Welcome to the FAERF Institute
We are committed to raising compassion consciousness within business organizations — by emboldening employees when it matters most.
About FAERF
We envision a world where business organizations train their employees to care for survivors (fellow employees, customers, families) impacted by traumatic loss in the workplace in the same way in which they would want their own families supported.
The FAERF Institute’s mission is to raise awareness of business organizations’ need to provide compassionate care and practical support to survivors of traumatic loss. We also help businesses plan, prepare, and train their own employees to deliver as many of these services as their job descriptions will allow when disaster strikes their workplace.
Our Goals
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
– Albert Einstein
Educate Organizations
To educate and inform organizations on the principles of Humanitarian Assistance Response and appropriate measures for responding to traumatic events in the workplace;
Evidence-based Education
To make scientific, evidence-based education accessible to employees in business organizations;
Learn Humanitarian Assistance
To provide an avenue for next-generation responders to learn and gain valuable experience in humanitarian assistance;
Support Survivors
To support survivors in sharing their lived experiences turning them into valuable lessons for future responses;
Continued Growth
To fund research efforts for the continued growth and support of our vision and mission
Our Philosophy
Our training and philosophy is based on teachings of the late Gerald Caplan, M.D., regarded by many as the father of crisis theory, who taught that the biggest challenge in preventive psychiatry is helping “care taking” people who are on the spot at the moment of crisis “tip the balance over to the side of emotional health.” Employees for a company experiencing a crisis who are trained on how to help survivors, indeed tip the scales toward emotional health.
For the better part of thirty years, I’ve personally witnessed the opportunity for the bonding that occurs between survivors and employees of a company where traumatic loss has occurred. When employees are trained and empowered to do all possible to support victims and families of those hardest hit by a tragedy, the company is perceived as an advocate—but when employees appear defensive and adversarial, the company is seen as a perpetrator of harm.
Courses
Our work at the Institute is guided by survivors of workplace tragedies as well as thought leaders in business and industry who practice the principles of Humanitarian Assistance Response when supporting anyone at work who has been struck by trauma.
Survivor Advisory Board
Marie and Rich Anderson
American Eagle 3379 December 13, 1994
Rich and Marie’s daughter, Lauren survived the crash of American Eagle #3379, Dec. 13, 1994. Five passengers survived, while fifteen others onboard perished. Rich and Marie have worked with the Foundation since its beginning to help bridge the gap between survivors and the company–all are joined in the kinship of sorrow when a crash occurs, yet too often are seen as enemies. Rich and Marie can attest to the healing that occurs when company employees are allowed to meet, assist, and support those left in the wake of the trauma.
Jeff Arnold
American Airlines 1420 June 1, 1999
“I was impressed by the company’s team assigned to me. They saw to my immediate needs and answered my questions. A few weeks after the crash, I asked about settlement options. Their response endeared me to the company’s sincere dedication to their assistance mission: ‘We are here to assist with your needs and not representing the company’s settlement efforts, but here’s the number of someone you can talk to about that.'”
Jeff Arnold, then an (Army National Guard) lieutenant colonel, survived the crash of American Airlines Flight 1420, where 11 died and 134 survived. Jeff saw first-hand the critical role that well-trained company employees can play in assisting survivors and their families. Since that time, Jeff has joined the Family Assistance Foundation’s Care Team and worked alongside company employees and other responders in offering compassionate care to those who may otherwise be left helpless in the aftermath of trauma in the workplace.
Carolyn V. Coarsey, Ph.D.
Delta 191
August 2, 1985
“Over the 30 plus years since I published my doctoral study The Psychological Aftermath of Air Disaster: What can be learned for training?, we have made great progress in connecting employees who work for a company experiencing a disaster and the survivors who are dependent on them for practical support during the acute phase of trauma. It is our intention to partner with academic researchers and other subject matter experts to strengthen our educational and training programs.”
