Sherrie Allsup Founder

Courage Starts With You

Sherrie is an international speaker, an educator, and an advocate on the topics of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and suicide. Sherrie is a survivor of long-term sexual abuse, trauma, and suicide attempt. After much hard work and healing Sherrie became the founder and CEO of Courage Starts With You. She now travels and shares her story to shine a light on the lifelong challenges that sexual abuse and trauma leave behind Sherrie’s training centers around shining a light on the dark epidemic of sexual abuse and assault.  She is a member of RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest, and Neglect Network).   

Sherrie is the Founder of “Courage Starts with You.”  For victims, Courage means telling someone and reaching out for help.  For law enforcement, Courage means looking beyond traditional victim interview techniques to recognize how and why victims of assault may act differently than victims of other crimes. 

Vereen Barton, MAFP, MPhil Assistant Division Chief, Director of Recruiting, Criminal Investigation And the Office of Accountability and Oversight

Maryland-National Capital Park Police

Assistant Chief Dr. Vereen Barton received her Doctorate in Forensic Psychology in February 2023 and is the first female Park Police Officer to earn her Doctorate. She is an animal lover and a proud dog mom of two Pomeranians, Beenie and Gunnar. She has committed her life to serving others through education and mentorship. Her contribution to positive social change is her research on the Lived Experiences of Civilian Review Board Members. Dr. Barton knew she was called to serve and has passionately done so for over 25 years. Her path has been guided by visionaries like Aurora Lola Baldwin, the first sworn female full-time police officer in the United States in 1908; Isabella Goodwin, the first female detective in 1912 and Penny Harrington first female to lead major police department in1985 co-founder of the National Center for Women and Policing inspired her. Dr. Barton is a true trailblazer for women in law enforcement and leadership. Dr. Barton is a proud Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated member and lives the Motto Greater Service, Greater progress daily.

Sam Blonder CEO

Epic Recruiting

Sam Blonder received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in classic film techniques from the Savannah College of Art and Design. In 2004, he co-founded Epic and has spent the last 17 years growing this dynamic agency into a creative powerhouse. Under Sam's leadership Epic will continue to be a industry leader, expanding its services while deftly reaching into new markets. In 2011 Epic expanded into law enforcement recruiting. This marriage of top flight creative with targeted digital recruiting is a perfect fit for law enforcement as well as a personally rewarding way to work with the men and women of law enforcement.

Mike Boward Sergeant

Fort Collins Police

Andrea (Ana) Brun Recruiting Manager

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department

Dawn Carpenter Sergeant, Recruitment Services Section Supervisor

Pennsylvania State Police

Mary L. Gausman Lieutenant, Recruitment Services Section Commander Bureau of Training and Education

Pennsylvania State Police

Elisha Gibbs Sergeant, Recruitment and Community Relations

Mesa Police Department

Alex Johnston Chief Creative Officer

Epic Recruiting

Alex Johnston began his production career straight out of college. After receiving his degree from Northern Arizona University, Alex obtained a job as Promotions Producer for a CBS affiliate. After fine-tuning his writing, editing, and production skills, Alex co-founded Epic. At Epic, every day begins with a challenge, and ends with a creative solution. Above all, Alex enjoys the relationship he has with his clients, and discovering new and innovative ways to tell their stories.

Mandie Kelel Marriage and Family Therapist

Contract Therapist with North Las Vegas Police Department

Mandie Kelel has been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Nevada since 2005, where she works with individuals, couples and families in private practice. During her time as a therapist, she has held many different positions. Mandie has been contracted with the North Las Vegas Police Department since 2010 (working with officers, dispatchers, support staff and family members), where she uses her training in CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) with officer-involved shootings. During her time working with the North Las Vegas Police Department, she has spent countless hours working with individuals and couples on finding a better work / life balance, more job satisfaction, and creating and maintaining healthy relationships in and out of work.

Another of Ms. Kelel’s passions lies in women and leadership roles, which is what led her to become a certified facilitator of Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly™ curriculum in 2018 and Dare to Lead™ Curriculum in 2020. Mandie has helped teams and individuals find their voices through “rumbling with vulnerability” and "living into our values,” which has led many in finding their path to becoming stronger and more daring leaders. Most recently, Mandie Kelel was the Keynote Speaker at the 2022 Women in Health Care Leadership Conference, presenting on Reducing Burnout by Living into Your Values.

Michelle McAllister Detective, Police Personnel Background Investigator

Prince William County Police Department

Detective Michelle McAllister has over 17 years of law enforcement experience. She received a college degree in Criminal Justice. Detective McAllister began her law enforcement career as a patrol officer for five years, then became a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Division serving the in the Property Crimes, and Special Victims Unit. During this time, she was a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for 4 ½ years. Detective McAllister later went to the Special Investigations Bureau and served on the Northern Virginia Gang Task Force for five years. Currently Detective McAllister is a background investigator for the Personnel Bureau. Detective McAllister is a three-time recipient of the Valor Awards, two-time recipient of the Prince William County Executive award, and numerous agency recognitions for her investigative work. Detective McAllister also has received Congressional recognition, meritorious action, and Public Service awards from the U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of Virginia for her federal undercover and prosecutorial work.

