Office of Community Safety

Panel A: Human Trafficking: Multidisciplinary team approaches and recent legislative advancements  

This panel explores how multi-agency collaboration is reshaping efforts to combat human trafficking through a more unified and trauma-informed lens. Panelists will highlight the importance of building trust with survivors, adopting victim-centered strategies, and improving data-sharing across jurisdictions. Discussions will also touch on recent legislative efforts and emerging regional partnerships that aim to strengthen prevention and prosecution efforts. Attendees will hear from leaders across the spectrum of care and justice—including the Director of Human Trafficking Services at Safe Harbor, the Superintendent of Loudoun County Youth Services Center, and the Co-Founder and Therapist at Trauma and Hope—each bringing a unique perspective on how coordinated teams can drive meaningful impact in the fight against trafficking. 

Panelists:  

1. Alexandria Wall, Director of Human Trafficking Services, Safe Harbor 

Alexandria “Ali” Wall, LPC, serves as the Director of Human Trafficking Services at Safe Harbor, a non-profit organization in Henrico, Virginia, where she manages comprehensive programs for human trafficking survivors, provides case management support and court ordered assessments for minor victims of human trafficking across the state of Virginia and conducts trainings for law enforcement, community service providers and other allied professionals. Prior to joining Safe Harbor in 2022, Ali served as Human Trafficking Case Manager for the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, working closely with service agencies and law enforcement throughout the Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area (encompassing five counties) to promote a coordinated, victim-centered, and trauma informed response to juvenile human trafficking and working with juvenile victims.  Before her OAG tenure, she worked as Program Coordinator and Lead Therapist at Hallmark Youthcare, a residential treatment center, where she developed a successful clinical program for survivors of trafficking and exploitation. Alexandria's career also includes roles as an Autism Clinician, Mental Health Counselor, and Counselor in foster care transitional living programs. In 2023, she was appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Prevention.  She also serves on the Executive Advisory Board -Virginia Capital Area Human Trafficking Task Force. In January of 2024 Alexandria started her own consulting company, Wall Clinical Consulting LLC, where she sells her clinical program to treatment facilities, provides consultation to the facilities and provides training to varied professionals. Alexandria was awarded Outstanding Victim Protection in Countering Human Trafficking from Department of Homeland Security in 2024. Alexandria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Sociology with a concentration in Childhood and Youth from George Mason University, as well as a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. 

 

2. Michelle Smith, Superintendent, Loudoun County Youth Services Center 

Michelle Smith is the Superintendent of the Loudoun County Youth Services Center in Leesburg, VA. The Youth Services Center is comprised of a 20 bed Juvenile Detention Center, a 16 bed staff secure Youth Shelter and Youth and Family Resource Center. Michelle works with delinquent youth detained by the court as well as youth placed in alternative programs providing them a wide range of services with the goal of providing the youth and family support and guidance in order for them to become productive citizens. 

Michelle has worked in the youth services field for over 30 years; first working in a private residential facility then the bulk of her time, 28 years with Loudoun County. Through her career Michelle has focused on building a variety of programs and services for youth and families of the community. Michelle works very closely with partners within Loudoun County Government, law enforcement, as well as community partners to develop and implement solutions to address juvenile justice and youth services concerns. 

As a member of the newly formed Youth Services Department for Loudoun County Michelle serves on many committees which focus on youths involvement in gangs and human trafficking as well as efforts to reduce disproportionate disparities within the juvenile justice system. Michelle has chaired the Loudoun County Youth Prevention Task force for the last 8 years and has led the JDAI initiative for Loudoun County during her career. 

Michelle mantra is “We don’t have bad youth rather we have youth who have made bad choices. It is our job to teach them good choices while we have them.” 

Michelle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Radford University in Radford VA. Michelle was one of the 2024 recipients of the Thrasher Award for Superior Accomplishments in Gang Intervention. 