Dr. Carolyn V. Coarsey is the President and Co-Founder of the Foundation. She is the President of Higher Resources, Inc., and serves as Executive Vice President of Corporate Philosophy and Family Assistance Programs for Aviem International, Inc. She has an innovative approach to designing effective family assistance training: she interviews survivors, family members, and responders to discover post-accident practices that are helpful and those that are not. These results form the basis for her curricula and approach to working with individuals and families in crisis.
Carolyn created Higher Resources in 1989 and since that time has produced videos and training programs for organizations that are designed to improve post-disaster response. Her training programs Human Services Response™, which highlight the unique role of employee responders of industrial tragedies, are used by aviation and rail companies, cruise lines, oil and gas and multiple agencies and organizations throughout the world.
She is a family survivor herself of a mass transportation tragedy, having lost her fiancé, on Delta Air Lines Flight 191 in August 1985. She is an airline industry veteran, having worked for Eastern Airlines during three fatal crashes and Braniff International Airlines, where she was Director of Human Resources during the shutdown of the airline in May, 1982.
Glenn and Carole Johnson
Pan Am Flight 103
December 21, 1988
“At an airport when you hear the announcement about ‘not leaving your personal items unattended’ think of us and the families of the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103 (VPAF103). Before 9/11, we were hard at work bringing safety and security of the traveling public to the forefront.”
Carole and Glenn Johnson’s only daughter, 21-year-old Beth Ann died on December 21, 1988, when a terrorist bomb blew the Boeing 747 out of the sky killing all on board and 11 on the ground in the tiny village of Lockerbie, Scotland. Glenn and Carole worked tirelessly on improving safety and security for the traveling public as well as assisting survivors of aviation disasters in their formation of support groups, including families of US Air Flight 427. Their survivor work led to the founding of the National Air Disaster Alliance (NADA) in 1995.
Up until April of 2021, Glenn held a seat on the Board of the VPA103, and among his enormous contributions to safety, Glenn sat on the Board of the FAA Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) from its onset.
Kathy Johnston
Colgan Continental 3407 February 12, 2009
“Losing my husband in the crash was devastating and tragic. In addition to that, my three daughters and I were violated by the court system during my efforts to get a fair settlement. I became involved with the Family Assistance Foundation to help improve how survivors are treated in the aftermath of crashes and other disasters in the workplace”
Sandra Novak
Delta 191
August 2, 1985
“I received emotional support from my peers. Delta tried to help us, but all of us were over our heads in shock and grief. Delta Flight 191 crashed before there were care teams. Today I am a trauma therapist. There is no greater joy than to be able to help another through their tragic pain. And from a spiritual perspective, there is nothing more humbling.”
Sandra works as a trauma therapist in private practice in Broward County Florida, along with her service to the Foundation. Previously, Sandra worked as a Delta Air Lines Flight Attendant on the flight schedule that included Flight 191. When it crashed on August 2, 1995, she was working the flight sequence on different days of the week. More than suffering from what might have been (her flight on a different day of the week), Sandra mourned the loss of the 8 crew members who died in the crash. The pilots and flight attendants who shared that schedule were her brothers and sisters–they were her family.
Scott and Terry Maurer
Colgan Continental 3407 February 12, 2009
“Scott and Terry Maurer’s daughter, 30-year-old Lorin died in the crash of Colgan/Continental Flight 3407, February 12, 2009, along with 49 others. Determined to make air travel safer for others, Scott and Terry became part of the leadership team for the Families of 3407. This grassroots family group was instrumental in the passage of PL 111-216, The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2010–the most comprehensive aviation safety regulations of all time. Scott and Terry’s advice to the hundreds of employee responders they have helped the Foundation is, “Treat families the way you would want your own family treated–the Golden Rule definitely applies here.”
Tina Siniscalco
Colgan Continental 3407 February 12, 2009
“First, I lost my sister in the crash, and after that, my family was torn apart in the legal process that followed.”
