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DeeDee M. Bennett Gayle, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (CEHC) at the University at Albany, State University of New York. She is the lead director of the Extreme Events, Social Equity, and Technology Lab. Her research broadly examines the influence and integration of advanced technologies on the practice of emergency management and for use by vulnerable populations, in particular older adults, people with disabilities, as well as racial and ethnic minorities. Recently, her studies have also focused on workforce development and participation in disaster management fields.

Dr. Bennett-Gayle has led several research grants and contracts as PI or Co-PI, including from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security. Employing experimental designs, qualitative one-on-one and focus group interviews, and quantitative survey analysis, her research explores ways to increase disaster preparedness, reduce vulnerability, and shorten recovery primarily in the United States. Her work spans all hazards, focused on micro-level impacts from tornadoes, hurricanes, extreme winter weather, infectious diseases, wildfires, and flooding, among others. Her studies also include investigating the use of a wide range of technologies for disaster preparedness, such as mobile wireless devices, social media platforms, mobile applications, virtual reality, personal intelligence devices, and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Bennett Gayle’s work has been used in the formation of policy. She has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging regarding disaster planning for people with disabilities and older adults and presented in town halls for the NYS Assembly members regarding COVID-19. She is co-author on five Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory filings and White House comments, many of which were cited in rulemaking. Her work has been covered or quoted in Spectrum News, Washington Post, Newsweek, USA Today, CNBC, WURD Philadelphia, and Honolulu Civil Beat, among others.

With over 60 publications, her work is published in various journals and conferences related to emergency management, disability, wireless technology, and future studies. She co-authored the book Empowered or Left Behind: The Use of Technology During COVID-19 and co-edited the edited book volume Social Vulnerability to COVID-19: Impacts of Technology Adoption and Information Behavior. In 2023, she was selected as one of the Ocean Decade Champions by the National Science Foundation and the Kaleta A. Doolin Foundation for research on marginalized populations. Dr. Bennett Gayle received her PhD in Fire and Emergency Management from Oklahoma State University. She has a unique academic background, receiving her MS in Public Policy and BS in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

500 RYT, Chair Yoga certified

Barbara’s teaching and yoga practice is informed by a lifetime of dance and movement.  She holds a deep belief that dance, yoga, and qigong all have great value for every “body” and every heart in navigating this experience called life.

Barbara is a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and holds multiple certifications including Lakshmi Voekler’s Chair Yoga, Daisy Lee’s Radiant Lotus Women’s Qigong, and Roger Jahnke’s Tai Chi Easy.

For information about her class schedule (including Zoom) visit:

riverandmountainhealingenergies.com

Erting Sa is a Certified Health & Well-Being Coach and Ph.D. Candidate in Health Communication at the State University of New York at Albany. She supports driven individuals navigating chronic conditions and low energy in building personalized ecosystems of self-support that foster self-exploration, sustained well-being and performance. Grounded in evidence-based strategies, her coaching makes meaningful health behavior change both attainable and enduring. Her doctoral research explores how spouses of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease perceive changes to their sense of self, with particular attention to how disruptions in marital reality shape identity and well-being.

Erting is dedicated to advancing whole-person well-being and meaningful human connection through both scholarship and practice. She has shared her research insights at leading conferences including the International Communication Association (ICA), the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR), and the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). She has also facilitated group health coaching sessions for higher education leaders at international conferences and for community groups at the local level.

Erting is actively involved in community initiatives, integrating health education, coaching, and volunteer service to empower family caregivers. Her commitment to supporting this community is a tribute to her grandfather, who cared for her grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease for 26 years.

Prior to her health coaching career, Erting taught undergraduate courses at SUNY Albany, served as Vice President of the Chinese Community Center in New York’s Capital Region, and worked a for the United Nations Volunteers in Germany.

Ariffa serves the Tengu Center as its founding board chair. Uniting and building up the community through love, understanding, healing, and wellness has always been her mission, and leading the behind the scenes work of the Tengu Center is how it will be fulfilled.

Ariffa is a certified health coach, mindfulness and meditation instructor, and a certified diverse executive. Her career has centered on health and education, with a primary focus on health equity, health literacy, and the social determinants of health.

Ariffa is also a former kickboxing instructor, and a student of the Tengu Mori Dojo where she’s been learning samurai arts and modern jujitsu since 2016. She resides in Upstate New York with her best friend and spouse, Brad, and their two cats Solis and Luna.