Mental Armor for optimum critical thinking, physical health, and emotional wellbeing.
About Us
Debra Atkisson, MD, served time as former President of our Board
Hello, I am a Texas psychiatrist, who has practiced medicine for over 36 years. Since 1992, I am grateful to have served the Fort Worth community in clinical, administrative, and academic roles. As a physician development coach at the TCU School of Medicine and as Regional Medical Director of Connections Wellness Group, I work to help p
Hello, I am a Texas psychiatrist, who has practiced medicine for over 36 years. Since 1992, I am grateful to have served the Fort Worth community in clinical, administrative, and academic roles. As a physician development coach at the TCU School of Medicine and as Regional Medical Director of Connections Wellness Group, I work to help people live their best through improved wellness. Empower Fort Worth’s mission to “help the helpers” develop mental armor to keep them healthy and resilient is important and one in which I strongly believe.
David Johnson,Program Director, United Way, Tarrant County, and on our Board of Directors. E expert on all Veteran matters.
Hi, I am a project manager for the United Way of Tarrant County. I coordinate services for veterans in our community. As a vet, I know how important it is to match our former warriors with the right resources. Too many organizations operate in silos, and I am proud that United Way and Empower Texas can partner resources to get the needed information and resources out to our communities.
Joseph Horn, Treasurer & Blogger, regretfully still on our Board
Joseph Horn, Treasurer & Blogger, regretfully still on our Board
Hi, a lawyer since 1988, my law practice focuses now on commercial law. In my prior work lives, I have had: bipartisan appointments at the U.S. House of Reps; consulted for the World Bank, various federal agencies, and financial services industry; served on a various mediation panels, including the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals; and
Hi, a lawyer since 1988, my law practice focuses now on commercial law. In my prior work lives, I have had: bipartisan appointments at the U.S. House of Reps; consulted for the World Bank, various federal agencies, and financial services industry; served on a various mediation panels, including the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals; and conducted CLE trainings. I studied international law in London and Oxford, improving my English and gaining a stiff upper lip. But the best (and at times costly) education I receive(d) are all the mistakes in my life, out of which I continue to learn. I enjoy hanging out with artists, songwriters, entrepreneurs, and creators.
Gender: Yo, Bubba, UFO
Aaron Oden, Proud father and Board Member
Billy Mitchell, Ret'd FWPD and former Founding Board Member and owner of Billy's BBQ
Lt. Aaron Oden immigrated from Brooklyn, New York , and began public service with the Arlington Police Department in 2010. He is a patrol supervisor in Arlington’s busiest district and holds advanced certifications, including Master Peace Officer, Firearms Instructor and Mental Health Peace Officer. Oden holds an ACSM CPT certification
Lt. Aaron Oden immigrated from Brooklyn, New York , and began public service with the Arlington Police Department in 2010. He is a patrol supervisor in Arlington’s busiest district and holds advanced certifications, including Master Peace Officer, Firearms Instructor and Mental Health Peace Officer. Oden holds an ACSM CPT certification and is a Precision Nutrition Coach. He also became a Certified Health and Wellbeing Coach. He earned recently a Master of Science in Lifestyle Health Sciences form the University of North Texas Health.
Aaron Is passionate about public service, wellness, sports, and quality time with loved ones.
Billy Mitchell, Ret'd FWPD and former Founding Board Member and owner of Billy's BBQ
Billy Mitchell, Ret'd FWPD and former Founding Board Member and owner of Billy's BBQ
Hi, I am a recently retired from Fort Worth Police Department, where I managed the PEER Support Group and trained officers on deescalation.
I know firsthand the challenges officers face professionally and personally. They put their lives on the line everyday to protect all of us. That stress takes its toll, not only on them, but their
Hi, I am a recently retired from Fort Worth Police Department, where I managed the PEER Support Group and trained officers on deescalation.
I know firsthand the challenges officers face professionally and personally. They put their lives on the line everyday to protect all of us. That stress takes its toll, not only on them, but their families too.
I joined Empower Fort Worth because I beleive in its mission - for our whole community.
Richard Brown, General Counsel
Richard Brown, General Counsel
Seriously, I am privileged to be elected by my board peers to contribute to this important effort. With decades of experience managing and advising nonprofits, I am glad to be "back in the saddle again" so to speak.
I have knowledge of many tragedies in life and so have you. There has got to be a better way.
Join us! We can succeed as a family, as a team, and as a community. .
