International experts in the areas of violence prevention and treatment of victims.
Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D.
Dr. Aldarondo is a clinical psychologist with more than 30 years of experience in domestic violence research and advocacy, mental health services, community partnerships, and higher education administration... Read More
He has held academic appointments with the Family Violence Research Program at the University of New Hampshire, Harvard Medical School’s Cambridge Hospital, The Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, Boston College, the University of Miami (UM), and Albizu University. A recipient of multiple awards for educational excellence and community engagement, his scholarship focuses on positive development of ethnic minority and immigrant youth, domestic violence, and social justice-oriented clinical practices.
He has published several books, including Advancing Social Justice through Clinical Practice (Routledge), Programs for Men Who Batter: Intervention and Prevention Strategies in a Diverse Society (Civic Research Institute, co-edited with Fernando Mederos, Ed.D.), and Neurosciences, Health and Community Well-Being (San Luís, Nueva Editorial Universitaria, co-edited with Dr. Enrique Saforcada and Mauro Muñoz). Dr. Aldarondo has a long history of involvement with grassroots advocacy organizations. He was Founding Executive Director of the National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence, Founding Director of the Community and Educational Well-Being Research Center at UM, Past Executive Director of The Council on Contemporary Families, and currently serves on the board of directors for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
Leena K. Augimeri, Ph.D.
Dr. Augimeri is an innovative scientist-practitioner, thought leader, and co-founder of SNAP (Stop Now And Plan) and the EARL (Early Assessment Risk List)... Read More
For over 40 years, she has advanced children’s mental health and crime prevention through measurement-based care, helping organizations integrate research into clinical practice. Her comprehensive prevention framework addresses antisocial and violent behavior in young children, with SNAP (a trauma-informed, evidence-based model) at its core. SNAP interventions, recognized globally, improve emotion regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills in children aged 6–11.
Under Dr. Augimeri’s leadership, SNAP expanded to include digitized programs—SNAP for Schools (universal prevention) and SNAP Youth Justice (for youth 12–18). She also spearheaded large-scale national implementation initiatives, raising over $25 million to scale evidence-based interventions. She has led or participated in multiple research collaborations and government review panels, published extensively, and presented hundreds of conference papers. Dr. Augimeri has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Prime Minister’s Regional Social Innovation Award, the Elizabeth Manson Award for contributions to children’s mental health, CAMH Difference Makers 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health, Child Welfare League of Canada’s Outstanding Achievement Research and Evaluation Award, and the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioner’s Community Based Program of the Year Award. In November 2024, she will receive Research Canada’s Advocacy in Leadership Award (Individual) and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Between 1985 and 2024, she served in multiple leadership roles at the Child Development Institute (CDI) in Toronto, including Director of Program Scaling & Strategic Partnerships, and was appointed Chair of the Ontario Government’s Youth Justice Task Force.
Victoria Banyard, Ph.D.
Dr. Banyard is a clinical psychologist who has dedicated her career to improving how communities prevent and respond to interpersonal violence... Read More
He has held academic appointments with the Family Violence Research Program at the University of New Hampshire, Harvard Medical School’s Cambridge Hospital, The Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, Boston College, the University of Miami (UM), and Albizu University. A recipient of multiple awards for educational excellence and community engagement, his scholarship focuses on positive development of ethnic minority and immigrant youth, domestic violence, and social justice-oriented clinical practices.
He has published several books, including Advancing Social Justice through Clinical Practice (Routledge), Programs for Men Who Batter: Intervention and Prevention Strategies in a Diverse Society (Civic Research Institute, co-edited with Fernando Mederos, Ed.D.), and Neurosciences, Health and Community Well-Being (San Luís, Nueva Editorial Universitaria, co-edited with Dr. Enrique Saforcada and Mauro Muñoz). Dr. Aldarondo has a long history of involvement with grassroots advocacy organizations. He was Founding Executive Director of the National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence, Founding Director of the Community and Educational Well-Being Research Center at UM, Past Executive Director of The Council on Contemporary Families, and currently serves on the board of directors for the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
John Briere, Ph.D.
Dr. Briere is a clinical psychologist who consults and teaches in emergency, inpatient psychiatry, and burn care settings... Read More
A past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, he received the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 56 Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology and has been designated a Highly Cited Researcher by the Institute for Scientific Information. He has authored or co-authored over 100 articles and chapters, 10 books, and eight psychological tests related to trauma. His research interests span psychological trauma, PTSD, interpersonal violence, child abuse, trauma-related affect dysregulation, gender issues, and applied multivariate methodology.
Colleen Cicchetti, Ph.D., M.Ed.
Dr. Cicchetti is the Executive Director of the Center for Childhood Resilience (CCR), which she founded in 2004... Read More
She has worked as a clinical psychologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for over 25 years and serves as an Assistant Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Cicchetti has received numerous awards for her work, most recently the “Public Educator of the Year” from the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She represents Lurie Children’s Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry on various boards and initiatives, including the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership (as Co-Chair of the School-Age Practices and Policies Committee) and the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition (as Clinical Director).
Lisa A. Goodman, Ph.D.
