Who We Are
Leader's Intent, LLC Associates
Our associates are leaders of leaders. In true emergency management fashion, Leader's Intent associates come from a wide array of backgrounds and disciplines allowing Leader's Intent to comprehensively look at all aspects of leadership, crisis management, and team dynamics. We are able to support you in an all-hazards environment. As you can see, our associates are well educated, trained, experienced, and each successful in their own right.
Kristen Miller
Public Information, Incident Management, Crisis Communications
Kristen Miller was born and raised in northeast Florida and has a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and will have a Master of Science degree in forestry, with emphasis on wildland fire, from Mississippi State University in May 2019. Her background is in fire operations and public information having worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She is qualified as PIO1, INTS, ICT5, FFT1, and ENOP. She has been a member of an Incident Management Team since 2012.
She is currently the Communications and Policy Director for the Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Alliance (NMSFA).
Amiel Farnam, MPH
Public Health, Emergency Management, Counter-terrorism
My career in Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Response, has taken me on adventures through various settings where I was able to positively influence people in need. I worked with the underserved communities of Mexico where I performed medical procedures and provided health and disease control, and prevention education. In Israel I assisted the Israeli Defense Force in conducting exercises, within sixteen primary medical centers. These centers demonstrated how to effectively prepare and respond to a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear attack or a natural disaster using the all-hazards approach. Receiving my Basic Cardiac Life Support certification allowed me to work within Israel’s primary ambulance system and apply lifesaving interventions to save victims. In addition, I worked to uncover multiple security gaps within the Israeli transportation system and effectively closing these gaps, thus decreasing the risk of mass casualty incidents thru terrorism. Through intensive training I was taught to effectively respond to HAZMAT, structural collapse, and anti-terrorism events; thus, qualifying me to aid emergency rescue operation teams. Today I am the Emergency Manager/Emerging Disease Specialist for Los Angeles County Public Health, where my team and I have vigorously responded to and managed the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing spread in high-risk settings, by identifying and isolating ill persons and receiving and distributing appropriate PPE to priority healthcare entities, that include hospitals, clinics, EMS provider agencies, and Skilled Nursing Facilities. With my immense experience in an array of disciplines, and my deep commitment to the field of emergency management, I hope to continue to grow as a leader within the field and ultimately save lives.
Capt. Matthew Pederson
Military Leadership, Emergency Management, Strategic Planning
Matthew Pederson serves on the City of El Segundo All-Hazards Incident Management Team.
During 16 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Matthew has served on active duty and the reserve in the 1st Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, and the School of Infantry–West. He has completed military deployments in support of the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan; in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM to Al Anbar Province, Iraq; twice in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM to Helmand Province, Afghanistan; and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2018 to Trøndelag County, Norway. His military occupational specialties are infantry officer, light armored reconnaissance officer, operations and tactics instructor, and advanced foreign security force advisor.
Matthew volunteers with the Joshua Tree National Park Association Desert Institute for outdoor education, the Mojave Desert Land Trust for land stewardship and conservation, and Team Rubicon for disaster response. He has completed disaster deployments to Kaua’i County, Hawai’i for flood response; Bay County, Florida for the Hurricane Michael response; San Bernardino County, California for earthquake response; Great Abaco Island, The Bahamas for the Hurricane Dorian response; and Los Angeles County, California for pandemic response.
He is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, the National Emergency Management Association, the California Emergency Services Association, the All-Hazards Incident Management Teams Association, and serves on the board of directors of Emergency Network Los Angeles – the Los Angeles County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
Dr. Mona Kumar
Psychology, Mental Health, Critical Incident Stress Management
Dr. Mona Kumar is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in Pasadena, California. She works with a broad range of clients including both adolescents and adults. She offers individual, family, and couples’ therapy and practices from a psychoanalytic perspective. Dr. Kumar received her doctoral degree in 2002 from Alliant International University and has been in private practice since 2005. Dr. Kumar’s goal in therapy is to help her clients better understand themselves and lead more fulfilling lives. As clients get to know themselves they connect with more of who they are and experience greater life satisfaction.
Lori Postma, RN
Health/Medical, Incident Management, Firefighting
Lori serves as an Incident Commander and Planning Section Chief with Indiana District 1 Task Force in Northwest Indiana. She is also a Captain at Lake Township Fire Department and an Exercise Evaluator for the Lighthouse Readiness Group.
Lori has an extensive medical background. She is a Registered Nurse and works in Registered Nurse Emergency Preparedness for Franciscan Alliance, Inc.
Lori was appointed as a Board of Director for the All-Hazards Incident Management Teams Association in 2020 and represents region V.
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Debbi Fletcher
Higher Education Emergency Management, Exercise Design, Community Building, Crisis Communications
Debbi Fletcher is currently the Assistant Director of Emergency Management and Continuity for Indiana University. Debbi was formerly the State Exercise Officer for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. She was with IDHS since May of 2017. Prior to going to IDHS, Debbi has worked as the Regional Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross Indiana Region, Director of Emergency Management & Continuity IU Bloomington, Senior Coordinator for the Indianapolis Marion County Emergency Management Agency, Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison for the City of Indianapolis and Community Resource Coordinator for the Indianapolis Police Department. Ms. Fletcher has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Public Safety, Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security & Emergency Management and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from IUPUI. She is also a member of the State of Indiana Incident Management Assistance Team and has deployed to disasters such as the tornado in Henryville, IN and Jasper, IN for the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak.