Prof. Sarah Angle, ROXO, TCU,, Creative Director on our Board, currently on leave
Hi, I’m a writer, journalist, and professor in the Department of Strategic Communication at Texas Christian University. My work focuses on healthcare communication in advertising and social justice issues. In 2021, I founded Better Box, which is company that creates “happiness toolkits” designed to improve mental health through tangible e
Hi, I’m a writer, journalist, and professor in the Department of Strategic Communication at Texas Christian University. My work focuses on healthcare communication in advertising and social justice issues. In 2021, I founded Better Box, which is company that creates “happiness toolkits” designed to improve mental health through tangible evidence-informed products and practices. My goal is to create positive social change in our community through powerful brand storytelling, empathetic leadership, and education.
Mandy Attaway, LPC, MA, founding advisor to our Board Member
Hi, I am a graduate of Northcentral University's Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program. I am currently working on my PhD in Systemic Leadership at Northcentral University and going through the Marriage and Family Therapy licensure process. Also, I provide coaching and counseling through Bridges of Hope. From a family of fi
Hi, I am a graduate of Northcentral University's Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program. I am currently working on my PhD in Systemic Leadership at Northcentral University and going through the Marriage and Family Therapy licensure process. Also, I provide coaching and counseling through Bridges of Hope. From a family of first responders, I personally understand many of their unique challenges. I am passionate about serving those around me, fostering connection between pillars of the community and mentoring the next generation. Speaking of family, I am a proud mom of kids and a couch-potato canine.
Cynthia Powell, MA, CHWC, IWLC, The Mindful Director on our Board
Hi, I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Health Professions at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. I have over fifteen years of senior leadership experience in education and healthcare settings, and am also a Certified Integrative Wellness and Life Coach, and Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher. I
Hi, I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Health Professions at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. I have over fifteen years of senior leadership experience in education and healthcare settings, and am also a Certified Integrative Wellness and Life Coach, and Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher. I also provide coaching and training in a variety of areas including mindfulness, resilience, self-care, and stress management. I am passionate about promoting community health, act as a facilitator for empowering conservations, and serve as a board member for the InterNational Environmental Complex.
Deputy Joe Robertson, Parliamentarian and founding Board Member
Hello everyone. I have been a peace officer in Texas for the over 36 years with 30 of them at the City of Fort Worth. I serve with our Police Peer Support Team and with the Care Ministry Team at my church. Having seen first-hand the way day-to-day stressors inside and outside of the job can affect those of us in service, my personal passi
Hello everyone. I have been a peace officer in Texas for the over 36 years with 30 of them at the City of Fort Worth. I serve with our Police Peer Support Team and with the Care Ministry Team at my church. Having seen first-hand the way day-to-day stressors inside and outside of the job can affect those of us in service, my personal passion is the mental well and emotional being of my friends and colleagues.
Sarah Oliveira-McDonald, Director at La Hacienda and Board Member
Desiree Partain, former EMS MedStar, now merged with Ft. Worth Fire Dept. - , Secretary to Board
Desiree Partain, former EMS MedStar, now merged with Ft. Worth Fire Dept. - , Secretary to Board
Sarah was integral in helping the success of the first wellness committee for lawyers in the State of Texas. Sarah left a prominent position in corporate America to from corporate to focus on addiction treatment. Currently, she is a longtime director of strategic development in addiction Treatment. She develops trends by researchin
Sarah was integral in helping the success of the first wellness committee for lawyers in the State of Texas. Sarah left a prominent position in corporate America to from corporate to focus on addiction treatment. Currently, she is a longtime director of strategic development in addiction Treatment. She develops trends by researching industry and related events and forges collaborations and partnerships. I also pride myself in enhancing my organizations reputation through building and maintaining relationships, like the important work that Empower Texas does in combating stigma.
Desiree Partain, former EMS MedStar, now merged with Ft. Worth Fire Dept. - , Secretary to Board
Desiree Partain, former EMS MedStar, now merged with Ft. Worth Fire Dept. - , Secretary to Board
Desiree Partain, former EMS MedStar, now merged with Ft. Worth Fire Dept. - , Secretary to Board
Hi, I am the Transformation Manager at MedStar Mobile Healthcare. In the EMS industry for over 20 years, I have served in various roles, including as an ambulance paramedic, in education & training, in quality assurance, and more recently in leadership. I have a master’s in healthcare administration and certifications in Community Paramed
Hi, I am the Transformation Manager at MedStar Mobile Healthcare. In the EMS industry for over 20 years, I have served in various roles, including as an ambulance paramedic, in education & training, in quality assurance, and more recently in leadership. I have a master’s in healthcare administration and certifications in Community Paramedicine & Critical Care. I am privileged to have formed the first corporate peer support team called the Hope Squad and leads Wellness, Resilience, and Mental Health support at MedStar. I am married to a Fort Worth police officer, and we have four children and three dogs which occupies a majority of my time!.
