Our Leadership
Our Staff
Karen Monda, M.A.
As a law enforcement spouse, Karen Monda has seen firsthand the devastating effects of a loved-one’s battle over depression, PTSD, and attempted suicide. With a strong background in education, leadership, and mental health advocacy, Karen’s expertise cultivates a culture of excellence and trust in the first responder community through integrity and purpose. Karen's strategic planning skills and ability to drive growth have been instrumental in advancing the mission of Survive First. She oversees the day-to-day operations, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the evolving needs of first responders and their families.
Holding both Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of Central Florida, Karen contributes as a member of Lynn University’s Crisis, Resilience, and First Responder Trauma Training Advisory Council. As a passionate advocate for improving mental health access for first responders and a respected national speaker on the challenges faced by first responder families, Karen is committed to normalizing the conversation about mental health in the first responder community and building resilient marriages and communities in the public safety profession. Her dedication to this cause is evident in her tireless efforts to raise awareness, provide support, and foster positive change within the first responder community.
Board of Directors
Doug Monda
Founder & Chairman of the Board
Doug Monda, a retired narcotics agent, is a leader in the field of mental health advocacy for first responders and their families. After his own personal struggles with depression and a failed suicide attempt in 2013, Monda has dedicated his life to helping first responders acknowledge and address career related mental health issues afflicting the responder community.
As the founder of Survive First, Doug’s visionary leadership has paved the way for greater access to crucial mental health resources, ensuring the well-being of those who serve our communities.
A respected national speaker, Doug passionately addresses the importance of mental health and resiliency among first responders. His powerful insights and commitment to the cause have inspired change and fostered stronger support networks within the first responder community.
In addition to his role at Survive First, Doug is the co-founder of Trauma Behind the Badge and serves as a trustee of the Florida Police Chiefs Association’s Education and Research Foundation. His dedication to bettering the lives of first responders also extends to academia, where he contributes as an Advisory member on Lynn University’s Crisis Resiliency and First Responder Trauma Training Council.
Doug Monda’s tireless advocacy and leadership have left a mark on the mental health landscape for first responders, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.
Doug Muldoon
Chief of Police, Palm Bay Police Department (Ret.)
Across his 38+ year law enforcement career, Doug Muldoon has consistently demonstrated his tactical and leadership proficiencies, resulting in a meteoric and highly decorated rise to the top of his field. With his vast experience and training, Muldoon is prized for his expertise, serving as a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and serving as Chair or participating on several boards such as the Florida Police Chiefs Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the FBINAA Charitable Foundation.
The first internally appointed chief of police in 36 years to the Palm Bay Police Department, Muldoon also attended the 153rd Session of the FBI National Academy. An active member both locally and nationally, Muldoon served as a local board member, chapter president, and after being elected to the FBINAA Executive board, served as the FBINAA International President.
Raul Rivas
The recipient of numerous awards and accolades to include the Award of Valor, Field Training Officer of the Year, SWAT Operator of the Year, and Florida Governor’s Award, Raul Rivas currently sits on the SWAT Roundup International committee. With a career spanning more than 18 years with the Orlando Police Department, Rivas has served across a multitude of departments, including SWAT as an assistant Team Leader.
This extensive field experience drove his quick-thinking actions as a member of the SWAT team who responded to the Pulse night club shooting, earning the Award of Valor for his actions.
John DeVoe
Former Lieutenant of Police
With more than 25 years of law enforcement experience with a focus on criminal investigations and cybercrime, John J. DeVoe is a public safety executive and former Police Lieutenant. After graduating from the prestigious FBI National Academy (FBINA), DeVoe served as the 2020/2021 President of his local FBINA Chapter. He is also a distinguished graduate of the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police Command and Leadership Academy. Further, he is an alumnus and Board of Directors member of the Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (MALEEDS) at Princeton University.
As an accomplished public safety executive, DeVoe was inducted into the FBI National Academy Associates’ Speaker’s Bureau and is certified by the New Jersey Police Training Commission as a Police Instructor. He is also an avid philanthropist; DeVoe is the Founder and President of Mayday Missions: Hope For Heroes – a nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to assisting first responders and their families, and participates in the yearly Police Unity Tour in honor of Law Enforcement Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.
Paul Hill
Managing Partner, Dirty Oar Beer Company
As the Managing Partner at Dirty Oar Beer Company, Paul Hill brings a wealth of business knowledge and leadership to Survive First. With a diverse background in business management, Paul has honed his skills in strategic planning, financial management, and team development. His experience in overseeing operations and driving growth has been instrumental in Dirty Oar's success, making him a valuable asset to Survive First.
Paul's expertise in business management provides a strong foundation for supporting Survive First's mission and objectives. His ability to navigate complex challenges and implement effective strategies will be invaluable in advancing the organization's goals of promoting mental health awareness and providing support to first responders and their families. Additionally, Paul's experience in fostering community engagement and building partnerships will help expand Survive First's reach and impact, ensuring that its vital resources and programs reach those who need them most.
Meghann Holloway
Police Officer
Describing Meghann, the term "passionate" springs to mind immediately, evident in her spirited approach to improving the well-being of first responders and their families. With 23 years of experience in law enforcement, Meghann has served in various capacities, including patrol and as a primary academy instructor. Her appointment as her agency's first wellness coordinator stands out as her most significant assignment to date.
Meghann brings over a decade of experience as a health and fitness instructor and is currently completing her master's degree in counseling. She holds certifications in ICISF peer support, SAMHSA national trauma training, FBI hostage negotiation, and more. Meghann's outside-the-box thinking and creative problem-solving have enabled her to make a large-scale impact, despite limited resources. She teaches classes on trauma science, nervous system regulation, operational durability, and family wellness, contributing to decreasing stigma and supporting first responders nationwide. Meghann is also a sought-after presenter and consultant for agencies looking to enhance their wellness programs.
Advisory Board
Chris Fields
A former member of the OK City Fire Department, Chris Fields served Oklahoma City for 31 years, retiring as a Major in 2017. Captured in a photo that would become an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing, Fields is committed to helping the first responder community through his own brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours.
With firsthand knowledge, Fields recounts how 31 years of public service, coupled with the events of that day, combined to take a toll on his life and his family. Now he shares his journey out of the suffering in hopes of helping others avoid the failure and pitfalls, and encourages them to reach out.
John BlackLeddge
After 33 years of service in public safety, John Blackledge retired as Deputy Chief of Police for Palm Bay Police Department. John Blackledge currently supports tactical operations in the military and aerospace industry. Over the past 10 years, Blackledge has been directly involved in suicide intervention incidents, developed and conducted training on law enforcement suicide prevention, and solicited support for impactful programs that increase mental health survival for first responders.
With an extensive array of expertise, Blackledge concurrently serves as a sworn reserve Deputy Sheriff for Brevard County, and has been the Lead Legal Instructor for more than 30 years at Eastern Florida State College. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Blackledge has worked across many disciplines including undercover narcotics and senior command. As the Major of Criminal Investigations, he led the innovative DNA project, LODIS, which earned the prestigious August Vollmer/IACP Award for outstanding achievement in local government from the ICMA Alliance.
Christopher O. Davis
After 25+ years of service, Chris recently retired as an Assistant Chief of Police from the Fayetteville (NC) Police Department. Prior to law enforcement, he served 3+ years as a U.S. Army officer and served in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.
A certified yoga instructor, Davis has a passion for improving resilience and operational performance via yoga and mindfulness training and is currently pursuing his 500-hour certification at the Guiding Wellness Institute.
Kevin Faulk
A U.S. Marine, Kevin Faulk served as a member of the Crash, Fire, & Rescue MCAS in Jacksonville, NC. After being Honorably Discharged, Faulk became an EMS instructor and Haz-Mat technician leveraging his 6 years on the Haz-Mat Tech Rescue Team at BCFR, Field Evaluation Officer where he was the team coordinator for the department’s CISM team.
A passionate instructor, Faulk is a member of Eastern Florida State College’s EMS Program, teaching ACLS, PALS, and CPR/First Aid. Additionally, Faulk is a NAEMT Instructor for TCCC, TECC, TEMS, LEFR-TCC, and Bleeding Control. He has helped train several hundred local fire/rescue and law enforcement for active shooter events, several hundred law enforcement in bleeding control and has been an evaluator for Department of Homeland Security in an active shooter drill.
