Andrew is responsible for leading efforts regarding the use of Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) in the investigative community while focusing on Othram’s mission of enabling justice for all victims of crime and their families. Andrew also oversees the customer experience and works to streamline communications during the investigative process. Andrew joined Othram after 14 years at Bode Technology, most recently as the VP of Global Marketing and Operations Sales. He utilizes that experience and his experience with FGG to collaborate internally and externally with FGG stakeholders for ethical adoption of the technology. Andrew earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland.

April Victor is a proud member of the San Carlos Apache tribe and an engaged participant in the San Carlos Apache MMIW/MMIP Coalition. Shis is the survivor aunt of Emily Pike, a 14-year-old who was reported missing and subsequently killed in Mesa, Arizona on January 27, 2025.

Chief Branden Clarkson has been a member of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for the past 20 years. His experience includes Supervisor of the Field Training Program, Detective Sergeant of the Gang Crimes Bureau, Sergeant of the Office of Community Engagement (OCE)which he helped create, Sergeant of the Multi Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC) Section, Lieutenant in K-9, Narcotics Lieutenant, Captain of the Major Violator and Narcotics Section, Captain of Bolden Area Command, Chief over Community Safety Division and his most recent assignment as the Chief over the Investigative Services Division. The groundwork laid by Chief Clarkson helped LVMPD’s OCE be recognized by both law enforcement and the media as a refreshing approach to dealing with some of the most controversial community issues. While assigned to the Organizational Development Bureau Multi Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities Section, Chief Clarkson coordinated training with first responder agencies of the Las Vegas Valley. That training was essential in the law enforcement response to the 1 October shooting at the Route 91 concert.

Brian has 25 years of experience as a medicolegal death investigator and currently serves as the Chief, Medical Examiner Investigations for the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He oversees investigations, transportation, mass fatality and has extensive experience responding to and coordinating multiple fatality incidents. He is a fellow with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators and serves on the ABMDI board.

Carlos E. Morales earned his B.S. in Forensic Science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his M.S. in DNA and Forensic Serology from the University of Florida. He has 22 years of experience as a forensic DNA analyst in New York, New Jersey, and Texas. Carlos is a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics and serves as International Coordinator at the Center for Human Identification (CHI) at North Texas Health Fort Worth. At CHI, he has supported DNA laboratories in Central America through U.S. Department of State–funded initiatives, providing training and technical assistance to strengthen CODIS databases and promote international DNA exchange for humanitarian purposes. Currently, under the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) grant, he facilitates forensic testing and identification of missing persons and unidentified remains, including migrants, to enhance public safety and provide closure to families.

Christopher Lobanov-Rostovsky worked as a Native American tribal training and technical assistance associate for the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) since 2009. This includes training tribal professionals on interpersonal violence offending and victimization, and providing ongoing tribal technical assistance through development/evaluation. He’s the Deputy Director for the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, and prior has worked as the Program Manager for the Office of Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management since 2006. He was responsible for developing treatment/supervision standards, approving treatment providers, and providing legislative/policy input. He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) since 1990. Prior to his current position, Mr. Lobanov-Rostovsky worked as a clinician for both adults/juveniles involved in interpersonal violence either as perpetrator or victim.

Dr. Christopher (Chris) S. Young, PhD, has been active in search and rescue (SAR) since 1981, managing searches since 1986. He serves as chair of the Bay Area Search and Rescue Council, Inc. (BASARC). He is an instructor trainer for the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) and is also an instructor on other specialized topics in SAR. Chris has written, published, and presented search management papers at national and international conferences. He co-authored “Urban Search – Managing Missing Person Searches in the Urban Environment” (dbS Productions, 2007), author of “Intelligent Search – Managing the Intelligence Process in the Search for Missing Persons” (dbS Productions, 2022), and is a contributing author on several other books on search and rescue. Additionally, he is a reserve deputy. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Portsmouth, UK in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Centre for Missing Persons.

