Massachusetts Veterans Harm Reduction Summit

Robert Whitaker is an American journalist and author who has won numerous awards as a journalist covering medicine and science, including the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association for Science Writers’ Award for best magazine article. In 1998, he co-wrote a series on psychiatric research for The Boston Globe that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. His first book, Mad in America, was named by Discover magazine as one of the best science books in 2002. Anatomy of an Epidemic won the 2010 Investigative Reporters and Editors Book Award for best investigative journalism. He is the publisher of madinamerica.com. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor (Adjunct) in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science.

Derek Blumke is the Grunt Style Foundation’s Veteran Impact Fellow, dedicated to addressing the overprescribing epidemic affecting veterans and service members—his work advocates for safer psychiatric medication practices for those who have served in the Armed Forces. In 2008, Derek co-founded Student Veterans of America while studying at the University of Michigan, where he served as President and Executive Director. Under his leadership, SVA was pivotal in passing the Post 9/11 GI Bill  through Congress. Derek has held several key roles, including founding director of the VA’s national mental health program, the VITAL Initiative, and chief operations officer for the VFW Department of Michigan. He also contributed as a writer and editor for Mad in America, focusing on veterans' mental health. Derek, a 12-year Air Force and Michigan Air National Guard veteran, deployed to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. He holds a degree from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Alma College.

Rachel McNeill enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as a heavy equipment operator at age 17. She deployed to Iraq soon after, volunteering to join a tactical movement team under the 2nd Marines in Ramadi in 2005. She completed over 100 missions in a combat role, which women were formally excluded from until 2013. She faced significant challenges accessing appropriate care for her combat-related medical conditions, leading to her medical retirement in 2010. Rachel became an advocate for veterans’ rights, testifying before Congress about contractor misconduct and sharing her experiences in combat while still in the military, and later volunteering in leadership roles with Warrior Writers, The Mission Continues, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Rachel co-founded the Veterans Collaborative in 2014 and later joined Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III’s team as a veterans caseworker and eventually director of constituent services, resolving nearly 1,000 cases for service members, veterans, and their families. Rachel serves as president of the Veterans Collaborative and chair of the Veterans Equality Review Board in Massachusetts. She holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Harvard Extension School and an associate's degree in visual communications and media design from Madison College.

Angela Peacock, MSW, CPC-ICF, served in the U.S. Army for seven years as a communications specialist with one deployment to Iraq. After a series of traumas, she was prescribed over 40 medications for the treatment of her “disorders.” She eventually discontinued all medications, let go of her identity as a patient, regained most of her health, and rebuilt an amazing life. Angie’s story of withdrawal and recovery appears in the new film Medicating Normal (2020). After the film's release, she led the outreach effort, engaging over 180 audiences during community screenings and worldwide panel discussions. Angie now serves as a psychiatric drug withdrawal consultant and healing coach. She provides education and support to individuals, families, and organizations interested in harm reduction and the healing from and deprescribing of psychiatric drugs. Some of her past roles in the community include being a board member of World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day, a veteran liaison with Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, a team member at the Inner Compass Initiative, and outreach for Medicating Normal.

Kim Witczak is a leading global drug safety advocate and speaker with over 25 years of professional experience in advertising and marketing communications. She became involved in pharmaceutical drug safety issues after the sudden death of her husband due to the undisclosed drug side effects of an antidepressant. Kim co-founded Woodymatters, a non-profit that advocates for a stronger FDA and drug safety system. She co-created and organized the international, multi-disciplinary conference Selling Sickness: People Before Profits conference in Washington, D.C. In 2016, she was appointed Consumer Representative on the FDA Psychopharmacologic Drug Advisory Committee and is on the Board of Directors of the National Physicians Alliance and MISSD (Medication Induced Suicide Prevention in Memory of Stewart Dolin). She is an active member of the DC-based Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition, ensuring the voice of non-conflicted patients and consumers is represented in healthcare / FDA-related legislative issues.

CJ LoConte is a graduate of the United States Military Academy where he played lacrosse and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the 4th Infantry Division. After his military service, he obtained an MBA at The Wharton School where his passion for mental health and performance optimization led him to found Truxtun, a startup dedicated to providing transformative psychedelic retreats for military veterans, business leaders, and athletes. CJ is currently pursuing an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School as a Black Family Fellow. Post-graduation, CJ's career goals revolve around expanding Truxtun's reach, advocating for the integration of psychedelic therapies into mainstream mental health treatments, and advancing the field of mental and physical performance through innovative, evidence-based practices.

