KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Former Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander played in the NFL for 15 years, earning Pro Bowl Honors twice and All Pro.

Reared by his mother and influenced greatly by his coach and Uncle Steve Moore, Lorenzo learned to respect others, work hard and always believe in himself. A man of character on and off the field, Lorenzo teaches those same traits to youth through his ACES Foundation.

SAFETY PANELIST

Dr Heidi Suffoletto is a passionate advocate of youth sports. In addition to caring for patients in the Emergency Departments at Buffalo General Hospital and Oishei Childrens Hospital, UBMD Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, and the University at Buffalo Concussion Clinic, she is also the Director of Emergency Medicine for the Buffalo Bandits, an Airway and Cardiovascular Emergency Physician for the Buffalo Sabres, an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant for the NFL, and a Team Physician for the SUNY Erie Kats.

SAFETY PANELIST

AS Senior Vice President, Northeast, American Heart Association, Jason Stulb has spent his entire career serving Western New York. He raises funds and implements programs in the region that address physical education, CPR education and CERP programming in youth sports and schools, among several other important initiatives. He has coordinated CPR partnerships with The Buffalo Bills, Wegmans and UR Medicine, along with community teaching gardens, health food programs and COVID health campaigns.

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE PANELIST

Christopher Barfield, School Leader at Urban Dove Team Charter School in Brooklyn, draws from his own experiences with tough coaches to guide his approach in fostering a supportive environment for under-credited students. Barfield's role at Urban Dove involves supervising coaches and implementing programs to address educational gaps and trauma among students. He emphasizes adapting coaching styles to individual needs. Barfield's commitment to helping students feel safe and loved underscores his dedication to their growth and success.

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE PANELIST

Tempestt Casey has worked for UD Team Charter Schools for 10 years in multiple roles, now serving as Director of Youth Development. Tempestt played Division III basketball at New York City College of Technology. An ordained Deacon, Tempestt is responsible for the support of her Pastor and entire church congregation at large. Tempestt has worked with youth for over 13 years. Tempestt relies on this background, plus her Urban Dove experience and passion to best guide her in her work with youth.

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE PANELIST

Anthony Andino, Director of Training for The Center of Healing and Justice Through Sport, has been a non-profit professional and basketball coach for almost 15 years. He has mentored and coached serious athletes at the college level and youth of all ages in community settings. Through his work as a member of the CHJS National Training Team and his training as a licensed clinical social worker, he has worked to develop coaches and youth workers using his knowledge, lived experience, and his ability to build strong and meaningful relationships.

PANELIST

Nate Breske is the Head Athletic Trainer for the Buffalo Bills. Since being hired by the Bills in 2018, Breske and his athletic training staff have been highly ranked in the NFL in terms of least number of games missed due to injury. Breske was an integral member of the medical team that revived Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a Monday Night Football game in Cincinnati on January 2, 2023. After Hamlin went into cardiac arrest, he and the medical staff took quick action, performed CPR, and prevented a tragic outcome.

CORNERSTONE

Bridget Niland, Ph.D., JD, is the Dean of Niagara University’s College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management. Dr. Niland has over 25 years of experience in higher education, sports law, philanthropy, and event and tourism management. A former college athletics director, she has also held management positions within the NCAA. Niland worked with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation to create Project Play WNY.

CORNERSTONE

Darren Treadway, Ph.D., serves as an Associate Professor of Sports Management at Niagara University. His research focuses on how political skill, leadership, occupational stigma, and bullying impact employee productivity and retention in service organizations. He has also been involved as an organizational development consultant with profit and non-profit organizations for two decades, most recently focusing on capacity in Youth Sports Organizations.