Responder Assistance Initiative Staff Bios

Chad Jordan is the Director of Responder Assistance Initiative. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Appalachian State University. Chad is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and an Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Chad began his service with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety in January 2020, where he was tasked with establishing the state’s first comprehensive mental health and wellness program for public safety personnel. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the behavioral health field, including 12 years in administrative, supervisory, and clinical roles serving military members and their families.

Before joining DPS, Chad was one of the first embedded behavioral health providers with the U.S. Marine Corps at Cherry Point, where he helped launch both the Community Counseling and Marine Intercept (suicide prevention) Programs. His work has centered on addressing cumulative stress, critical incident exposure, and post-traumatic stress, with a strong commitment to building high-quality programs that promote the long-term well-being of public safety responders and military personnel.
 

Dr. Lindsay Allotey, PsyD, LP, HSP serves as the Operations Manager for the Responder Assistance Initiative. She is based out of our Raleigh office in the central region of the state. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and psychology from Rutgers University and a Doctorate in clinical forensic psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Allotey has over 12 years of experience in the human services field and has worked in a range of clinical settings, including corrections and community mental health. As part of the NC RAI team, she supports the mental wellness and resilience of North Carolina’s first responder community.

Christy Chapin serves as the Administrative Officer for the Responder Assistance Initiative. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Technology and brings more than thirty years of experience in human resources and administrative work to her role. Christy joined the program in 2020 and provides essential administrative and organizational support to the RAI team and its mission.

Sarah Smith is a licensed mental health professional and Team Lead for Responder Assistance Initiative in the eastern region. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University. Since 2012, she has been serving as a mental health provider for both adults and adolescents, specializing in working with public safety, military personnel, criminal justice professionals, and first responders. Sarah is also certified in Prolonged Exposure Therapy.

Laura McKinney Hummel is a licensed mental health professional and a Team Lead for Responder Assistance Initiative in the western region of North Carolina. Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University and received a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from UNC-Charlotte. She has worked as a court case manager, investigative social worker, and a probation officer prior to joining RAI. 

Aaron Back serves as the Peer Team Director for the North Carolina Responder Assistance Initiative. He served with distinction in the North Carolina State Highway Patrol from 1993 until his retirement as Captain in 2021. Since then, he has continued his service to the State as a Special Reserve Agent with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement. He is the co-founder of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting first responders through Post Critical Incident Seminars and Critical Incident Stress Management training across North Carolina. 

Nicole Cates is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative in the central region of North Carolina. Nicole earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She has built a strong foundation in the human services field through her work in diverse settings, including corrections, probation/parole, and community mental health.

Dr. Nico Sirianni is a licensed mental health professional with the North Carolina Responder Assistance Initiative in the Raleigh area. He completed a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in 2020 and earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from California Lutheran University in 2024. Dr. Sirianni's experience with the responder population began in 2016 when he worked at the Long Beach, California Veteran’s Administration Hospital as a clinical research coordinator on a Department of Defense study of veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

Kim Morris is a licensed clinical social worker with the North Carolina Responder Assistance Initiative serving the eastern region of North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Duke University and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Kim brings extensive experience as a mental health clinician, having worked in school-based settings, with military populations, and in private practice. Kim is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). 

Rob Heubel is a licensed marriage and family therapist with Responder Assistance Initiative. Rob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Geneva College in Pennsylvania and a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University. Rob is also an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor as well as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Approved Supervisor. With over 27 years of experience, Rob specializes in working with couples and relationships, as well as helping public safety personnel and first responders manage workplace stress. 

Cheryl Corbin is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative serving the southeastern region of North Carolina. She earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Social Work in Social Welfare from Adelphi University in New York. Her background includes work in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and she has served military personnel, corrections staff, law enforcement, and first responders. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), further supporting her trauma-informed approach to care.

Virginia Diaz is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative serving the Wilmington area. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Arts degree from Liberty University. Virginia is also an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor. A Marine veteran, she specializes in trauma treatment and works extensively with first responders, military members and their families. 

Jenny Medsker is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative in the Roanoke Rapids region. She earned a Master of Science in Social Work with a Trauma Treatment specialization from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Before entering the mental health field, Jenny worked with law enforcement on training and policy initiatives and served as a management consultant for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Linsey Wheelin is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative serving the Raleigh area. She Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University and a Master of Art degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Campbell University. Linsey has worked with a wide range of individuals including those experiencing homelessness, people who are incarcerated, business professionals, and college students. 