Rich Creamer
Rich Creamer is a US Navy veteran and retired 24-year Sergeant of the Norfolk Police Department. During his career, he served in various specialty units, including the Gang Unit, Homicide, FBI Violent Crime Task Force, Cold Case Homicide, Training Division, and Criminal Intelligence Unit. He received awards such as Officer of the Year, two US Attorney Public Service Awards, and multiple police commendations.
In his final assignment with the Norfolk Police Department’s Training Division, Rich developed and instructed courses on Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Peer Support. He provided CISM/Peer Support services to Norfolk PD and other regional agencies and now serves as a consultant for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Collaborative Reform Initiative-Technical Assistance Center for Officer Wellness.
Rich is credited with developing the Norfolk Public Safety Wellness Initiative, which included the state's first facility dog program, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, and a holistic wellness plan offering free services like float therapy, nutrition, infrared sauna, and chiropractic sessions to public safety employees.
Currently, Rich works as the Director of Public Safety Initiatives for Lighthouse Health and Wellness and as a CSAC-S and First Responder Outreach representative for The Farley Center, a leading substance abuse rehab center. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Old Dominion University and a Master's degree in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University.
Michael McCann
Michael McCann is the Director of Law Enforcement Relations on the East Coast for ecoATM and a retired Chief of Police from the River Vale Police Department in New Jersey. He began his 26-year law enforcement career in 1988 with the Haworth Police Department and retired as Chief of Police in 2013. At ecoATM, McCann liaises with law enforcement agencies to uphold stringent security standards.
Throughout his career, McCann served in various roles, including Detective Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain, eventually becoming Chief of Police. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, serving on the Crime Prevention Committee and previously on the Computer Crimes and Digital Evidence Committee. McCann is also a member of the New Jersey State Chiefs of Police Association and the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association. Notably, his investigation featured on Fox TV’s "America’s Most Wanted" led him to instruct nationwide on investigative techniques for the National Association of Bunco Investigators, where he served as President in 2005-2006.
McCann's contributions to law enforcement have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor, Chiefs Exceptional Duty Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the World Trade Center Service Medal for his leadership during the 9/11 rescue efforts. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration, is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Education, and completed the FBI National Academy's 240th Session, serving as the NJ Chapter President in 2015.
Denise Coyle
Denise M. Coyle, LMFT, CTTS, is a distinguished clinician in private practice, specializing in the mental health treatment of First Responders, Law Enforcement personnel, and Veterans. With a deep commitment to serving those who serve others, Denise provides expert care as an area clinician for the DEA Seattle Division and acts as a peer support clinician for local law enforcement agencies. Her focus is on addressing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress responses, and other trauma-related conditions.
Denise has also dedicated herself to equipping fire departments and law enforcement agencies with specialized training designed to enhance mental resilience and operational effectiveness. She is the creator of "Anchor and Chain: Overcoming Suicidal Ideation for First Responders," a workship aimed at providing life-saving support to those on the front lines.
With an extensive background that includes previous work with the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army, Denise has extensive experience in treating combat veterans and active duty soldiers, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. Her comprehensive approach and deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by First Responders and military personnel make her an invaluable asset in the field of mental health.
Christopher Scallon, MSPsy, CCISM
Sergeant Chris Scallon retired after a 24-year career with the Norfolk Police Department. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology, a BS in Criminal Justice, and is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) from the University of Maryland BC Emergency Health Services. As the founder of Survival Mindset Training and Consulting, and the first Director of Norfolk Police Department’s CISM & Peer Support Unit, he has been deeply involved in critical incident response and peer support.
Chris is a peer and board member of the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP) and a certified instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). He is an experienced speaker and trainer, having provided support in the aftermath of mass shootings such as Pulse Nightclub, Sandy Hook, and Virginia Tech. His expertise extends to working on national initiatives, including creating a vicarious trauma toolkit for first responders.
A U.S. Navy Veteran and former line officer in the Port Washington Fire Department, Chris has firsthand experience with trauma from his military, fire, and law enforcement careers. He has received numerous awards, including the National Top Cop award and Virginia’s Public Safety Medal of Valor. His extensive experience in handling trauma makes him a leading figure in supporting first responders.
