Speakers

Dr. Russell Palarea is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Operational Psychology Services (OPS). He is an internationally recognized expert on threat assessment, insider threat, protective intelligence, and counterterrorism, providing consultation in these areas to Fortune 500 corporations, global security firms, law enforcement, government agencies, and universities. Dr. Palarea also serves as the contract Operational Psychologist for the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). He was brought to DSS in 2012 to spearhead the creation of the State Department’s Threat Management Program, and currently provides threat assessment consultation to protect its leadership, facilities, and personnel. Prior to joining the private sector, Dr. Palarea served for 10 years as a staff Operational Psychologist with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), providing his expertise to the NCIS Threat Management Unit, Counterterrorism Department, and Insider Threat Program. Since 1996, Dr. Palarea has been an active participant with the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), serving as ATAP’s President from 2017-2021. Dr. Palarea holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA and a PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Ashley Bendiksen is an acclaimed international speaker, award-winning activist, and survivor turned subject matter expert in domestic, family, and sexual violence. Year-round, Ashley delivers compelling, action-driven presentations and trainings to diverse sectors, including corporate and workplace audiences, law enforcement and first responders, social services, military bases, students and youth-serving adults. Ashley's professional career spans the criminal justice system, victim services, primary prevention, policy, advocacy, public relations, and communications. With a degree in Administration of Justice from Salve Regina University, Ashley graduated with the highest possible honors as Valedictorian of her class - a remarkable feat after dropping out of a previous college due to domestic violence.  Further, Ashley has spearheaded countless advocacy initiatives, lobbied for the passage of new laws, and held critical leadership and board of director roles for dozens of major organizations. Ashley is also the founder of the Blue Hearts Project - a global storytelling platform for survivors of abuse. Additionally, she is the co-owner of Island Youth Coaching, an agency specializing in organizational consulting for at-risk youth. 

Bruno Dias, PhD, CTM, PCI, is a researcher and consultant in behavioral threat assessment and management. He has managed targeted violence prevention programs for the federal government and K-12 organizations, as well as violence prevention initiatives for a Fortune 10 company, following a distinguished law enforcement career leading a homicide and violent crimes task force. Bruno is a Certified Threat Manager; he serves on the ALATAP board and is the former vice-president of ATAP’s South Central Chapter. He holds a PhD in Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, with additional postgraduate degrees in Security Studies and Criminal Justice. Bruno is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Dr. Gabriel Maletta is a Public Safety Psychologist in Colorado, having earned his doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver. He currently works at Nicoletti-Flater Associates as part of the Threat Assessment team, where he performs direct interviews with subjects of concern. Dr. Maletta also provides clinical and consultation support to public safety organizations and is a lecturer at CU Denver, teaching on the intersection of mental illness, offenders, and the criminal justice system. Prior to his career in mental health, Dr. Maletta was a Congressional staffer focusing on national security and criminal justice issues. 

Kelly Sayre is driven to empower people to maximize their opportunities and succeed. As a speaker, she brings energy and humor to the stage, along with realistic advice that helps people live more safely. She creates meaningful connections, ignites communal engagement, and drives collaboration to improve the well-being of her clients. She is compassionate and strategic at once and works to create the bridges needed within teams and groups to create workplaces where employees feel confident and safe. That’s why she named her company, The Diamond Arrow Group. An arrow through a diamond symbolizes "courage moving forward" and her mission is to help individuals build their confidence so they can move forward and live life on their own terms. 

Mr. Fleck has a background in organizational design and has created and implemented Crisis Management and Threat Assessment Programs in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. He spent 24 years with the United States Marshals Service, with significant assignments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Joint Terrorism Task Force, and dignitary protection. He is an expert in security and behavioral threat assessment and is a Certified Threat Manager (CTM) through the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. Ray works directly with executive leadership teams to review case management strategies, response techniques, protocols, training, and internal and external communications. Ray holds a master’s degree in professional studies from the George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice with a minor in psychology from Central Washington University.

Dr. Joe Peterson was teaching oceanography at Northern Illinois University in 2008 when a gunman opened fire in his lecture hall. Now a professor of geology and paleontology at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Dr. Peterson will share his story of survival, how he overcame the tragedy to continue teaching, and how he began training others to be mentally prepared for the unimaginable.

Melissa Muir bridges the worlds of human resources and threat assessment, bringing over 25 years of experience building safety through innovative people practices. After HR leadership roles in the public sector, she now consults with organizations to implement effective prevention strategies. As a leader with the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), Melissa trains globally on building effective partnerships between security and HR, with engaging presentations from How Not to Hire a Psychopath to How to Say Goodbye. She holds an MBA from the University of Washington and a JD from Seattle University School of Law.  

Madalena DeAndrea was working for a non-profit in Los Angeles in 2018 when she went out for a night of dancing with her friends at the Borderline Bar and Grill and the unthinkable happened – a gunman came in and started shooting. Madalena was able to find safety in the attic above the bar where she stayed for the remainder of the tragedy. She now serves as the Emergency Management Specialist for Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado and shares her story of survival and resilience in the aftermath of the unimaginable. 

Jamie Hagenbaugh is a student counseling center director, psychologist, and clinical associate professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Thomas Jefferson University. He received his undergraduate degree in communications from the State University of New York at Oswego. Dr. Hagenbaugh obtained his Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology and Human Behavior along with his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. Prior to his work at Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Hagenbaugh was a college counseling center director for five years at Immaculata University. Dr. Hagenbaugh has co-authored several articles in academic journals and has presented at regional and national conferences on student mental health and threat assessment. Jamie is certified as a threat manager by the Association for Threat Assessment Professionals.

Ken Nakamura is a retired threat assessment detective with the Roseville Police Department with over 24 years of law enforcement experience. He is a Certified Threat Manger (CTM) through the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, a certified master trainer in threat assessment and threat management through the Department of Homeland Security’s National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Office and a graduate of the Gavin De Becker Advanced Threat Assessment Academy. Ken has been trained in the use of the WAVR-21, SARA-V3 and SRP. Ken currently works as an Operations Manager for a corporate global threat assessment program. 

Nathan Hance is a retired threat assessment detective with the Roseville Police Department and was a sworn officer for over 13 years. He is a Certified Threat Manager (CTM) through the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, and was a certified master trainer in threat assessment and threat management through the Department of Homeland Security’s National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Office. Nathan worked as a veteran member of his department’s peer support team and has past experience as a school resource officer involved in a school district’s multi-disciplinary threat assessment program. Nathan is certified in the use of the WAVR-21, a terrorism liaison officer (TLO), and a designated CPTED professional.