA.

During her seven years with the Veterans Administration, Dr. Brown received national recognition for excellence in integrative health care, clinical innovation, and leadership. She also served as a clinical proctor and program developer, specializing in psychological diagnostics, crisis intervention, and health psychology.

Her expertise includes trauma, chronic illness, psychological resilience, and the relationship between mental and physical health in high-stress professions. Dr. Brown holds advanced certifications in PTSD intervention, trauma prevention, chronic pain treatment, insomnia treatment, and primary care mental health integration.

Today, she maintains a private practice, partners with the Maine State Member Assistance Team, and serves as a lecturer and presenter on trauma, resilience, integrative health, and occupational wellness.

Session Title: Honey I'm Home and I've Had A Hard Day

Session Description: This presentation examines trauma prevention and vicarious traumatization among first responders and their families. Drawing on current psychological research and clinical experience with law enforcement and emergency personnel, it explores the cumulative effects of repeated trauma exposure, operational stress, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts not only first responders but also spouses, partners, and children. The presentation highlights common warning signs of burnout, emotional dysregulation, unhealthy coping behaviors, and the cultural barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking support.

Attendees will learn practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen resilience and reduce long-term psychological injury. Topics include peer support, sleep and recovery, nervous system regulation, family communication, and organizational practices that promote wellness. Participants will leave with actionable tools to support personal wellbeing, strengthen family relationships, improve retention, and foster healthier, more resilient first responder organizations.

Speaker Bio: Over 25 years of experience as a first responder with 22 years serving as a law enforcement officer. Currently the Chief of Police with the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department.

Session Title: From the Ashes: A Battle for Resilience

Session Description: This presentation chronicles my journey of enduring two critical incidents, the multi-year struggle with PTSD that resulted in my forced removal from duty. It continues with the two year struggle and culminates with my battle to return to work and ultimately succeed in my journey back. I discuss the warning signs of PTSD, the impact it has on us as first responders and our families and the growth that comes from gaining resilience.

Speaker Bio: Delaney Ireland is a mental health educator at NAMI Maine (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and the daughter of a retired Maine State Police Lieutenant. Her experiences growing up in a first responder family and her background working within Maine’s crisis system have made her passionate about addressing and supporting the unique mental health needs of first responders and their families.

Session Title: Building Resilient First Responder Families

Session Description: When you ask someone how they feel about their loved one being a first responder, you get a variety of answers, but “worried” almost always makes the list. There’s no doubt that first responders and their families face unique stressors, but they also have a unique set of protective factors that can serve as a buffer. Proactively developing strategies for navigating stress builds confidence and resilience in families, ultimately helping first responders to better meet and sustain the demands of an unpredictable career. Join me to reflect on the strategies that kept our family happy and healthy throughout the more challenging moments of Dad’s career. Note: This presentation will be centered around law enforcement experiences, however the strategies provided can be applied to all first responder families.

Speaker Bio: Julie Lizanecz, MBAHM, BSN, RN, EMT, (pending) HWNC-BC, brings more than 20 years of experience in public safety and healthcare, offering a unique perspective on first responder wellness. Her career began as an EMT before serving as a police officer and sergeant with the Ogunquit Police Department, where she specialized in crisis response, investigations, and leadership.

Julie later transitioned into healthcare, earning nursing degrees and building over 15 years of experience as an emergency department nurse, including trauma care, charge nurse leadership, pediatric triage, school nursing, and public health. She also earned a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management.

Recognizing that many health crises are preventable, Julie shifted her focus toward wellness, lifestyle medicine, and behavior change. Currently completing board certification as a Health and Wellness Nurse Coach, she helps individuals build sustainable habits that support long-term wellbeing.

Combining professional expertise with personal experience as the spouse of a police officer involved in an officer-involved shooting, Julie is passionate about reducing stigma and promoting resilience within the first responder community.

Session Title: From Crisis to Control: Rethinking First Responder Wellness

Session Description: First responders are trained to run toward crisis—but what happens when the crisis is their own health? This session explores the cumulative impact of chronic stress, trauma exposure, and the long-standing stigma surrounding mental health within first responder culture. Drawing from a career that spans EMS, law enforcement, and emergency nursing, along with personal experience supporting a spouse after an officer-involved shooting, Julie Lizanecz offers a powerful and relatable perspective on why so many first responders struggle with conditions such as hypertension, anxiety, burnout, and depression. Attendees will be introduced to lifestyle medicine and nurse coaching as proactive, evidence-based approaches that focus on prevention, early intervention, and sustainable behavior change. Rather than waiting until illness is fully established, these approaches empower individuals to take control of their health through practical, realistic strategies that fit into the demands of real life. Through storytelling, real-world examples, and actionable tools, this session will help participants better understand the connection between stress and chronic disease, recognize barriers to seeking support, and begin shifting from a reactive mindset to one centered on long-term wellness and resilience.

