Restoring the Ranks

Assistant CAO 

 Dr. Earl Stoddard, who has been a key figure during the County’s response to the COVID-19 efforts, has served as the Director of the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (OEMHS) since January 2016. In this capacity and as the Governor’s appointed Emergency Manager for the County, Dr. Stoddard has overseen the County’s emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery, and prevention programs. This includes leadership of the County Emergency Operations Center and OEMHS field operations. He played a major role in the coordination of the County’s response to numerous events including the January 2016 blizzard, Arliss Street building explosion and fire recovery, 2017 and 2021 Presidential Inaugurations, and the COVID-19 response and recovery.  
 
From 2014 to 2015, Dr. Stoddard previously served as the program administrator for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) within the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). PHEPR maintains the County’s Public Health All Hazards Response Plan, builds the County capability to dispense medical countermeasures, and fosters partnerships with key county stakeholders, including the healthcare infrastructure and long-term care facilities. From 2009 to 2014, Dr. Stoddard worked with the University of Maryland Center of Health and Homeland Security first as a senior policy analyst and later as the program manager for Public Health Preparedness.  
 
Dr. Stoddard earned his Bachelor of Science with a concentration in biotechnology from the University of Delaware in 2002, his doctorate in cell and molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008, and his Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2009.  

Dawn Luedtke is a first-term Councilmember representing District 7 of Montgomery County, Md. As a member of the Council’s Public Safety and Health and Human Services Committees, Councilmember Luedtke has worked collaboratively with law enforcement to fund and expand innovative tools such as the Drone as First Responder program, enhance and formalize crisis response procedures, and invest in recruitment, retention, and workforce development for police officers and emergency call center operators. 

Councilmember Luedtke chairs Montgomery County’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission and represents the Council on the County’s Human Trafficking Prevention Committee. 

Prior to being elected to the Council in 2022, she was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland, where she served as Counsel to State agencies and offices, including the Maryland Center for School Safety and Active Assailant Interdisciplinary Work Group, which informed her work helping to develop the state’s Model Behavioral Threat Assessment Policy for K-12 Schools. 

With a lifelong dedication to public service, Chief Marc Yamada has carved an illustrious career path marked by leadership, innovation, and community engagement. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from Frostburg State University, Chief Yamada embarked on a journey that would shape the safety and well-being of Montgomery County and its residents. 

Throughout Chief Yamada's tenure spanning over three decades with the Montgomery County Department of Police, he has exemplified unwavering commitment, rising through the ranks while leaving an indelible mark at each level. As the Assistant Chief of Police in the Field Services Bureau, he orchestrates the department's strategic initiatives, including the pioneering "Drones as First Responder" Program, reinforcing the department's efficacy in emergent situations. 

Notably, Chief Yamada served as the Police Commander for the 4th District, spearheading comprehensive oversight of patrol operations and supervising a diverse team of sworn and civilian personnel. He earned esteemed recognition, including the Chief J. Thomas Manger Excellence in Leadership Award, attesting to his prowess in fostering collaboration and achieving operational excellence. 

In his capacity as the Captain of the Community Engagement Division, Chief Yamada championed inclusivity and cohesion, forging robust partnerships with community organizations such as UNITY, Every Mind, and Fit Fathers. He was instrumental in establishing liaison work groups at local high schools and pioneering the department's LGBTQ+ liaison group, fostering trust and understanding within diverse communities. 

Prior to his command roles, Chief Yamada held pivotal positions, from Lieutenant in the Deputy Director Major Crimes Division to Sergeant in the Policy & Planning Division, where he played a pivotal role in achieving departmental goals and spearheading initiatives such as the development of a new social media policy. 

Chief Yamada is a member of the Major Cities Chief’s Association, the Maryland Chief’s Association, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and the International Association Chiefs of Police (IACP). Beyond his professional endeavors, Chief Yamada remains dedicated to mentorship, guiding aspiring officers seeking professional advancement, and contributing to the cultivation of future leaders within the department.

