Colton Easton came to Safer Schools Together in 2016 after receiving his Diploma in Law Enforcement Studies at the Justice Institute of BC. As a member of the Safer Schools Together team, he specializes in Social Media Awareness and publicly available information gathering. As the Threat Analyst Manager, Easton collects social media data that is used to assist schools nationwide in conducting accurate threat assessments. He has been involved in several high-profile cases relating to school safety in Canada and the US. As a trainer, he presents to police officers, school staff, parents, and students on social media awareness, cyberbullying, and online safety.
Dr. Greg Gerber is currently a Senior Trainer and Consultant with Safer Schools Together and is deeply engaged in the practice and scholarship of teaching, holding a Doctor of Education (EdD). As Assistant Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, Greg serves in his capacity as the Associate Dean of their Master of Instructional Technology program and as the Director of the Vancouver Centre for Teaching and Learning. Previous professional experience includes working as Director of Learning for the SCSBC independent schools, Adjunct Professor in Education at SFU and TWU, and a Senior Technical Consultant. He finds joy in solving complex problems and helping educators resolve tensions between practice and theoretical understanding. Greg has extensive experience in technology infrastructure and securities, curriculum and pedagogy, leadership, and instruction.
Melanie Smith is Head of Institute of Strategic Dialogue’s (ISD) Digital Analysis Unit, which combines large-scale social media data collection and advanced open-source investigation techniques to study disinformation, hate, and extremism. Melanie leads a team of digital analysts to deliver public research on topics like state-sponsored information operations, public health misinformation, and online conspiracy movements. Melanie was previously the Director of Analysis at US social media analytics firm Graphika, where she oversaw the production of strategic intelligence on a range of online harms to Silicon Valley clients and academic partners. This research was presented to the World Health Organization and the US House Intelligence Committee, and covered by media outlets such as NPR, CNN, and the Washington Post. Melanie is also an Associate Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation based at King’s College London.
Project Manager, Cyber Citizenship Initiative, National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE)
Jimmeka Anderson is a Project Fellow, New America, Cyber Citizenship Initiative. Anderson is a Ph.D. candidate in the Curriculum and Instruction Urban Education program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research interests include critical digital media literacy education and technology inequity among historically marginalized students. She received her master's degree in Educational Media with a focus on New Media Literacies at Appalachian State University. While serving as the Founder and Executive Director of I AM not the MEdia, Inc. for ten years, she has developed curriculum and award-winning community programs that empower youth through media literacy and media creation. Additionally, Anderson is the creator of the Black Girls Film Camp, has served as the Chapter Lead for NC for Media Literacy Now, the creator of the Teen Media Literacy Conference in Charlotte, NC, and in leadership advisory roles with the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), American Education Research Association (AERA), and American Library Association (ALA). She has also served as a media literacy consultant for several national organizations such as the Women’s Sports Foundation, New America, US Department of Education' Office of Education Technology, WestEd, NAMLE, and 9 Story Media Group.
Jacqueline Beauchere joined Snap Inc. in September 2021 as the company's first Global Head of Platform Safety, responsible for various aspects of Snap's online safety strategy and engagement with external audiences. In addition to representing Snap on the Technology Coalition Board of Directors, Beauchere serves as the technology-industry representative to the international Policy Board of the WeProtect Global Alliance and is a member of Power of Zero's steering committee, a non-profit fighting online bullying, hate, and violence. Before her role at Snap, Beauchere spent nearly 22 years at Microsoft Corp., serving as that company's and industry's first Chief Online Safety Officer. While at Microsoft, Beauchere created several innovative programs and campaigns designed to raise awareness of online risks and help educate consumers about how best to protect themselves and their families.
Emily Mulder is the Program Director, Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). She manages communications and special programs for FOSI, as well as assistance in development strategy. Having spent ten years in online safety, she is passionate about the fast-moving fields of technology and child protection. Following years in both FOSI's US and UK offices, her most recent positions have involved research, communications, and program management with an international focus. Mulder has consulted independently with various nonprofits and small businesses on the press, social media strategy, fundraising, and other projects. In her academic career, she has completed internships and work studies with various public relations firms in both America and the UK. She graduated from Kingston University London with a First-Class degree in Media & Cultural Studies.
Steffie Rapp is a Program Manager for the Special Victims Violent Offenders Division of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. She works with the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force Program, Prevention of Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-based Bullying Initiative, Gang Intervention Programs, and issues related to trauma and mental health. In addition, Mrs. Rapp is on the editorial board of www.stopbullying.gov.Â
Prior to coming to OJJDP in 2004, for 9 years Mrs. Rapp was the Executive Director of her own school-based, nonprofit gang and violence prevention/intervention program in West Baltimore. She received her MSW at Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts and is licensed to practice clinical social work.