Justin Diedolf
Military, Emergency Management, CBRNE
Justin Diedolf is a United States Marine Corps veteran and currently resides in Southern California with his wife and three boys. As a family man Justin dedicates any free time he has to his family. An ocean lover and water oriented athlete, he and his family enjoy the local beaches and frequent trips to Catalina Island. He accomplished his studies at AMU and possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Emergency and Disaster Management.
Justin, an Emergency Management Flight Chief, located at the Los Angeles Air Force Base, EL Segundo, CA, is a 12 year veteran of the emergency management community. Combined with 10+ years serving in the United States Marine Corps, Justin has a solid record with providing outstanding emergency management services to the installation personnel and surrounding communities. In addition, Justin tactfully advises the installation commander, in an “all hazards approach” to, preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from all emergency disasters.
Mr. Diedolf is the primary chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense training instructor for Los Angeles Air Force Base and uses his combat experiences to provide more realism while preparing Airmen prior to their deployments. He also is responsible for conducting annual all hazard threat assessments within the installations area of operation and leads the charge with the expression, “people are our greatest assets”.
Todd De Voe, MPA, CEM
Emergency Management, Education, Leadership, Promotions,
Todd De Voe is an emergency management educator and the host of EM Weekly, Business Continuity Today, Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo's Prepare, Respond, Recover Show. Also, Todd produces EM Student and The OC Politics Show.
Todd's involvement in Emergency Response, Emergency Management, Education, and Volunteer Management started when he became a firefighter in upstate New York. Todd joined the United States Navy and became a Hospital Corpsman assigned to the Fleet Marine Force. After his service, he served as an emergency medical responder (EMT) in some of the toughest parts of Los Angeles County.
Todd's first emergency management position was with the City of Dana Point. He led the city's effort to become the second city in California to earn the TsunamiReady designation form the National Weather Service. Todd helped the County of Orange become the first county in the nation to receive the TsunamiReady destination.
The City of Seal Beach recruited Todd to develop its emergency management program. Todd responded to the Salon Meritage shooting, the worst mass murder in the history of Orange County. The lessons learned after the event highlighted the role of emergency managers during these types of events. Todd left Seal Beach and moved to emergency management in higher education
Coastline Community College asked Todd to join the steering committee to help develop their emergency management program, later that year, he was invited to join the faculty. Today, Todd continues to teach for Coastline College and The University of California Irvine.
Todd is a lifelong learner, and he is a graduate of the National Emergency Management Executive Academy's Cohort VII. He continues to research and write about important emergency management issues, crisis leadership, business continuity, and community relicense
Todd is an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers and is on the Region 9 board.
Lt. Jeff Leyman (Ret)
Law Enforcement, SWAT, K-9, Leadership, Incident Command
During his 29 years in law enforcement, Lieutenant Jeff Leyman was assigned to variety of administration and operations positions. Along with patrol, he spend time as a K9 Handler, Field Training Officer, and Administrative Sergeant. After promoting to lieutenant in 2011, he spent the next nine years assigned as the Special Operations Division Commander, Patrol Division Commander, and Support Services Division Commander. In addition, he managed a Type 1 jail, the K9 program, and was a SWAT Commander.
Jeff has his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice from Chapman University. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership institute and California POST Command College, along with numerous other leadership and tactical courses.
In his spare time, he enjoys working out, kayaking, fishing, watching Dodger games, and travelling with his wife and children.
Zachary Litwiller, MPA
Emergency Management
Zachary Litwiller graduated May, 2020 from University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs with a Masters of Public Administration and focused his studies to simultaneously earn a graduate certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Throughout his professional and educational careers, he has had a strong passion and motivation for public service, consistently finding ways to volunteer and encourage the various organizations he’s worked with to become involved leaders in their communities. Since his graduation, Zachary has pursued his career in Emergency Management, volunteering with Team Rubicon and currently serving as Liaison Officer for the El Segundo All-Hazards Incident Management Team and their COVID-19 response. As he develops his career, Zachary proves that he is a leader ready to serve first.
Chung "Tim" Tran
Geographical Information Systems, Information Technology, Chainsaw, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Tim Tran has a Bachelor of Science degree in business with an emphasis in Telecommunications from California State University, Long Beach. His background on an Incident Management Team started with Team Rubicon as part of the Southern California mission planning team and working for the City of El Segundo. He received his certificate in Geographic Information Systems at Cypress College.
Currently, he is the Situation Unit Leader and GIS specialist on the All-Hazards Incident Management Team for the City of El Segundo’s COVID-19 response. He fills in as the Deputy Planning Section Chief and other positions as needed for the team.
In his off hours, he is a volunteer leader for Team Rubicon USA, a nonprofit disaster response organization, where he serves as a chainsaw instructor, local planning team, and a GIS specialist. He is in the process of renewing his part 107 Remote Pilot License.