Tina’s 40-year-old sister, Mary Abraham, a first sergeant in the Army Reserve, died in the crash of Colganair/Continental Flight 3407, February 12, 2009, along with 49 others. The trauma of losing Mary was intensified as the excruciating lawsuit literally split her family apart. Tina volunteers with the Foundation as a Care Team member and helps educate organizations on how they can improve response to families in the aftermath of tragedies like Colganair 3407.
Read more of Tina’s Story Here
Elizabeth Turner
Attacks on World Trade Center September 11, 2001
“I realized that my journey after 9/11 was to support others in traumatic circumstances. My life’s journey eventually took me to qualify as a psychotherapist, Reiki Master and life coach.”
Elizabeth’s husband Simon died while hosting a conference in the Windows of the World Restaurant during the attack on the World Trade Center. Elizabeth received family assistance (Care) support from the Metropolitan Police Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and the British Red Cross. Elizabeth is a popular speaker for the Foundation throughout UK and Europe on the power that well-trained employees have in helping survivors when trauma occurs in the workplace.
Working together is the answer...
Renata Elias CBCP
Business and Industry
Advisory Board
Carolyn V. Coarsey, Ph.D.
President
Higher Resources, Inc.
“Over the 30 plus years since I published my doctoral study The Psychological Aftermath of Air Disaster: What can be learned for training?, we have made great progress in connecting employees who work for a company experiencing a disaster and the survivors who are dependent on them for practical support during the acute phase of trauma. It is our intention to partner with academic researchers and other subject matter experts to strengthen our educational and training programs.”
Dr. Carolyn V. Coarsey is the President and Co-Founder of the Foundation. She is the President of Higher Resources, Inc., and serves as Executive Vice President of Corporate Philosophy and Family Assistance Programs for Aviem International, Inc. She has an innovative approach to designing effective family assistance training: she interviews survivors, family members, and responders to discover post-accident practices that are helpful and those that are not. These results form the basis for her curricula and approach to working with individuals and families in crisis.
Carolyn created Higher Resources in 1989 and since that time has produced videos and training programs for organizations that are designed to improve post-disaster response. Her training programs Human Services Response™, which highlight the unique role of employee responders of industrial tragedies, are used by aviation and rail companies, cruise lines, oil and gas and multiple agencies and organizations throughout the world.
She is a family survivor herself of a mass transportation tragedy, having lost her fiancé, on Delta Air Lines Flight 191 in August 1985. She is an airline industry veteran, having worked for Eastern Airlines during three fatal crashes and Braniff International Airlines, where she was Director of Human Resources during the shutdown of the airline in May, 1982.
Jeff Morgan
President & CEO Aviem International
“A professor I once knew said that “We have to go from knowing what to do to doing what we know”. For me, this translates into learning HOW to do something after learning WHAT to do. We find all too often that an organization has the best of intentions and they may have good soft skills training but they lack the knowledge of how to build or execute a plan. It’s our goal to provide the necessary education on what a good plan consists of and a thorough understanding of what is needed to carry out that plan.”
Jeff Morgan is President & CEO of Aviem International, Inc., and Chairman and Co-Founder of the Family Assistance Education & Research Foundation. Aviem International is dedicated solely to the task of helping mass transportation companies, corporations and other organizations prepare for disaster with planning, consulting, training, exercises, along with disaster management services.
Jeff Morgan created Aviem International, Inc. after a 20-year career with Delta Air Lines, Inc. During his last six years at Delta he was instrumental in creating Delta’s first dedicated emergency management department, responsible not only for aircraft emergency response procedures, but general emergency preparedness, disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
Susan Ryan Bisig
UPS A300
Captain, Retired
“When we lost our first two crew members to an accident, I felt drawn to be part of a team that would be there for the family in the event this ever happened again. Between my company training and the training I received from The Family Assistance Foundation, I felt ready and prayed it would never happen again. Unfortunately, it did and I was part of the Care team for the First Officer’s family. I was impressed with both the company and the union’s compassion and I saw firsthand how important it was that their response was from the heart and not from the head. I am thrilled to be part of the Foundation’s team as we embark on this new adventure together.”