Billy Dries is a dedicated Eliot Police Department officer and a strong advocate for holistic wellness. With a background in Sports and Fitness Management, he blends fitness training with breathwork and cold‑water immersion to help people build resilience, improve recovery, and strengthen mental clarity.

He leads practical, high‑impact sessions for first responders, athletes, and anyone looking to manage stress and elevate overall well‑being. He can also be heard on the Maine Responder Podcast covering important topics regarding wellness in the first responder world. Outside of work, Billy enjoys time with his family, boating, and travel.

Session Title: Breathe. Move. Thrive. Family Wellness in action.

Session Description: First Responders are trained to perform under pressure, but the physiological cost of that work follows them home. Chronic stress, disrupted sleep, and years of high alert breathing patterns quietly erode health and resilience long after the shift ends. The good news? The most powerful recovery tool available requires no equipment, no gym, and no prescription. It's your breath.
This session introduces the science of functional breathing through the principles of the Oxygen Advantage, the same principles used by elite athletes and tactical professionals worldwide. Attendees will learn how to measure their current BOLT score, understand why CO2 tolerance, not oxygen intake is the key to performance and calm, and discover simple breathwork techniques the whole family can practice together. Beyond breathing, the session covers age-appropriate movement strategies to keep every member of the family active, mobile, and resilient for life.
Attendees will leave with a measurable baseline, a 30-day family challenge, and daily habits they can start that day. Whether you're a firefighter, EMT, dispatcher, or law enforcement officer - this one is for you and the people waiting at home.

Speaker Bio: Kristy LiBritz is a Sergeant with the Maine State Police and brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, including service in rural patrol, Turnpike patrol, and her current role as Sergeant at the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory. She also serves as Commander of the Maine State Police Member Assistance Team, where her proactive leadership, creativity, and enthusiasm have helped expand and strengthen peer support initiatives across the agency.

Committed to continuous growth and professional development, Kristy has completed the FBI LEEDA Trilogy and the New England Public Safety Leadership Academy. She serves on the NESPAC Women’s Leadership Committee, the NESPAC Peer Support Leadership Team, and as Assistant Evidence Custodian for Troops A, B, and G. She has also been a guest speaker at colleges and high schools throughout Maine.

Kristy is a wife and mother of three who enjoys coaching, hiking, camping, and hunting. She is passionate about inspiring others, developing leaders, and making a positive impact within both her profession and community.

Session Title: Elephant Wellness Walk- Let address the “Elephant in the room”

Session Description: Participants will embark on a guided 3.5-mile ‘Elephant Walk’ in downtown Belfast early in the morning before the Wellness Conference. Sunrise is at 06:26 AM and the hike will take approximately 1-1.5 hours depending on group pace. This will award the participants the opportunity to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors before our day of learning officially begins. The Hawthorne Hike is a walking trail that will take participants through the downtown, waterfront, and historic district of Belfast. Upon completion, you will have walked the outline in the shape of an elephant, thus giving it its unique name. Throughout this walk, you will learn to address the ‘Elephant in the room’ and how to reach out when someone needs support. You will also learn the tools E.L.E.P.H.A.N.T as a reminder of how you can proactively make a difference in someone’s life. This session combines exercise, nature, learning, and perseverance to start your day feeling accomplished.

Speaker Bio: Jill has been a clinical therapist for 11 years. She received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling at SUNY Albany in 2015 and moved to Maine the weekend after graduation. After she married her husband, who is a Patrol Officer in Maine, she became EMDR certified and began treating and counseling First Responders; specializing in PTSD treatment. Jill is one of the only therapists who holds a certification as Emergency Responder and Public Safety Clinician (ERPSCC) in the State of Maine. She works in private practice and enjoys being her own boss. She is one of the founders of the spouse peer group and is a clinician on the York County Regional Peer Support Team. In addition, she is a Wellness and Resiliency Coordinator at the York County Regional Training Center. When she isn't working, she's spending time with her family and friends, enjoying a run through the trails, or taking a ride on her pontoon boat.

Session Title: Lost in Translation: A Workshop

Session Description: Bring your significant other or come yourself and leave with practical skills that encourage conflict prevention and clear communication techniques to instill healthy and flourishing relationships. This workshop will give each participant a straight-forward approach to the "how" behind effective communication to encourage understanding strategies that defeat communication blusters. This training is interactive and tailored to the first responder and/or their significant other.

Speaker Bio: Captain Dan Willis (ret) served with the La Mesa Police (CA) for 30 years - in part - as a crimes of violence, sexual assault, child molest, homicide detective; SWAT Commander; Academy Instructor; and Wellness Unit and Peer Support Coordinator. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy for senior police managers and he has trained over 15,000 first responders in 42 states on the topic of "Trauma Recovery, Resilience, and Wellness." He is the author of the emotional survival and wellness guidebook "Bulletproof Spirit" which has been required reading at the FBI National Academy for the past 7 years.