 

3. Deepa Patel, Co-Founder and Therapist, Trauma and Hope 

Deepa Patel is the Co-Founder of Trauma and Hope and training consultant. Trauma and Hope is a government contracted mental health agency that specifically focuses towards survivors of violence, exploitation, gang prevention and intervention, and sex offender assessments and treatment. Trauma and Hope serves between 150-175 individuals monthly. Deepa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP) and a Gang Specialist through the National Gang Crime Research Center. Deepa draws from range of therapeutic approaches to support individuals and families. She specializes in developmental trauma, complex trauma and mood disorders.  She uses trauma-focused modalities to support  traumatized individuals and families. Deepa is clinically trained in modalities such as Havening, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Progressive Counting (PC). She has extensive experience in the field of trauma and been in the field since the early 2000’s. 
 
Deepa has developed a proficient style of work with high risk and those managing complex trauma. Through her understanding and clinical devotion to her clients, she has widened her competency to develop a training program for professionals related to human trafficking. SETTS, Sexual Exploitation Treatment and Training Services, provides a multidisciplinary clinical approach to screening, addressing, and treating those impacted by human trafficking, perpetrators of sex crimes, and essentials in collaboration. SETTS Curriculum has been utilized as a foundational level training throughout Virginia and in 2020 a partnership formed with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to train public and private providers. Her training and expertise is often sought by county, state and federal agencies. In addition, she sits on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Family Advocacy Outreach Network, a member of the Loudoun County Human Trafficking Task Force and Specialized MDT, and a member of the Prince William Human Trafficking Task Force and MDT. Deepa is Adjunct Professor at Marymount University Forensic and Legal Psychology (FLP) Graduate Program where she teaches on Psychopathology and Sexual Violence and Exploitation. This year Deepa was selected for the 2025 FLP Adjunct Professor of the Year. 

 

4. Tiffany DiBenedetto, Trafficking Prevention Specialists, Prince William County Public Schools

Ms. Tiffany DiBenedetto received her master's degree in social work with a focus on children, youth, and families from George Mason University. Ms. DiBenedetto also has a master's degree in forensic psychology with an emphasis on assessment and treatment from Argosy University. She worked closely with victim services, law enforcement, and prosecutors at the Commonwealth Attorney's Office after earning her paralegal certification. She has over ten years of experience working with at-risk youth in Prince William County Public Schools and has developed a strong passion for helping young adults, teens, and their families. Ms. DiBenedetto is currently the Human Trafficking Prevention Specialist for Prince William County Public Schools, a role she began in November 2023. She also practices therapy, providing counseling services to teenagers and young adults who have experienced trauma.  

Jamala Williams, Trafficking Prevention Specialists, Prince William County Public Schools  

Ms. Jamala Williams is a Human Trafficking Prevention Specialist at Prince William County Schools, based at Gar-Field High School, a role she began in August 2024. She has over five years of experience working with high-needs foster care youth in Alexandria DSS, specializing in frequent runaways as well as three years of experience as a relief residential counselor at a girls group home. A passionate advocate for youth empowerment and community strengthening, Ms. Williams holds a degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her expertise includes crisis intervention, safety planning, and supporting vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals and sexually exploited youth, in collaboration with various agencies and law enforcement. 

 

5. Detective Abigale McLaughlin, Prince William County Police Department, Special Victims Bureau, NOVA/DC ICAC Task Force  

Detective McLaughlin has been a police officer with the Prince William County Police Department since 2016. She began her career as a patrol officer in the Eastern District of the county and is currently assigned as a detective in the Special Victims Bureau. She is a member of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force as well as part of the NOVA-DC Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.   

 

 

Panel B: Fire and Emergency Services: GIS Data and Coordinated Response

This session explores how innovations across multiple organizations are transforming decision-making within fire and emergency services. From community-based care initiatives to advanced data integration and cutting-edge Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, agencies are finding smarter ways to respond to emergencies. By combining real-time data with mapped critical infrastructure and hazard zones, fire and EMS professionals can act faster and more strategically—before, during, and after an incident. Panelists include experts in EMS operations, community coordinated care, fire department leadership, Data integration product and development as well as geospatial analytics.  Attendees will gain insight into how these tools are improving response times, identifying vulnerable communities, and enhancing coordination during high-risk, multi-agency events.