Diana Hazel Rodriguez, a military child and Army veteran (15R, AH64D Longbow Attack Helicopter Mechanic), embodies a deep-rooted connection to the veteran community. As a veteran herself, a spouse to a disabled veteran, and a mother of six, her experiences have fueled a decade-long commitment to veteran advocacy. Diana's passion for service extends far beyond her time in the Army; she is a tireless champion for transformation within the military community, striving to ensure that past missteps pave the way for a brighter future. With a recent BS in Applied Psychology, Diana is equipped with the knowledge and tools to uplift and empower fellow veterans, helping them heal, grow, and achieve their full potential. Her unwavering dedication serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward a stronger, more supportive community for those who have selflessly served our nation. 

Giselle Futrell (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist and graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a concentration in creative writing along with a minor in studio art. She earned her Masters of Art in Art Education through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her practice explores themes of identity, citizenship and the role of art as social action through arts-based community programs. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the National Veterans Art Museum. Prior to relocating to Chicago, Giselle was appointed by former Mayor Martin J. Walsh to serve her fellow veterans as the Commissioner of the Office of Veterans’ Services for the City of Boston. As the first woman and Latina to serve as Commissioner, her role as a public servant was to connect Boston’s unhoused and low income veterans and their families with the services they have earned. She initiated a first-of-its-kind outreach program that brought monthly volunteers to deliver care packages to veterans in every Boston neighborhood. Before serving the City of Boston, Giselle served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Field Radio Operator, a Marksmanship Coach and a Martial Arts Instructor with deployments to Okinawa, Diego Garcia, the Philippines, Guam and Kandahar, Afghanistan. She lives with her life partner Dan and their two young children who can often be spotted walking their energetic dog Libby along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Shannon McDaniel, Surviving Mother of USMC Veteran Hunter Whitley

Hunter Chase Whitley, age 23, of Tuscaloosa, passed away unexpectedly on November 13, 2022. Hunter was born on October 26, 1999 in Tuscaloosa. He graduated from Brookwood High School in 2018 and joined the United States Marines Corps shortly thereafter. In August 2022, he returned to Tuscaloosa to attend The University of Alabama to pursue his major in Computer Science. If you were ever around Hunter for even just a short period of time, you know that he made everything look great. His style was eclectic. He was amazingly attractive, and his personality was magnetic. Hunter was handsome, intelligent, and exciting. An avid music lover, he enjoyed music, art, and doing almost anything with his friends. Hunter's diverse nature along with his love and concern for everyone was evident in his actions. Hunter was known for his unforgettable blue eyes, smile, contagious laugh as well as his motivation and charisma.

Brian Brumfield, Surviving Father of US Army Veteran Connor Brumfield

Connor Westley LeRoy Brumfield, the second of four children, born on August 3, 2000, took his own life on April 13, 2023, just 82 days after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. Connor was an Eagle Scout, a licensed HAM radio operator, a professional welder, an Army Veteran, and a student. Connor was very funny, very smart, handsome, and was in the enviable position of being able to live out his dreams. Connor accomplished most everything that he set his mind to, as long as his body was able. He joined the Army as a 25C Radio Operator / Maintainer, but his job was made redundant by the Army as soon as he joined. It would be three long years of fighting for a better situation, effectively stuck in Oklahoma, before he was able to re-class to a 25U and join a deployment to Qatar and find enjoyment in getting to do his job, just before his service contract was up. Connor left the Army on January 22, 2023, now a full-time student at the Montana Technological University in Butte, Montana, studying for a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Welding Engineering. He was well on his way, an A-student, and it seemed like he was poised to make the most of his life, on his own terms. Connor taught himself photography and film developing. He combined that love with his love of the outdoors. At his memorial service, a former Boy Scout leader called Connor, “the most natural outdoorsman I ever met.” And that is absolutely true. Connor was at home in the outdoors and spent a lot of this free time hiking, climbing, camping and photographing the beauty of nature that surrounded him. We believe that Connor’s actions on April 13 were not his own, that his mind was altered by anti-depressants given to him by the VA in just 8 short days from prescription to death. No one in Connor’s life saw this coming, even his Army-buddy roommate was taken completely by surprise. Connor is sorely missed by family and friends, every single day.

Bill LeBeau joined the U.S. Army Reserves in July 1987 and graduated from the U.S. Military Police School in December of that year and served eight years with the 344th MP CO 1st Platoon based in Worcester. He deployed in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm in November 1990 until its completion in May 1991, which earned him his VFW eligibility. During Desert Storm, his unit was assigned to the 503rd MP Battalion out of Fort Bragg to assist with capturing and transporting POWs. He has an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, over 30 years of public safety experience, and is a former safety director for a large Massachusetts trucking company. Bill currently serves as the Commander of VFW Post 7556 in Rochdale and as the State Adjutant for VFW Department of Massachusetts. He is also a member of American Legion Post 138 in Spencer and has served on the board of directors for Project New Hope, a 501c3 nonprofit helping veterans, since 2012. Bill has four children and four grandchildren.