Susan joined the United States Air Force in 1982 as a Medical Service Corps Officer after graduating from Ithaca College with a B.S. in Administration of Health Services. She was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California and while serving there, began taking flying lessons. Her immediate love of flying resulted in a complete career path change, when she went from Air Force Hospital Administrator to Air Force Pilot. Susan left the Air Force in 1991, but not before serving as an Aircraft Commander in theater supporting Operation Desert Shield. She was hired by UPS Airlines in 1992 where she spent the next 27 years flying the line and instructing on the B727 and A300. It was after the crash of UPS Flight 6 in 2010, that she became involved in Family Assistance and the CARE team at UPS Airlines, attending a variety of training exercises and seminars to include the NTSB Family Assistance training. In 2013, UPS suffered another fatal crash and Susan was selected to be on the CARE Team to support the family of the First Officer. Susan was also part of the Independent Pilots Association’s Critical Incident Response Program which assisted crew members who were involved in incidents in the air or on the ground. In 2015, Susan was a guest speaker at the Family Assistance Education and Research Foundation and Aviem International’s Member/Partner meeting in Santa Fe where she spoke in length about her experience as a CARE team member. Susan retired from UPS in 2018 and lives in her “croak” house on Crystal Lake in La Grange, KY where she enjoys fishing and kayaking. She also volunteers at a Pregnancy Resource Center as a client advocate. Susan has two sons, Michael, a second-year law student and Luke, a United States Marine.
Morgan Delashmutt
Quality Flight Services Director, Jet Aviation Business Jets (Hong Kong) Ltd.
“The skills developed through the HSR™ approach as practiced by the Family Assistance Foundation can provide organizations with benefits that extend well beyond the traditional disaster family assistance model. These models are universal, regardless of the culture, ethnicity, or geographical location of a traumatic loss that occurs in the workplace.”
Morgan is the Director of Safety for Jet Aviation Business Jets’ Hong Kong office. He has a graduate degree in aviation safety management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has extensive experience in the development and implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in commercial flight operations, air ambulance, corporate aviation, law enforcement, and aircraft management. Based on the various organizations and environments in which he has worked, Morgan recognizes a universal need for increased professional development in the areas of family assistance and human services response (HSR). He has attended NTSB disaster family assistance training at the NTSB and has come to believe that the skills developed through the HSR approach can provide organizations with benefits that extend well beyond the traditional disaster family assistance model.
Lisa G. Swartzwelder
President/COO, PAST Foundation
“I value the families, the survivors who have courageously given back by sharing their experiences, so organizations know what do do and what not to do. I am excited about being a part of changing traditional ways of thinking and bias with “proving” that it is good to be good.”
Lisa Swartzwelder earned her undergraduate degree in Aviation Human Factors and a Private Pilot Certificate from The Ohio State University. She began her career at Executive Jet Aviation before joining L Brands, Inc., where she spent more than 25 years supporting Flight Operations, ultimately serving as Director of Shuttle Operations. During her tenure, Lisa earned her MBA from Franklin University, further strengthening her leadership and operational expertise.
In 2006, Lisa completed her initial Care Team training with WestJet Airlines and collaborated with Higher Resources/Aviem/FAF to advance Human Service Response™ (HSR) practices at Bath & Body Works Flight Operations f.k.a. L Brands, evolving traditional Care Team models. She led the aviation crisis team and contributed as a member of the global enterprise crisis team, while also completing specialized training in Family Assistance Center (FAC) operations with Fireside Partners and Transportation Disaster Assistance with the NTSB. A champion for elevating standards in Business Aviation, Lisa continues to advocate for integrating Human Service Response™ and Mental Health First Aid into crisis planning and training across industries.