Panelists:

1. Debbie Galligan, Director of Product and Development, First Watch Solutions

Deb is a dynamic leader in public safety innovation, serving as Director of Product Development at FirstWatch Solutions. With over 30 years of experience in mission-critical software design, her diverse background—from EMT and 911 Telecommunicator to product strategist for Telephony, CAD, Mobile, RMS, and custom data systems—provides invaluable insights into the needs of public safety teams and communities. 

At FirstWatch, Deb guides product development, aligning user needs with powerful, data-driven solutions to enable emergency services to respond swiftly and effectively. She collaborates closely with clients, focusing on delivering tools that support critical life-saving and quality improvement decisions. 

Deb also served as Technology Chair for the EMS Compass Initiative, developing performance measures to enhance EMS system performance. 

Outside of her professional role, Deb actively advocates for her community. She has held leadership positions with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and currently dedicates her efforts to supporting senior citizens. Married for 38 years with two daughters, Deb values family time, travel, and creating lasting memories. 

 

2. Assistant Chief Joshua Parish, Milwaukee Fire Department

Assistant Chief Joshua Parish has worked for the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) for 25 years, splitting his time between suppression, EMS, and administration. In his current role, he oversees the Support Bureau that manages the department's HR, Finance, intergovernmental operations, facilities/vehicles, technical services, and the MFD recruiting section. After starting at a local technical college as an adult college student, Chief Parish completed his undergraduate education in public health at UNC and holds dual master’s degrees in behavioral science and public health from the London School of Economics and Northern Illinois University respectively. 

Chief Parish began his career as a fire cadet and worked in suppression for a few years before training as a paramedic and adding special operations to his resume. He authored the department’s recruiting and cadet training programs, leaning heavily on adolescent social psychology and the emerging field of behavioral economics. After successfully utilizing similar tactics to build a general recruitment list, Chief Parish functioned as the Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services through the COVID pandemic and in 2020, Chief Parish was promoted to Assistant Chief. 

Chief Parish is a proxy and public data enthusiast, who in his current role, builds and manages relationships with a variety of community and academic partners, and works on the occasional applied research project. He was involved in creating the department's partnership with the UW-Milwaukee Human Performance Lab, as well as the city opioid response, and public health-focused gun violence response, and continues to develop and consult on projects with other city agencies, academic bodies, and a variety of community partners. Chief Parish sits on the city’s deferred compensation board, focusing on member interactions, and the leadership team of the Health Equity Scholars Program at Medical College of Wisconsin. He’s worked on workforce programs with the public school district, as well as a program to automate student trauma incident identification. Chief Parish’s true passion is connecting people and ideas across seemingly dissimilar fields. 

 

3. Environmental Systems Research Institute

Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., doing business as Esri, is an American multinational geographic information system (GIS) software company headquartered in Redlands, California. It is best known for its ArcGIS products. With 45% market share as of 2015, Esri is one of the world's leading suppliers of GIS software, web GIS, local intelligence, and geodatabase management applications.

 

4. Amal Hajjami, Senior Public Safety Analyst, Criminal Justice Services

Amal Hajjami is the Senior Public Safety Analyst for Prince William County Criminal Justice Services. She uses R, Python, and GIS to analyze trends in pretrial supervision, probation, and community risk. Amal holds an MBA from the University of Maryland and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering at Binghamton University, focusing on data-driven, evidence-based approaches to justice system improvement. 

