Azim Noordin Khamisa was born in Kenya, Africa and had early training in mathematics, economics and international finance. Committing his life to halting the continuing cycle of violence among the youth, Azim became a social activist after his 20-year-old son Tariq was senselessly murdered while delivering pizzas in January 1995 by Tony Hicks, a 14-year-old gang member. Because of his powerful story and message, Azim is a highly regarded and respected leader and a sought after speaker nationally and internationally.

Kate Dahlstedt is Co-Director at Soldier’s Heart, a veterans’ return and healing project addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of veterans, their families and communities. Kate holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology as well as post graduate certification from the Hartford Family Institute. She has been in private practice for over two decades. As a therapist and workshop leader, Kate specializes in grief and loss, trauma, and depression. She is also an adjunct professor at Russell Sage College in Troy, NY and a published writer.

Edward Tick, Ph.D., is Founding Director and Senior Clinician of Soldier’s Heart: Veterans’ Safe Return Programs. Honored for his groundbreaking work in the holistic and community-based healing of veterans and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dr. Tick has been a psychotherapist for 33 years, specializing in working with veterans since the 1970s. He is the author of Sacred Mountain, The Practice Of Dream Healing, The Golden Tortoise, and the award-winning book War And The Soul. Dr. Tick specializes in using psycho-spiritual, cross-cultural, and international reconciliation practices to bring healing to veterans, communities and nations recovering from the traumas of war and violence.