Connie Johnson, sister of Cindy Zarzycki, age 13, who went missing on April 20, 1986, 40 years ago. After wondering and searching for 22 yrs, the family would finally learn what happened to Cindy. The individual responsible was found guilty and charged with life without parole. They recovered her body after he was imprisoned and the family was able to have a funeral, to allow so many family, friends, community members to say goodbye to Cindy. She has had a good life yet has missed her sister Cindy every single day since she saw her last in 1986. Connie has a degree with specifics in behavioral science, including forensic anthropology and was able to do her final paper on her sister’s case. She also started/ran a non-profit to teach children safety for 5 years. Connie also serves as a Team HOPE Consultant, a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. In her role, she manages a team of volunteers, providing peer-based emotional support to families of missing children.

Chief Stacy started at the US Marshals Service National Sex Offender Targeting Center as a Senior Inspector with the International Megans Law Angel Watch Program in October 2018. She later joined the Missing Child Unit (MCU) in May 2019 as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Liaison. In October 2019, she was promoted as the Chief Inspector of the MCU. Previously, Chief Stacy worked at the USMS Training Division in Glynco, GA with the Professional Development team and the Basic Academy student training. She started her career as a Deputy US Marshal in the District of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix, USVI. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Radford University, Virginia.

I am a dedicated advocate for missing persons, driven by a personal mission that has shaped the very core of my being. My life took an unimaginable turn when my daughter, Brittanee Drexel, went missing in 2009 during a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The anguish and uncertainty of that experience ignited a passion within me to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves and to ensure that no parent endures the same heartbreak I have faced. I have had 16 years of experience in advocating for my daughter and also other victims and their families, navigating the media, and also dealing with law enforcement. As a mother, the disappearance of my beloved child has profoundly impacted my life and has become the catalyst for my advocacy work. I have channeled my grief into raising awareness about missing persons cases, emphasizing the need for community involvement and support for families left in the wake of such tragedies. I believe that every missing person deserves to be remembered, and every family deserves hope and assistance in their search for answers. Through my advocacy efforts, I strive to educate the public about the realities of missing persons cases and the challenges families face. I have collaborated with various organizations, law enforcement agencies, and community groups to promote initiatives that aim to prevent disappearances and improve search efforts. My work includes speaking engagements, participating in panel discussions, and utilizing social media platforms to disseminate vital information about missing persons.

Donna Green is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and the Founder and CEO of Raymond Green International Outreach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of the missing and advancing prevention awareness. She’s the recipient of the “American Civil Rights Foot Soldier Award” for her work the community, and the “Woman of Influence Award” for her community dedication. Her life was forever changed by the disappearance of her baby, an experience that transformed her personal tragedy into decades of advocacy and community engagement. Donna speaks on grooming awareness, vulnerability reduction, and the importance of reducing opportunity for predators. Her work on behalf of missing children and their families has earned multiple leadership and service awards.

Dustin Driscoll joined NamUs as an intelligence analyst in 2011, conducting investigative research on missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases. In early 2016, Dustin became a Regional Program Specialist and now sits as a Cold Case Advisor and as the Law Enforcement Engagement Coordinator. Dustin previously worked at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), where he was responsible for providing technical assistance to law enforcement officers working various types of missing and unidentified child cold cases. He spent the majority of his employment at NCMEC assigned to the Forensic Services Unit, conducting more in-depth analyses for cold cases. Mr. Driscoll holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Westfield State University in Massachusetts.

Haley Omeasoo is an enrolled member of the Hopi tribe and a descendant of the Blackfeet Tribe. She is a 2nd-year doctoral student in the Forensic and Molecular Anthropology Program at the University of Montana (UM). Haley has been in the forensics field for the past 9 years and received her undergraduate degrees at UM in Forensic Anthropology and Human Biology (Pre-Med), with a Certificate in Forensic Science, followed by a Master’s Degree in Forensic Anthropology also at UM. Her research focuses on assisting tribal agencies in cases pertaining to Indigenous peoples issues, such as NAGPRA cases, repatriation, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) epidemic. Haley’s motivation for such studies stems from real-life cases in and around her community on the Blackfeet Reservation. After graduating with her doctorate, Haley plans to continue her efforts in leading Ohkomi Forensics by providing expertise and knowledge in her aspired field.