 

Discussion: Innovations in Policing: New Strategies Advancing Community Safety

This forward-looking panel highlights how emerging technologies, and scientific breakthroughs transform modern policing and public safety. From forensic anthropology to the surprising use of environmental science—like honeybees detecting human remains—attendees will get a firsthand look at how creative, evidence-based practices are advancing investigations and reshaping crime-solving strategies. Experts from George Mason University’s Forensic Science Program, local police departments, and community-based violence intervention programs will share real-world case studies and discuss how research, field application, and innovation are coming together to build safer communities. This session also spotlights the role of GMU’s Body Farm in training and research, offering a rare glimpse into cutting-edge forensic science in action. 

Speaker:

1. Mary Ellen O’Toole, Program Director, George Mason University Forensic Department 

Dr. Mary Ellen O’Toole is the Director of the Forensic Science Program at George Mason University. This is one of the most preeminent forensic science programs in the United States, which provides both graduate and undergraduate degrees in Forensic Science. She directs a faculty of experts in a wide range of sciences including Forensic Biology (DNA), Chemistry, Biometrics, Forensic Anthropology, and Crime Scene Investigation. Dr. O’Toole is a full time Professor at GMU and teaches courses in critical thinking and the assessment of violent crime scene behavior.

Prior to coming to GMU, Dr. O’Toole served as an FBI Special Agent for nearly 28 years. For more than half of that time, she worked in the Bureau’s prestigious Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), the Unit featured in the hit TV series Criminal Minds. As one of the senior agents in the BAU, Dr. O’Toole consulted on many of the FBI’s highest profile and most complex criminal cases.

Dr. O’Toole was the Principal Investigator for the FBI’s research on school and mass shootings and the primary author of the FBI’s publication: A School Shooting: A Threat Assessment Perspective, which has been used throughout the world as a guide to assess and evaluate threats in all levels of
schools and to understand the mass shooter’s behavior during the crime.

Dr. O’Toole is the author of the book Dangerous Instincts: How Gut Feelings Betray Us and is the Editor-in-Chief of Violence & Gender an international peer reviewed journal. She is a media consultant and regularly appears on all major cable networks, as well as in print media.

Dr. O’Toole holds a PhD from Golden Gate University in San Francisco in Public Administration, a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from. Southern Illinois University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Illinois University.

 

Trauma Informed Wellness Session: A

Trauma-informed wellness session, providing participants with an opportunity to learn tools for stress management, resilience and self-care in high-pressure public safety and crisis response roles.  

Monica Carlier, CORE PT Pilates

• Chair yoga, guided meditation, or stress management techniques 

Monica was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia and has lived in the United States since 2001.Monica’s fitness journey didn’t start until she had her first baby in 2007. “I never worried about my weight until I had kids” and the weight did not come off easily. It was then when she decided to give fitness and nutrition a chance. Monica discovered a passion for fitness and loves to share that passion and knowledge. She is a comprehensively trained Pilates Instructor from Polestar Pilates, a certified personal trainer and nutrition specialist, yoga instructor, TRX, and weight management certified among others. 

Monica’s philosophies are “everyday, I get to do something I love and make an impact on people’s lives” and “Motivation come from within, no one can hand it to you, but no one can take it away either”. She loves to eat fresh to nourish her body, mind and spirit. “Let food be your medicine”. 

Monica is one of CORE’s primary trainers and has been with CORE for 9 years now. She enjoys many activities; especially anything she can do with her kids including rock climbing, rowing, Taekwondo, playing soccer or basketball (which she is really bad at). She loves to watch movies with the family and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends. Monica is a very proud martial arts student and is pursuing her black belt at Tae kwon do. 

 

Trauma Informed Wellness Session: B

Trauma-informed wellness session, providing participants with an opportunity to learn tools for stress management, resilience and self-care in high-pressure public safety and crisis response roles.  

Henna Ihsan, Healthy Henny

• Sound Bath & Meditation

Henna Ihsan offers meditation experiences through guided meditation and sound baths for groups, businesses, and individuals. She also provides 1:1 energy alignment sessions that combine Reiki and tuning fork therapy to support deep rest, release tension, and restore energetic and physical balance. Her work creates a peaceful, grounding space where clients can reset both body and mind. 

