Executive Director

Kelli Hephner

Founder, Executive Director, Chaplain,
First Responder Wellness Program Coordinator

Kelli Hepner is the Founder and Executive Director of Camp Braveheart. She also serves as the Lead Chaplain for the organization and the First Responder Wellness Program Coordinator. As a lifelong advocate for mental health and wellness in high-stress professions, Kelli previously served as the First Responder Wellness Program Coordinator for the Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (CCMHRSB). Launched in 2022, the program focuses on post-critical incident physical and mental health recovery, prevention of critical incident stress reactions and cumulative stress, and readiness through education, support, and training. As of June 2026, this critical program has been housed under Camp Braveheart, allowing Kelli to continue her work as the coordinator and to expand upon the program in many ways. Kelli also coordinates the county's Handle With Care program, which builds positive relationships between school staff, first responders, and youth to foster trust, resiliency, and community connection. Kelli's extensive background includes serving as a licensed EMT, a Certified Police Wellness Officer (CPWO), and a member of the Columbiana County Suicide Prevention Coalition. She has completed specialized training in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Chaplaincy, Suicide Prevention, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) studies, first responder culture, National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA), and other topics related to first responder wellness. An active participant in the county Crisis Development Team and the Faith Based Collaborative, Kelli founded the Guardian Angels Support Group in 2003 and has served as President of Heroes and Halos since 2012. In 2024, she received the prestigious CIT Champion Award for her exemplary work promoting effective crisis intervention, serving as a liaison between first responders, behavioral health providers, and community support agencies. Recognizing the broader impact of job-related stress, Kelli has expanded peer support groups to include coroner's office and funeral home employees. She leads structured, informative support groups for first responder and veteran peers, while planning engaging family activities to help rebuild bonds and address challenges such as PTSD, depression, and relationship strain. A member and ordained chaplain of the Upper Room Fellowship in Columbiana, Ohio, Kelli's faith is central to her life and work. She is deeply committed to reminding individuals that they are loved, valued, and respected—often affirming God's unwavering love as a powerful catalyst for healing and resolution of unresolved pain. Raised on a family farm, Kelli finds joy in nature, preserving and canning food, and spending time with her husband Greg, their children (Morgan, Ben, and Jon), and their three dogs. Her personal values of family, faith, and compassion drive her tireless dedication to serving those who serve others.

Board of Directors

Board President

Robert Sanchez

Robert Sanchez is the Board President of Camp Braveheart. Since Robert was a young child, he not only wanted to be a firefighter and police officer, but also to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps. Robert wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and uncles and fight for his country's freedom, much like they did while they were Marines who served in the Vietnam War. However, after receiving a childhood surgery that ultimately medically disqualified him from joining the Corps, he decided to pursue his passion in public safety. When Robert was 16, he started his career in public safety first as a Cadet firefighter with the Western Reserve Joint Fire District. Shortly thereafter, he became involved in the Police Explorer program with both the Beaver Township Police Department and the Columbiana Police Department. After graduating from the Criminal Justice program at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, he then enrolled in the Allied Health program at Youngstown State University. During his academic career, he obtained his EMT Basic certification and his Paramedic Certification, all while working for the City of Campbell Fire Department and Rural Metro Ambulance. After graduating from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor’s in Allied Health and an Associate’s in Emergency Medical Services, he attended the Police Academy there. After completing the Police Academy, he worked as a part-time police officer for the Village of Lowellville and the City of Columbiana. After becoming a full-time Police Officer with the City of Columbiana Police Department, he then moved down to Columbiana County, where he joined the Leetonia Fire Department. After becoming the EMS Chief in 2019, his department responded to a fatal train accident, which had taken a mental toll on his personnel. Due to his prior experience, he knew his members needed a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing to help cope in the days that followed. However, this proved more difficult than he had imagined, as Columbiana County lacked support for First Responders. This then led to several conversations with Kelli Hephner, who wanted to do more for the responders in the county. In the years that followed, this led to the creation of the Columbiana County First Responder Wellness Program, for which Kelli currently serves as the Coordinator. After Robert left the Columbiana Police Department and became a Deputy Sheriff with the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, he soon became a strong advocate for Mental Health after attending a CIT (Crisis Intervention Trained) program for Law Enforcement. While using the tools he learned during the CIT program, this soon became a growing passion for him after seeing the rise of mental health crisis calls as well as domestic violence calls. Robert then worked with Kelli to start a First Responder peer support group. While attending a peer support group, Robert noticed a common theme that he knew needed to change. For many responders, time after time, the common line was “There’s no therapist around that understands the trauma I have been through.” Or, “I stopped going to counseling because the therapist started crying due to the call I shared, which wasn’t even the worst one.” After hearing these stories, he knew he could help others, which led him to enroll in graduate school to become a Social Worker, so that first responders had a therapist who understood the trauma they had been exposed to. Robert is set to complete his Masters of Social Work in the summer of 2026. While Robert finishes his Master’s, he continues to work full-time in Law Enforcement as a Detective with the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, where he is assigned to investigate Crimes against Children and Special Victims. Additionally, Robert is still an active firefighter/paramedic and the EMS Chief for the Leetonia Fire/EMS Department, an EMS Instructor for Columbiana EMS, and a SRT Operator and Medic for Columbiana County Special Response Team. Finally, Robert is certified in peer support, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, and Critical Incident Stress Management, and serves as the CIT Coordinator for the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office and the Law Enforcement CIT Coordinator for the Columbiana County Mental Health Board. Due to actively participating in the many levels of public safety, Robert is a strong advocate for self-care, which has been proven through evidence-based research to be the first step in trauma-informed care. Participating in just 5-10 minutes of self-care a day can not only led to a happier version of oneself, but also help reduce the daily stress of life and the job-related stress that affects all responders.

