Loren Lapow has bachelors' degrees in Social Welfare and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a master’s degree in Social Work from New Mexico State University. He is the founding director of The Hero Project for over 15-years. Loren is an experienced community organizer, program supervisor, facilitator, speaker, trainer, grant writer and instructor at the university level. He has developed programs for the State of Hawaii, Department of Health for over 10-years. The program is evidence-based with over 15-years of data and longitudinal outcomes. The program is currently completing its “best practice” accreditation from the National Registry for Effective Prevention Practices (NREPP). Loren has initiated Hero Projects for the Navajo Nation, Behavioral Health Services, The Southern Ute Community Action Program in Ignacio, CO, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, the Oneida Tribe of Indians in Green Bay, WI and the Durango 9-R School District. In addition to prevention and preparedness programs, Loren assists communities, organizations and families in the mitigation and recovery process for disasters.
Kaylynn Gresham, BS, MS has worked for the Oneida Tribe of Indians of WI in the Emergency Management capacity for over 8 years, also spending time as a cultural educator. Kaylynn is currently the Chairwoman for the Wisconsin Tribal Emergency Management Alliance (WiTEMA), she is a member of the Wisconsin Emergency Management Association, a member of the WI Statewide Systems Management Group (SSMG) and a Threat Liaison Officer for WI Department of Justice. Kaylynn is also a member of the East Central Regional Incident Management Team (TEAM) for disaster response. Kaylynn has several National Certifications in Emergency Management, her WI Certified Emergency Management Certification as well as a Bachelors Degree in Social Change and Development and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. Kaylynn is a 2008 graduate of the Fox Valley Technical College Police Academy and served 4 years active duty in the United States Army.