 

Panel A: Gang Response and Community Violence Intervention 

This panel explores effective strategies and multidisciplinary approaches to address gang activity and reduce community violence. Experts from law enforcement, public health, community-based organizations, and education will discuss evidence-based intervention models, prevention strategies, and real-world successes in disrupting cycles of violence. The panel will highlight the importance of collaboration, youth engagement, trauma-informed practices, and culturally relevant responses in fostering safer, more resilient communities.

Panelists:

1. GRIT Network, Robert “Tito” Vilchez, Arlington County  

Vilchez currently chairs the Arlington County Gang Prevention Task Force. He also serves on the Leadership Team for the 17th District Court Services Unit. Vilchez has over 20 years of experience working with gang-involved and at-risk youth. He was a member of the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force from 2005 - 2022. He works with federal, state, and local agencies assisting with prevention and intervention efforts to reduce gang activity. Vilchez is fluent in English and Spanish and is a regular conference speaker and analyst at various trainings in the U.S. and Central America. His expertise has been featured on National Public Radio, Univision, Telemundo, and FOX Morning News. 

Vilchez is a 2009 graduate of The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2013, a selected participant from the Central American Community Impact Exchange program sponsored by the FBI, State Department, and White House, and a 2016 graduate of Leadership Arlington. Vilchez serves as the Chair of the Board of Juvenile Justice, appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2017. 

 

2. Kate Reen, Northern Virginia Family Services (non-profit)  

Kate Reen is the Director of Youth Initiatives at Northern Virginia Family Service.  Kate is a social worker who worked in intercountry adoption and therapeutic foster care prior to her current role. Youth Initiatives provides mental health, therapeutic case management, and group services to youth exposed to violence, youth at risk of gang involvement, and recently immigrated youth.  Kate has overseen the Intervention, Prevention, and Education (IPE), a gang intervention and prevention program, since 2012.   

 

3. Roberto Gomez, Cornerstone Craftsman (non-profit)  

Roberto Gomez owns Even Scale, a home remodeling business in the West End of Alexandria City, and is a youth advocate and a regular presence in underserved communities. Gomez recently launched Cornerstone Craftsman, a nonprofit born out of his passion for service and to address a growing need due to increased juvenile crime rates, gang activity, substance abuse, and school absenteeism in the region. Cornerstone Craftsman trains and mentors young men and women (ages 13-17) in the skilled trades in Alexandria City. He also serves on the Alexandria City Gang Task Force, the Sheriff's Community Advisory Board, the Alexandria Community Safety Forum, the Alexandria Police Foundation, and the ACPS CTE Advisory Committee. In May 2024, Roberto was named as an Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (Chamber ALX) 40 Under 40 honoree. 

 

4. Deepa Patel, Trauma and Hope (private)  

Deepa Patel is the Co-Founder of Trauma and Hope and training consultant. Trauma and Hope is a government contracted mental health agency that specifically focuses towards survivors of violence, exploitation, gang prevention and intervention, and sex offender assessments and treatment. Trauma and Hope serves between 150-175 individuals monthly. Deepa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP) and a Gang Specialist through the National Gang Crime Research Center. Deepa draws from range of therapeutic approaches to support individuals and families. She specializes in developmental trauma, complex trauma and mood disorders.  She uses trauma-focused modalities to support  traumatized individuals and families. Deepa is clinically trained in modalities such as Havening, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Progressive Counting (PC). She has extensive experience in the field of trauma and been in the field since the early 2000’s.  
  