Board Vice President

Don Johnson

Lieutenant Don Johnson is the Board Vice President of Camp Braveheart and a dedicated law enforcement professional with over 25 years of service in East Palestine, Ohio. He currently serves as a Lieutenant with the East Palestine Police Department, a position he has held since 2017. In this role, he oversees operations and continues his long-standing commitment to public safety and community support. Lt. Johnson's career began in corrections as a Correctional Officer at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Facility from 1997 to 2000. He simultaneously served as a Part-Time Patrolman with the East Palestine Police Department from 1996 to 2000, transitioning to Full-Time Patrolman in 2000, where he served until 2012. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2012 and has been a K-9 Handler since that same year, retiring from that specialized duty in 2024 after more than a decade of service. Since 2012, Lt. Johnson has been assigned to the Columbiana County Homicide Task Force, contributing his expertise to major investigations. In 2024, he was assigned to the Columbiana County Mobile Crisis Response Team, where he collaborates with mental health professionals to assist individuals experiencing drug and alcohol addictions as well as mental health crises. A strong advocate for mental health and crisis intervention, Lt. Johnson holds multiple certifications, including: Peer Support Certification (IAFF) Training in Suicide Prevention Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) for First Responders Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training through Columbiana County Mental Health Crisis Development Program His exemplary work in crisis intervention was recognized in 2025 when he was named Columbiana County CIT Officer of the Year. Currently, Lt. Johnson serves on the Board of Directors for Camp Braveheart, reflecting his ongoing dedication to compassionate service beyond traditional policing. With a career rooted in patrol, specialized units, leadership, and community mental health outreach, Lt. Johnson remains committed to protecting and supporting the residents of Columbiana County.

Board Secretary

Meranda Stull

Meranda is the Board Secretary for Camp Braveheart. She currently serves as Head Dispatcher for the Columbiana Police Department, a position she has held with dedication for the past two years. Prior to that she worked as a dispatcher for the Salem Police Department. In this critical role, she oversees the coordination of emergency and non-emergency communications, ensuring swift and accurate dispatch of officers and resources to support public safety throughout the community. Her strong organizational abilities, combined with a creative and resourceful approach to problem-solving, enable her to manage high-pressure situations effectively and maintain calm, efficient operations within the communications center. Meranda is deeply passionate about serving others and takes genuine pride in the positive impact her work has on the lives of community members and fellow first responders. She finds great personal fulfillment in helping people during their most challenging moments, contributing to successful resolutions, and playing a part in bringing relief, safety, and even moments of happiness to those she serves. A devoted wife and mother of three wonderful children, Meranda draws her greatest strength and motivation from her family. They remain her top priority and the driving force behind her commitment to excellence both at home and in her career. Above all, she strives every day to make her children proud of their mother—through her hard work, integrity, and unwavering dedication to protecting and uplifting others. Meranda's core values center on three pillars that guide her life: cherishing and nurturing her family, excelling in her vital role within law enforcement, and continuing to be a positive role model for her children and the community she serves.

