Instructors
Linda Larsen
CSP, CPAE
Linda Larsen, BSW, MFA, CPAE, is one of only 232 people worldwide to be inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame®, joining such notables as General Colin Powell, President Ronald Reagan and Brian Tracy. She has been a featured presenter for over 1,000 conferences and meetings worldwide for groups such as Jaguar Cars, the Kuwait Women’s Leadership Summit and McDonalds. Linda combines her 20-year experience as a professional actress with her education and training in communications and behavioral sciences to deliver entertaining, memorable, power-packed presentations that help people bring the very best versions of themselves to life and work. Author of the best-selling audio program, 12 Steps to High Self-Esteem, and featured in such publications as Investor’s Business Daily, The Chicago Tribune and Opportunity World, Linda is also a popular guest co-host on the ABC-7 Florida
television show, The Suncoast View.
Linda Larsen
CSP, CPAE
Linda Larsen, BSW, MFA, CPAE, is one of only 232 people worldwide to be inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame®, joining such notables as General Colin Powell, President Ronald Reagan and Brian Tracy. She has been a featured presenter for over 1,000 conferences and meetings worldwide for groups such as Jaguar Cars, the Kuwait Women’s Leadership Summit and McDonalds. Linda combines her 20-year experience as a professional actress with her education and training in communications and behavioral sciences to deliver entertaining, memorable, power-packed presentations that help people bring the very best versions of themselves to life and work. Author of the best-selling audio program, 12 Steps to High Self-Esteem, and featured in such publications as Investor’s Business Daily, The Chicago Tribune and Opportunity World, Linda is also a popular guest co-host on the ABC-7 Florida
television show, The Suncoast View.
April Stallworth
Niles School District Executive Assistant to Superintendent
April is a respected leader, public speaker, executive administrative professional, and visionary. She provides group coaching services, training workshops, and speaks before religious and secular organizations. April has worked extensively with high school students, single and teen parents in low-income and under-served regions, and women all of ages and backgrounds. Her teachings are focused on finding your purpose, maintaining work/life balance, overcoming fear, healthy relationships, winning success principles, and practicing good, holistic self-care. April is equally well-known and passionate about Helping Empower Administrative professionals through Resources and Training. The H.E.A.R.T™ program combines April's 30+ years of experience as an Executive Administrative Professional in corporate America and the nonprofit sector, to provide Administrative Professionals the resources, training, and coaching they need to take their careers to the next level.
April Stallworth
Niles School District Executive Assistant to Superintendent
April is a respected leader, public speaker, executive administrative professional, and visionary. She provides group coaching services, training workshops, and speaks before religious and secular organizations. April has worked extensively with high school students, single and teen parents in low-income and under-served regions, and women all of ages and backgrounds. Her teachings are focused on finding your purpose, maintaining work/life balance, overcoming fear, healthy relationships, winning success principles, and practicing good, holistic self-care. April is equally well-known and passionate about Helping Empower Administrative professionals through Resources and Training. The H.E.A.R.T™ program combines April's 30+ years of experience as an Executive Administrative Professional in corporate America and the nonprofit sector, to provide Administrative Professionals the resources, training, and coaching they need to take their careers to the next level.
Brad Grossman
Deputy Chief of Police, Palatine Police Department (Retired)
Brad Grossman retired from the Palatine Police Department in 2015 after serving for 27 years, the last fifteen as Deputy Chief of Police. Brad transitioned from the police department to Harper College as a full-time faculty member teaching in the Law Enforcement Program. He took over as Program Coordinator in 2019, and feels blessed to lead a team of dedicated practitioners who are committed to teaching and guiding students interested in becoming future law enforcement officers. Brad is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, as well as a graduate of the Administrative Officer’s Course, held on the University of Louisville’s campus.
Brad Grossman
Deputy Chief of Police, Palatine Police Department (Retired)
Brad Grossman retired from the Palatine Police Department in 2015 after serving for 27 years, the last fifteen as Deputy Chief of Police. Brad transitioned from the police department to Harper College as a full-time faculty member teaching in the Law Enforcement Program. He took over as Program Coordinator in 2019, and feels blessed to lead a team of dedicated practitioners who are committed to teaching and guiding students interested in becoming future law enforcement officers. Brad is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, as well as a graduate of the Administrative Officer’s Course, held on the University of Louisville’s campus.
