Speakers

As a retired First Responder with a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sara works with first responders ready to acknowledge the impact of frontline trauma on their mind and body by incorporating tools and techniques from both Eastern and Western healing modalities to help them reclaim health and vitality – a sense of being alive. As an intuitive excavator, Sara uses her insatiable curiosity and love of learning to investigate chronic health issues and assist both individuals and agencies process stress and trauma to bring systems into balance. With a consistently expanding knowledge framework, Sara is able to creatively problem solve persistent systemic health symptoms activated by stress on and off the job. Sara combines her career experience as a Family Behavioral Therapist, Juvenile Probation Officer, and a 9-1-1 Dispatcher with her training as a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner to meet first responders where they are mentally, emotionally and physically. A dynamic and diverse career has led Sara to her passion space of creating individualized wellness plans, strategic trainings, and consulting with agencies to create functional wellness programing; ultimately empowering first responders to practically put their mask on first.

Amber Cass started at Denver 9-1-1 in 2016 as an Emergency Communications Technician (call-taker), and very quickly joined their Peer Support Team. She has since been promoted to Workforce Management Analyst (scheduler), but has maintained the admiration for those still “in the trenches.” As co-coordinators, she and Jessica have made it their mission to create a passionate, robust, and proactive Peer Support Team. The team should not just show up when crisis hits. They need to be advocates for a positive culture that fosters resilience and ensures that the PSAP’s most valuable asset (the people) are mentally and physically healthy, happy and understand how important and appreciated they are.

Ryan Chambers has 17 years of Public Safety Experience as an Emergency Communication Specialist, CTO, and Fire Captain. After many years under the headset, Ryan took his passion for training to the Denise Amber Lee Foundation as he joined Nathan Lee’s mission to educate and motivate public safety. After traveling to 47 states and teaching thousands of dispatchers, Ryan was awarded with the 2018 and 2023 National NENA president’s award and the 2018 Texas APCO president’s award for influence and contributions to the industry. Today, Ryan still presents training with the Denise Amber Lee Foundation and is a past NC NENA President. Ryan currently holds the role of Account Executive with Mindbase- Proactive Mental Health.

Dr. Conn is a former police officer, as well as the daughter and wife of police officers, and currently works as a Licensed Psychologist, specializing in police stress, trauma, work-life balance, coping, and resilience. Stephanie is Board Certified as a Police & Public Safety psychologist. She has 28 years of combined experience working in the first responder field. She began as a dispatcher/call-taker before becoming an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department and then earning her doctorate in Counseling Psychology. She supports first responder agencies with CISM, peer support, and mental health training. She is the author of Increasing Resilience in Police and Emergency Personnel.

Charles Hedgespeth is a fourth-generation police officer with over 14 years of experience in public service. Additionally, he has been an adjunct instructor at local colleges for 12 years. Charles received his Bachelor of Arts from Lindsey Wilson College and his Master of Science from the University of Central Missouri. Over Charles' law enforcement career, he has served as a state fitness coordinator, post-level fitness coordinator, field training officer, and accident reconstructionist. His career has been decorated with awards and recognition, including Trooper of the Year, Commissioner's Accommodation Award, Outstanding Instructor Award, multiple commendations, and multiple Governor Occupant Protection awards. Charles is currently assigned to the training academy at the rank of Lieutenant serving as the primary wellness instructor. At his current assignment, he has trained 100s of cadets in basic training, 100s of telecommunicators, and nearing 3,000 sworn law enforcement officers through in-service training.

Arielle is a former corrections officer turned holistic practitioner with over a decade of experience blending trauma-informed care and body-mind practices. With a Bachelor’s in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from South Dakota State University, Arielle discovered the transformative power of yoga while working in corrections, using it as a tool to stay grounded and true to her values in a high-stress environment. Now the founder of Tranquility Rising in Cincinnati, OH, Arielle specializes in Thai yoga therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired practices, and trauma resolution techniques. She is a certified 500-hour yoga instructor, NARM practitioner, and Aufstellung facilitator, with additional expertise in reflexology, Gua Sha, and herbal compress therapy. Her unique approach integrates somatic energy release and functional health principles to support resilience and healing for individuals and groups. Arielle combines firsthand experience in high-pressure settings with a holistic toolkit to empower others to reconnect with their inner strength and navigate stress with clarity and compassion.

Jessica Tresch has been part of the Denver 9-1-1 team since 2015, with experience as both a call taker and an operations supervisor. Over the past few years, she has developed a deep passion for supporting her colleagues behind the headsets, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to better serve the community. Jessica is dedicated to advancing mental health, peer support, and resilience initiatives within the 9-1-1 field—believing they are essential not only for personal well-being but also for improving retention in the profession. She views this as a pivotal moment for the industry, where collaboration and a focus on training, connection, and teamwork can strengthen the entire 9-1-1 system.