My world was shattered when my beloved husband, Ken, perished in the 9/11 attacks. At the time, I was working in Germany as an Air Canada Flight Attendant and was unable to return home to Toronto where I lived with Ken and our children, Erica and Brennan, because the skies had closed to airline traffic.

Since 9/11, I have made it my life’s mission to advocate for victims of violent crime and to gain justice for victims, including co-founding the Canadian Coalition Against Terror. On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the former Prime Minister declared September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance in Canada, aiming to inspire everyone to show compassion by engaging in community service for worthy causes. Service Day is a fitting way to show resilience and pay tribute to the 9/11 victims, to honour the sacrifices of responders and to turn an infamous date into a day marked by an outpouring of warmth and generosity.

Stephen J. Cozza, M.D. is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He received his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He completed his residency in General Psychiatry and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Dr. Cozza is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in the specialties of General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has served in a variety of positions of responsibility in the Department of Psychiatry at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to include Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service, Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program and Chief, Department of Psychiatry. He retired from the U.S. Army in 2006 after 25 years of military service. He currently serves as the Associate Director, Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Uniformed Services University, as well as the Director of the Center’s Child and Family Program.

Dr. Cozza's professional interests have been in the areas of clinical and community response to trauma, and the impact of deployment and combat injury, illness and death on military service members, their families and their children. He was instrumental in organizing and executing the initial mental health response to the September 11th 2001 attack on the Pentagon. Under his leadership, the Walter Reed Department of Psychiatry spearheaded the initiative to provide mental health services, support and follow up to the many injured service members, their families and their children who receive medical treatment. As the Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Child and Family Programs, Dr. Cozza has highlighted the impact of deployment, injury, illness and death on the children and families of military service members. He is principal investigator on several congressionally funded grants examining the characteristics of child neglect in military communities, the impact of parental combat injury on children and families, the effectiveness of a family based intervention with combat injured families (FOCUS-CI), as well as the impact of military family bereavement. Dr. Cozza serves as a scientific advisor to several national organizations that focus on military children and families, as well as the broader experiences of traumatized or bereaved children.

Mary Fetchet is the driving force behind VOICES, a non-profit organization she co-founded in 2001 following the death of her 24 year old son Brad at the World Trade Center. Her unique background as a mother of a victim, along with over 20 years of expertise as a clinical social worker, influenced VOICES innovative approach to creating a new paradigm in providing long-term support services.

Using social work practices, she guided the development of programs that provide continuity of care and promote resiliency in the lives of victims' families, responders and survivors. Today, Ms. Fetchet is also helping communities heal after other traumatic events through VOICES Center of Excellence for Community Resilience, an initiative that she launched in 2014.

Under her leadership, VOICES launched the 9/11 Living Memorial Project in advance of the 5th anniversary to document the nearly 3,000 lives lost and stories of survivors. As a clinician, she recognized the importance of commemoration and supporting families through the emotional but therapeutic process of honoring their loved ones in a meaningful way. The 9/11 Living Memorial Project is now an extensive digital collection of over 70,000 photographs and personal keepsakes contributed by thousands of family members. The collection is located on VOICES website and is also a core component of the In Memoriam exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.

A strong advocate for the rights of victim's families and survivors, and public policy reforms to make the country safer, Ms. Fetchet advocated for an appropriate process for the notification of human remains, the Victim's Compensation Fund and the creation of the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site. She was also instrumental in campaigning for the 9/11 Commission and the implementation of reforms based on their recommendations. She testified before the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress on five occasions.

Ms. Fetchet's work through the VOICES Center of Excellence for Community Resilience includes establishing public-private partnerships, educational initiatives and research projects to document best practices in preparing communities to more effectively respond to the long-term needs of victims' families, responders and survivors. Through a U.S. Department of Justice grant, VOICES produced a publication, Preparing for After, a resource kit of best practices based on interviews conducted with those who responded to the 9/11 attacks; the Oklahoma City bombing; and the shootings at Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois University and Tucson, Arizona. Currently, she is leading several research projects that are examining the long-term needs of families and communities impacted by traumatic events.

