Who We Are - Beyond the Badge NY

Board of Directors

Chris Panetta

President & Co-Founder

Chris Panetta retired from the NYPD in April of 2021 as a Second Grade Detective. Over his 21+ years of service, he worked in multiple assignments throughout NYC including Borough Crime and the Organized Crime Control Bureau where he worked in Vice and Narcotics. After suffering a tragic and devastating loss in 2019, Chris joined the NYPD’s Peer Support Program and was also certified in Mental Health First Aid. Not realizing it initially and what it would lead to, he quickly learned that accepting this role would be the most important assignment of his career.

Growing up with an inherent drive and resilience instilled by his parents, Chris had the motivation and desire to further his educational prowess. While working for the Department early in his career and having to postpone his education twice due to attending the Police Academy and then the tragic events of 9/11, he obtained his B.S. in Business Management. Later, he decided he wasn’t quite finished and obtained his M.S. in Criminal Justice.

When Chris and his wife, Michelle, suffered the loss of his childhood friend and co-worker on January 25th, 2019, only three weeks after their wedding where his friend attended, he wondered why… why this happened and could he have done anything differently. Then the unimaginable happened later in the year when ten more brothers and sisters in blue also died by suicide. Chris and Michelle had seen enough. They took action and co-founded Beyond the Badge NY and had an event to raise awareness not knowing what would happen next. The event was successful but not because they raised money, but rather because they took the first step to bring a dire situation to the forefront of the conversation. Three years ago, Chris and Michelle just wanted to tell those struggling a few things:

1. It is not how one died, but rather how they lived.
2. It’s okay to not be okay.

But most importantly….

3. In this family, no one fights alone!

In the beginning Chris said “I don’t care if anyone remembers my name. I only care that our organization goes on long after I’m gone.” It seems to be well on its way!

Michelle Panetta

Vice President & Co-Founder

Michelle Panetta is a Senior Anti-Money Laundering/Financial Crimes Investigator, where she investigates individuals who launder money for the purpose of drug and human trafficking, terrorism, white collar crimes and local street crimes. Before this, Michelle was a Nassau County Probation Officer. She spent the first three and a half years of her career in the DWI Unit and assisted with Electronic Monitoring. She also spent time assisting with the Opioid Overdose programs as well as assisted numerous individuals in obtaining their GED’s. After suffering a Line of Duty incident, Michelle began working in the Restitution Unit. She retired in 2021 after five years of service to the residents of Nassau County.

Additionally, Michelle became an adjunct professor in 2017 at Nassau Community College where she currently teaches criminal justice. She also holds a B.S. and M.S. in Criminal Justice from Long Island University.

In 2019, Michelle and her husband Chris suffered a devastating loss when Chris’ co-worker and childhood friend died by suicide. Later that year, Michelle and Chris co-founded Beyond the Badge NY because they were distraught and angry about losing their fellow brothers and sisters in blue to suicide and felt something had to be done. Additionally, after her LODI she began having her own struggles with anxiety and PTSD and felt she could make an impact with others. She made a decision to let others know… “In this family, no one fights alone!”

Michael Farina

Treasurer

Michael Farina has been an active member of the New York City Police Department since 2002 and is currently assigned to the Quartermaster Section. He has had numerous assignments throughout his 20+ year career including five years in the Equipment Section. While assigned there, he was tasked with several assignments including inventory reconciliation, vendor inspections, assisting with fiscal accountability and distribution of firearms. He was an indispensable piece of this unit and ensured that the section ran effortlessly.

Michael expressed a desire to join Beyond the Badge NY when a close friend of his died by suicide. He also was distraught by how the suicide epidemic in law enforcement was not being addressed and felt that there was so much that could be done for his brothers and sisters in blue, especially since he was raised in a blue family. The combination of his drive to smash the stigma and his fiscal experience from past Department assignments make him a valuable addition to the Beyond the Badge NY team!

Siobhan Murphy

Secretary

Siobhan Murphy is an active Sergeant with the New York City Police Department. She began her career in July 1999 and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in October 2007. In December of 2019 she transferred to the newly formed Health and Wellness Section where she currently assists active and retired Members of Service.

In February 2020, Siobhan was certified as a member of the Peer Support Program and realized she was in the right place at this point in her career. Her desire to further equip her blue family with alternatives and resources led her to be certified as a Mental Health First Aid instructor.

Her role in the Health and Wellness Section gives her the opportunity to speak to fellow officers and provide them with peer support and additional resources. She has also made the pledge to break the stigma of officers coming forward that are in need of assistance.
In her words:

“Asking for help should not be looked at as a sign of weakness but as a sign of great strength; because at some point throughout our careers of service, we’ve all needed that helpful hand at our back to either help push us forward or to catch us as we’re falling. We can’t always do it alone.”

Committee Directors

Kristina Colletti

Director Of Clinical Advisement

As a clinician and former first responder, Kristina’s mission is to help others heal from post-traumatic stress injuries so they can go on to live their best lives. Kristina is currently a Board-Certified Licensed Counselor with an M.A., with distinction in mental health counseling from Hofstra University. Kristina is licensed in both NY as an LMHC and in NJ as an LPC. Kristina is an EMDR Certified Trauma Therapist and is certified as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner, as well as a Clinical Trauma Professional. Kristina specializes in trauma and believes in supporting the whole person, heavily focusing on multiple areas of wellness. She draws on her own lived experiences combined with her clinical background to encourage hope. Kristina believes that trauma is an injury and with appropriate peer and mental health support, the injury can heal.