Dr. Goodman employs community-based participatory research methods to improve systemic responses to intimate partner violence (IPV) and examine how survivors use social networks for healing and safety... Read More
Her work highlights the strengths and needs of marginalized survivors, including communities of color and individuals who are unhoused. She has authored more than 120 publications and received funding from the National Institute of Justice and the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Goodman consults with national and local domestic violence organizations and co-coordinates the Domestic Violence Program Evaluation and Research Collaborative. She has received national awards for teaching and mentoring, including the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award.
Sherry Hamby, Ph.D.
Dr. Hamby is Research Professor of Psychology at the University of the South, Director of the Life Paths Research Center, and Founder/Co-chair of ResilienceCon... Read More
An internationally recognized authority on victimization and trauma, she has focused on violence measurement, poly-victimization, and resilience for over 25 years. A licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Hamby has worked in crisis intervention, treatment, grassroots advocacy, and research, authoring more than 200 publications. Ranked in the top 1% of researchers for citations across 22 disciplines, she has received multiple honors, including the American Psychological Association’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Science of Trauma Psychology. Her work has been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, CBS News, and Psychology Today.
Annette M. La Greca, Ph.D., ABPP
Dr. La Greca is an internationally recognized expert on the impact of trauma on youth and families, as well as the influence of peer relations on physical and mental health... Read More
Her research centers on youth “risk and resilience,” with a focus on strategies to promote well-being after disasters, such as Hurricanes Andrew, Charley, Ike, and Irma. She authored After the Storm: A Guide to Help Children Cope in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Youth Strong: Helping Youth and Families in Times of Disaster and Stress. Dr. La Greca has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, co-authored or edited 19 books, and received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Research Award from the Society of Pediatric Psychology, the International Scholar Award from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund, and a Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association.
Jim Larson, Ph.D., NCSP
With more than 35 years of experience studying and treating anger-related behaviors in children and youth... Read More
Dr. Larson formerly served as a school psychologist in the Milwaukee Public Schools for 14 years, where he directed the violence prevention program. He has extensive experience in parent management training and co-authored Parent to Parent: A Video-augmented Training Program for the Prevention of Aggressive Behavior in Young Children and Helping School Children Cope with Anger: A Cognitive-behavioral Intervention (2nd edition). His most recent book, Think First: Addressing Aggressive Behavior in Secondary Schools, continues his focus on practical, evidence-based interventions for educators.
Donald Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
Dr. Meichenbaum is one of the founders of cognitive behavior therapy and was voted by North American clinicians as one of the ten most influential psychotherapists of the 20th century... Read More
He has served as Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Miami’s School of Education. A prolific author, his books include Roadmap to Resilience: A Guide for Military, Trauma Victims and Their Families, Treatment of Individuals with Anger-control Problems and Aggressive Behavior, and Stress Inoculation Training. He has presented in all 50 U.S. states and internationally, focusing on trauma, resilience, and cognitive behavior therapy.
Guerda Nicolas, Ph.D.
Dr. Nicolas is a multicultural (Haitian American), multilingual psychologist fluent in Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole... Read More
Her research integrates race, culture, and well-being in ethnically diverse and immigrant communities. Current projects include spirituality across the lifespan among minorities and culturally effective mental health interventions for immigrant youth and families. Dr. Nicolas has authored numerous articles and book chapters and is an invited presenter at national and international conferences on women’s issues, depression interventions in Haitian communities, social support networks, and spirituality. Her most recent book is Social Networks and the Mental Health of Haitian Immigrants.
Debra J. Pepler, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Dr. Pepler is an internationally recognized expert on bullying, childhood aggression, and interventions that prevent and address violence... Read More
Her research, embedded in clinical and educational settings, examines mechanisms of change—particularly the role of relationships. She publishes extensively and regularly speaks to professional and community audiences. Dr. Pepler co-edited Understanding and Addressing Bullying: An International Perspective and was honored with the Donald O. Hebb Award for Significant Contribution to Psychology as a Science from the Canadian Psychological Association.
Alex R. Piquero, Ph.D.
Dr. Piquero is one of the most cited criminologists globally, with over 475 peer-reviewed articles on criminal careers, race/immigration and crime, crime prevention, criminological theory, and quantitative research methods... Read More
He has co-authored multiple books, including Key Issues in Criminal Careers Research (Cambridge University Press) and Handbook of Quantitative Criminology (Springer). A Fellow of both the American Society of Criminology andthe Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, he has served on numerous national committees, including the National Academy of Sciences panels and the Office of Justice Programs Science Advisory Board. Dr. Piquero has testified before Congress on evidence-based crime prevention and advised local, national, and international criminal justice agencies. His research has been covered by major news outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, USA Today, and The Atlantic.
Isaac Prilleltensky, Ph.D.
Dr. Prilleltensky is a community psychologist whose work integrates wellness and fairness at the individual, organizational, and community levels... Read More
He has served as Dean of the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Miami and presented in 26 countries. A Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Educational Research Association, he has received the “Lifetime Achievement Award in Prevention” from the Society for Counseling Psychology and the “Distinguished Contribution to Theory and Research Award” from the APA’s Division of Community Psychology. With his wife, Dr. Ora Prilleltensky, he co-authored Promoting Well-Being: Linking Personal, Organizational, and Community Change. His latest book is The Laughing Guide to Well-Being: Using Humor and Science to Become Happier and Healthier.