Khaliah Harvey is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative in the western region of North Carolina. Khaliah graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a Bachelor of Sociology and received a Master of Social Work from Winthrop University. She also serves in the NC Air National Guard as a medical technician and is well versed on the impacts of operational stressors in the military system. She has worked as a mental health clinician within a variety of settings which include residential/inpatient, community, and outpatient. 

Katy Wogatzke is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative serving the western region of North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies and Theology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and completed a Master of Education in Professional Counseling at Salem College. With over a decade of experience in the mental health and counseling field, she has worked across a wide range of settings, including schools, juvenile justice programs, private practice, and correctional behavioral health.

Stephanie Mendelson is a licensed mental health professional with Responder Assistance Initiative in the western region of North Carolina. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and is also a licensed clinical addiction specialist and certified clinical supervisor. She brings over 20 years of experience providing clinical services to adults with mental health and substance use disorders across residential, inpatient, and outpatient settings. 

Leonard Williams is a Wellness Coordinator for Responder Assistance Initiative in the eastern region of North Carolina. Leonard graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Science degree in Public Health from Walden University. Leonard has worked in a variety of settings, supporting health and wellness efforts at the local, national, and international levels. 

Patty Hirsch is the western region Wellness Coordinator for Responder Assistance Initiative. Patty graduated from Governors State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Health Science degree in Addiction Studies. She also received a Master of Science degree in Human Services/Criminal Justice from Capella University. Patty has over 25 years of experience in correctional leadership and programming. Prior to that, she was a consultant to the funeral industry for death education and grief support programming. 

Bill Burns is a Peer Team Fire Coordinator with Responder Assistance Initiative. He is a retired Charlotte Fire Department Captain with over three decades of service. In addition to his direct work with responders, Bill is a respected educator and trainer, sharing his knowledge with peer teams along the East Coast. His dedication to fostering resilience and mental wellness has made him a trusted voice in the first responder community.

Steve Shugart is a Mental Health Wellness Consultant with the North Carolina Responder Assistance Initiative in the western region. Steve graduated with a Master of Divinity from Emory University, a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. Steve is a licensed mental health professional and has over two decades of experience in military and first responder mental health care. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and combat veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star. 

Eva Triplett-Clark is a Mental Health & Wellness Consultant with Responder Assistance Initiative in the western region of North Carolina.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from Appalachian State University. Eva is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and has worked across various settings, including community, inpatient and outpatient care. She currently serves as a mental health provider with NC LEAP, offering support to first responders. 

Danny Leonard is a Peer Team Coordinator with Responder Assistance Initiative and Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program. Danny earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations from High Point University and a Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School. A United Methodist pastor with 36 years of ministry experience, Danny has dedicated his career to supporting individuals through crisis, transition, and healing. 

Ned Fowler is a Peer Team Coordinator with Responder Assistance Initiative in the western region of North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Medical Care and Master of Education from Western Carolina University. A certified EMT-Paramedic and Level II EMS Instructor, Ned brings both clinical and operational experience to the role. Ned is an active member of the Western Carolina Peer Support Team. 

Brad Porter serves as a Peer Coordinator for Responder Assistance Initiative. He is a retired Sergeant with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, where he served 18 of his 25 years in law enforcement following four years as a U.S. Marine infantryman. An active peer since 2015, he coordinated the State Highway Patrol’s Member Assistance Team from 2021–2023 and became Assistant Director of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program in 2022. He is an approved International Critical Incident Stress Foundation Group and Individual Instructor and continues to support first responder wellness and resilience across North Carolina through his work with RAI.

Shevais Shrum is a Peer Team Coordinator with Responder Assistance Initiative. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership from Waldorf University. Shevais serves as a Fire Captain for the town of Cary and as the Fire Chief for Western Wake Fire and Rescue. 

Traci VanDeventer is a Peer Administrator with the Responder Assistance Initiative in the Central region of North Carolina. She holds a Master of Science in Mental Health and Wellness with a focus on Community Prevention from Grand Canyon University. Traci is a Paramedic and Captain with Wake County EMS. Traci serves as the Assistant Director of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NCLEAP).