Innovative Solutions for a Safer Future
The SEP Safety Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity designed as a think tank and public advocacy organization. We study the complexities of social, emotional and physical safety to improve environments in schools, businesses, houses of worship and live events. By conducting research across multidisciplinary fields and collaborating with university researchers, students and security professionals, we enhance the body of knowledge in the safety profession, ensuring safer communities for future generations.
OUR MISSION
It’s simple really …
The SEP Safety Institute’s mission is to promote social, emotional and physical safety by enhancing the knowledge of security professionals. We aim to create safer environments through research, advocacy and partnerships with global safety experts and mental health professionals.
Our Work
Advancing safety through innovative research, advocacy, strategic partnerships and training.
Research: Conducting cutting-edge studies to advance the understanding of safety in various environments.
Advocacy: Promoting policies and practices that enhance safety.
Partnerships: Collaborating with universities, safety and security professionals and other organizations to implement safety strategies.
Education: Providing training and resources to safety and security professionals to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Our Work
Our Programs
Our four core programs provide comprehensive safety solutions for all types of community spaces.
1. Safe Schools Initiative: Focused on creating secure learning environments through comprehensive safety assessments, training for staff, and student workshops.
2. Business Safety Program: Tailored safety protocols and training for businesses to ensure the well-being of employees and customers.
3. House of Worshop Safety Program: Developing customized safety strategies for places of worship, fostering secure and peaceful environments for congregations.
4. Live Event Safety Strategy: Ensuring the safety of attendees and staff at live events through detailed planning and coordination with security professionals.
Resources
Your SEP Safety Hub: Research, training and expert insights.
Research Library: Access to our extensive collection of studies, papers, and articles on social, emotional and physical safety.
Training Materials: Comprehensive resources for your stakeholders and staff members, including manuals, online courses and workshops.
Webinars & Workshops: Regular events featuring experts in the field, offering insights and practical advice on enhancing safety.
Meet the Team
MIKE JOHNSON
President
After a lengthy diplomatic security and law enforcement career within the U.S. Government, Mike entered the private sector in 2010 as an executive with a global risk consulting company. He is a lead trainer and facilitator for several non-profit education organizations and has provided safety, security and campus resiliency training to hundreds of school and business leaders around the world. Mike serves on the Board of Directors for Winterfest Inc., the Board of Directors for the Empower Youth Fund and on the Advisory Board for the National Association of School and Campus Police Chiefs. Mike is the CEO of Clearpath EPM, which he co-founded in 2014.
VINCE LINDENMEYER
Secretary
Vince Lindenmeyer, Ph.D., is a strategist, serial entrepreneur and sacred activist. He served a 26-year career as an Airborne Ranger in the infantry, logistics,and strategist career fields while serving stateside and overseas in Korea, Egypt, Qatar and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star Medal. As an entrepreneur and consultant, Dr. Vince Lindenmeyer advises and assists minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to create economic growth for equality and justice. Teaching face-to-face and distance learning over the past 19-years, Dr. Lindenmeyer has a passion for increasing engagement through new methodologies and educational technologies. Vince earned a BS in Systems Engineering (West Point, United States Military Academy), an MS, an M.Ed., a MA in Strategic Studies and a Ph.D. in Education.
PATRICIA HANDLY-JOHNSON
Treasurer
Pat has decades of experience in international and US schools as a teacher, school psychologist, school principal and trainer for international school teachers and leaders. She has created programs for professional learning, supervision and evaluation of the professional teaching faculty, early literacy, reading and writing, and most recently, promoting the idea that academic and social-emotional programs must carry equal weight. Pat is a board member for the Empower Youth Fund Corp and is an advisor in social-emotional learning for the Edulight Group in Latin America. Pat holds a BA in child development and an MA in Child Clinical Psychology with certifications in elementary teaching, school psychology and principal leadership, and the Certificate in International School Leadership from the Principal’s Training Center for International School Leadership.
JESSICA GILWAY
Board Member
Dr. Jessica Gilway, Ed.D. is the Executive Director of IAA – InterAmerican Academy in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She has previously served as the Director of Santa Cruz Cooperative School, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, the Director of Two Rivers Community School, the Founding Principal of GALA and the Director of Curriculum & Instruction of Urban Community School. She served as a professor in Expressive Arts Therapy & Educational Leadership at Appalachian State University. She has a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Environmental Studies & Latin American Studies, as well as Spanish. Jessica’s master’s degree is in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of New Mexico and her doctoral degree is in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University and Buffalo State University. Her specialties include social-emotional learning, trauma informed educational practices, sustainable educational leadership practices and international education.
FRANK STRAUB
Board Member
Dr. Frank Straub co-founded and served as the co-director of Michigan State University’s Protect 2 Prevent Project, a five-year, $15M pilot project to prevent middle and high school students from engaging in acts of targeted school violence. Previously, Dr. Straub served as the founder and director of the National Policing Institute’s Center for Targeted Violence Prevention. He created and leads Safe and Sound School’s Averted School Violence database and regularly consults with government and non-government organizations regarding school violence, extremism, and terrorism prevention. Dr. Straub served for over 30-years in law enforcement, leading public safety and law enforcement agencies in New York, Indiana and Washington state. Dr. Straub was a member of U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security school safety and threat assessment working groups. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Mass Violence Advisory Initiative. Dr. Straub holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Forensic Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice. He is a licensed masters-level psychologist in Michigan.