Deepa has developed a proficient style of work with high risk and those managing complex trauma. Through her understanding and clinical devotion to her clients, she has widened her competency to develop a training program for professionals related to human trafficking. SETTS, Sexual Exploitation Treatment and Training Services, provides a multidisciplinary clinical approach to screening, addressing, and treating those impacted by human trafficking, perpetrators of sex crimes, and essentials in collaboration. SETTS Curriculum has been utilized as a foundational level training throughout Virginia and in 2020 a partnership formed with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services to train public and private providers. Her training and expertise is often sought by county, state and federal agencies. In addition, she sits on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Family Advocacy Outreach Network, a member of the Loudoun County Human Trafficking Task Force and Specialized MDT, and a member of the Prince William Human Trafficking Task Force and MDT. Deepa is Adjunct Professor at Marymount University Forensic and Legal Psychology (FLP) Graduate Program where she teaches on Psychopathology and Sexual Violence and Exploitation. This year Deepa was selected for the 2025 FLP Adjunct Professor of the Year.  

 

 

Panel B: Strengthening Cross-Agency Collaboration

This panel explores how cross-agency data-sharing creates more coordinated, effective responses to community safety and public health challenges. Panelists will discuss the growing role of platforms and the importance of well-structured memoranda of understanding (MOUs) in facilitating secure information exchange. From emergency response to behavioral health interventions, attendees will learn how jurisdictions are breaking down silos and using shared data to better serve vulnerable populations, improve outcomes, and streamline operations. Speakers will also share real-world insights into building trust across sectors and sustaining long-term collaboration.

Panelists:  

1. Diane Anderson, DrPH, MPH, Prince William Health District (Community Healthcare Coalition of Greater Prince William) 

Diane M. Anderson, MPH, DrPH is currently serving as Population Health Supervisor and Lead Epidemiologist at the Prince William Health District, which is part of the Virginia Department of Health. She is also Co-Chair of the Community Healthcare Coalition of Greater Prince William. She directed operations, research design and analysis, and resource procurement for the implementation of the 2024-2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA) conducted in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Dr. Anderson believes equity driven community work to address the social determinants of health to improve health outcomes requires community member voice and community partner engagement to inform strategies at the local level. Dr. Anderson received both her B.A. in History of Science and Medicine and her M.P.H. in Chronic Disease Epidemiology from Yale University. She received her Dr.P.H. in Health Behavior from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. As a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, Dr. Anderson enjoys kayaking on the Occoquan River and hiking local trails with her husband, toddler, and dog. 

 

2. Heather Baxter, PWC Behavioral Health Manager, Emergency Services 

Heather Baxter is the Behavioral Health Program Manager for Emergency Services in Prince William County. She manages operations for community services programs such as discharge planning, emergency services, community response teams, and the crisis assessment center. Heather is the lead in Prince William County for the roll out of the Marcus Alert initiative. Heather is a licensed professional counselor with 15 years of experience managing inpatient psychiatric facilities and 24/7 response programs. She is a crisis intervention team trainer and serves an active role in training law enforcement within Greater Prince William County. 

 

3. Heather Martinsen, Wellness and Prevention Manage

Heather Martinsen is currently the Wellness & Prevention Manager at Prince William County Community Services. She is a Certified Prevention Specialist and has worked in the field of substance use prevention and mental health promotion for over twenty-five years. The Wellness & Prevention team works to prevent addiction and suicides with data-driven, collaborative strategies. Heather works diligently in the community, building partnerships to increase resources and initiatives focused on underage and high-risk drinking, drug use, gambling, tobacco, mental health issues, suicide prevention and family wellness. Heather truly believes in a holistic approach to mental health focused on the intersection of trauma, social determinants of health, mental health, and substance use. She emphasizes the importance of hope, recovery, and connection in all her work and strives to empower everyone to be that one caring, competent person to make a difference. Heather is the Chairperson of the Community Coalitions of Virginia, represents the VA CSB Prevention Council on the Public Policy Council, is a member of the Governor’s Addiction and Recovery Council and is a Regional Advisory Board Member for VFHY. She earned her undergraduate degree as a first-generation college student from Mary Washington College and her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

 

4. TJ Rodriguez, Community Vitality Officer | Community Services Unit  

Master Police Officer T.J. Rodriquez has honorably served the City of Manassas Police Department for 27 years. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held key roles including Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, and both Patrol and Investigative Supervisor. 