2025 Emergency Operations Center of the Future Conference Speaker

Tipi Brookins is a native of Gloucester County, New Jersey, and is a seasoned Public Safety Communications professional with over twenty-three years of experience. She began her career as a 971 Call Taker, Dispatcher, Communications Training Officer, Training and Quality Assurance Specialist, and 911 Supervisor, having filled the shoes of a first responder. Tipi has worked in many roles that include Teletype Unit Manager for the DC Metropolitan Police Department, Training and Quality Assurance Manager, Chief of the Office of Professional Standards and Development, and Chief of Staff for the DC Office of Unified Communications. In that latter position, she handles several units, including the Wellness Program and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.  She has proven skills, expertise, and mastery when designing, developing, implementing, and coordinating organizational development and training programs. Tipi also has a desire for organizational change. She was named Chair of the Training Subcommittee for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in 2022, received her Center Manager Certification from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), serves with the Association of Public Safety Officials and the National Emergency Number Association, and currently chairs the agency's Culture task force. Tipi inspires and encourages others to lead by example with purpose and integrity and to develop the future leaders of tomorrow.

Jillian Eidson serves as the Charleston Police Department’s Research and Strategic Planning Director. She is focused on increasing evidence-based initiatives in law enforcement policy and practice. In her current role, Dr. Eidson manages special projects and grants, facilitates research collaborations, and provides guidance on research methods and conclusions. Before this role, she worked as a research director and probation officer at a large, urban, county-level supervision department. Dr. Eidson has experience supporting and managing a variety of research projects in both academic and applied settings, covering a range of topics, including cognitive behavioral therapy, gang desistance, risk and need assessments, opioid use disorder, and law enforcement officer empathy. She holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Temple University.

Dr. Tanya Meisenholder is the Director of Police Research at the NYU School of Law’s Policing Project, where she leads the 30x30 Initiative to advance and support women in policing. She also supports initiatives related to alternative response models, public safety technology, and legislation.

Tanya brings nearly three decades of experience in law enforcement, primarily with the New York City Police Department, where she served in senior leadership roles including Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner. She led major efforts to transform training, accountability, recruitment, and organizational culture, and has supported national initiatives, oversight bodies, and local strategies to strengthen trust between police and the communities they serve.

Her work focuses on translating research into action to help agencies implement measurable improvements in policy, workplace culture, and public safety outcomes. She has guided organizational change across complex public safety systems and continues to support cross-sector collaboration to build more fair and effective agencies.

Tanya earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany (SUNY), is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police, and holds certifications as a Modern Chief Diversity Officer and in Equal Employment Opportunity investigations from Cornell University. She serves on the advisory boards of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety, and has held advisory roles with the National Center for State Courts and the NYC Mayor’s Automated Decision Systems Task Force.

2025 Emergency Operations Center of the Future Conference Speaker

Tipi Brookins is a native of Gloucester County, New Jersey, and is a seasoned Public Safety Communications professional with over twenty-three years of experience. She began her career as a 971 Call Taker, Dispatcher, Communications Training Officer, Training and Quality Assurance Specialist, and 911 Supervisor, having filled the shoes of a first responder. Tipi has worked in many roles that include Teletype Unit Manager for the DC Metropolitan Police Department, Training and Quality Assurance Manager, Chief of the Office of Professional Standards and Development, and Chief of Staff for the DC Office of Unified Communications. In that latter position, she handles several units, including the Wellness Program and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.  She has proven skills, expertise, and mastery when designing, developing, implementing, and coordinating organizational development and training programs. Tipi also has a desire for organizational change. She was named Chair of the Training Subcommittee for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in 2022, received her Center Manager Certification from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), serves with the Association of Public Safety Officials and the National Emergency Number Association, and currently chairs the agency's Culture task force. Tipi inspires and encourages others to lead by example with purpose and integrity and to develop the future leaders of tomorrow.

Jillian Eidson serves as the Charleston Police Department’s Research and Strategic Planning Director. She is focused on increasing evidence-based initiatives in law enforcement policy and practice. In her current role, Dr. Eidson manages special projects and grants, facilitates research collaborations, and provides guidance on research methods and conclusions. Before this role, she worked as a research director and probation officer at a large, urban, county-level supervision department. Dr. Eidson has experience supporting and managing a variety of research projects in both academic and applied settings, covering a range of topics, including cognitive behavioral therapy, gang desistance, risk and need assessments, opioid use disorder, and law enforcement officer empathy. She holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Temple University.

Dr. Tanya Meisenholder is the Director of Police Research at the NYU School of Law’s Policing Project, where she leads the 30x30 Initiative to advance and support women in policing. She also supports initiatives related to alternative response models, public safety technology, and legislation.

Tanya brings nearly three decades of experience in law enforcement, primarily with the New York City Police Department, where she served in senior leadership roles including Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner. She led major efforts to transform training, accountability, recruitment, and organizational culture, and has supported national initiatives, oversight bodies, and local strategies to strengthen trust between police and the communities they serve.

