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9:00am to 4:00pm
New York Marriott Downtown | 85 West Street, New York, NY

NYC Symposium | September 9th

VOICES 25th Annual Remembrance Symposium
 
September 9th | 9/11 Community
 
Victims' Families, Responders, Survivors, and Providers
 
New York Marriott Downtown
85 West Street, New York City
 
 
Voices Center for Resilience - 25th Anniversary of 9/11
 
 
VOICES New York City Symposium was held on Tuesday, September 8th, Wednesday, September 9th, and Thursday, September 10th. The Symposium, held in person and broadcasted live, was presented in partnership with our 9/11 Community partners, the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Alumni Association (LinCT-AA) and the International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence (INVICTM).
 
Supported by our 9/11 Community Partners who are dedicated to assisting all those impacted by 9/11, the program underscored VOICES mission to provide long-term support for victims’ families, responders and survivors. Updates included ongoing issues, mental health and medical care, litigation, and compensation.
 
September 9th Schedule
NYPD Pipes & Drums Performance
 
The NYPD Pipes and Drums opens the September 9 Symposium with a moving musical tribute, performing “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful.” Their stirring rendition honors those who were lost on 9/11, recognizes the courage and service of first responders, and sets a reflective and patriotic tone for the day’s program as the 25th anniversary is commemorated.
 
Welcome Remarks
 
Frank Fetchet welcomes participants from 25 states and six countries, underscoring its global reach, and introduces VOICES Board Chair, Bonnie McEneaney McNamara. The program centers on Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future, reflecting on lessons from 9/11 while applying them to the future. She describes VOICES mission, a victim-centered approach, international collaboration, the lasting impact of 9/11, as well as the responsibility to preserve memories and share stories with future generations.
 
 
Executive Director, Voices Center for Resilience; Member, INVICTM and LinCT-AA
 
Chief Operating Officer, Voices Center for Resilience
 
Board Chair, Voices Center for Resilience
 
On the Ground Covering 9/11
 
Veteran journalists reflect on covering 9/11 in real time and the lasting impact of witnessing the attacks and their aftermath. They discuss the responsibility of documenting history, telling the stories of families and survivors with accuracy and compassion. As professionals, they note the challenges of compartmentalizing traumatic experiences. The panel also highlights the growing recognition of journalists as part of the 9/11 community, the health consequences many face, and the importance of mental health support.
 
 
Frank Cipolla
 
Frank Cipolla (Moderator)
Veteran Radio and Television Broadcaster
 
General Assignment Reporter, PIX11 News
 
Former NY Daily News Photographer
 
Reporter, FOX 5 NYC
 
Update on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for Responders and Survivors
 
The Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is joined by her colleagues to provide an update on the VCF’s ongoing work to support responders and survivors. They note the fund continues to receive hundreds of new claims each month, expand outreach, improve access to proof-of-presence documentation, and implement claimant-friendly policy updates. The VCF team also highlights new resources for expedited claims, trauma-informed practices, and a modernized claims system designed to create a more accessible and efficient experience for claimants.
 
 
Special Master, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
 
Deputy Special Master, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
 
Manager of Communications and External Affairs, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
 
25 Years: Promoting Resilience in the Face of Tragedy
 
The mental health professionals explore resilience 25 years after 9/11, emphasizing that it is not about being strong or unaffected, but about staying connected to ourselves, our lives and one another. Speakers discuss the evolving nature of trauma, the importance of peer support and community, and the role of regulation, resources and meaningful rituals. Personal stories demonstrate how connection, compassion and shared experience help people carry grief forward while creating space for healing and growth.
 
 
Founder & CEO, On the Job and Off
 
Psychotherapist, Trainer and Consultant
 
Clinician Consultant, Educator
 
9/11 Victim Assistance and Compensation Funds
 
Legal professionals and advocates for 9/11 responders and survivors health care and compensation discuss the ongoing fight for health care, and compensation. Speakers emphasize that the impact of 9/11 continues 25 years later, with new illnesses, deaths and a growing next generation affected. They address misconceptions about eligibility, the importance of registering with the World Trade Center Health Program and VCF, preserving proof of presence, and staying informed about evolving research and benefits. The panel highlights the need for continued advocacy as the 9/11 community moves forward.
 
 
Partner, Turken, Heath & McCauley
 
Managing Partner, Kreindler & Kreindler LLP
 
Partner, Barasch & McGarry
 
Art After 9/11: Providing Hope and Healing
 
Artists Dianne Brudnicki and Brenda Berkman share how art provided a path toward healing, remembrance and resilience following 9/11. For 25 years, Dianne Brudnicki and her art students worked on projects that offer comfort and hope to affected families, while helping young artists process their emotions. Retired FDNY firefighter Brenda Berkman reflects on her experience at Ground Zero and her transition to art, including her series of sketches, 36 Views of One World Trade Center, that document the rebuilding and resilience of New York. Together, they highlight art’s power to connect and preserve memory.
 
 
Founder, School of Art and Innovation
 
FDNY (Retired), Artist
 
Reflections from Senator Blumenthal
 
Senator Richard Blumenthal reflects on 25 years of public service following 9/11, recalling the tragedy’s profound impact on Connecticut communities. He emphasizes the strength and tenacity of 9/11 families and his commitment to supporting responders and survivors. He discusses his work advancing the World Trade Center Health Program and JASTA, stressing the importance of truth, transparency and accountability. He also addresses evolving threats, including homegrown terrorism and emerging technologies, and the need to continually adapt security efforts.
 
 
U.S. Senator from the State of Connecticut
 
Keeping the Promise: Office of the NYC Chief Medical Examiner
 
The NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner continues its 25-year commitment to identify World Trade Center victims and supporting their families. Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham emphasizes the promise to never stop seeking answers. The OCME team discusses advances in DNA technology, renewed family outreach and forensic genetic genealogy, which recently led to the identification of the 1,654th victim. They also explain the careful, multi-step process for confirming identifications and notifying families according to their wishes.
 