In January 2021, Officer Rodriquez was appointed as the department’s Community Vitality Officer (CVO), a visionary role established to advance 21st-century policing through innovative, community-based strategies. In this capacity, he has become a driving force behind efforts to strengthen relationships, proactively address at-risk behaviors, and enhance public safety through education and collaboration. 

Officer Rodriquez has designed and led several initiatives rooted in these principles, focusing strongly on youth and parental engagement. His signature program, the Parent E3 Series, is a model of modern community policing. Built to Engage, Educate, and Empower parents, the series equips families with tools to support youth as they navigate challenges while reducing risk factors and improving long-term outcomes. The program’s impact has been widely recognized, earning the Public Safety Innovator Award from the Virginia Municipal League in October 2023 and the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing from the U.S. Department of Justice in December 2024. 

Guided by the Guardian Mindset, Officer Rodriquez promotes a public safety philosophy rooted in trust, education, and meaningful partnerships. His work represents evidence-based, proactive, compassionate, and solutions-oriented community-centered policing, setting a powerful example for the future of law enforcement. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Human Services and Family Counseling, both from Liberty University. 

 

5. Sarah Henry, Director of Outreach and Partnerships  

Sarah Henry is the Director of Community Outreach & Partnerships for the Prince William County Transformation Management Office. She believes that community engagement is a fundamental building block for local government. Sarah has worked within the Prince William Area local government for over 20 years, first in Manassas Park Parks and Recreation and then with the Prince William Area Agency on Aging. Sarah is a Certified Public Manager, a Prosci Change Management Practitioner and a Certified Parks & Recreation Professional.  She holds a BS in Recreation, Parks and Tourism from Radford University, Waldron College of Health & Human Services. 

 

 

Panel A: Domestic Violence and Fatality Review – Building a Coordinated Response

This session brings together leaders in coordinated response teams, public policy, and leading initiatives to explore how multidisciplinary teams can respond more effectively to domestic violence. Panelists will discuss the evolution and impact of fatality review teams, how jurisdictions are using risk mapping to identify and intervene in high-risk situations, and the role of data in shaping prevention efforts. The panelists highlight innovative strategies being implemented in Northern Virginia and across the nation to improve legal responses, strengthen family protections, and foster cross-agency collaboration. Attendees will gain insight from professionals representing Fairfax County, the Center for Effective Public Policy, and the Arizona State University Family Violence Center offering a unique lens on coordinated community response.

Panel:  

1. Stacy Ziebell, Program Manager, Prevention, Education & Coordination, Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, Fairfax County

Stacy Ziebell, Program Manager for Prevention, Education, and Coordination Services with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, a division of the Department of Family Services, Fairfax County Government.  

Stacy Ziebell also serves as the coordinator for the Fairfax County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team. Her work focuses on enhancing the community's response to sexual and domestic violence, human trafficking, and stalking, through comprehensive prevention programs, educational initiatives, and community engagement efforts. 

Stacy brings a wealth of international experience to her role, having previously served as an advisor with the European Monitoring Mission in the Republic of Georgia, where she was instrumental in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Her extensive career includes work on domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking both at home and abroad in the UK, the Caucasus, and East Africa. She holds an MA in Human Rights from the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London. Outside of her professional endeavors, Stacy enjoys dancing, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her family, including her 11-year-old twins and their delightful menagerie of animals. 

 

2. Keilah Joyner- Program Associate at Center for Effective Public Policy

Keilah Joyner supports CEPP’s National Resource Center on Justice-Involved Women, including the Gender-Informed Practices Assessment and Gender-Responsive Policy and Practices Assessment initiatives. She also provides programmatic and training support to CEPP’s Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research project. 

