Speakers
-
Emma WhiteStatewide Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator with the Nevada Department of Education and Project Aware Manager with the Office of Suicide PreventionEmma White wears many hats including being an Author, Professional Speaker, Podcast Host, and Founder and President of the Life Is Worth It Organization. In her day job, she is the Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Nevada Department of Education and the Project Aware Manager for the Office of Suicide Prevention, where she specializes in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies on local, state, and federal levels.
-
Jeff WinklerConsultant and Trainer at School Safety Operations Inc. (SSO Inc.),Jeff Winkler is an esteemed consultant and trainer at School Safety Operations Inc. (SSO Inc.), where his roles encompass Project Manager, Team Leader, and Lead Trainer for various projects across California and Florida. Jeff embarked on his journey with SSO Inc. in 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a distinguished law enforcement career.
Jeff’s professional legacy includes an impressive 31-year tenure with the Drug Enforcement Administration, where he distinguished himself as a senior team leader. His leadership was integral to one of the federal law enforcement’s most active and successful tactical teams, specializing in high-risk operations across the United States. Jeff’s profound expertise in critical incident management, tactical operation planning, and implementation has been pivotal in his career.
With an M.S. in Education, Jeff has furthered his commitment to safety and preparedness through specialized training and certifications. He is an accredited instructor in several key areas, including active shooter response, handling armed and barricaded suspects, primary tactical and firearms instruction, and martial arts self-defense, boasting an 8th-degree Master Certification in San Soo.
Jeff’s extensive experience is not limited to tactical operations. He has conducted thorough facility and terrain assessments for thousands of locations, ranging from law enforcement environments to educational institutions. His expertise in target hardening methodologies ensures that each assessment provides actionable insights for enhancing safety and security.
In addition to his role at SSO Inc., Jeff serves as the president of Sifu Safety and Security. His work in executive protection further underscores his comprehensive understanding of security measures and personal safety strategies, making him a trusted figure in both the law enforcement and school safety communities.
-
Jeff KayeFounder of School Safety Operations, Inc.Jeff Kaye stands as a prominent figure in the realm of school safety, holding the position of President and Founder at School Safety Operations Inc. His organization is at the forefront of providing emergency management, response planning, and training services to educational institutions across the United States and Canada.
Jeff’s journey into school safety commenced in 2008 when he embraced the role of Director of Security and Safety Services at Desert Sands Unified School District in La Quinta, California. This career pivot followed a distinguished 25-year tenure in law enforcement, culminating in his retirement. During his eight-year tenure with the school district, Jeff laid the groundwork for what would become his enduring commitment to enhancing school safety.
In 2011, Jeff founded School Safety Operations Inc., a milestone that marked a significant expansion of his efforts to improve the safety and security of schools. Under his leadership, the company has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive planning and training services tailored to the unique needs of schools and school districts.
In 2011, Jeff founded School Safety Operations Inc., a milestone that marked a significant expansion of his efforts to improve the safety and security of schools. Under his leadership, the company has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive planning and training services tailored to the unique needs of schools and school districts.
A key focus of School Safety Operations Inc. is conducting Hazard and Vulnerability Assessments aimed at infrastructure target hardening. These assessments are critical components of the firm’s strategy to bolster the resilience of educational facilities against potential threats, thereby ensuring the safety of students and staff.
Prior to his involvement in school safety, Jeff had a career in law enforcement with the Reno, NV Police Department, retiring at the rank of Sergeant in 2007. His law enforcement career was notable for specialization in undercover and tactical response operations. Jeff played a supervisory role in the tactical response to the March 2006 Pine Middle School shootings in Reno, an experience that underscores his expertise in handling critical incidents.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff Kaye is an accomplished author. His bibliography includes two school emergency management reference books, a true crime novel, and two fiction novels, showcasing his versatility and depth of knowledge in both factual and imaginative writing.
-
Steven MacDonaldDirector of Training & Development Safer Schools TogetherSteven joined Safer Schools Together (SST) in 2019 after earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria. As the Director of Training and Development, he collaborates closely with SST CEO and Founder,
Theresa Campbell, to design and implement crucial training programs such as Behavioral and Digital Threat Assessment® (BDTA) and Digital Threat Assessment® (DTA), among others.An accomplished trainer, Steven has trained thousands of professionals across North America, including personnel from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), various law enforcement agencies, K-12 school districts, and higher education institutions. His expertise extends to fostering safer school environments by equipping teams with the knowledge and tools to conduct accurate threat assessments. Before assuming his current role, Steven gained invaluable experience as a Senior Threat Analyst, where he specialized in collecting and analyzing social media data to support Safety/Threat Assessment teams. His contributions have played a pivotal role in addressing high-profile school safety cases across Canada and the U.S.
In addition to his technical expertise, Steven has a background in language analytics and artificial intelligence, acquired through his work with major media corporations in the tech industry. This knowledge, combined with his deep
understanding of social media trends and online behaviors, enables him to take a hands-on approach to data collection and threat assessment.As a respected presenter, Steven also conducts workshops and training sessions for school administrators, law enforcement, community partners, students, and caregivers. His presentations focus on social media awareness, online safety, and strategies for managing threat-related behaviors in the digital age.
Steven’s unique combination of skills in technology, social media, and threat assessment make him an invaluable asset to communities across North America in fostering safer, more secure environments.