Jamie Stirling has 28 years of search and rescue experience with the Ontario Provincial Police, including 6 years as their Provincial Search and Rescue Coordinator. He has managed some of Canada’s most challenging cases and is recognized as a Canadian Provincial Court expert in mapping and GPS systems. An “Honorary Canadian Ranger” with the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol, Jamie has provided technical assistance to numerous organizations, both provincial and national governments, where his operational knowledge in search and rescue has been instrumental in creating a foundation for search and rescue operations and programs.

Janell Rasmussen has spent over 20 years working in Public Safety to develop, implement and operate multiple statewide law enforcement programs that have been highly successful and nationally recognized. During her time at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Rasmussen was responsible for the development and operations of multiple statewide programs, including the Minnesota AMBER Alert Plan, the Missing Children’s Clearinghouse, the Communication & Duty Officer Program, the Crimes Against Children in Indian Country Conference and the President’s Initiative on Missing & Unidentified Persons. She also served in capacities as Legislative and Media Coordinator during her tenure at the BCA.

Jason is a member of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office where he has served for twenty-seven (27) years. He currently holds the rank of Commander of Police. In that role, Jason leads the Special Victims Division and Forensic Services Initiative. The Special Victims Division focusses on Human Trafficking related cases while the Forensic Services Division is responsible for the investigation of human identification cases, complex deaths, cold missing person and homicide cases, and death care industry incidents. He has made local and national headlines for leading major investigations and closing several high-profile cold cases. Among these are the Chicago Burr Oak Cemetery Case, the probe into the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the identification of three (3) of the victims of the serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Recently, he has filmed two (2) separate, multiple part series on the Discovery ID channel called “Deadly Legacy” and “The Clown and the Candyman”. He also appeared in “Conversations with a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes” which aired on Netflix. Jason has completed in depth research and field work regarding the burial of Cook County’s Indigent, Unclaimed, and Unidentified. He has served the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as the Vice-Chairman of their Advisory Board and has assisted that office with several items like the proper handling of Unidentified Deceased Person cases. As a result of his investigations, Jason has worked with county and state officials in drafting legislation regarding public burials and certain forensic methods. Recently, he drafted substantial amendments to the Illinois Missing Persons Identification Act which were signed into law. He has formed a Forensic Archaeology Team and has conducted dozens of grave exhumations and inspections to include clandestine grave excavations.

Jenniffer was in law enforcement for twenty four years and previously served as the Director of Special Operations for the Wisconsin Department of Justice (WIDOJ), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) where she led the Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center including the Technical Services Unit; Criminal Intelligence; AMBER Alert; Silver Alert; Wisconsin Clearinghouse For Missing and Exploited Children and Adults; the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network; and the Cyber Crimes Unit. Prior to her appointment to the Director of Special Operations, Jenniffer was the Special Agent in Charge of DCI’s Digital Forensics and Child Sex Trafficking Units and the Commander for the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force. Jenniffer developed DCI’s child sex trafficking unit and authored legislative initiatives that resulted in funding to support the ongoing efforts of the DCI ICAC and human trafficking programs. Jenniffer was a founding member of the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Child Abduction Response Team (CART) since its inception in 2009 and served as the CART Commander from 2010 until her appointment as the AATTAP Program Manager in 2021; and she led the WIDOJ CART to becoming Wisconsin’s first USDOJ certified program. She has developed curriculum and provided training to thousands of criminal justice, government, and community stakeholders in the investigations of crimes against children, including child abductions, sexual assault and abuse of a child, child enticement, computer facilitated crimes against children, child sex trafficking and forensic interviewing of children. Additionally, she has trained law enforcement in vicarious trauma associated with child exploitation investigations and delivered training on trauma informed care and resiliency.