Her work focuses on translating research into action to help agencies implement measurable improvements in policy, workplace culture, and public safety outcomes. She has guided organizational change across complex public safety systems and continues to support cross-sector collaboration to build more fair and effective agencies.

Tanya earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany (SUNY), is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police, and holds certifications as a Modern Chief Diversity Officer and in Equal Employment Opportunity investigations from Cornell University. She serves on the advisory boards of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and the National Association of Professional Staff in Public Safety, and has held advisory roles with the National Center for State Courts and the NYC Mayor’s Automated Decision Systems Task Force.

Ganesha M. Martin, Esq. is a leading expert in human-centered policing and the founder of "Let’s Meet in the Middle," an initiative dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration between law enforcement and communities of color. Currently, she serves as the Bureau Chief of Constitutional Policing for the Minneapolis Police Department as well as the Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs at Mark43, a cutting-edge, cloud-native public safety software company. In this role, Martin drives initiatives that leverage technology to enhance accountability, transparency and trust between police agencies and the communities they serve. 

A trailblazer in criminal justice reform, Martin has held several key leadership positions in Baltimore City government, most recently as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ). There, she led comprehensive criminal justice reform efforts in collaboration with the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the judiciary and numerous community organizations. 

As an attorney, Martin played a central role in leading the federal court-ordered Consent Decree reform efforts at the Baltimore Police Department from 2015 to 2018. As Chief of the Department of Justice Compliance, Accountability and External Affairs Division, she was an integral member of the negotiation team that introduced transformative reforms in areas such as crisis intervention, use of force, mental health interventions, body-worn cameras, de-escalation tactics, community policing, officer wellness and early intervention systems. These reforms continue to serve as a model for law enforcement agencies nationwide. 

A pioneer in public-private partnerships, Martin is committed to building nontraditional relationships that bridge divides and create opportunities for collaboration in public safety. In her current consulting work, she focuses on uniting law enforcement with communities of color, using her unique ability to connect with both sides and guide them toward common ground. She regularly advises nonprofits, private companies, tech startups, community organizations and local governments on best practices for policing, public safety and community engagement. 

Martin is a respected thought leader in the field of criminal justice reform and public safety. She is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to advancing effective criminal justice policies. In 2019, she was one of 40 community policing experts invited to Nairobi, Kenya, by the Open Society Foundations to discuss strategies for civilian police reform. That same year, she was awarded the Securing Open Societies Fellowship. Her expert commentary on police reform, accountability and social justice has been featured in prominent publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Baltimore Sun, and The Baltimore Banner. 

Known for her ability to navigate complex issues and overcome entrenched distrust, Martin is driven by a belief in the transformative power of communication and human connection. Her approach fosters collaboration across polarized groups and drives progress on some of society’s most challenging social issues. Her goal is to create practical pathways for police departments and communities to work together toward a safer and more equitable future. 

Outside of her professional work, Martin is a passionate advocate for social justice and community empowerment. She serves as co-board chair for Teach For America  Baltimore, Outward Bound, the Baltimore Community Mediation Center, and Overcoming Poverty Together. She was recently appointed to 30x30, a grassroots movement dedicated to increasing the representation of women in policing by 30% by 2030. A graduate of Leadership Maryland and the Greater Baltimore Committee’s LEADERship program, Martin has been recognized for her leadership and impact by organizations such as The Baltimore Sun (Top 25 Women to Watch), The Daily Record (Top 100 Women), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) (Top 40 Under 40). 

Antoinette Tull is the founder of Hurtle LLC, a consultancy specializing in leadership development, public safety HR, and executive searches. With more than 25 years of experience as an HR strategist, facilitator, and executive search consultant, she has strengthened organizations across public safety, human services, and nonprofits.

Antoinette previously served as Chief of Human Resources for the Richmond (VA) Police Department, then the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Virginia, where she oversaw all aspects of HR. She became nationally recognized for her expertise in recruitment, retention, and leadership development, which remain central to her work today. She now partners with municipalities, universities, and other public sector organizations nationwide to deliver strategic HR solutions, provide leadership training, and lead executive searches for transformational leaders in police departments and beyond.

A sought-after trainer and facilitator, Antoinette is known for creating interactive, practical learning experiences on topics such as best practices in recruitment and retention, inclusive leadership, and organizational wellness. She also contributes her expertise through service on the 30x30 Initiative Advisory Board and her volunteer work with the Urban League of Greater Richmond, Henrico County Police, and the Chesterfield County Personnel Appeals Board.