Ross Ellis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of STOMP Out Bullying. She is nationally recognized as an expert for her work in bullying and cyberbullying prevention, violence against children, online safety, as well as being an expert in parenting. Ross has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit and corporate sector and has been a child advocate for more than two decades. She educates on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism, and hatred, and deterring violence in schools, online, and in communities across the country. Additionally, she educates parents about the safety of their children. In 2005, Ross founded STOMP Out Bullying, the leading national bullying and cyberbullying prevention nonprofit for kids and teens in the U.S. STOMP Out Bullying has since become the most influential anti-bullying organization in the country.
Behavioral scientist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Dr. Melissa C Mercado is a behavioral scientist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Dr. Mercado is a lead behavioral scientist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She is an expert in youth violence and bullying prevention, part of the federal inter-agency StopBullying.gov Editorial Board, and lead of the Youth Violence and Emerging Topics Team – home to CDC’s Youth Violence Prevention Centers’ network. Dr. Mercado has served as a public health researcher and communicator for nearly 20 years, researching youth violence and bullying, as well as gaming and online communities, health disparities, injury prevention, self-harm, and suicide. Her work has been published in the media, at professional conferences, and in high-impact peer-review journals. A native Spanish speaker from Puerto Rico, Dr. Mercado also served in the internationally recognized Epidemic Intelligence Service and was recently recognized as a 2021 Outstanding Alumni by the University of South Florida College of Public Health.
Courtney Gregoire serves as Chief Digital Safety Officer and Assistant General Counsel for Microsoft Corporation. In this role, Courtney is responsible for Microsoft’s company-wide digital safety strategy to reduce harm from illegal and harmful content online through technology, policy, and partnerships. From 2015-2019, Gregoire led Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit work to combat cybercrime against vulnerable populations including children and the elderly. Before returning home to Washington state, Courtney served as Director of the National Export Initiative for President Obama and Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She previously served as Legislative Director and Chief Counsel for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. Deeply committed to public service, Gregoire has served as elected Commissioner for Port of Seattle for over 6 years where she has delivered strong aviation and maritime growth consistent with broadly shared economic opportunity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, and protecting immigrant rights. She has previously served on the Seattle Colleges Board of Trustees and the International Center for Missing & Exploited Children Board of Directors. Gregoire is a graduate of Willamette University and Harvard Law School. Originally from Olympia, Courtney currently lives in Seattle with her husband Scott Lindsay and their two young daughters
Dr. Kristen Mattson is an Educational Consultant and Adjunct Professor for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mattson began her career in education as a middle school English teacher and through inspiration from the school librarian she pursued her doctoral degree in Curriculum & Instruction Leadership, focusing on digital citizenship curriculum in secondary schools.​ Mattson’s experience as a tenure high school librarian supported over 2600 students and lead to her to publish "Digital Citizenship in Action" (ISTE, 2017). She began speaking at more educational conferences and consulting with local school districts. The same desire that led her from the classroom to the school library has now led her to where she is today. Mattson supports as many educators and students as she can with her gifts and talents from God. ​In addition to speaking, writing, & teaching, she enjoys time with her husband and three kids and spoiling her dog - "fur baby".
Michelle Ciulla Lipkin is an Executive Director for the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE). Lipkin has helped NAMLE grow to be the preeminent media literacy education association in the United States. She launched the first-ever Media Literacy Week in the United States (now in its seventh year), developed strategic partnerships with companies such as Thomson Reuters, Facebook, Twitter, and Nickelodeon, and restructured both the governance and membership of NAMLE. She has overseen four national conferences and done countless appearances at conferences and in the media regarding the importance of media literacy education. Lipkin is an alumna of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors Program (Australia/2018). She is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Brooklyn College, where she teaches media literacy. Lipkin has been a guest on CNN’s Reliable Sources in 2017 and 2020. Michelle was the recipient of the 2020 Global Media and Information Literacy Award given by UNESCO. In 2020, She has appeared in the documentary Trust Me by award-winning director Roko Belic, as well as the PBS Documentary Fake.
Ebonee Rice is a Senior Vice President, Educator Network, News Literacy Project. She is a strategic coalition builder and community engagement expert and has spent her career successfully scaling up campaigns and programs in the pursuit of equal access for all. From 2015 to 2017. Rice has led the national partner engagement program at Enroll America, a nonprofit created to ensure that members of underserved communities were able to enroll in health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Her work resulted in millions of people within minority, women, and young adult communities gaining health coverage. After Enroll America closed its doors, she joined the District of Columbia’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education as a community outreach specialist, building compelling digital experiences for constituents that led to positive outcomes for children, educators, and families. Rice began her career as a marketing/outreach coordinator for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and has also worked for Golden Girl Media, BET Networks, and the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute. A native of Los Angeles, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Tami Bhaumik is the Vice President of Civility and Partnerships at Roblox where she spearheads the platform's digital civility initiative. To establish healthy and safe communities, Bhaumik is focused on providing kids, teens, parents, and caregivers with skills needed to create positive online experiences, in partnership with leading global safety and industry organizations. With over 25 years of experience, she has successfully fostered supportive communities in a variety of industries through leading the growth of multiple Silicon Valley startups and is an active board member at leading safety institutions. Bhaumik graduated with a BA from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jennie King is Head of Civic Action and Education, leading efforts to translate ISD’s digital research into frontline programming and response. She co-authored the current ‘Be Internet Citizens’ curriculum, formally accredited for UK schools, and provides regular briefings for UK government departments and regulators, UNESCO and parallel European/US bodies on systemic approaches to media literacy. Jennie also oversees ISD’s growing portfolio on Climate Mis- and Disinformation, supporting a coalition of 30+ organisations worldwide to identify, analyse and counter related harms. Her writing and commentary has been featured by the BBC, The Guardian, Channel 4 News, Tortoise Media and NPR, amongst others.