In October 2024, Lisa transitioned into the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of the PAST Foundation (Partnering Anthropology with Science and Technology). PAST is a globally recognized nonprofit education R&D hub focused on STEM education and workforce development. PAST programs and partnerships link learning to life for K-12 students, educators, and industry partners.
Lisa lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her wife, Jaime, and their daughters, Adelaide and Francesca.
Bruce LaLonde
Facilities Director
Visit Anchorage
“We are fortunate today that more businesses are realizing the need for a humanitarian response to a crisis in the workplace. The Family Assistance Foundation has helped business leaders and employee responders understand the value of compassion toward the public during critical times in their workplace.”
In 1979, Bruce began his career with Alaska Airlines as a Customer Service Agent in Sitka, Alaska. He later spent nine years with Alaska Airlines in the remote Alaskan communities of Nome and Kotzebue. After moving to Anchorage in 1989, he worked a variety of management positions, from managing the Anchorage and Juneau reservations offices to the Director, Station Operations responsible for the fourteen Alaska Airlines stations in the state of Alaska. In the capacity as director, he traveled extensively throughout the state of Alaska.
In 2006, Bruce was offered a position with Alaska Railroad. During his ten years with the railroad, he managed the passenger reservations office, directed the passenger operation and then served as the Director for the Passenger Marketing department.
Bruce holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University. He has served on numerous professional and community boards and committees in the state of Alaska including more than ten years of service on the Board of Directors of the Medallion Foundation, an aviation safety organization.
Bruce led the development and implementation of Alaska Railroad’s first ever family assistance program. He has responded to provide support in two tragic aviation incidents in Alaska and also provided support to his local employees after a major aviation incident outside the state, one of these employees lost a family member in the incident.
Patrick Collera-Ricca (Laverty)
Sr. Manager, Employee Care & Support | Employee Resilience, Employee Relations, The Walt Disney Company
“For the past decade, I have worked to build an enterprise-wide Family Assistance program for our employees and guests around the globe. The culture of compassion we have created is aimed at providing the best possible environment for survivors to begin their healing process. I look forward to continuing this partnership with the Family Assistance Foundation and teaming up with other like-minded Care Team leaders to help develop the new trauma Institute, so the survivor-driven research can continue to positively impact how care and support are provided following traumatic events.”
Patrick Collera-Ricca is the Senior Manager, Employee Care & Support for The Walt Disney Company. Patrick has been with The Walt Disney Company for 18 years and has previously held the role of Medical Operations Manager for Disney Cruise Line and Senior Manager of Family Assistance & Crisis Training. Combining his background in guest service and emergency response, Patrick became a founding member of Disney’s Family Assistance program and helped pilot Disney Cruise Line’s Care Team and The Walt Disney Company’s enterprise-wide Care Team program which has led to nearly 2,000 Employees across the globe becoming trained in Human Services Response (HSR) ™.
In his current role leading Disney’s Employee Care & Support function, Patrick’s team is responsible for ensuring Employees, Cast Members, and their loved ones receive the necessary compassionate care, logistical support, and individualized resource navigation following crisis events and distressing life moments.
Patrick has a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science in Management, Strategy, & Leadership from Michigan State University. Patrick is a certified HSR ™ master trainer, suicide prevention trainer, and is a certified Associate Emergency Manager (AEM).
Patrick also proudly serves as a founding Business and Industry Advisory Board Member to the Family Assistance Education & Research Foundation (FAERF).
Christopher Rausch
Corporate Emergency Management, Arizona Public Service
“It was soon obvious that when we took the time needed to care for our employees, and customers following a traumatic event and practiced the principles of Human Services Response™ our organization would benefit as well.”
Chris is currently with Arizona Public Service (APS) as the Emergency Event Management Coordinator. This position is responsible for the training, planning, and implementation of the corporate response processes.
Before his recent transition to APS, he had an extensive career with the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, which included work at PHX Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, and Goodyear Airports. During his time there, Chris held various positions, including Management Services Administrator and Airport Duty and Emergency Manager. In these roles, he provided advanced planning and leadership to enhance safety, security, emergency preparedness, and the efficient operation of the Aviation Department.