Kim started her career in the death investigation field as a Deputy Coroner/Medicolegal Death Investigator in 2001 at the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office. She was promoted to Coroner of Sacramento in 2014 where she served until retirement in 2022. While serving as the Coroner for Sacramento County, she introduced the ANDE Rapid DNA technology into the identification process of the victims of the 2018 Butte County Camp Fire which became the first major incident in the United States where Rapid DNA and FIGG were used in disaster victim identification. In 2019, she used Rapid DNA technology to help identify thirty-four disaster victims in the Santa Barbara County Conception Boat Fire. After retirement, she started her own consulting business and in 2023 assisted with the identifications of the Maui Wildfire victims.

Mark works in the Department of Forensic Biology, New York City’s DNA crime lab and the largest of its kind in North America. Throughout his 28 years with NYC, he has investigated thousands of criminal and missing persons cases. He is the manager of the World Trade Center DNA Identification Team, a unit dedicated to advancing science and helping return loved ones to their families. Mark has been recruited by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and several foreign countries to assist in locating the missing and designing protocols to further this ability. Additionally, he serves on the Missing Migrant Identification Task Force at our nation’s border. During mass fatalities, Mark is the Family Assistance Center Manager for New York City. His command of required operations gained by handling worldwide incidents helped shape protocol from lessons learned. Mark brought Rapid DNA technology to New York for use in disaster victim identification to improve and hasten the process. Using his expertise, Mark created New York City’s Missing Persons Day. This is a multiagency event designed to bring together relatives and friends of missing persons for the purpose of collecting information to find and identify their family members. Mark has appeared on television and documentaries hundreds of times with features on Netflix, HBO, 60 Minutes and Time Magazine. He has been a keynote speaker forcorporate events and serves as a professor and forensic advisor for Rutgers University.

Michael Coble, PhD, is an Associate Professor and the Executive Director of the Center for Human Identification at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of forensic DNA analysis and interpretation, and is co-author of the book, “Forensic DNA Profiling: A Practical Guide to Assigning Likelihood Ratios.” He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. Dr. Coble currently serves as a commissioner for the Texas Forensic Science Commission, is a member of the North Carolina Forensic Science Advisory Board and is an invited guest at the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM). He is a co-editor of the Forensic Biology subject area of WIREs Forensic Science journal and is a member of the editorial boards of Forensic Science International: Genetics and The Journal of Forensic Sciences.

Michael J. Lohmann has been with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 29 years. He has been involved in biometrics his whole career. For the past five years he has served as a management and program analyst (MAPA) with the Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Biometric Services Section (BSS). His responsibilities include research, analysis, enhancement, development, and promotion of the Next Generation Identification (NGI) System’s fingerprint services. Most notably, he supports the Deceased Persons Identification Services, the Missing Persons Services, and provides outreach to law enforcement and the criminal justice community regarding the various FBI BSS person-centric services.

Dr. Robert J. Koester first joined the Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference in 1981. He earned a Ph.D. in search theory from the University of Portsmouth and a MS in biology (neurobiology) from the University of Virginia. His contributions to Search and Rescue include, seminal research on lost person behavior (with emphasis on dementia) and the International Search and Rescue Incident Database (ISRID). As a Search Mission Coordinator and instructor for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Robert has also worked for the United States Coast Guard, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Park Service, Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Author of numerous books and articles on search and rescue, including Lost Person Behavior he is currently co-editor of the Journal of Search and Rescue. Recently he has been developing search and rescue software called FIND as CEO of dbS.

Sayeh Rivazfar is a retired New York State Police Investigator, nationally recognized victim advocate, and keynote speaker whose life and career reflect extraordinary resilience and a deep commitment to justice. She began her law enforcement career in 2003 and was promoted to Investigator in 2016, later serving at the Bivona Child Advocacy Center, where she specialized in complex child abuse investigations and supported children and families navigating trauma. For more than twenty years, she has partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and shared her brutal abduction and attempted homicide survival story with law enforcement agencies, policymakers, educators, and communities nationwide. Today, she continues her work as a speaker and advocate, helping organizations elevate trauma informed practices, improve collaborative response, and remain anchored in hope, courage, and purpose.