Mandy Nice Cordico Strategic Wellness Director

Lexipol

Mandy Nice has over 15 years of experience developing and implementing physical fitness and wellness programs that measurably improve the strength and resilience of tactical athletes and civilians.  Her science-based, results-focused approach has consistently produced positive results that have earned national-level awards for measurably improving employee health, fitness, and quality-of-life.  Mandy is a Physical Fitness Subject Matter Expert for leading organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C).  She actively serves as a guest speaker at state, national and international law enforcement conferences to help share scalable best practices for sustainable success.  Mandy also serves as the Tactical Program Manager of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and, as the CEO of The Nice Life, LLC, provides professional consulting services for agencies across the U.S. and beyond.  Mandy is wholeheartedly dedicated to ensuring members of law enforcement and fire/rescue are fully equipped with the essential research, training, tools, and resources needed to establish results-focused, sustainable tactical fitness and health programs.  Her greatest motivator is helping noble tactical professionals optimize their physical job readiness and quality of life while mitigating injury risk so that they can fully enjoy strong, rewarding careers and long, healthy retirements. 

Tricia Putnam Sergeant, Criminal Investigations and School Resource Division

Clarke County Sheriff's Office

Sgt. Tricia Putnam has 33 years as a Virginia certified law enforcement officer, 20 years in Clarke County. All of the agencies she has worked for are 20 or fewer sworn. She began her career in Front Royal as their first female police officer. Throughout her career she has blazed the trail for other women to enter this profession by embracing the unique perspectives and strengths women bring to public service. She has been the first female officer in 3 of the agencies she has worked for, including Clarke County. Sgt. Putnam is looking forward to serving the next Sheriff of Clarke County as his Major and second in command.

She currently supervises the Criminal Investigations and School Resource Division in the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, where she is the lead investigator on all major crimes. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia National Criminal Justice Command College and The Executive Protection Institute. Her certifications include Crisis Negotiations, Mediation, Field Training Officer, and DCJS Instructor. She is a Special US Deputy Marshal assigned to the I81 Human Trafficking Task Force and was previously assigned to the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force.

Frank Ray Country Music Artist

Retired Police Officer

Frank Ray is a former police officer, Texas chart-topper, and bilingual recording artist opening doors for a modern Latino Country movement. Growing up both enriched in his Mexican culture, three miles from the border in New Mexico and surrounded by Country music in Texas, Frank was immersed in the best of both worlds and has been harmonizing the two since. Described as “easygoing contemporary Country with pop-soul hooks and a dash of Southwestern spice” (Rolling Stone) Frank’s music is a blend-drawing influences from ’90s Texas Country, Latin, R&B and Pop. As an entertainer, Frank delivers engaging, high-energy performances that have a little something for everyone. It’s with this cross-cultural appeal and his panorama of influences that the Los Angeles Times proclaims Ray “is looking to stretch Country music’s cultural boundaries.”

In the three short years since embarking on his musical journey full-time, he has racked up two No. 1 singles and three Top ten singles on Texas Country Radio, become a staff songwriter, landed Frank Rogers as his producer, signed a record deal with BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records and much more. In addition to being named an “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone, Ray has appeared on USA Network’s Real Country, been profiled in the Los Angeles Times and on NBC’s TODAY. He has also toured the nation and shared stages in support of artists like Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Kip Moore, LANCO, Old Dominion, Hunter Hayes, and more. Following his just released EP “Getcha Some” and just in time for the holiday craze, the versatile entertainer is now cranking up the holiday spirit with his latest song, “Feliz Navidad,” available now.

Astrid Robinson Lieutenant

Prince William County Police Department

Lieutenant Astrid Robinson has over 23 years of law enforcement experience.  She received a college degree from Hawaii Pacific University in Justice Administration.  Lieutenant Robinson began her law enforcement career with the Virginia State Police as a trooper in 1989.  Later in 2001, she joined Prince William County Police Department. 

Lieutenant Robinson served two years in Patrol, then became a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division serving in the Property Crimes, Robbery and Homicide Units.  During this time, she received a Valor Award for a shooting incident in 2005.  Upon promotion to Sergeant, she transferred back to Patrol and then to Personnel responsible for recruiting.  Lieutenant Robinson later went to the Robbery and Homicide Unit and was promoted in place as a First Sergeant.  After serving there for four years, she promoted to Lieutenant in Operations as a Watch Commander.  Lieutenant Robinson is currently an Assistant Academy Director and was instrumental in developing the Women’s Mentorship Program for the Prince William County Police Department. 

Clay Swensen Lieutenant, Patrol Division

Sandy Police Department

Maria Wilson Staff Sergeant

Peel Police Department

Kourtney Wilson-Atkinson Detective Constable

Peel Regional Police

Brittany Winfrey Digital Marketing Manager

Epic Recruiting

Brittany Winfrey is Epic’s Digital Marketing Manager. She has her Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing and Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Brittany loves all things marketing, but especially strategy, budgeting, and analytics reporting. She has enjoyed experiencing all the nuances marketing has to offer and is looking forward to continued growth in and with the marketing industry.

Kristen Wright Sergeant, Recruiting and Sworn Selection Unit

Arizona Department of Public Safety

12 years in law enforcement, prior Savannah Chatham Metro PD (6 years with 3.5 years as narcotics detective), 6 years AZ DPS (3 years Phoenix graves, 2 years Drill instructor at State Trooper Academy, promoted in September of 2020 directly into the Recruiting Unit.) Arizona POST certified Physical Test Instructor, ISSA certified personal trainer and OCB (organization of competitive bodybuilding) figure competitor.