Daniel Santisteban, Ph.D.
Dr. Santisteban’s work focuses on family therapy outcomes, family processes, cultural competence, adolescent co-occurring disorders, and bridging research with clinical practice... Read More
He has published over 35 book chapters and articles in these areas and co-edited the book Family Psychology: Science-Based Interventions. He has received numerous awards, including the 2004 American Family Therapy Academy award for Distinguished Contribution to Family Systems Research and the 2012 University of Miami Civic Engagement Award. Dr. Santisteban has served on NIH grant review committees, treatment guidelines panels, and journal editorial boards, and continues to consult with state agencies on implementing evidence-based practices.
Judy Schaechter, MD, MBA
Dr. Judy Schaechter is the Director of the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)... Read More
A values-driven physician-executive, she brings extensive experience in policy, strategy, and program development across academic, healthcare, governmental, and nonprofit sectors.
Before joining the CDC, Dr. Schaechter served as Chief Medical Officer of MedNetPro and President and CEO of the American Board of Pediatrics, where she led strategic initiatives and promoted equity in professional certification. Previously, she was Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Miami and Chief of Service for Child Health at Jackson Memorial Health System. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/National Academies of Science Health Policy Fellow, she worked on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, contributing to COVID-19 response legislation, maternal health protections, and child welfare reforms.
Her clinical practice has centered on complex medical and mental health needs of children and youth, and she has long advocated for violence prevention and reducing health disparities. Dr. Schaechter was educated at Brown University, Stanford School of Medicine, the University of Miami School of Business, and Harvard Kennedy School.
Ron Slaby, Ph.D.
Dr. Slaby’s innovative research, teaching, and program development have shaped national and global strategies for preventing violence and bullying... Read More
He introduced “bystander intervention” as a key strategy for violence prevention and coauthored several influential works, including the CDC’s first comprehensive National Agenda for the Prevention of Violence, the World Health Organization’s Preventing Violence in Schools, and the American Psychological Association’s Commission Reports on Violence and Youth. Dr. Slaby also contributed to evidence-based curricula such as Aggressors, Victims, & Bystanders and the Eyes on Bullying program, as well as Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) to address gender-based violence.
Wendy K. Silverman, Ph.D., ABPP
Dr. Silverman is known for her extensive work in developing and evaluating evidence-based assessment and treatment procedures for childhood anxiety disorders... Read More
She founded and directed the Child Anxiety and Phobia Program (CAPP) at Florida International University before moving to Yale University. She has received multiple grants, including a mid-career development award from the National Institute of Mental Health, and has published extensively, including five books on childhood anxiety. A past editor of the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and co-editor of Clinical Psychology Review, Dr. Silverman also served as President of the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.
Yvonne Skipper, Ph.D.
Dr. Skipper is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the School of Education at the University of Glasgow...Read More
She has published more than 30 articles and book chapters on educational psychology, focusing on partner collaborations with schools, education authorities, and charities to co-create interventions that enhance learning outcomes. Dr. Skipper has been recognized for her teaching excellence, including being runner-up for the UK Higher Education Psychology Teacher of the Year, and has received awards for mobilizing research into action. She is deeply committed to knowledge exchange, engagement, and outreach.
Dale Willows, Ph.D.
Dr. Willows served as a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology and is a Registered Psychologist specializing in learning disabilities...Read More
A renowned literacy expert, she was invited by President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush to attend The White House Assembly on Reading in 2001. Dr. Willows has been instrumental in improving early literacy education through extensive in-service professional development for teachers and administrators. She has received numerous awards in both Ontario and the U.S. for her contributions to literacy instruction and research.
Marlene (Marleen) Wong, Ph.D.
Dr. Wong is recognized as one of the “pre-eminent experts in school crisis and recovery.” Read More
She served as Senior Vice Dean and Clinical Professor of Field Education at the USC School of Social Work and was previously Director of Mental Health, Crisis Teams, and Suicide Prevention Programs at the Los Angeles Unified School District. In a 20+ year partnership with RAND Health and the UCLA Partnered Health Research Center, she co-developed the evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS). Appointed to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Advisory Council, Dr. Wong was inducted into the California Social Work Hall of Distinction in 2020 for her transformative impact on school mental health practices.
Frank Zenere, Ed.S
Frank Zenere, Ed.S., is a school psychologist and former District Coordinator of Student Services/Crisis Management for Miami-Dade County Public Schools...Read More
He has served on state and national committees developing school safety policies—including suicide prevention, postvention, and critical incident response—and has trained and responded to crises locally, nationally, and internationally. Frank has provided support following disasters such as earthquakes in Turkey, El Salvador, and Haiti; the tsunami in Sri Lanka; Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico; the 9/11 attacks; various school shootings (including the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School); and youth suicide clusters. His article, “I Never Thought This Could Happen Here: A Reflection on Uvalde,” featured on NASP’s Communiqué, highlights his dedicated work supporting the Robb Elementary community.