An expert on the long-term needs of victims and survivors, mental health care, preparedness, and national security reforms, she has personally advised organizations and federal agencies both nationally and internationally. Ms. Fetchet has made hundreds of appearances on national television and at conferences in the U.S. and abroad, and contributes regularly to print and radio. Her awards include induction into the Hall of Fame at Columbia School of Social Work in NYC, the Social Work Managers Award, Hometown Heroes on DIRECTTV, ABC News Person of the Year, Moffly Media Light A Fire Award and NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams Making a Difference.

Fred Guttenberg’s professional life includes over a decade of experience in sales and management with Johnson and Johnson, followed by almost 15 years as an entrepreneur, having built a business that consisted of 19 Dunkin Donuts, which he sold in November 2016. Fred was hoping to take some time to relax before figuring out his next endeavor. Than tragedy struck.

Fred’s brother Michael, one of the original first responders during 9/11 at the WTC with a team of doctors got trapped in the WTC as it collapsed. Amazingly, the room that they hid out in did not collapse and Michael and his team of physicians spent 16 days at ground zero taking care of others. As a result of the ground zero exposure, Michael was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which he battled, along with Fred’s help and support until October 2017, when he passed away.

Following Michael’s funeral, Fred understandably still trying to recover from the passing of his brother also recognized he needed something else to do. In February of 2018 he was actively looking for a new purpose when Fred and his family were again struck by another National American tragedy; only this one was far worse. His 14-year-old daughter Jaime, a freshman at Marjory Stone Douglas High School was one of 17 victims brutally murdered in the Parkland Florida school shooting.

From that day forward, Fred’s life would be forever changed. While grieving, Fred found himself unable to stand still. The day after the murder, he attended a vigil and while there was asked to speak. That was the start of a new public life for Fred. He was angry and quickly realized his new purpose as an American advocate in the fight for public safety.

Fred now spends time challenging our elected officials to do more and he is aggressively pursuing strategies to enhance public safety, enact common sense gun safety and turn out the vote through his non profit organization dedicated to Jaime’s life called “Orange Ribbons for Jaime”. He has been a regular on TV news programs and myriad of online and print media. Through the formation of the non-profit, this is now his full time mission. Fred’s leadership and perseverance in spite of these dual tragedies is and his ability to turn the worst possible grief into action and to attain ongoing results is now nationally known.

Fred Guttenberg moved to Florida from Long Island in 1989 shortly after graduating from Skidmore College in New York in 1988. Fred, his wife Jennifer, and their son Jesse currently reside in Parkland, FL.

James Halpern, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Counseling and Founding Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at The State University of New York at New Paltz. He is the co-author of: Disaster Mental Health Interventions: Core Principles and Practices (March, 2017), Disaster Mental Health: Theory and Practice (2007), and Disaster Mental Health Case Studies: Lessons Learned From Counseling in Chaos (March, 2019).

He has given numerous scholarly and training presentations on trauma and disaster mental health throughout the US and abroad (England, Croatia, Norway, Austria, Greece, Italy). He has trained and presented to professionals and graduate students in the Middle East on many occasions. He has published articles and book chapters in the field and has made numerous presentations on disaster mental health to emergency management organizations including several at the United States Military Academy at West Point NY. He has received highly competitive federal grants (United States Agency for International Development, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and New York State grants (Department of Health, Office of Mental Health and Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Victim Services) and several grants from the American Red Cross to develop curriculum and to provide training and education in Disaster Mental Health. He served on the Leadership Committee of the Disaster Mental Health Services of the Greater NY Chapter of the American Red Cross and continues to serve actively as a volunteer. In 2009, he received the, 10th Annual Founders’ Award on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the American Red Cross in Ulster County and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross in the Mid Hudson Valley. The Red Cross designated him as a “Fire and Ice Honoree” in 2017. He has consulted for the United Nations on Assisting Victims of Terror and has developed six training modules for the United Nations Emergency Preparedness and Support Teams as well as a specialized training module for how UN mission leaders can operate most effectively in complex emergencies. He is frequently called on to offer his expertise to media including NY Times, CNN, CGTN, CCTV, CRI and National Public Radio (e.g. Marketplace Money). He has also provided direct service to disaster survivors and served in a leadership role at both large-scale national and local disasters (e.g. 9/11, Flight 587, Florida Hurricanes, Hurricane Katrina, Newtown School shooting, Harlem building explosion).