Ms. Joyner has worked in different capacities in the criminal justice system and on criminal justice policy for the last decade. Previously, she held positions with the Florida Commission on Offender Review, where she analyzed data to detect trends in crime and provided case information to inform parole and probation decisions. She has worked with nonprofit organizations, including Ayuda and the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, to provide operational, programmatic, and research support. Additionally, Ms. Joyner has served in a direct service capacity with at-risk and vulnerable girls in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Hampton University (Virginia), a Master of Science degree in Criminology, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. 

 

3. Mark Perkovich, Associate Director, Family Violence Center, ASU 

Mark Perkovich is a Chicago native who relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, in the Summer of 1986. Mark completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. Mark also attended Northwestern University’s School of Police and Command and the Drug Unit Commanders Academy at the DEA in Quantico, Virginia.  Mark was hired by the City of Tempe Police Department where he served for over twenty years and held a variety of positions to include Patrol Officer, Homicide Detective, Homicide Sergeant, and ultimately a Division Commander assigned to Investigations. While having been involved with fatality review work since 2012, at the local level, and since being hired as the Associate Director of the Family Violence Center in 2019, Mark has worked extensively with expanding victim’s rights within the courtroom, has co-led the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative with Dr. Neil Websdale, and has dedicated extensive time to the training of law enforcement professionals in the Arizona intimate Partner Risk Assessment Instrument System (APRAIS). 

 

 

Panel B: Public Safety Communications: Coordinated Response

Effective emergency response begins with strong communication and the people behind the headsets and radios. This panel highlights the latest innovations in public safety communications, focusing on how 911 centers and first responder agencies are adapting to workforce challenges and community expectations. With perspectives from seasoned professionals in emergency communications, attendees will gain valuable insight into how agencies are evolving to meet today’s demands while preparing for the next generation of public safety technology and talent.

Panel:  

1. Tracy Zingg, Public Safety Communications, Assistant Director

Tracy started her career with Prince William County 911 in 1995. After consolidation, Tracy moved up the ranks to reach Public Safety Communications Manager in January 2015 and Assistant Director of Operations in May 2021.  She was a volunteer EMT and Paramedic for many years and volunteered locally in Manassas City and Prince William County. She is a DCJS General Instructor, CTO Instructor and EMD Instructor and was previously the Training Coordinator for PWC.   

In addition to her duties as Assistant Director, Tracy serves on several committees, teams, and boards in and outside of PWC.  She is an active board member of both Team Prince William Inc and Law Enforcement United; two non-profit organizations that bring awareness and support to the families of fallen law enforcement officers.  She is also an active board member of the local Prince William County Police Association serving as a civilian Director at Large.  Tracy serves as Secretary, conference chair and legislative committee for the Virginia Chapter of NENA Board of Directors. Tracy has been involved in State Legislation and lobbying in Richmond on behalf of Virginia 911 centers for a bill to provide enhanced retirement benefits through VRS and a bill to get 911 Telecommunicators reclassified to a protective services occupation as first responders.  While this continues to be a work in progress, Tracy is committed to enhancing the lives and work environments of 911 Centers across Virginia. 

 

2. Nathan Leazer, PWC Police Co-Responder Unit  

Nate is a Police Co-Responder, Crisis Negotiator, and CIT Instructor in Prince William County, Virginia, with over 16 years of law enforcement experience. With a background bridging behavioral health and public safety, he specializes in de-escalation, threat assessment, and integrated crisis response. Nate plays a key role in developing collaborative intervention models that emphasize safety, empathy, and resolution.

 

3. Kym Ludwig, Community Service Board Clinician  

Kym is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has worked for Prince William Community Services for 5 years.  Kym received her B.S. in Psychology from Old Dominion University and her MSW from Catholic University. She has worked with children and teens in foster care, supervised a group home for boys 11-21 yrs old, provided therapy in Crisis Stabilization Units, is one of the mental health consultants on the Prince William County and City of Manassas Negotiator Teams and currently is the direct supervisor for the Co-Responder Clinicians.