Stuart Somershoe began his career as a police officer with the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) in 1996. Since becoming a detective in the PPD Missing and Unidentified Person’s Unit in 2007, Stuart has investigated thousands of missing person cases, some of which received widespread media attention and spotlighted on such programs as 20/20, Dateline, and Disappeared. Stuart has been featured in books and media about missing and unidentified person cases, including Skeleton Crew (Simon & Schuster, 2014) by Deborah Halber, The Long-Term Missing (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017) by Silvia Pettem, and the Missing Alissa podcast by Ottavia Zappala. In December 2022, Stuart retired from the Phoenix Police Department. He continues to work in the missing person field as a volunteer and consultant.

Tom Adkins started his law enforcement career in Ohio in 1984. After moving to Hickory, NC in 1987, he began working for the Hickory Police Department rising through the ranks until being appointed Chief of Police in 2007. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the US Secret Service Dignitary Protection Seminar. Adkins retired from the Hickory Police Department in 2016. A retired Army veteran, his current position is an Investigator for the 36th Prosecutorial District Attorney’s Office in NC.

Treena Kay has been a prosecutor for 24 years. Ms. Kay is currently the Division Chief of the Trial Division. Treena began prosecuting capital and non-capital homicides in 2005. In 2009, she started collaborating with the Phoenix Police Department’s Missing and Unidentified Person Unit. This collaboration involves the investigation of missing person/bodiless homicide cases. In her career, Ms. Kay has prosecuted seven bodiless homicides. Five of the cases were resolved through plea agreements and two were convicted at trial of First Degree Premeditated Murder. She has prosecuted an additional eight homicide cases that were charged as bodiless homicides but during the prosecution, the victims’ remains were recovered. In addition to supervising close to a hundred attorneys, Ms. Kay continues to work with law enforcement agencies when they suspect a missing person investigation is a bodiless homicide case.

Tyesha leads the strategic coordination and oversight of program operations, including program activities, major events and the delivery of training and technical assistance to tribal communities and Alaskan Native Villages, ensuring effective support and capacity-building across diverse regions. Tyesha is a former law enforcement professional with over 17 years of experience, primarily focused on Criminal Investigations involving Sex Crimes and Crimes Against Children. A former Police Detective, she has worked extensively with Multi-Disciplinary Teams in Tribal Family Advocacy Centers, providing victim-centered, trauma-informed services in tribal communities. Tyesha also served as an Executive Protection Officer for the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President for two years, further demonstrating her dedication to public safety and leadership in tribal governance. A 2018–2019 alumna of the McCain Institute for International Leadership's Next Generation Leaders Program, Tyesha collaborated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., to develop a Leadership Plan to Combat Sex Trafficking in Indian Country. Tyesha holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and a graduate degree from Grand Canyon University. She is a proud member of the Navajo Nation.

In her role, Jesi oversees the training and technical assistance for the program’s international and territorial projects, focusing on the southern and northern border initiatives and the U.S. territories. Prior to her current role, Jesi served AATTAP as its Region One Liaison, working with the Northeastern state AMBER Alert partners and CART program leaders. Jesi served as a law enforcement officer in Florida from 1997 through her retirement in 2012. During her career, she was assigned to the Orlando Regional Operations Center Cyber High-Tech Crimes Squad. She was a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Innocent Images Task Force, investigating the online exploitation of children and a member of the Florida Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. Under her leadership as the Central Florida Child Abduction Response Team Coordinator, their greatest achievement was the recovery of Nadia Bloom in 2010. The team became the 13th in the nation and the 4th in the state of Florida to be certified. In 2012, Jesi was awarded the State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during the Florida Missing Children’s Day. Jesi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida International University in Miami, Florida, and a Master of Science degree in General Management from St. Thomas University.