Session Title: Trauma Recovery, Resilience, and Wellness

Session Description: This presentation highlights the potentially crippling effects of a first responder's daily work traumas (any experience with the potential to seriously affect an officer over a long period of time) and how these work traumas can injure the brain. This can cause post-traumatic stress, suicide, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders, addictions and substance abuse, unprofessional service, excessive use of force, and several other psychological and emotionally distressing symptoms that not only limit an officer’s effectiveness – but also limits the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission. Several evidence-based strategies are discussed for the daily strengthening of resilience and for the improvement of overall physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness – which in turn increases officer safety and professional service. This presentation provides critical learning objectives to improve overall organizational wellness, efficiency, and effectiveness – as well as officer resilience and well-being.

Speaker Bio: Matt Leach is a therapist and first responder with experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through trauma, stress, and life transitions. Drawing from his background in emergency response, Matt integrates cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy–informed approaches to help clients strengthen resilience, improve communication, and foster healing and connection. He has also contributed to peer support and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) programs, with a focus on supporting first responders and their families.

Session Title: Connected Under Fire: Building Resilient Relationships in First Responder Families

Session Description: Connected Under Fire: Building Resilient Relationships in First Responder Families explores how trauma exposure, chronic stress, burnout, and emergency service culture impact relationships at home. Using principles from Emotionally Focused Therapy, this presentation helps first responders and their spouses better understand emotional withdrawal, conflict cycles, communication challenges, and the effects of operational stress on connection and intimacy.

Designed for responders, spouses, peer support teams, chaplains, and clinicians, this session provides practical, trauma-informed tools to improve communication, strengthen emotional safety, and build resilience together. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to support healthier relationships, emotional recovery, and long-term wellness both on and off duty.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Lewis Z. Schlosser, PhD, ABPP, is Managing Partner of the Institute for Forensic Psychology (IFP), a police and public safety specialty practice serving agencies across the Northeast. Board Certified in Police and Public Safety Psychology and Counseling Psychology, Dr. Schlosser has conducted more than 20,000 psychological evaluations for law enforcement and public safety personnel, including pre-employment, promotional, and fitness-for-duty assessments. A former tenured professor and Director of Psychological Services for the New York City Correction Department, he is a nationally recognized expert in officer wellness, psychological fitness, and public safety mental health. He currently serves in leadership roles with several state chiefs’ associations and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Dr. Karen Harman is a clinical and operational psychologist with more than 16 years of experience supporting military personnel, law enforcement officers, and other professionals working in high-risk environments. After beginning her career at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, she served as an active-duty Navy Operational Psychologist, including deployments to Afghanistan and aboard the USNS Comfort. She also served as a Navy SERE Psychologist in one of the military’s most demanding training programs.

Now based in Maine, Dr. Harman provides consultation, training, and operational support to public safety agencies. Her practical, strengths-based approach helps first responders build resilience, maintain peak performance, and effectively recover from the cumulative effects of operational stress and trauma.

Session Title: Performance, Readiness, and Fitness in Public Safety: The Psychological Support Continuum from Embedded to Evaluator

Session Description: Participants will learn how psychological support in public safety, from embedded and consultative roles to independent evaluators, can directly support performance, readiness, and mental health by breaking down barriers early and normalizing support long before a crisis hits. The session will focus on how having trusted, familiar psychological support helps members manage stress, think clearly under pressure, recover faster, and stay mission ready. It will also reframe evaluations and duty-status processes as tools that support recovery, safe return to duty, and long-term performance, rather than as career endpoints.

Speaker Bio: Tina and Jeff Ingemi have both been first responders and married for over 25 years with two adult children and a son-in-law. Jeff is retired law enforcement, and Tina is current EMS and a counselor for first responders. Both serve in peer support/CISM, work with How2LoveOurCops, volunteer with the Maine Weekend To Remember FamilyLife team, and are trained law enforcement chaplains. They are passionate about helping relationships grow and heal because they understand the impact that emergency response can have on couples and on their families.

Session Title: First Responder Parenting: Lessons Learned through the Joys, the Struggles, and the Healing

Session Description: Parenting is hard. Parenting in a first responder family is even harder. However, it is possible to foster healthy and hopeful family dynamics within the stressful environment of emergency response. Join Jeff and Tina as they talk about the challenges and joys of raising children, sharing the lessons they learned along the way.

Dr. Emily Genever, LCPC

Dr. Wally Fraser, LCPC

Dr. Karen Harman

Hannah Longley, LCSW

Jill Beallard, LCPC

Matt Leach, LMSW-CC