Board Treasurer

Mark Stillion

Mark Stillion, M.Ed., LPC, LICDC is the Board Treasurer for Camp Braveheart. He is a dedicated Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) specializing in trauma-informed care and addictions counseling. With deep expertise in supporting first responders, military service members, veterans, and their families, Mark provides compassionate, evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment to help individuals navigate complex challenges and achieve lasting recovery. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Mark completed four combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following his final deployment in 2012, he faced significant struggles with PTSD and severe substance use disorder issues. After multiple treatment experiences, Mark found transformative healing through a specialized peer-to-peer program for combat veterans in 2019. Since achieving sobriety in early 2019, he has remained committed to his recovery while channeling his lived experiences into advocacy and helping others. Mark earned his bachelor's and master's degrees following his recovery and now serves as a clinician at The Counseling Center of Columbiana County, where he delivers high-quality behavioral health services. He is an active member of the Columbiana County Suicide Prevention Coalition, contributing to initiatives that promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, and strengthen community connections to prevent suicide. In addition to his clinical work, Mark serves on the leadership team of Wild Ops, a veteran-led nonprofit organization dedicated to helping combat veterans find support, hope, and healing through faith-based outdoor adventures, peer brotherhood, and meaningful relationships during their transition to civilian life. Mark is happily married to his wife, Jessica, and together they share a profound faith in Jesus Christ and a love for the outdoors. In his personal time, he enjoys hiking, fishing, kayaking, and traveling—activities that embody his passion for nature, adventure, and personal renewal. Driven by a deep commitment to advocacy and intervention, Mark continues to work tirelessly to improve the lives of at-risk first responders, military personnel, and veterans by fostering supportive networks and delivering empathetic, effective care.

Board Member

Crystal Sickelsmith

Crystal serves as a Board Member and as the Events Coordinator for Camp Braveheart. She brings more than 24 years of dedicated public safety experience to her role as a board member. She retired in 2025 after a long and distinguished career as a Dispatcher for the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, where she witnessed and contributed to major advancements in emergency communications. During the development of the countywide 911 system, she became a certified 911 Emergency Medical Dispatcher, strengthening the county’s ability to respond to critical incidents. For 20 years, Crystal served as a Union Representative, advocating for her colleagues with professionalism and steady leadership. She also participated in Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station emergency preparedness drills for 23 years through the Columbiana County EMA, playing a key role in regional safety and coordinated emergency response. In addition to her primary duties, she worked part‑time as a dispatcher for the Columbiana Police Department. Crystal is Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.) Certified and actively participates in Crisis Intervention Training for dispatchers through the Columbiana County Mental Health Board. As a valued member of the Peer Support Team, she continues to support first responders navigating the emotional demands of their work. Her passion for serving others led her to return to dispatching in a part‑time capacity following her retirement. Crystal is deeply committed to community inclusion and advocacy. She is passionate about Heroes and Halos, and the annual Special Needs Fall Ball—an event she describes as the highlight of her year and a source of personal renewal. Crystal and her husband, Clarence, will celebrate 47 years of marriage in August 2026. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Nicole and Marcy, and grandparents to five granddaughters: Lila, Charley, Clementine, Daisy, and Chloe. Time with her “girls” remains her greatest joy. Travel has always been woven into Crystal’s life—from childhood trips, to 24 years as a travel agent prior to her dispatching career, to cherished adventures with her daughters, husband, and now her granddaughters. She considers her family and life’s journey a profound blessing.

Board Member

Brian McLaughlin

Brian is a sitting board member for Camp Braveheart with more than 30 years of experience in working with first responders in the community.

Board Member

Jen Tucker

Jen is a sitting board member for Camp Braveheart with more than 25 years of experience in working with first responders in the community.

Executive Director

Kelli Hephner

Founder, Executive Director, Chaplain, First Responder Wellness Program Coordinator

Board of Directors

Founder, Executive Director, Chaplain,
First Responder Wellness Program Coordinator