An inspiring mental health and suicide prevention speaker with over 20 years of experience in crisis management and suicide prevention. As a sergeant for the California Highway Patrol, Kevin has responded to hundreds of calls for suicidal individuals on the Golden Gate Bridge, talking them back over the railing to safety. Kevin has now dedicated his training and experience to helping people before they ever get that close

.

Kevin uses his professional experience and training as well as opening up about his personal experiences to share a genuine and hopeful perspective on the topics of suicide prevention and mental health. He started Pivotal Points as an organization with the purpose of furthering the understanding and acceptance of mental health issues and removing the stigma people can feel when seeking help or support.

Kevin Briggs entered the US Army in 1981. In 1987, he became a correctional officer and worked at Soledad and San Quentin State Prisons. In 1990, he graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy and worked predominantly on the Golden Gate Bridge. Kevin answered an average of four to six suicidal calls each month.

​

In 1999, Kevin completed training at the CHP Motor School, and in 2008, was promoted to Sergeant. Having graduated from the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Course, one of his duties was to train new CHP officers and Golden Gate Bridge staff on crisis interventions / negotiations.

​

Kevin retired from the CHP in 2013 to promote Crisis Management, Leadership Skills, and Suicide Intervention / Prevention worldwide. He continues speaking and teaching at conferences and law enforcement events, as well as consulting and advising major corporations. Kevin’s personal story includes being a cancer survivor, overcoming heart issues, divorce, PTSD, and depression. He is also a survivor of suicide loss.

​

Kevin’s goal is raising awareness about mental health and wellness, crisis management, and suicide prevention. He delivers his message by sharing his personal story and experiences, as well as the tools he developed to assist in a crisis, that can be used by anyone. His talks are inspiring and educational while encouraging help – seeking and reducing stigma related to mental health.

Biography

Ben Pearson is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly two decades of experience supporting adolescents, families, and professionals in various therapeutic roles. His background includes wilderness therapy, family interventions, crisis de-escalation, and clinical leadership.
For the past 12 years, Ben has led the clinical and program teams at Chateau Health & Wellness, where he developed a unique clinical curriculum and specializes in treating first responders. This FOP vetted treatment program has become one of the best of its kind in the country. He provides supervision, facilitates therapy and support groups, and trains staff in cultural competence and trauma-informed care. Currently, Ben is a co-host of the "No One Fights Alone" Podcast, which focuses on stories of strength and provides healthy resources for the first responder community. Ben is also a frequent presenter at regional and national conferences focused on mental health and addiction.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys soccer, fishing, home renovation projects, and spending time outdoors with his wife and five children.

Driven by a passion for helping others, Jessica specializes in providing tailored support that empowers officers to confidently navigate their "Next Shift." She believes in transforming uncertainty into opportunity and is dedicated to creating a fulfilling post-law enforcement life for her clients. Through her work as a mentor and coach, Jessica Flores continues to serve those who have dedicated their lives to service, ensuring they find purpose and success in their new endeavors.

Biography

Sheila Russell, LISW CADC is an experienced therapist and lecturer who currently owns a group therapy practice, Front Line Therapy, in West Des Moines, IA. She is a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Consultant. She has expertise in EMDR and trauma treatment of simple and complex PTSD focusing specifically on working with First Responders, Military Personnel and Veterans, and their family members.

Currently, Sheila is a board member with Iowa’s First Responder Peer Support Foundation, a board member for Crisis Canines of the Midlands, a Yoga for First Responders Ambassador, a peer support member and/or consultant for several Iowa Emergency Responder Departments, a lecturer for Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and Des Moines Regional Police Academy, a vetted Fraternal Order of Police provider, and a therapist with National Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).

In her spare time, Sheila enjoys chasing after her two little boys, and coaching their rec sports with her first responder husband.

Biography

​Bio: Aaron Groves was hired by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 as a deputy sheriff where he served until he medically retired in 2020. During his career, Aaron assumed multiple different roles inside his agency. Aaron was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2012 where he spent time supervising the patrol division, the jail division, a regional narcotics enforcement team, and the Central Iowa Regional Tactical Team. 
In 2021 the Impact Iowa’s Heroes (IIH) board asked Aaron to come aboard as Program Coordinator where he later stepped into the Executive Director role to help them broaden their reach to heroes across Iowa. Since that time, Aaron and the IIH team have developed and implemented a vision to create more opportunities to strengthen hero marriages throughout the year. New partnerships, speaking to new recruits at law enforcement academies, and producing the TAG Team Podcast for any couple to access marriage strengthening material are just some of the exciting things IIH is now doing. Aaron and his wife, Tricia, are excited to continue their marriage coaching journey as they have been trained through the International Christian Coaching Institute and mentored by Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg.
Aaron has been married to Tricia since 2007 and they currently have three children: Adalynn, Gracelynn, and Gideon. They live in Newton where Tricia works as the Director of Operations at Newton Church of The Way. In 2024 Aaron was ordained as a Pastor at this same church, where he serves and preaches from time to time. As a couple, they enjoy sharing their testimony of persevering through the challenges of being married while serving in a law enforcement career. Aaron and Tricia have a passion for strengthening the marriages of Iowa’s hero couples across the state while also finding opportunities to strengthen their own marriage.

Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) explores how individuals can experience positive psychological change following adversity. Inspired by programs like the Boulder Crest Foundation's "Struggle Well," it focuses on shifting perspective from "Why me?" to "How can I grow?", emphasizing self-regulation, disclosure, and crafting a new narrative. The class examines the five areas of PTG: new possibilities, deeper relationships, personal strength, appreciation for life, and spiritual-existential change, and often includes activities like journaling, reflection, and identifying acts of service to integrate these principles into daily life. The aim is to empower individuals to transform struggle into strength and live a life filled with purpose and connection.

​

Biography

Jeremy is a police Lieutenant for the Des Moines Iowa Police Department.  He has served as a patrol officer, detective, hostage/crisis negotiator, communications supervisor, and a sergeant leading patrol officers, traffic crash fatality investigations, sex abuse detectives, and a patrol commander.   He also retired after 20 years in the fire service as a part-time fire lieutenant supervising an engine company, medic-squad, and directing the fire training academy.  

Jeremy designed, created, and managed the first-in-the-state public safety Peer Support Program which is used as a model for other agencies around the country.  He specializes in providing training and critical incident response around the state.  In 2015 he drafted a peer support privilege communication bill that was signed into law.  

Jeremy has presented nationally to numerous organizations and conferences about peer support, employee wellness, PTSD, suicide awareness, and other topics.  Some of these presentations include at the National Fraternal Order of Police Wellness Summit, National COPS Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Law Enforcement League, Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police, Iowa Teamsters Law Enforcement, Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association, Impact Iowa, Iowa Association of Women Police, Iowa Corrections Association, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, Des Moines Area Community College, and numerous public safety agencies throughout the midwest.  

JHe is also an instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and holds a certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.

Joel Hall is a financial advisor with Guide Financial Group in Urbandale, Iowa. Before transitioning to the financial services industry in 2015, Joel spent six years serving as an officer with the Ankeny Police Department. He continues to serve part-time with the Polk City Police Department and maintains strong ties to the first responder community.

Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.  Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

Amber Nuehring brings over 14 years of dispatch experience, along with specialized training as a former crisis negotiator for a SWAT team in southern Minnesota. She has also spent many years serving as peer support with a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing team.

Outside of work, Amber stays busy supporting her three teenage daughters in their various activities and dedicates time to training at the gym for her next powerlifting competition.

We all have a story to tell, and I’m choosing to share mine in hopes that it resonates with someone. Today, I stand as a sober, 45-year-old powerlifting dispatcher—and a proud mom of three teenage girls—continuing to grow, persevere, and connect through my journey.

Biography

John Coulter was born in Corning, Iowa, in 1953. At 13, he began responding to ambulance calls with his father. After graduating from high school in 1971, he served in the US Navy until 1977, achieving the rank of Petty Officer 2nd class and working as a Navy Postal Clerk.

In 1977, John joined the EMS Department at Greater Regional Hospital in Creston, becoming an EMT-Intermediate and a Level II nationally certified EMS instructor. He also served on the American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support Affiliate Faculty, holding leadership roles.

John attended Southwestern Community College, earning an AS degree in Criminal Justice in 1980. He was elected to the Creston City Council in 1981 and served as Union County Disaster Services Coordinator. In 1984, he was elected Sheriff of Union County, a role he held until 2000. He played a key role in organizing the South-Central Iowa E-911 Service Board and received several awards for his service, including the Life Saving Award and the Kirk Strong Award.

After leaving the Sheriff's Office, John co-founded Silver Linings Family Centered Services Agency, providing in-home counseling and skills development services. He later served as Police Chief for Afton until his retirement in 2018. John has been actively involved with the Central Iowa CISM Team, advocating for public safety employees and retirees through peer support programs and education.

Officer Matt Jenatscheck is a certified police officer in Iowa for almost three decades. He is currently employed with the Cedar Rapids Police Department and is a member of their Police Community Action Team (PCAT). PCAT is a unit that is deployed in troublesome areas, and its primary focus is to reduce gun violence and gang activity. Throughout his career, Officer Jenatscheck has held various positions, including DEA Task Force Officer, Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Officer, Detective Bureau, Field Training Officer, and Patrol Sergeant, among others. 

Matt has been involved in many cases during his career that tested his mental health and have taken a toll over the years. Like a Rolodex full of index cards, these traumas flipped around vigorously and became entangled on the spool. He was resistant to getting any help. He was, after all, brought up by ‘old cops’, who rubbed dirt on things and that made it all ‘better’. 

Matt has become open and honest about how he was tested, being resistant to help, the help he has received, how he has worked on it, and how he has overcome the stigma associated with mental health in the world of First Responders. This is a conversation about taboo topics in the first responder world. Substance use/abuse. Suicide. Admittance. Asking for help. Matt is willing to share his story, knowing that others out there have been, or currently are, in the same shoes he has worn for so many years.
 

​Justin Smith is a Critical Care Paramedic and co-founder of Crisis Canines of the Midlands with his wife, Dr. Rebecca Smith, who graduated from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Justin currently serves as COO of Crisis Canines of the Midlands, and is a handler for K9 Glory and K9 Steve with Jasper County EMS. Rebecca currently serves Crisis Canines of the Midlands as CEO, assistant K9 trainer, and civilian K9 handler, along with providing veterinary oversight for all dogs in the program