Our Team

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Board of Directors

Tyler Anderson

AqP, CEAP, SAP, CCISM, CCI

President & CISM Instructor

Tyler Anderson

AqP, CEAP, SAP, CCISM, CCI

Tyler Anderson is a respected leader in the field of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), with over 20 years of hands-on experience supporting teams through challenging situations. He currently serves on the American Airlines Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), where he helps crew members navigate trauma and provides support as an Employee Assistance Professional.
As a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) through the International Employee Assistance Professionals Association, a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), and a Certified Crisis Interventionist (CCI) through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Tyler brings deep expertise and compassion to every response. He also holds the Critical Incident Stress Management (CCISM) credential from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Recognizing a gap in support for aquatic professionals, Tyler founded the International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance to bring CISM best practices to lifeguards and allied professionals working in pool, beach, and waterpark environments. He is actively involved in training and education, serving on the faculty of the Association of Aquatic Professionals Directors' School and collaborating with the International Lifesaving Federation's Academy to develop a course for senior industry leaders focused on how organizations can best manage responder stress.
With more than 25 years of experience in aquatics, emergency management, and business continuity planning, Tyler has held leadership roles with organizations like Six Flags Theme Parks, the American Red Cross, YMCAs, Goldfish Swim Schools, and several pool management companies. Outside aquatics, he served as Manager of Emergency Response & Business Continuity Planning for ExpressJet Airlines. He is an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, a Certified Pool Inspector (CPI), and a Designated Aquatic Professional (AqP) with the Association of Aquatic Professionals.
Tyler also teaches Advanced Individual and Group Crisis Intervention through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), and serves as a certified instructor for Driven Resilience, teaching the Resilience First Aid Peer Support Certification and High Adversity Resilience Training courses. He is recognized as a Diplomate by the American Institute of Stress.

Shawn DeRosa

AqP, JD

Secretary

Shawn DeRosa

AqP, JD

Shawn P. DeRosa is one of the nation's leading experts in aquatic risk management, bringing over 30 years of experience as a lifeguard, instructor trainer, and aquatics director to his role as ILCIRA Secretary. His career includes nearly nine years at The Pennsylvania State University — including seven as Director of Aquatics and Safety Officer for Intercollegiate Athletics — as well as service as the Northeast Regional Director for the National Recreation and Park Association and Aquatics Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts State Forest and Park System, where he oversaw 66 aquatic facilities including inland beaches, ocean beaches, and swimming pools.
A licensed attorney, Shawn has been retained as an expert witness in aquatic injury cases involving both swimming pools and natural water areas, and has contributed to major industry standards development including the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, and the Lifeguard Management program. He also served on the Red Cross "Sounding Board" and as a Subject Matter Expert in developing the 2012 Lifeguarding program materials.
Shawn's contributions to the aquatic profession have earned him significant recognition, including the prestigious Paragon Award for Aquatic Safety from the International Swimming Hall of Fame (2006), the Association of Aquatic Professionals' Distinguished Service Award (2014), and recognition by Aquatics International as both a Top 100 Leader in the profession and one of "the 25 most powerful people in the world of aquatics."

Craig Sears

MBA

Treasurer

Craig Sears

MBA

Craig Sears is President and Owner of Sears Pool Management Consultants, a firm he founded in 1997 specializing in the operation and management of commercial aquatic facilities in the Metro Atlanta area. He holds a degree in Biology from Washington and Lee University and an MBA in Management from Georgia State University, and brings over 30 years of hands-on aquatics experience - having worked as a lifeguard, swim coach, pool manager, and sales manager before launching his own company.
A recognized leader in the aquatic industry, Craig served as President of the Georgia Chapter of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) from 2012 to 2013 and continues to serve on the state Board of Directors. He holds multiple PHTA credentials including Certified Service Professional, Certified Building Professional, Certified Pool Operator, and PHTA Instructor, and is an American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Trainer. Craig received the PHTA Fellows designation in 2018, was named PHTA Certified Service Professional of the Year in both 2020 and 2024, and was honored with the Aquatics International Power Award in 2023.
In 2012, Craig founded the Greater Atlanta Water Safety Alliance, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance dedicated to reducing drowning and recreational water illness through community education, aquatic scholarships, and advocacy. A frequent speaker at national conferences, he is passionate about advancing the aquatic industry in the areas of safety, professionalism, and community engagement.