Jennie previously served as MENA Regional Director Arts, Assistant Country Director Egypt and Country Director Hungary for the British Council, the UK’s international body for cultural relations. She read Arabic and Spanish at Pembroke College, Cambridge, receiving a Foundation Scholarship and the Marie Shamma’a Frost Prize for Oriental Studies.
Kristina Ishmael is a Deputy Director, Office of Educational Technology (OET), Department of Education. She is an educator, learner, advocate, and agent of change, and leads the office in its vision and execution of priorities focused on improving teaching and learning. Ishmael most recently worked as an educational consultant where she supported educators, schools, and nonprofits as they navigated new learning environments and worked towards equitable access and opportunities for every learner. Additionally, she was the Sr. Research Fellow on New America’s Teaching, Learning, & Tech team where she advised on the inclusive technology portfolio at the intersection of open education, digital equity, and culturally responsive and sustaining education. She previously served in the Office of Ed Tech as the K-12 Open Education Fellow leading the #GoOpen initiative. Before that role, Ishmael was the Nebraska Department of Education’s Digital Learning Specialist where she supported policy development, led professional learning, and advocated for school librarians. This experience granted her a unique perspective on leveraging educational technology in urban, suburban, and rural school systems. Kristina started as an early childhood and elementary teacher of emerging bilingual students in Omaha, Nebraska.
Doug Levin is co-founder and national director of the K12 Security Information Exchange (K12 SIX), a non-profit membership community dedicated to helping the K12 sector defend itself against emerging cybersecurity threats. He has been engaged in education and technology policy issues for over two decades in a variety of roles most prominently in helping to develop and implement the nation’s first education technology plan and strategy in 1996 under President Clinton, as well as its subsequent updates in 2000 and again in 2004 (under President Bush). He also consulted on the development of the 2016 plan (under President Obama). From 2009-15, he served as executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA). Previously, Mr. Levin held positions with the American Institutes for Research, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, and the National Association of State Boards of Education.
Deputy of Cyber Defense Education and Training (CDET), Cybersecurity Division (CSD) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)Â
Sean McAfee serves as the Deputy Branch Chief of CDET. His roles within the subdivision are to provide strategic planning around training and education to assist in combating the national cybersecurity workforce shortage. Before re-joining the Department of Homeland Security, Mr. McAfee served Ohio’s Secretary of State as Chief Information Security Officer. He previously worked twelve years at the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. McAfee held various roles as the Department’s first Resident Cybersecurity Officer and Attaché (UK), Staff Director of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, and Deputy Chief for the National Cybersecurity Assessments and Technical Services team. Additionally, Mr. McAfee supported a regional assignment to Silicon Valley. McAfee supported many technical teams and projects with subject matter expertise in program management, vulnerability assessments, social engineering, and insider threat throughout his tenure. He holds a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from Marymount University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University. #GoBucks
Director of Technology and Information Services, Community High School District 99, TX and Chairperson for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Cybersecurity Initiative
Rod Russeau is the Director of Technology and Information Services, Community High School District 99, TX, and Chairperson for the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) Cybersecurity Initiative. Rod Russeau is a servant leader with a passion for learning, technology, and information security. He has served as Director of Technology & Information Services at Community High School District 99 for over 25 years. Rod earned his Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) designation in 2016. Rod earned three highly sought-after information security certifications in 2020: The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and the Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) designations. Rod was also selected in 2020 as the Chairperson for the CoSN Cybersecurity Initiative. The purpose of the CoSN Cybersecurity Initiative is to develop usable guidance, tools and supports to assist school districts across North America in developing their cybersecurity programs. Rod began his technology career in 1977, designing, programming, and supporting student & financial information systems for hundreds of school districts across the country. Rod is an avid musician and photographer. Rod is the proud father of two amazing adult sons.
Join the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) for the 9th Digital Forum on Prevention! CP3 will be joined in presenting the forum with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) School Safety Task Force, who administer the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse and SchoolSafety.gov, and the Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology (OET).