Prior to his career with the City of Phoenix, Chris worked at America West Airlines, which later became US Airways and is now part of American Airlines. He held various positions within the company and, in 2006, received a US Airways Chairman’s Award for his successful work on the merger of America West Airlines and US Airways Emergency Planning and Response programs.
Chris has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communications, with a Minor in Journalism, from the University of Northern Iowa. He also earned an Aviation Program Management certificate in Airport Business Operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Chris is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and Airports Council International North America. Additionally, he is an aviation-specific trainer with the American Red Cross.
Outside of work, Chris is married, has two sons, and is soon to be a grandfather. He enjoys traveling and maintaining a focus on health and fitness.
Michelle Bauman
Chief Human Resources Officer, Vista America
Michelle Bauman currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Vista America and joined in 2010.
Michelle is responsible for Vista American’s operational and human resources strategies in the U.S. providing guidance and leadership to senior managers. Her broad experience includes benefits, employee relations, talent acquisition, leadership development, compliance, and management. Additionally, she oversees The Voluntary Service Program, Care Team, for US companies.
Michelle has an extensive career in aviation with over 30 years of management experience. Prior to Vista America she began her career at WestAir and later joined Atlantic Coast Airlines/Independence Air as part of the initial start-up team. Over the years, she held the positions of Vice President of Human Resources, Director of Human Resources, Sr. Director of System Control and Director of Customer Service.
Certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, and a Senior Certified Profession through the Society of Human Resources Management, Michelle brings a unique perspective having worked both on the operational side of aviation as well as overseeing Human Resources. Michelle holds a BA in Organizational Leadership and is pursuing a MBA (2024 Graduation) at Florida Atlantic University with a concentration on International Business.
Jennifer Scotten
Senior Advisor, Personnel Emergency Response, Equinor
Jennifer Scotten has been with Equinor (formerly Statoil) since 2005 and is currently the head of personnel emergency response. She is also a member of the company’s global incident management assist team.
Before working within personnel emergency response, Jennifer has held a variety of positions within Equinor, including head of human resources for the North American organization, Azerbaijan, Drilling and Well and Equinor’s onshore plants. Before joining Equinor, Jennifer worked as a management consultant for Accenture, focusing on the government and the oil and gas sector. Jennifer is based in Stavanger Norway.
Susan Retz
Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, VS & Company (formerly Victoria's Secret)
Susan Retz is an HR Executive with over 25 years of experience in the specialty retail industry. Her affiliation with FAERF began in 2010, when she achieved certification as part of Lbrands and Victoria’s Secret’s launch of their internal CARE Team program. She is passionate about the work that FAERF represents and since certification in 2010, Susan has been deployed numerous times, and for the last five years, has served as Co-Administrator of the Victoria’s Secret CARE Team program.
Renata Elias CBCP
Senior Vice President, Strategic Risk Consulting, Marsh Advisory US
Current Responsibilities
Renata Elias joined Marsh in 2012 and is currently a Senior Engagement Lead within Marsh Advisory’s Strategic Risk Consulting Practice. She
provides counsel and support to clients in a wide range of sectors with organizational resilience, including crisis management, emergency
response, workplace violence (including active shooter), crisis communications, business continuity, pandemic response planning, reputational
risk, and disaster and crisis response.
Experience
Renata brings to Marsh experience in the public and private sectors, including developing response plans, processes, and procedures.
Besides
performing capability assessments, she has vast experience designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating awareness/training and
exercises, including tabletop sessions and functional exercises for an organization’s response and recovery teams.
Renata works with
organizations in all industry sectors. She has developed global crisis management programs, crisis, and incident management plans,
emergency response plans, and various tabletop exercises for leadership and incident management teams.