Clinical Directors

Dr. Anne Balboni, Psy.D

USA Operations

Clinical Director & CISM Instructor

Dr. Anne Balboni, Psy.D

USA Operations

Dr. Anne Balboni serves as State Coordinator and Clinical Director of the Rhode Island Critical Incident Stress Management TEAM, Inc., and brings over 45 years of experience in education and crisis intervention to her role as ILCIRA's USA Operations Clinical Director. She holds a Master's in Education, a Master's in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Psychology, and maintains a private practice focused on CISM intervention, education, and consultation with emergency service organizations, veteran's organizations, schools, and industry.
A member of the ICISF Board of Directors and an ICISF faculty member, Dr. Balboni authored both the CISM Applications with Children course and the CISM for Aquatic First Responders course, and is an ICISF-approved instructor across multiple ICISF curricula. She has presented on crisis intervention topics internationally and has assisted numerous organizations in developing crisis response teams.
Dr. Balboni also serves on the Rhode Island Disaster Mental Health Task Force, is adjunct faculty at the Community College of Rhode Island in their Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program, and brings 28 years of experience as an EMT - including 21 years as an EMT instructor. She is board certified in traumatic stress, credentialed as a Diplomate with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and is a member of the International Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists.

Jeff Sych

Canadian Operations

Registered Psychologist
Clinical Director & CISM Instructor

Jeff Sych

Canadian Operations

Jeff Sych is a Registered Psychologist in private practice and a member of the College of Alberta Psychologists since 2004, with a focus on clinical and counselling psychology for public safety and healthcare personnel. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology and a Master of Science in Psychiatry, both from the University of Alberta, and holds the Certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management (CCISM) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Jeff serves as Clinical Director of the Alberta Critical Incident Peer Network and as clinical director of nine CISM teams spanning first responder, hospital, and corporate settings.
An ICISF-approved instructor for multiple peer support curricula - including Group Crisis Intervention, Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis, and Psychological Body Armor - Jeff has trained over 3,000 front-line public safety personnel and 200 emergency services leaders in CISM peer support since 2017. His previous consulting work spans organizations including Alberta Health Services, the Royal Alexandra Hospital, the Alberta Fire Chief's Association, and the Stollery Children's Hospital, and he was instrumental in opening the Edmonton Operational Stress Injury Clinic for Northern Alberta serving RCMP, Veterans, and Military personnel.
Jeff served on the Lieutenant Governor's Circle on Mental Health and Addictions from 2012 to 2016, including as Vice-Chair, and is a current board member of the Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton. In 2018 he received the ICISF Co-Founders Award of Excellence in Crisis Intervention, and in 2022 was honored with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Award for his work supporting first responder mental wellness.

Research Team

Dr. Kristin Horan

Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology
Center for the Advancement of Military & Emergency Services Research at Kennesaw State University

Dr. Kristin Horan

Ph.D.

Dr. Kristin Horan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Science, Director of Outreach for the Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research (AMES Center), and a core member of that center at Kennesaw State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Bowling Green State University, with research focused on interventions to improve employee safety, health, and well-being - particularly in high-risk occupational settings such as emergency services agencies.
Dr. Horan serves as lead researcher for ILCIRA's International Aquatic Personnel Critical Incident Prevalence & Impact Study, the first global study documenting the impact of critical incidents on aquatic personnel. She is an Editorial Board Member of Occupational Health Science and Stress & Health, and teaches Careers in Psychology and Research Methods in Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University.

Dr. Justin Sempsrott

M.D.

Medical Director
StarGuard Elite, Lifeguards Without Borders and the International Surf Lifesaving Association

Dr. Justin Sempsrott

M.D.

Dr. Justin Sempsrott is a full-time emergency medicine physician and a globally recognized expert on drowning and aquatic lifesaving. He serves as Medical Director for both StarGuard ELITE and the International Surf Lifesaving Association and is a member of the International Lifesaving Federation Medical Committee.
Dr. Sempsrott's path in aquatics began as a surf lifesaver in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 1996. Driven by the disproportionate burden of drowning in low- and middle-income countries, he founded Lifeguards Without Borders, a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to elevating drowning prevention, rescue, and treatment capacity - from lay responders to medical professionals - in communities where the need is greatest.
Beyond his clinical and organizational work, Dr. Sempsrott is a committed advocate for improving proactive peer support and post-incident support services for lifeguards worldwide - bringing both medical expertise and field experience to the case for better psychological preparedness in the aquatic sector.

Dr. Samantha Fien

Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, CQUniversity Australia
National Wellbeing Advisor & Research Panel Chair Surf Life Saving Australia

Dr. Samantha Fien

Ph.D.

Dr. Samantha Fien is a Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sport Science at CQUniversity in Mackay, Queensland, and a lifelong volunteer surf lifesaver whose involvement with Surf Life Saving Australia began as a Nipper at age five. Her research and professional work focus on mental health and wellbeing within high-risk and volunteer emergency service environments, bridging research, policy, and practice to improve mental health outcomes across the lifesaving community.
Dr. Fien serves as National Member Wellbeing Advisor for Surf Life Saving Australia and as State Lifesaving Officer and Chair of the State Research Panel for Surf Life Saving Queensland. She serves as Research Chair for ILCIRA, bringing both operational credibility and research expertise to the organization's international work.

Dr. Jaz Lawes

Ph.D.

National Research Manager
Surf Life Saving Australia

Dr. Jaz Lawes

Ph.D.