 
Chief Medical Examiner of New York City
 
Assistant Director, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner
 
Senior Supervisor and Criminalist, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner
 
Lead World Trade Center Anthropologist, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner
 
WTC Health Program Legacy
 
The session highlights the World Trade Center Health Program’s ongoing commitment to responders and survivors 25 years after 9/11. Anthony Gardner shares updates on its 145,000+ members, research, health outcomes, youth initiatives and expanded outreach. Julie Broihier reflects on two decades of clinical care, emphasizing long-term monitoring, cancer and mental health impacts, trauma, and the importance of trusted providers. Both underscore the program’s continued role in delivering specialized care and supporting healing.
 
 
Deputy Director, Stony Brook WTC Health and Wellness Program
 
Public Affairs Specialist, WTC Health Program; Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
 
Update on the Proceedings at Guantanamo
 
The panel including 9/11 family members, a first responder, and a journalist examine the ongoing military commissions at Guantanamo Bay. Panelists discuss the lack of resolution 25 years after the attacks, the impact of delays and classified proceedings, and the suppression of statements obtained after CIA detention. They also address the 2028 trial date, abandoned plea agreements, the need for accountability and finality, and the continuing emotional burden on 9/11 families.
 
 
9/11 Family Member
 
Journalist, Lawdragon
 
Former Chief, PAPD; Commissioner, Joint Terrorism Task Force
 
Co-Founder, September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
 
 
Members of the 9/11 community are invited to participate in a special recording opportunity by sitting down with a family member, friend, colleague, or other meaningful person to share memories of a loved one, reflect on their life and legacy, and preserve their story for generations to come.
 
StoryCorps
 
This is an exhibit of hope and healing showcasing artwork created by artists of all ages, in response to and in the years following 9/11- a glimpse into 9/11's imprint on society.
 
Voices of Reflection Art Exhibit
 
Voices Center for Resilience
 
Voices Center for Resilience (VOICES)
 
Founded in the aftermath of 9/11, Voices Center for Resilience, (formerly Voices of September 11th) provides long-term support and access to mental health care and resources for thousands of victims' families, responders and survivors. VOICES collaborates with its partners to assist communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from tragedies, in the United States and abroad. With an emphasis on providing support, education and training, VOICES comprehensive, victim-centered approach underscores a commitment to promote resilience in the lives of those impacted and builds bridges between communities affected by tragedy.
 
 
 
LinCT-AA
 
Leadership in Counter Terrorism Alumni Association (LinCT-AA)
 
Since its inception in 2008, the LinCT-AA has brought together senior police and intelligence leaders from the “Five Eyes” – Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States – to promote personal and professional development, networking, exchange of good practices, and global thinking. LinCT-AA leaders continue to ensure that victims have been included in and considered as essential partners in the discussions and the work of the association.
 
 
INVICTM
 
The International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence (INVICTM)
 
Created in 2016, INVICTM brings together trusted experts dedicated to improving support for victims of terrorism and mass violence. The strength of INVICTM lies in the ability to share lessons learned, leverage the knowledge and expertise of its members and their networks, to influence change and turn research into action within our own countries and globally. The group of over 30 international members includes NGOs, law enforcement agencies, civil society members and other experts that provide information based upon their background, country and professional perspective.
 
 
 
NYPD Sheild
 
NYPD Shield
 
The NYPD Shield program is a public-private partnership, established in 2005 by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Its mission is to strengthen collaboration between the NYPD and private security professionals, as well as serve as a communication platform with private-sector entities on security and counterterrorism-related matters. Through this program, the NYPD shares information and resources with leading security professionals and law enforcement agencies worldwide, creating a force multiplier in the fight against terrorism. By engaging both private and public sector leaders, the NYPD aims to prevent potential terrorist attacks and enhance overall security within New York City and beyond.
 
 
ASIS International New York City Chapter
 
ASIS International New York City Chapter
 
The New York City Chapter of ASIS International, a global community of security practitioners, is among the largest Chapters in ASIS International. Our membership exceeds 1500 members with a mailing list reaching over 15,000 readers. Members of the Chapter represent an entire spectrum of security professionals, security contractors and practitioners from the New York City metropolitan area. We provide a forum that brings together security professionals, government and law enforcement to further their common goals and to share experiences and best practices.
 
Corporate security professionals, including many Fortune 500 companies and providers of security services, as well as Federal, State and local law enforcement, participate in the NYC Chapter.
 
 
StoryCorps
 
StoryCorps
 
StoryCorps is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of people from all backgrounds and beliefs. Since 2003, StoryCorps has helped hundreds of thousands of people record meaningful conversations about their lives and the people who matter most to them. These conversations are preserved in the StoryCorps Archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, creating a lasting record for families and future generations.
 
StoryCorps began collecting remembrance recordings for victims of the September 11 attacks in 2005. In partnership with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, more than 1,200 interviews were recorded, honoring approximately 700 people who lost their lives in the attacks. These conversations preserve not only the events of September 11, but also the lives, relationships, memories, and legacies of those who were lost.
 
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
25th Anniversary Commemoration Sponsor
Suffolk Cares Foundation
Legacy Sponsor
Turken, Heath & McCauley LLP
Remembrance Sponsor
Motley Rice LLC
9/11 Family Luncheon Sponsor
Kreindler & Kreindler LLP
Speaker Luncheon Sponsor
TP ICAP
Peregrine
Reception Sponsors
NicheRMS365
National Debt Relief
LinCT-AA
Barasch & McGarry
Catherine Avery Investment Management