Before joining Marsh, Renata served as the Emergency Planning Officer at the North Shore Emergency Management Office, covering the
North and West Vancouver Districts and the City of West Vancouver. Duties included responsibility for emergency planning, preparedness,
response, recovery activities and crisis communications, and pandemic planning. Other roles included serving on the 2010 Winter Olympic
Games Emergency and Security Planning Committee, spearheading local responses to area disasters, and developing a comprehensive
communications strategy and accompanying crisis communications plan for the agency.
Her career in emergency and crisis management within the public sector began as the Emergency Planning Coordinator for the City of
Richmond, home of the Vancouver International Airport. In addition to responding to aviation incidents, she participated in monthly airport
tabletop and tri-annual full-scale exercises. Renata also worked closely with local government response agencies and stakeholders in aviation
mass fatality working groups and was a Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Task Force member.
She began her career in emergency and crisis management as the Manager of Emergency Response at Harmony Airways, where she created
a highly acclaimed air carrier response and preparedness program. The program was designed from the ground level, including the Corporate
Emergency Response Plan, Emergency Training Program, Threat Guidelines, Station Response Plans, Family Assistance, Mobile Response
Team Plans, and a Spill Response Plan. Renata also designed, assembled, and managed the Response Centre at Corporate Headquarters.
She also conducts guest lectures for a graduate program on airport emergency planning and response at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and
Technology and volunteers as a member of the Special Assistance Team with the Family Assistance Foundation.
Renata is a former member of the Vancouver Police Department, where she served for ten years and finished at the rank of Reserve Corporal.
Her duties included general policing, community relations, and special event support.
Education, Certifications, and Affiliations
• BSc, Emergency Management
• Emergency Management Certificate, Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC)
• Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), Disaster Recovery Institute (Canada)
• NFPA 3000 Active Shooter/Hostile Event Program Specialist (NFPA)
• Corporate Crisis Management Certified (CCMC), Management and Strategy Institute (MSI)
• Professional Development Series (PDS) Certificate, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events Instructor, The Texas A&M University System
• Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300 (JIBC and FEMA)
• Member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), Disaster Recovery Institute (DRI Canada), International Crisis
Management Conference (ICMC), National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), Aviation Emergency Response Organization (AERO),
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Care Team Member, Family Assistance Foundation
• Mental Health First Aider, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Captain LaMar Haugaard
Retired, Chief Pilot, Horizon Air
LaMar attended the University of North Dakota following graduation from Willmar Senior High School in Willmar, Minnesota. While a student at UND, LaMar was Assistant Chief Pilot for Northern Airways, an FBO started by John Odegard and based in Grand Forks.
Following graduation from UND in 1985, LaMar headed west to Portland, Oregon to begin a new career with upstart airline Horizon Air. LaMar had been hired as an SA-227 First Officer. He continued flying the Metroliner, upgrading to Captain after 14 months, and immediately moving into the Check Airman program for that aircraft.
In 1988, Captain Haugaard was brought into the Horizon Air Flight Operation management team as an Assistant Chief Pilot, a position he held for nine years. Along the way he was type rated in the Dornier 328 and flew it for all four years the aircraft type was in the company fleet. He became Turboprop Chief Pilot in 1996; and System Chief Pilot in 2000. Captain Haugaard returned to line flying in 2018 and is currently qualified on the E175. In 2000 Captain Haugaard was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame at the University of North Dakota John D Odegard School of Aerospace Science. Captain Haugaard was also honored as one of Horizon Air’s 2024 Pathfinders.
Mikki Nutt
Mental Health Counselor, WSU Health Sciences
Over 30 years of experience in human services, crisis response, human resource management and mental health counseling. Her career has centered around supporting people through moments of crisis, transition, and recovery — always focused on compassion, dignity, and providing practical but supportive care.
Relevant Experience
Human Services & Crisis Response
- Mental Health Counselor – WSU Health Sciences | Spokane, WA | 2024–Present
- Providing trauma-informed counseling to graduate students studying medicine, nursing, etc.
