Meet the team! Here are the CERT Program Directors and a little bit about them
Program Leadership
Meet the team! Here are the CERT Program Directors and a little bit about them
Elizabeth received her Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of South Florida in Global Disaster Management and Humanitarian Relief. In 2013, she was invited to teach at USF as an instructor for the public health undergraduate program in homeland security & emergency management. She is currently pursuing her Doctor in Public Health (DrPH) degree in Public Health Leadership.
In 2013, Ms. Dunn started training students, faculty, and staff in the FEMA Basic CERT in an effort to bring CERT to the university. She now serves as a FEMA CERT Instructor, Train-the-Trainer for future CERT Instructors, and organizes HSEEP compliant exercises in Hillsborough County. In addition, Ms. Dunn is a Shelter Manager, a Disaster Action Team (DAT) Lead, Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, and Hands-Only CPR Lead Trainer for the American Red Cross. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the USF Red Cross Club, USF HOSA, and Global Health Student Association.
Elizabeth Dunn, MPH, CPH
Program Director
Why I believe in CERT? >
Building a resilient community takes a team, and the CERT program is designed to bring people together to strengthen communities before the storm & be able to respond to the needs of others during & after a disaster
Maria Paula is a USF alumna with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Community-Engaged Homeland Security and Emergency Management at the University of South Florida (USF) and is originally from Peru. In the future, she has plans to pursue an MPH in Epidemiology and Global Health. Prior to coming to the United States, Maria Paula was attending medical school in Peru where she realized how inequality impacts people’s health. As a medical student, she was an intern for a community health care center and an OB/GYN at a neonatal specialty hospital.
What I have Learned >
Being part of CERT has given me more opportunities than I could ever have. I have a clear understanding now that not only clinical staff can saves lives.
Maria Paula Ibarcena-Woll
Deputy Director
Why I Joined >
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Gabriela Stack
Administrative Director
I got involved with CERT because I wanted to be on the front lines of disaster response and recovery!
Gabriela Stack is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a Minor in Community-Engaged Homeland Security and Emergency Management. During Hurricane Ian, she volunteered as a member of CERT at a Hillsborough County Evaluation Shelter. Upon graduation, Gabriela plans to pursuing an MPH in Epidemiology and Global Health.
Elyshaluz Day Gonzales is a first-generation Filipina American and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a minor in Infection Control. She is also a part of the College of Public Health’s Activist Lab student board and has a passion for learning and serving the community. After graduating she plans to obtain an MPH and pursue an occupation in applied epidemiology in hopes to find further ways to use her knowledge and skills to help others.
Personal Thoughts >
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Public Affairs Officer
Elyshaluz Day Gonzales
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader…they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role - always about the goal.” - Lisa Haisha
Personal Thoughts >
“Sometimes things fall apart so that better things can fall together” ― Marilyn Monroe
David Wright
Communications Director
David Wright is a senior at the USF College of Public Health pursuing a Bachelors in Public Health with a minor in C ommunity - engaged Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Currently serving in the Navy reserves as a combat medicine and public health specialist. Highlights during his time in service include when he served multiple roles as a junior advisor to traini ng teams with the US Navy, and US Marine Corps while stationed in Japan, internationally working with Japanese Defense Forces medical teams, training Taiwan's Navy and Marine Corps in combat medicine tactics, teaching trauma management strategies to Cambod ia's mine action teams, and combat medicine techniques to the Philippine special forces. During last tour when he was on active duty he was instrumental to the initial force health mitigation plans for the COVID - 19 pandemic at NSA Panama city while serving as the sole preventive medicine technician in the area leading to the Secretary of the Navy's recognition in 2020.
Adesola Orogade is a senior pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of South Florida. She is passionate about advocating for different populations in various communities and organization. She enjoys working and learning different perspectives of life and reality from the people she works with. After graduating in December 2022, Adesola hopes to attend law school.
Inspirational Quote >
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“The first and most important choice a leader makes is the choice to serve, without which one's capacity to lead is severely limited.” - Bob Marley
Adesola Orogade
DAHR President
What is needed to Serve >
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The vulnerability and need brought by a disasters must be met with compassionate resilience.