Marsha Kight Kimble acted as the national and international media spokesperson for Families and Survivors United, a 501 (c) (3) organization, which was a support and advocacy group formed in order to assist and empower the families and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Under Marsha’s direction, the organization developed a web site that provided in-formation on pretrial hearings and the subsequent trials of Tim McVeigh and Terry Nichols. The organization also sought ways to raise money to enable families that were not included in the viewing lottery to be able to attend the trials. The group lobbied the Oklahoma City Council to keep Fifth Street closed in front of the Murrah Federal Building. Fifth Street was ultimately included as part of the National Memorial. The organization produced a thank-you video for the search and rescue teams. Marsha compiled a book, Forever Changed, a compilation of first-person accounts of family members’ and survivors’ stories. Marsha, along with members of Families and Survivors United, acted as lead plaintiff in opposition to Federal District Judge Richard Match’s ruling of sequestration. As a result of the group’s work, the Victim Allocution Clarification Act of 1997 was enacted by Congress and signed into law, thus allowing the family members and survivors access to the trial and provide oral impact statements. Marsha was appointed as media liaison for Bill Moyer in the production of the documentary film “Oklahoma City One Year Later.”

Stephanie Landau joined VOICES in 2007. She is responsible for planning annual events, including the annual Always Remember Gala, the 9/10 Information Forum and Commemorative Luncheon, as well as interfaith services and special events.

Stephanie is also the project manager for our work with the World Trade Center Health Program to connect responders and survivors with medical and mental health services that are available for those who qualify. She works closely with our partner in this project, the Mental Health Association of New York City.

As project manager for the 9/11 Living Memorial Project, Stephanie scheduled and conducted hundreds of workshops in communities throughout the tri-state area and Washington, D.C. Her team met with over 1,600 families to create tributes to their loved ones in the 9/11 Living Memorial Project.

Her responsibilities also include the management of the high school and college Internship Programs and the Volunteer Program.

Stephanie earned a Master Degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining VOICES, Stephanie spent several years working in the field on real estate investment. After moving to Ridgefield, CT., she worked for several years at Ridgefield High School as class advisor and student activities coordinator.

Madelyn Miller, PhD, LCSW, CGP, clinician, educator, and consultant, specializes in working with adult survivors of trauma and loss in her psychotherapy practice and community work, teaches and trains on these issues, and supports the well-being and resourcefulness of colleagues and organizations closely engaged with survivors and their communities, through training, consultation, and staff care.

She is adjunct associate professor at NYU Silver School of Social Work Master’s Program and Advanced Clinical Practice Certificate Program. Since 1997, Dr. Miller chairs the Disaster Trauma Committee, NYC-NASW, offering continuing learning within a global frame, collegial support, and a context for community. She participates with various disaster-related organizations since then, responding after local and regional disasters. Her clinical work with adults includes those surviving early sexual abuse and later sexual violation, human-caused and natural disaster, childhood and later loss, as well as the experiences of human rights workers, refugees, and those seeking asylum. She is past chairperson, Public Education Committee, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and past chairperson of a sub-Task Force of the Community Outreach Committee, American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA). Her publications and presentations consider the experience of the clinician working with trauma and loss survivors, as well as the student and instructor of such studies, and also address considerations of both the complex clinical issues of this work with survivors, and a community-focused response to mass disaster. Her curriculum development for academic, institute, and continuing education settings has always incorporated a focus on the complex and inevitable impact of trauma work, and the essential need for ongoing contexts of collegial support, specialized learning, and active social engagement.

