TST Instructors are extraordinarily knowledgeable ESD experts. Every TST instructor has spent years developing the curriculum and offering workshops, driven by their passion for sharing strength and self-confidence; all of which has brought TST to where it is today.
Team members have infused TST with their enthusiasm and their professional expertise in relevant fields like psychology, education, physical therapy, community outreach, business, guardian ad litem, women’s health, and more. This paired with their extensive martial arts background makes TST curriculum second to none.
Founding Members
Christine DiBlasio, Ph.D., PLC (President, Director of Innovative Programing and Professional Outreach) was inspired to study martial arts by her children, over 20 years ago. She currently holds the rank of 5th degree Black Belt in Kempo-JuJitsu. Christine is also a licensed psychologist and the director of a large outpatient, private mental health practice, Stone House Associates. In this capacity, Christine has had the honor of working with many survivors of interpersonal violence and sexual assault. It is this unique combination of expertise (martial arts and psychology) that has led her to develop and teach violence prevention classes (ESD) as well as to create a ground-breaking trauma treatment program (TESD or Therapeutic Empowerment Self-Defense). TESD utilizes a mind-body approach to healing trauma and has received worldwide attention. Christine was recently named USA Today’s Vermont Woman of the Year in recognition of her innovative work in the field of trauma recovery for survivors of violence. Additionally, Dr. DiBlasio was selected as one of Hannaford’s Outstanding Women of Vermont for 2023. Her sense of humor, professional approach, warmth, and compassion help her connect with course participants. Christine welcomes questions or inquiries and can be reached at Christine@TheSafetyTeam.org
Nancy Keller, M.Ed., C.A.S. has been a student of martial arts since 2002 and a valued member of The Safety Team since 2004. She holds the rank of 4th degree Black Belt in Kempo-JuJitsu, 2nd Degree Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and 3rd Degree Brown Belt in Bushintai-Do, a martial art created especially for practice in public schools. Nancy is also a national board-certified science and mathematics educator with over 30 years of experience teaching both young adolescents and adults. Having integrated Bushintai-Do into her classroom, Nancy has witnessed first-hand the positive influence learning a martial art can have on the lives of students. While students learn and practice the physical skills of self-defense, they also make academic and social/emotional gains. Nancy is known as a warm, patient and encouraging instructor who combines her classroom expertise and martial arts training to help her students grow in self-confidence and independence. She can be reached via email at Nancy@TheSafetyTeam.org.
Executive Director
Geneviève Henry, CD, ICCE, CMT Geneviève’s (Genie) tenure on TST started when she volunteered over a decade ago, after taking an Empowerment Self-Defense class with her teenage daughter. She subsequently began training in martial arts, ultimately earning a black belt in Kempo-Jujitsu. Genie was later invited to become a professional team member in 2018 and successfully completed training which resulted in certification in all of our signature programs. Genie’s enthusiasm and passion for the topics of empowerment, preventing violence, and promoting healing are inspiring. She has been the senior instructor for programs delivered in various settings, including schools, colleges, businesses and community centers in VT. She has been instrumental in improving our curriculum and is a vital part of our Training and Certification programs for new instructors. Genie has co-led TST’s Therapeutic Empowerment Self-Defense Sessions for survivors of interpersonal and sexual violence. This impactful work in promoting healing has prompted Genie to pursue a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. In addition to her work on TST, Genie has created and successfully developed two businesses which share a focus on women’s health and well-being (Birth Journeys & Massage Journey). Additionally, Genie is a co-founder and guest instructor for the UVM Volunteer Doula program and regularly volunteers at the Family Room, a family center that nurtures a vibrant and diverse community. The constant theme in all this work is Geneviève’s passion for empowering people and promoting equity. She can be reached at Genie@TheSafetyTeam.org.
Members
Christina Allard, PT (Secretary, Director of Adaptive Programming, Founding Member) began her martial arts training when her daughter was in middle school so that they could share a positive and empowering activity together. She has continued to train regularly and currently holds the rank of Black Belt in Kempo-JuJitsu. As a licensed Physical Therapist, Christina brings expertise about motor planning, physical training and its connection to mental and emotional well-being to the Safety Team workshops. Her work with children in school systems has given her first-hand experience in witnessing how practicing coordinated movements can increase an individual’s sense of confidence and competence; this in turn reinforces her desire to give people who are feeling vulnerable the tools to protect themselves. She can be reached at Tina@TheSafetyTeam.org.
Eileen Mann, Guardian Ad Litem, (Director of Volunteer Training) Eileen Mann, Guardian Ad Litem, (Board Member) began training in martial arts with her children and husband at Martial Way Self-Defense Center, where she earned a 1st Degree Brown Belt in Kempo-Jitsu. Eileen joined The Safety Team in 2012 after training for years with the founding members of the team. Over the last decade, Eileen has helped teach close to a hundred workshops, each time being amazed at the positive energy created when women unleash the power of their bodies in concert with their minds. As a member of the Workshop Committee Eileen is constantly looking for ways to improve the Empowerment Self-Defense workshops, working closely with the Safety Team Volunteers whom she sees as the future of the organization. Through her volunteer work as a Guardian Ad Litem Mrs Mann engages with children as they come into the DCF and court system, giving voice and support to children when they often feel scared and vulnerable. Eileen believes that everyone has the right to be safe, and her work as both Guardian and with The Safety Team are dedicated to that purpose. You can reach her at eileen@thesafetyteam.org.
Peg Rieley, MBA (Treasurer, Director of Finance) With 30+ years as an entrepreneur and business owner, Peg brings her business and marketing expertise to the Team. Peg got her first introduction to The Safety Team when she and her eldest daughter participated in a workshop. The organization’s mission struck a chord, promoting many of the tenets that Peg holds dear; strength, community, safety and well-being, women’s empowerment, and positive change. Peg holds a purple belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate and has also trained in Taekwondo. Peg and her husband own and operate a commercial and residential real estate development business. She can be reached at Peg@TheSafetyTeam.org.
Founding Member Emerita:
Darcy Richardson-Miller, M.S. has been training in the martial arts for approximately 15 years and holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kempo-JuJitsu, as well as a Black Belt in Arnis, the Filipino art of stick-fighting. As a forensic toxicologist (See Vermont Forensic Services), Darcy has extensive expertise regarding the legal issues of assault and self-defense, as well as the evidence needed to present in a court. As part of her career, Darcy evaluates assault cases and renders opinions on issues of impairment and toxicity. This knowledge enriches The Safety Team workshops by providing a realistic perspective on specific risks and subsequent avoidance strategies. Darcy’s toxicology experience directly relates to the use of alcohol and drugs in date rape situations. This is especially important as alcohol is the number one date rape drug used and is a common social issue with a variety of age groups. Too often women don’t realize how this impairment can reduce their ability to protect themselves and get out of potentially dangerous situations. Darcy believes it is crucial for young women to understand these risks. As a mother, Darcy is especially dedicated to ensuring that women and children have the right skills to protect themselves.
Certified ESD Instructors:
Kate Williams
Sarah Carbonneau
Dale Henry
Active Volunteers:
Emily Joyce
Caroline Sprigg
Sparrow Wilder
Reiko Maeda
Ellen Foster
Hannah Bloom
Board of Directors:
Meg Clark, MBA
Betsy Jaffe, MD-PhD
Helen Cabot-McCarthy
Christine DiBlasio, Ph.D., PLC
Peg Rieley, MBA
Christina Allard, PT
Nancy Keller, M.Ed., C.A.S.
Eileen Mann