- COVID-19 Community Care Supervisor – Public Health Institute | Spokane, WA | 2020–2022
- Led a diverse and remote response team supporting isolated, unhoused, and vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
- COVID-19 Employee Support – Aviem International Inc. and FAERF Response. | Remote | 2020
- Provided Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) guidance to employees early in pandemic.
- Leave & Disability Administrator – Horizon Air / AAG | Portland, OR | 2005–2007
- Sensitively supported airline employees needing leave due to challenging family, medical, military or personal matters.
- Customer Service Supervisor – Horizon Air / AAG | Portland, OR | 2005–2007
- Operationally led teams of passenger and ground services, addressing minor accidents and emergencies, dysregulated passengers.
- Inflight Supervisor– United Airlines | San Francisco & Boston | 1997–2003
- Led teams of new hire and purser flight attendants; provided immediate and on-going trauma-informed leadership and crisis support following loss of team members on flight 175 on 9/11.
- Child Protective Services Social Worker – Yolo County CPS | Woodland, CA | 1995–1999
- Supported families navigating abuse/neglect allegations through counseling, education, resource coordination, and developing court-mandated case plans.
- Therapist / Mental Health Counselor – Various Agencies | CA, MA, WA | 1994–2000
- Provided therapy across community mental health settings.
Human Resources Employee & Labor Relations
Specialized in employee relations, labor relations, investigations, leave & disability administration. Supported employee and team well-being during complex organizational changes.
- Senior Human Resource Consultant | Washington State University | Spokane, WA | 2022–2024
- HR Program Manager | Metro Regional Government | Portland OR, | 2016-2018
- Supporting various organizations under this unique governmental entity such as a performing arts center, zoo, waste management, conference center, legal team and administration.
- Employee Relations | Portland State University | Portland, OR | 2014-2016
- Employee & Labor Relations | Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette | Portland, OR | 2011-2014
- HR Program Administration | Beaverton School District | Beaverton, OR | 2007-2011
Education & Credentials
- WA Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA)
- M.A. Counseling Psychology – Gonzaga University
- Graduate Certificate in Business Administration – Harvard University
- National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
- National Board-Certified Life & Managerial Coach (BCC)
- Certified Mediator (40-hour training)
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), National Council for Mental Wellbeing – Certified since 2021
Other
- Facilitator & Coach – Blue Tiger Leadership | Portland, OR
- Facilitate Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team and DiSC Personal Styles
- Carpe Diem, Board Member | Portland, OR
- HOA Board President | Portland, OR
- Provided research assistance to Dr. Carolyn V. Coarsey in Federally funded study on “The Psychological Effects of Airline Disasters on First Responders” | WSU | 1994
Michael Scully
Assistant Vice President, Risk Management/Law Department, CSX Transportation
Michael Scully is Assistant Vice President of the Risk Management/Law Department at CSX Transportation. His duties include overseeing over 500 single occurrence casualty, Class Action, and property damage lawsuits for CSX and it’s affiliates. He also heads their crisis response team heading up numerous responses and serves as Executive Director at the American Association for Railroads GCC Board. Mike’s has cases pending in over 30 states across the country. Mike has over 25 years with CSX.
Francesca Bellino
Care Manager, Costa Crociere
Francesca has a Master Degree in International and Diplomatic Political Sciences. Since 2009, Francesca Bellino has been working in Costa Crociere, in HR in the Crew Movement where she also managed Crew support for repatriation in the aftermath of the Costa Concordia incident. From 2016 she joins the Care Office and since 2018 she is CareTeam Coordinator.
In her role, Francesca reports to the ww Crisis Management Director and leads a team of 11 people who grants the Care support to guests and shipboard team members experiencing
unexpected events worldwide. She is part of the Emergency Response Organization as Senior Officer in charge of leading the Care organization at the crisis site.
Francesca is HSR™ trained from 2015. She has an experience of more than 20 deployments for major or individual events worldwide, including the terrorist attack in Tunis in 2015.
Moreover, she is HSR™ Care trainer since 2020.