After majoring in Human Resource Management at the University of Richmond, she obtained professional HR certifications, including PHR, SHRM-CP, HRPM, and DEI. Recognized as both a practitioner and thought leader, she continues to shape the future of HR in public safety through her strategic leadership and community service. 

Ganesha M. Martin, Esq. is a leading expert in human-centered policing and the founder of "Let’s Meet in the Middle," an initiative dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration between law enforcement and communities of color. Currently, she serves as the Bureau Chief of Constitutional Policing for the Minneapolis Police Department as well as the Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs at Mark43, a cutting-edge, cloud-native public safety software company. In this role, Martin drives initiatives that leverage technology to enhance accountability, transparency and trust between police agencies and the communities they serve. 

A trailblazer in criminal justice reform, Martin has held several key leadership positions in Baltimore City government, most recently as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ). There, she led comprehensive criminal justice reform efforts in collaboration with the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the judiciary and numerous community organizations. 

As an attorney, Martin played a central role in leading the federal court-ordered Consent Decree reform efforts at the Baltimore Police Department from 2015 to 2018. As Chief of the Department of Justice Compliance, Accountability and External Affairs Division, she was an integral member of the negotiation team that introduced transformative reforms in areas such as crisis intervention, use of force, mental health interventions, body-worn cameras, de-escalation tactics, community policing, officer wellness and early intervention systems. These reforms continue to serve as a model for law enforcement agencies nationwide. 

A pioneer in public-private partnerships, Martin is committed to building nontraditional relationships that bridge divides and create opportunities for collaboration in public safety. In her current consulting work, she focuses on uniting law enforcement with communities of color, using her unique ability to connect with both sides and guide them toward common ground. She regularly advises nonprofits, private companies, tech startups, community organizations and local governments on best practices for policing, public safety and community engagement. 

Martin is a respected thought leader in the field of criminal justice reform and public safety. She is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to advancing effective criminal justice policies. In 2019, she was one of 40 community policing experts invited to Nairobi, Kenya, by the Open Society Foundations to discuss strategies for civilian police reform. That same year, she was awarded the Securing Open Societies Fellowship. Her expert commentary on police reform, accountability and social justice has been featured in prominent publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Baltimore Sun, and The Baltimore Banner. 

Known for her ability to navigate complex issues and overcome entrenched distrust, Martin is driven by a belief in the transformative power of communication and human connection. Her approach fosters collaboration across polarized groups and drives progress on some of society’s most challenging social issues. Her goal is to create practical pathways for police departments and communities to work together toward a safer and more equitable future. 

Outside of her professional work, Martin is a passionate advocate for social justice and community empowerment. She serves as co-board chair for Teach For America  Baltimore, Outward Bound, the Baltimore Community Mediation Center, and Overcoming Poverty Together. She was recently appointed to 30x30, a grassroots movement dedicated to increasing the representation of women in policing by 30% by 2030. A graduate of Leadership Maryland and the Greater Baltimore Committee’s LEADERship program, Martin has been recognized for her leadership and impact by organizations such as The Baltimore Sun (Top 25 Women to Watch), The Daily Record (Top 100 Women), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) (Top 40 Under 40). 

Antoinette Tull is the founder of Hurtle LLC, a consultancy specializing in leadership development, public safety HR, and executive searches. With more than 25 years of experience as an HR strategist, facilitator, and executive search consultant, she has strengthened organizations across public safety, human services, and nonprofits.

Antoinette previously served as Chief of Human Resources for the Richmond (VA) Police Department, then the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Virginia, where she oversaw all aspects of HR. She became nationally recognized for her expertise in recruitment, retention, and leadership development, which remain central to her work today. She now partners with municipalities, universities, and other public sector organizations nationwide to deliver strategic HR solutions, provide leadership training, and lead executive searches for transformational leaders in police departments and beyond.

A sought-after trainer and facilitator, Antoinette is known for creating interactive, practical learning experiences on topics such as best practices in recruitment and retention, inclusive leadership, and organizational wellness. She also contributes her expertise through service on the 30x30 Initiative Advisory Board and her volunteer work with the Urban League of Greater Richmond, Henrico County Police, and the Chesterfield County Personnel Appeals Board.

After majoring in Human Resource Management at the University of Richmond, she obtained professional HR certifications, including PHR, SHRM-CP, HRPM, and DEI. Recognized as both a practitioner and thought leader, she continues to shape the future of HR in public safety through her strategic leadership and community service.