Jill has been involved in homeland security for 16 years. In her current position, she is responsible for helping organizations prepare, survive and recover through emergency planning. She provides direction and planning for response efforts, identifies critical assets, creates continuity of operations plans, and assists in compliancy with Private Sector Preparedness. She helps prepare management teams to properly manage, respond, and recover from crisis situations. Previously, as Homeland Security Adviser for the State of Illinois, Jill was served as Illinois’ top homeland security official. She worked closely with federal, state and local authorities to assess potential terror threats to the region, implemented the initial uniform communication system for first responders, and pre-positioned command vans throughout the state, decreasing response times to emergencies and disasters. Before that, she worked as Emergency Response Manager at Argonne National Laboratory where she was responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness, and Participated in national preparedness exercises. Jill currently volunteers for St. Martin's Episcopal Church Youth Minister Illinois Volunteer: Serving the Home Front. She earned Masters in Strategic Studies from Army War College and a Masters in International Policy Studies from Monterey Institute of International Studies. She is a member of Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce.

Yvonne has been involved in communications, fund development and nonprofit management for 17 years. She is presently working with the International Organization of Firefighters of the Americas to host a Worldwide Disaster Preparedness Conference in September. She has consulted agencies with their contingency planning and communications needs. Previously, she worked as Public Information Officer/Coordinator of Special Projects at the Chicago Police Department and was the Liaison for the Mayor’s Press Office. At CPD, she handled media relations, managed crisis and emergency preparedness communications, and served as the official spokesperson for the community policing division. In 2005, Yvonne served on the City’s Executive Committee for Emergency Response for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, helping to provide strategies to integrate the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Chicago Park District, various city agencies and nonprofit relief-oriented agencies to support those relocating to Chicago following Hurricane Katrina. Yvonne currently serves as volunteer for Deeply Rooted Productions, The HistoryMakers, and Chicago Cares. She earned a BA in Political Science from Hampton University and studied Human Services Administration at the graduate level in Spertus College's Nonprofit Management program. She is a member of AFP; Collaborative Empowerment Organization and President of the Chicago Hampton Alumni Association.

Len Pagano has spent more than 30 years communicating strategic safety messages and programs built on effective public and private sector networks, as well as other non-profit safety organizations. As President, CEO and founder of Safe America, Mr. Pagano launched the 501(c)3 organization with a $1 Million grant from the Travelers Insurance Foundation. Through his leadership, the Safe America Foundation has developed educational and practical safety and preparedness programs for businesses and communities. Partners have included the Motorola and UPS Foundations along with the national PTA, Allstate, State Farm, NBC, USA TODAY and a variety of public safety and government agencies at state and national levels. Prior to establishing the Foundation, Mr. Pagano was involved in the television broadcasting industry for twenty years while simultaneously delving into nonprofit management. Mr. Pagano graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia.