Amelia Norfleet Dorn (she/her/hers), Founder, Creative Director, and Lead Instructor
Amelia Norfleet Dorn has over 20 years of experience in the fields of self defense and empowerment. Through IMPACT International, she has taught personal safety skills to thousands of adults and children.
She founded IMPACT Personal Safety of Colorado in 2006 and currently serves as its Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Her greatest passion lies in primary-prevention programming like IMPACT’s EMPOWERED Family Workshop and rehabilitation programs for convicts in federal and local correctional facilities. Amelia also facilitates Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.), a comprehensive and values-based sexuality education program for all ages. She is the proud mama of two very EMPOWERED children.
Tom Rose (he/him/his), Executive Director
Tom has more than 30 years of leadership and management experience with organizations helping at-risk, under-served and vulnerable populations. During his career he has worked in the following areas: Behavioral Health, Child Welfare, Disabilities, Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Treatment, Family Leadership and Engagement, Healthcare Policy and Financing, Public Health, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.
On a national level, Tom is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Family Partnership Network, Executive Committee, and a Member and past Chair of the Colorado Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee. In the past, he served for four years as Treasurer and Policy Committee Member of Family Voices National, for five years as a member of the Georgetown University – Community of Practice for Cultural and Linguistic Competency in Disabilities, and for two years as a Member of the Regional Transportation District Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities.
Tom is also a Certified Trainer for “Serving on Groups that Make Decisions – A Guide for Families and Self Advocates”, and for “Leading by Convening – A Blueprint for Providers for Authentic Family Engagement”.
Tom enjoys the Colorado lifestyle with his wife Beatriz and is the proud father of two young adults. His daughter Lucia is in law school and his son, Sage is an undergraduate, with a pre-law focus. Both are at the University of San Diego. Tom’s hobbies include: a love of history, learning about different cultures, mountain biking, swimming, and gourmet cooking.
Kayla Berry (she/her/hers), Program Coordinator
Kayla Berry is a recent graduate from CU Boulder, majoring in Cultural Anthropology and Political Science, and minoring in Leadership focused in Social and Environmental Justice. She is an activist and community organizer, rock climber, plant-lover, and aspiring yogi. Her passion in life is to build connections and empower folks to be their most authentic selves. The past several years she worked for various organizations, such as the United Nation’s Association and The Blue Bench, in non-profit development, coalition building, and community organizing. She is a trained facilitator in consensus decision-making and small group democracy.
Kayla has lived in Colorado her whole life and loves being surrounded by the mountains, but always will have a deep passion for travelling and experiencing other cultures. She discovered IMPACT during her Senior Year of college while doing a capstone project and shortly after took both the Women’s Basics and Advanced courses. She wonders where this organization has been her whole life, and is thrilled that she gets to help other people in our community come to these classes and learn to embrace their own power!
Krista Hanley (she/her/hers), Program Director and Lead Instructor
Krista Hanley grew up in Littleton, Colorado and graduated from Columbine High School in 2000. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the College of Santa Fe. After college she continued living and working in Santa Fe, New Mexico, having fallen in love with the culture and landscape.
In 2010, Krista returned to Colorado and settled in the Denver area. She has a career in art management that gives her access to fascinating and important art objects. Krista loves to write and create art.
“IMPACT transformed my life,” she says. “As a trauma survivor, I did not feel safe in the world, I struggled with PTSD and anxiety in social situations, and I always expected the worst to happen. IMPACT gave me the freedom to exist. Knowing I can protect myself and speak my truth has empowered me to advocate not only for myself but for others.”
Jacob Stagner (he/him/his), Suited Instructor and Instructor Trainer
In Jacob’s younger years, he was not aware of the fear of being harassed or attacked that follows many women in simple daily activities like going to the store, gas station, or park. As a man, he felt no such anxiety and therefore experienced no limitations in where he could go, even late at night. He simply went about his day, free and at ease. When he found out later, through the women in his life, how restrained they feel by their fear, he was upset. This new knowledge drove him to seek out ways to end this imbalance and help women claim the same feelings of ease and freedom he has experienced as a men. Impact has given him a forum to do that.
Jacob cherishes the opportunity to teach adults and children about safety, awareness and effective self-defense. IMPACT’s skills allow everyone to lead their lives with a greater sense of empowerment and freedom from fear. Jacob has a diverse background in sales and is thrilled to be sharing a “product” he believes in so deeply. In his spare time, he is an avid runner and adventurer.
Anderson Minnick (he/him/his), Suited Instructor
Anderson Minnick grew up in Michigan and moved to Colorado in search of a new adventure after completing his undergraduate degree. He was raised in a family of activists and volunteers and has always found satisfaction in helping others.
He got involved in IMPACT after attending a friend’s graduation. Anderson was skeptical at first; how could you learn anything real in such a short time? He immediately saw the effectiveness of the techniques and strategies and knew he wanted to help. He believes IMPACT Personal Safety of Colorado is something special and unique. It isn’t just about teaching people how to fight. It’s about giving adults and children the tools to make everyday decisions that positively impact their lives and well-being while ending the cycle of violence.
Dez Shallenberg (she/her/hers), Suited Instructor
Dez graduated from IMPACT Bay Area Women’s Basics in 2004. Because the ability to move through the world with less fear was a life-changing experience for her, she wanted to become more involved with this important work. Once the stars aligned, she became an assistant at the Colorado chapter of IMPACT. “One day I was asked if I knew any men who might be interested in becoming suited instructors,” she said. “Initially, I thought about my husband, but then I thought, ‘Why not me?’ So here I am.”
Serving as a Suited Instructor “Is a huge physical and mental challenge,” said Dez. “It’s also a great privilege to be trusted with this work. I love watching people find their voice and their personal power.”
Rob Cooney (he/him/his), Suited Instructor
Rob Cooney is a professional dancer who spent years training in both martial arts and acting. After a chance encounter with an IMPACT graduate, Rob realized he could use his talents to help empower survivors of abuse and harassment and felt called to begin his journey as a Suited Instructor. Because no one should ever be made to feel helpless, Rob is committed to doing everything he can to help those on their own personal journey of empowerment.