Dr. Jaz Lawes is a multidisciplinary researcher and science communicator with over 15 years of experience spanning university, industry, and nonprofit sectors. As National Research Manager at Surf Life Saving Australia, she leads a diverse portfolio of coastal safety research - developing the National Coastal Safety Report, maintaining SLSA's Fatality Database, and coordinating projects spanning drowning prevention, environmental science, and member health and wellbeing.
Dr. Lawes is a published researcher on the mental health of surf lifesavers and lifeguards, including as co-author of the landmark 2023 BMC Public Health study - the first to systematically examine mental health and critical incident exposure in the Australian surf lifesaving population. Her work consistently bridges research, policy, and practice to produce tangible outcomes for the lifesaving community and the public it serves.
As a member of ILCIRA's international research team, Dr. Lawes brings deep sector knowledge and research expertise to help guide the organization's work on psychological preparedness for aquatic professionals worldwide.

Dr. William Koon

Ph.D.

National Mgr, Drowning Prevention Strategy
Royal Life Saving Australia

Dr. William Koon

Ph.D.

Dr. Will Koon is a drowning prevention researcher with expertise in beach safety and ocean lifeguarding. He spent over a decade as a professional lifeguard in California before pursuing graduate training in public health, and continues to serve his local surf club as a volunteer in Sydney, Australia.
As National Manager of Drowning Prevention Strategy for Royal Life Saving Australia, Dr. Koon oversees a national portfolio of research, policy, and strategy work advancing drowning prevention and water safety efforts across Australia. He brings both frontline operational experience and rigorous research expertise to his role as a member of ILCIRA's international research team.

Dr. Michel Brinkschulte

Ph.D.

German Sport University & German Life Saving Association

Dr. Michel Brinkschulte

Ph.D.

Dr. Michel Brinkschulte is a sport psychology expert and research associate at the Institute of Professional Sport Education and Sport Qualifications at the German Sport University Cologne. His current research focuses on water safety — conducted in cooperation with the German Life Saving Association — and comprehensive swimming education, bringing a European perspective to ILCIRA's international research team.

Clinical Advisors

Katrina Shepard

MSW, LICSW

Executive Director, Shepard Therapy Associates

Katrina Shepard

MSW, LICSW

Katrina Shepard is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Executive Director of Shepard Therapy Associates, bringing a clinical background well-suited to the psychological needs of aquatic professionals who experience critical incident exposure. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Rhode Island College and a Master's in Social Work from Simmons University, and completed her clinical training at VA Boston Healthcare System - where she developed deep expertise working with veterans and their families navigating trauma and its aftermath.
Katrina's clinical work centers on trauma and substance use, with particular focus on populations that often delay or avoid seeking support - a pattern commonly seen among first responders, including lifeguards. She employs evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness practices. She is also passionate about serving the LGBTQ community and families affected by substance use.
As a Clinical Advisor to ILCIRA, Katrina provides psychosocial education in support of peer-led support groups for aquatic professionals who need longer-term guidance beyond the immediate post-incident period.

Steve Shepard

MSW, LICSW

PTSD Consultant

Steve Shepard

MSW, LICSW

Steve Shepard is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with clinical training in evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatments for PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). His deep expertise in how trauma manifests and responds to treatment informs ILCIRA's approach to designing support services that reflect the real psychological needs of aquatic professionals following critical incident exposure.
As a Clinical Advisor, Steve helps ensure that ILCIRA's peer support and CISM programming is shaped by sound clinical understanding - particularly around the boundary between peer-level support and the point at which professional intervention becomes warranted. His client-centered, collaborative practice philosophy aligns directly with ILCIRA's commitment to meeting aquatic professionals where they are.

Mark Berg

LPC-S, CEAP, SAP, ACC, CCISM

CISM Instructor

Mark Berg

LPC-S, CEAP, SAP, ACC, CCISM

Mark Berg began his career as a counselor and Employee Assistance Professional in 1987 and has spent nearly four decades at the intersection of critical incident response, peer support program development, and organizational mental health. He serves as National Clinical Director of the Critical Incident Response Program for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and as Training Coordinator for NASA's Peer Support Teams across all 14 centers - experience directly applicable to the high-stakes, operationally demanding environments aquatic professionals work in.
An ICISF-approved instructor since 2005, Mark teaches Group Crisis Intervention, Advanced Group Crisis Intervention, Assisting Individuals in Crisis, Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis, and GRIN. He has assisted in establishing peer support programs for airlines, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and major corporations, and has responded directly to critical incidents ranging from plane crashes to natural disasters. He also serves as a consultant and regional director for the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA).
Mark holds credentials including Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor (LPC-S), Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), and Certified Coach (ACC), and is a current member of the EAPA International Board of Directors. As a Clinical Advisor to ILCIRA, he brings the program-building experience and CISM operational depth needed to help shape peer support services that work for aquatic professionals in the field.