Community Advisory Board
The Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention Community Advisory Board serves as a source of community partners’ expertise and insight to inform IFIP priorities and provide feedback. Members have non-profit, practitioner, and/or community perspectives and advise the Institute on grassroots and local perspectives, engaging partners, and translating research into action.
Gene Ananiev, PhD
Program Manager, Promega
Madison, Wisconsin
Dr. Ananiev is a competitive shooter and a scientist. He has a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology and works full time as a researcher in the field of drug discovery. His academic and personal background gives him a unique perspective on research and firearm policy. As a competitive shooter, he is deeply concerned about the erosion of individual rights to keep and bear arms in the U.S. As a scholar, parent, and full-time employee of an educational institution, he is also deeply concerned with security and safety. He is interested in studying the effectiveness of firearm laws both in the U.S and globally.
Tia Bell, MA
Founder and CEO, T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project
Washington, District of Columbia
Tia Bell became familiar with the struggles of at-risk youth early in life as the oldest child of an adolescent mother in Washington, D.C. Overpowered by crime, defeat, and disadvantage, 7 out of 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) were lived before the age of 10 years old. By the age of 17, firearm violence caused dozens of loved ones pain or silence including her mother, who is a survivor, and her late uncle. In Tia’s determination to find significance in life’s pain she found peace on the court winning Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 while attending HD Woodson Senior High School she earned her an invitation to serve as a scholastic member of the Wolfpack Women’s Basketball Club. In 2011, Tia received her Bachelor’s of Science in Sport Management from NC State University. Following multiple acute knee injuries which ended her basketball career, Tia was afforded the opportunity to become the first in her family to complete high school, college and now pursue a Master’s degree. It was during this difficult shift that she discovered herself and her calling to serve and support the young. Tia has gained meaningful experience in undergraduate admissions, college access, school counseling, coaching, and firearm violence prevention. As the Founder of FOuR, LLC and The T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project, today she lives to prevent firearm violence through the intersection of positive youth development, public health, cultural responsiveness. In this light, youth are positioned to create and design solutions of holistic healing for the youth, from the youth and STOP the spread of the disease of firearm violence.
Sarah Derwin
Health Educator, Marquette County Health Department
Marquette, Michigan
Alia Harvey-Quinn
Founder and Executive Director, FORCE Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Alia Harvey Quinn is a bold leader with a dedication for investing in often ignored, emerging grassroots leaders. As the daughter of Black Panthers, Alia’s calling into the world of activism, leadership and community-building was always in her DNA but was emboldened by organizing with youth who were dealing with issues of criminalization and violence. Her commitment to building a freer, safer Detroit is both ancestral and unwavering. Alia is the founder and Executive Director of FORCE Detroit. Under her leadership, Force Detroit has established itself as a
widely-recognized and well-respected community organization, shedding light locally and nationwide on the solutions to gun violence, with a primary focus on Community Violence Intervention (CVI).
Before founding FORCE Detroit, Alia was the Detroit Director of Michigan Faith in Action. In this role she organized a table composed of justice-impacted leaders, safety activists, radical clergy and Muslim women committed to advocating for issues of safety and justice. In 2011-12, Alia was the visionary behind the Detroit Future Youth Network.
Her inventive leadership and dedication to uplifting the hard work of long, under-resourced, often justice-impacted peacemakers, played a large role in shaping Detroit’s strategy within the White House Community Violence Intervention Initiative. She has 20 years nonprofit leadership experience in program design and community organizing around the themes of justice, safety, positive youth development, coalition building, and redistributive resourcing.
Cynthia Joseph, LMSW, CAADC
Director and Therapist, CST Counseling and Transitional Services, Inc.
Saginaw, Michigan
Cynthia Joseph, LMSW, CAADC currently in a semi-retired capacity, serves as the Director and Therapist at CST Counseling and Transitional Services, Inc. located in Saginaw, MI. With a career spanning over 30 years, Cynthia has amassed extensive experience in administration, program development, and professional practice across various sectors including forensic populations, substance abuse, geriatric, homelessness, chronic and severe mental illness, HIV/ AIDS, and family and children services.
Her academic journey began at Wayne State University, School of Social Work, where she obtained both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Cynthia’s immersion into the effects of crime, violence and trauma on communities, societies, and individuals commenced during her tenure as a therapist in one of the pioneering prisoner reentry programs, MCOIT, Lincoln Park, MI. It was during this period that Cynthia encountered her first female parolee, whose incarceration stemmed from defending herself against her abusive husband. This encounter spurred Cynthia’s commitment to understanding and addressing intimate partner violence comprehensively.