Anne Marie works in Government Relations as an advocate and fundraiser. She has hosted and worked on campaigns from NJ Assembly & Senate to NY City Council and The Governor's race. Private clients include; United Cerebral Palsy Research & Education(CEO Paul Volcker), Tom Cruise's 9/11 NY Detox Project and the NY Red Bulls. Anne Marie worked on and sponsored The 2018 Women's March in NJ. She was a team member with The Fealgood Foundation for the reauthorization of the 9/11 Never Forget the Heroes Bill.

Honored by League of Woman Voters as a Woman of Distinction. Honorary co-chair of the Congressional Small Business Advisory Board of NYC for three years. Two national leadership awards from Congress for her 9/11 small-business lobby. A 9/11 Manhattan Chamber of Commerce award was presented to her organization, NY From the Ground Up for their leadership and advocacy. Member of the Ground Zero Task Force.

Throughout her career, Sue O’Sullivan has been an advocate for safe and healthy communities and for increased services to victims. Ms. O’Sullivan began her distinguished career in policing in 1981, holding numerous leadership positions throughout her 30 years of service until retiring as Deputy Chief of Police (Ottawa).

Continuing forward with her work and drawing on her background and interest in assisting those affected by crime, Ms. O’Sullivan began an appointed term as Canada's Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime on August 16, 2010 and completed her term on November 15th, 2017. During her time as Ombudsman, Ms. O’Sullivan continually placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that victims’ voices were heard at the federal level and pushed for positive change for victims of crime in Canada, including making recommendations to the Government of Canada on legislative and policy amendments.

She is currently the Chair of the International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence (INVICTM), Chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) National Working Group – Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence, a founding member of Victim Support Asia and a member of the International Victims Focus Group for Operation Kenova. Sue is also a past president of the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Alumni Association and a current member of the Executive Advisory Board. Sue was appointed to the National DNA Data Bank Advisory Committee in 2018.

Chaplain Stephen Roberts is the co-editor of Disaster Spiritual Care: Practical Clergy Responses to Community, Regional and National Tragedy. He worked with American Red Cross Greater New York two years prior to 9/11 helping them create a disaster spiritual care response plan. On 9/11 he was activated and oversaw initial NYC American Red Cross 9/11 disaster spiritual care responses.

Overall, 800 chaplains of all faith tradition reported into him. The chaplains served at the various Family Assistance Centers, Ground Zero, the Medical Examiners office, and memorial services. Post 9/11 he was involved in research and published peer review articles on the impact of disaster spiritual care on care providers. He served 16 years on the National ARC disaster spiritual care team that created the national program, bringing many lessons learned from New York and helping apply them to ARC’s national disaster spiritual care program which was launched 3 years ago.

Dan Stebbins is the retired Colonel of the Connecticut State Police. He has 40 years of combined law enforcement experience having working at both the State and Federal levels. He was the on-scene commander at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on 12/14/12.

The lessons learned from the Sandy Hook shootings continued long after this horrific event as many first responders suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Injuries. Dan will share the difficulties the agency experienced by not being prepared for the traumatic stress suffered by so many people associated with the initial and follow-up investigation.

Ms. Maya Anderman serves as the Director of US Programs for NATAL. For over a decade, Ms. Anderman has dedicated her work at NATAL to assist communities and organizations in the US in becoming more trauma informed. Her work in developing partnerships and launching tailored programs encapsulates the full spectrum of NATAL’s proactive approach to trauma treatment and prevention. Recent partnerships include the Wounded Warrior Project, The Urban Resiliency Center (Chicago, IL), and New Jersey’s first responders (in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security).

Having served in Israel’s Defense Forces, and experienced one of the most traumatic periods of terrorist attacks on civilian population in Israel; Ms. Anderman brings with her a unique perspective on the need to support trauma victims and communities.

Ms. Anderman participates in professional forums, and public awareness initiatives, to de-stigmatize trauma and promote the awareness to the need to seek help, treat, and build resiliency. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Israel’s Open University, and MBA from the University of Manchester in the UK.