Katherine Patino
DAHR Vice President
Kat Patino is a senior studying Public Health with a concentration in Community Engaged Homeland Security and Emergency Management. During Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Ian, Kat served as a Shelter Manager where she was able to serve the county as a member of CERT. She is passionate about mental health, music, and elevating others. She is an avid reader and a huge supporter of the New York Giants and the South Florida Bulls football team. Upon graduation, she plans on pursuing a MPH in Global Disaster Management and Behavioral Health. Go Bulls!
Shamaniqua Lessane is a Junior studying Public Health and Biomedical sciences at the University of South Florida. She is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women, and Triumph over Trafficking. She is eager to support and become a well-rounded advocate for her community. After graduating she plans to continue her education and earn an MD, pursuing a career in maternal fetal care.
What does it mean to lead >
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“Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.” -- Mary McLeod Bethune
Shamaniqua Lessane
Financial Officer
What does it mean to lead >
To me leading means setting an example to your peers. The ability to guide your team with compassion, humility, and consistency.
Madelyn Minner
Research Director
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Madelyn is a current senior at USF pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a minor in Community Engaged Homeland Security and Disaster Management. Upon graduation, Madelyn wishes to pursue a Master's in Public Health concentration in Disaster Management. Madelyn got involved with CERT in hopes of getting involved with her community and giving back to those in need.
Sarah Petrone is a Junior at the University of South Florida and is perusing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. After graduating high school she enlisted in the United States Marine Crops. She was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California for the duration of her enlistment. She reached the rank of Corporal before getting out in 2019. After getting out of the Marine Corps she returned to South Florida where she was born and raised. She then attended Broward College, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree, and then relocated to Tampa in 2022 to transfer to USF.
Quote that I live by >
You don't lose if you get knocked down;
you lose if you stay down. -Muhammad Ali
Sarah Petrone
Logistics Section Chief
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Destinie Pinho
Health and Medical Director
Quote that I live by >
TBA
Personal Quote >
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To me being a CERT leader means benefiting my community and educating others on emergency preparedness.
Dharti Patel
Health & Medical Deputy Director
TBA
Allison received her Bachelor’s Degree in the spring of 2021 at the College of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from the University of South Florida. Although Allison has been previously serving her community with her optical services as a Licensed Dispensing Optician, she will be transitioning to her future career in Emergency Management in the Tampa Bay Area. Allison will also be furthering her education by pursuing her Certification in Public Health. Allison aspires to further support the public by engaging and training community response efforts to increase awareness and strengthen bonds in the community.
Personal Thoughts >
A leader is someone you look to that will help you become the best version of yourself. That’s what I want to be when I grow up.
Allison Turner
Training Director
Personal Thoughts >
Being a CERT Leader is simply put as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart."
Noah Wiskoff
Training Officer
Noah Wiskoff is currently a senior pursuing a bachelors degree in Public Health with a minor in Community Engaged Homeland Security. After graduating he plans to enter the Emergency Management field and pursue a career in training and planning for communities. He is passionate about Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Response and in his spare time enjoys watching sports and playing games with friends.
Kelly received his Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arizona State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) with a minor in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from USF. Kelly works as an Emergency Management Coordinator for Tampa Electric Company. Kelly’s experience includes being a medic in the Army National Guard, as well as a supervisor for a private ambulance company. Kelly volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician and is on the board of directors for the Sun City Center Emergency Squad. Kelly is a certified instructor for the FEMA CERT, Stop-the-Bleed, Emergency Medical Responder, CPR and NAEMT courses. Kelly serves on the Higher Education Committee for the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) and is working towards his Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) certification. Kelly has been a member of USF CERT since 2014.
Why I joined >
Kelly Knigge, M.A.
Emergency Management Advisor & Instructor
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Personal Thoughts >
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Jay Rajyaguru, FAEM
Emergency Management Advisor & Instructor
Jay Rajyaguru is an alumnus of the USF College of Public Health with his Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) with a minor in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Currently, Jay works for the Florida Department of Health as Regional Public Health Preparedness Planner.
Jay is a certified FEMA CERT Instructor and has been with the CERT program since Fall 2016 and remains an active supporter of the USF CERT program serving on the board as an Advisor. He is an American Red Cross Shelter Manager, Hands-Only CPR Instructor, and a certified Stop-The-Bleed Instructor.
APPLY FOR A LEADERSHIP POSITION
If you are interested in applying for a leadership position click on the Join our Team button below. We currently have the positions of public information officer, secretary, instructor, and assistant instructor open. You may also apply to be a non-voting member, this is someone who sits in on the meetings and can take on additional tasks but does not have a designated position.