From 2022 until her retirement from Saginaw County Community Mental Health, Cynthia serviced as a Jail Diversion Specialist, Mental Health Court Coordinator and Michigan Department of Correction Prisoner Re-Entry Coordinator, offering intervention services for individuals with emotional/mental illness to mitigate risks of re-arrest, probation/parole violations or re-incarceration.
An integral part of Cynthia’s professional journey has been her role as an Adjunct Professor at Mott Community College’s Social Work Technician Program since 2001. She finds immense fulfillment in nurturing students, imparting her expertise, and fostering their passion for social work. Preparing students for successful transitions to a university education is a particularly rewarding aspect of her career.
As a prelude to retirement, Cynthia established CST Counseling and Transitional Services, Inc. in 2004, a private practice with a forensic focus providing behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Certified by BISC-MI since 2013, Cynthia offers Intimate Partner Abuse counseling and works with MDOC offender success parolees, Saginaw County District and Circuit court probationers in providing Intimate Partner Abuse counseling. Additionally, Cynthia Joseph is one of the originators and supporting members of Sagianw’s first domestic violence docket.
Elijah Kindred, MDiv
Director, Health and Wellness Department Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO)
Chicago, IL
Elijah Kindred is deeply committed to empowering and serving marginalized communities, particularly in the realm of healthcare. In his roles as both a health director and a religious leader, Mr. Kindred endeavors to address the significant health disparities faced by underserved populations. His approach involves developing culturally tailored health curricula and advocating for patient-centered medicine, thereby promoting shared decision-making processes.
At BSCO, where he serves as the health director, Elijah collaborates with Northwestern University to lead the Safer Together Coalition. This initiative employs a public health framework to tackle the issue of community violence. Through this coalition, Elijah is at the forefront of efforts to mitigate violence and its health impacts on communities.
Elijah’s academic journey includes earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Tennessee State University, and he furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago. His scholarly pursuits focus on the intersection of religion and health within the African American community, particularly emphasizing chronic disease self-care. Notably, Elijah has co-authored three peer-reviewed publications, one of which outlines the successful implementation of a faith-based diabetes empowerment curriculum for African American churches.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Elijah is a respected leader within various community organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Bright Star Church Chicago. He is dedicated to mentoring numerous high school and college students, embodying his belief in the importance of nurturing the next generation. Elijah’s philosophy is encapsulated by the proverb, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Maureen Reddy
Investigative Consultant, retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC)
Detroit, Michigan
Maureen Reddy is a 30 year veteran of law enforcement. Maureen received a degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and subsequently attended the Law Enforcement Academy at Lansing Community College after being hired as a Police Officer in Jackson, MI. After working as a Police Officer, Maureen spent 27 years with the FBI investigating Violent Crime and White Collar Crime. She spent time in Chicago as a Special Agent from 1991-2006. During this time she became the Crisis Negotiation Team Leader.
In 2006 Maureen transferred to FBI Headquarters in Washington DC where she was a Supervisory Special Agent in the International Operations Division assigned to oversee Legal Attache (Legat) offices in Asia, to include Tokyo, Beijing, Canberra, Jakarta, Manila, Phnom Penh, and New Delhi. In 2008, Maureen transferred to LegatTbilisi in the Republic of Georgia as the Assistant Legal Attache.
Maureen worked closely with the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in Georgia, along with the MIA in Armenia and Azerbaijan. In 2011, Maureen received the Medal of Merit from the MIA in Georgia. In 2010 Maureen transferred to the Detroit Division of the FBI and supervised the Healthcare Fraud squad and Coordinator for the FBI National Academy in Detroit. In 2015, Maureen became the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) overseeing the Violent Crime Program and SWAT Team Program in the Detroit Division. Maureen retired from the FBI and started a consulting firm with her husband.
Jonathan Garvey
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Analyst
Lansing, Michigan
Jonathan Garvey serves as the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Analyst for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. In his role, Jon serves as liaison for the Michigan Governor’s Challenge – a state-level collaborative effort within the national Governor’s Challenge to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families. Jon also facilitates the Michigan Veteran Connector Program, which helps businesses, schools, community organizations, and healthcare institutions identify service members, veterans, and their families among their populations, and connect them to benefits earned through dedicated service.
A 16-year U.S. Army Veteran (2004-2020) with assignments in artillery, cavalry, and infantry units, Jon has served on multiple combat and operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jon received his commission as an active duty artillery officer through Michigan State University’s ROTC program and holds a bachelor’s degree in social science.