Chief JC Paez
Waubonsee Community College
J. C. Paez began his law enforcement career in 1983 as Military Police in the U.S. Marine Corps. His primary assignment was as a member of the Special Response Team on Camp Lejeune, NC. In 1988, he joined the Hoffman Estates Police Department. During his tenure he served as a traffic officer, patrol supervisor, the Use of Force Training Unit Commander, and the Special Services Division Commander until his retirement in August of 2014. Chief Paez has served on the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Management Team since 2004. He is a member of the Executive Board currently serving as the Treasurer and has also served as the Education Coordinator for the team.
Chief JC Paez
Waubonsee Community College
J. C. Paez began his law enforcement career in 1983 as Military Police in the U.S. Marine Corps. His primary assignment was as a member of the Special Response Team on Camp Lejeune, NC. In 1988, he joined the Hoffman Estates Police Department. During his tenure he served as a traffic officer, patrol supervisor, the Use of Force Training Unit Commander, and the Special Services Division Commander until his retirement in August of 2014. Chief Paez has served on the Northern Illinois Critical Incident Stress Management Team since 2004. He is a member of the Executive Board currently serving as the Treasurer and has also served as the Education Coordinator for the team.
Father Dan Brandt
Chicago Police Department Chaplain
In 1980, the Police Chaplains Ministry began providing chaplaincy services to the 12,000 officers of the Chicago Police Department, approximately 6,000 retired officers, and their family members. The Ministry was granted IRS 501(c)(3) standing in 1988. Chaplain services are provided 24/7, and our mission is simple: to provide pastoral care and crisis ministry to members of the CPD family.
Fr. Brandt has been active in the Police Chaplains' Ministry since 2004, assisting his predecessor, Fr. Tom Nangle. Dan was ordained a Priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago in May of 1999. A northwest side native, he has served as Associate Pastor of St. William Parish (in 025), then as Pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Bridgeport (in 009), before replacing Fr. Nangle upon his retirement in 2011. Now the full-time Director of the Chaplains' Unit, Fr. Dan resides at a parish in Logan Square.
Father Dan Brandt
Chicago Police Department Chaplain
In 1980, the Police Chaplains Ministry began providing chaplaincy services to the 12,000 officers of the Chicago Police Department, approximately 6,000 retired officers, and their family members. The Ministry was granted IRS 501(c)(3) standing in 1988. Chaplain services are provided 24/7, and our mission is simple: to provide pastoral care and crisis ministry to members of the CPD family.
Fr. Brandt has been active in the Police Chaplains' Ministry since 2004, assisting his predecessor, Fr. Tom Nangle. Dan was ordained a Priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago in May of 1999. A northwest side native, he has served as Associate Pastor of St. William Parish (in 025), then as Pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Bridgeport (in 009), before replacing Fr. Nangle upon his retirement in 2011. Now the full-time Director of the Chaplains' Unit, Fr. Dan resides at a parish in Logan Square.
Peter Burchard
President/CEO Peter Burchard, LLC
Following thirty years in local government including ten as the city manager of Naperville and ten as the village manager in Hoffman Estates, Peter Burchard worked as the chief operating officer at inVentiv Medical Management in Augusta, Georgia. Since returning to Illinois, Peter has been a faculty member at Northern Illinois University where he teaches graduate level classes in public sector ethics and innovation. Today, Peter is president/CEO of his own multi-sector consulting, coaching and training firm. For the past five years, Peter has worked with representatives of the Chinese government to teach their high-level visiting delegations’ American local government.
Peter Burchard
President/CEO Peter Burchard, LLC
Following thirty years in local government including ten as the city manager of Naperville and ten as the village manager in Hoffman Estates, Peter Burchard worked as the chief operating officer at inVentiv Medical Management in Augusta, Georgia. Since returning to Illinois, Peter has been a faculty member at Northern Illinois University where he teaches graduate level classes in public sector ethics and innovation. Today, Peter is president/CEO of his own multi-sector consulting, coaching and training firm. For the past five years, Peter has worked with representatives of the Chinese government to teach their high-level visiting delegations’ American local government.