Mandy Atkission started her TIP career in 2003 as a TIP volunteer for the Trauma Intervention Program of San Diego County, Inc. In 2005, Mandy became a Crisis Team Manager and in 2007 was promoted to Executive Director of the San Diego TIP affiliate.

In 2011, Mandy and her family fulfilled a long-awaited dream of moving to Western North Carolina. “Leaving San Diego was difficult, but the mountains of North Carolina were calling our name” says Mandy. “Fortunately for me, I was able to stay with TIP as the Chief Development Officer for TIP National.” “Working with the local WNC emergency response community, along with city and county government, my first goal was to bring a TIP program to my new hometown.” That goal was realized in 2015 when TIP of WNC was launched.

Mandy is now TIP CEO. In that role, Mandy oversees the National Organization, works directly with each of the 13 TIP affiliates, continues to work with cities and counties on expanding the TIP program and does TIP training across the county. She is still active on a daily basis in the TIP of WNC affiliate.

Mr. Wayne Fortin is a licensed mental health professional who has worked in the community mental health field for over 20 years. In 1985, he founded the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) within the San Diego County Mental Health system.

In 1989, Mr. Fortin established the TIP program as a nonprofit organization (Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc.) dedicated to providing immediate support to those emotionally traumatized by crisis events. Mr. Fortin led Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. in a national competition for the Innovations in State and Local Government Award from Harvard University and the Ford Foundation which TIP was awarded in 1991. This award is widely considered to be the most prestigious award given to non profits and public agencies. Following this award, Mr. Fortin established a National Office of Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. dedicated to establishing TIP programs nationwide.

Today, Mr. Fortin continues to lead the Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. He oversees 14 regional Chapters which serve over 250 cities, 100 hospitals, 67 police departments, and 55 fire departments. Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. is the largest operator of emergency services volunteer programs in the nation.

In April 2000, Mr. Fortin received the 2000 Crime Victim Service Award from Attorney General Janet Reno. This award is considered the highest federal award for victim advocates. Mr. Fortin continues to devote his professional career to assisting hospitals and communities develop their capacity to provide compassionate care in emergency settings (emergency departments, ICU's, burn units, pediatric ICU's, and on emergency scenes).

He has developed the TIP National Emotional First Aid Course which has been offered to hundreds of health care professionals across the nation. Mr. Fortin's primary goal is to make a major impact on the quality of care people receive from the emergency response system including the emergency health care system.