Kristina is currently Deputy Director for a statewide behavioral health not for profit organization in NJ. As part of the executive team, Kristina oversees and supports the operations and success of the programs within the assigned region of the state, inclusive of wellness centers, forensic, community support services, and supportive housing programs. Kristina is a clinician for New York Law Enforcement Assistance Program (NYLEAP) and took an active role in helping to bring Post Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) to the state of NY. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Warrior Wellness Counseling, LLC, a private practice that primarily provides trauma therapy to first responders, military, and survivors of suicide loss. As the Director of Clinical Advisement for Beyond the Badge, Kristina provides clinical guidance as needed to Beyond the Badge NY and affiliated chapters. Kristina takes an active role in mental health education and awareness with peers and other affiliates.

After learning that her childhood best friend’s husband died by suicide after 12 years on the job in law enforcement, Kristina set out to break the stigma when it comes to first responders and mental health. Kristina is also personally a survivor of multiple losses to suicide. She has close relationships with many first responders, military, and is well versed in family dynamics involving first responders through her own lived experiences. As a former first responder with emergency medical services, Kristina uses her own journey with critical incidents and trauma to further motivate her mission of providing hope and healing to others. Kristina continues to collaborate with various organizations who share in her mission.

“The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it, is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.” -Rachel Remen

Barbara Kartalis

Director Of Event And Initiative Logistics

Barbara Kartalis is currently a Marketing Liaison for a network of physical medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedic facilities within New York and New Jersey. She handles anything and everything from event coordinating to marketing, to scheduling and administrative functions. Outside of her marketing career, Barbara is a motivated entrepreneur as she launched her own niche business called The Boozy Cupcake Shop that takes up much of her free time!

In the little down time Barbara has, she coordinates multiple church events and has participated with a number of non-for-profit organizations where she has been tasked with event planning and logistics as well as the successful execution of said events. She has also been heavily involved in the fundraising and marketing aspects of the charities she has been involved with.

Barbara first learned about Beyond the Badge NY at a charity event and became very intrigued. She wanted to contribute in some way, so she started donating favors to multiple events but realized that she wanted to be more involved and have more of an impact for our first responders. She then saw the opportunity to use her logistical skills and experience to benefit those who serve the rest of us. Barbara’s logistical and planning abilities make her the “logical” choice for this role with Beyond the Badge!

Shari Tauber

Director of Fundraising and Marketing

Bio coming soon

Justin Thompson

Director Of Multimedia

Justin Thompson is an active NYPD Police Officer with five plus years of service, currently serving the 106 Precinct as their Domestic Violence officer. He grew up watching his father respond to calls for service as a volunteer fire chief which gave him and his siblings the drive and motivation to pursue fulfilling careers in law enforcement. Prior to being assigned to the Domestic Violence unit, Justin was a patrol officer answering 911 calls for the Howard Beach and Ozone Park communities.

Justin made the decision to join Beyond the Badge after suffering the loss of his close friend and partner to suicide. After the loss, he spent weeks and months contemplating what he could have done differently to have prevented this tragedy, and ultimately came to the decision that suicide is preventable and that he wanted to do anything he can to keep others from feeling the way he did and going through the trials and tribulations he experienced.

As a member of Beyond the Badge, Justin hopes to utilize his experiences to ensure that others do not have to endure the feelings of loss associated with suicide like he has. Justin said it best – “Not every 10-13 comes over the radio. I want to be there to respond to that call for others in need.”

Executive Advisors To The Board Of Directors

Philip Weisbord

General Advisement

Philip Weisbord officially joined the Beyond the Badge family in June 2022 and serves as an advisor to the organization. In this role, Philip provides his experience in the nonprofit and private sectors, as well as his background in logistics and operations to help shape the future of Beyond the Badge.

Philip has worked in and with numerous companies in the marketing space before joining the NYPD where he currently works in the Detective Bureau. He has been involved with multiple non-profits in different capacities and is on the board of directors for the largest Jewish law enforcement fraternal organization in the United States. Philip holds a master’s degree from John Jay College in Emergency Management and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo in Communications.

Amanda Mullaney

Family Ambassador

Amanda Mullaney is the widow of NYPD Deputy Inspector Denis Mullaney who died by suicide on April 5th, 2021. Denis was born and raised in Queens, NY. He proudly served twenty years with the NYPD. His passion and desire to serve his community was evident from the moment he graduated from the police academy. His rapid rise through the ranks from his first assignment as a Police Officer in the 114 Precinct to his promotion to Deputy Inspector as the Commanding Officer of the 107 Precinct were a true testament to his dedication which Amanda now strives to continue through her advocacy for mental health awareness and wellness for her blue family.

Amanda is a retired NYPD Police Officer. She was raised in a “Blue Family” and knew growing up that her life was destined for a career in law enforcement. So, it was no surprise that for as long as she could remember, she wanted to serve and protect the communities in NYC. She started her career in Queens Transit and later transferred to the Transit Anti-Terrorism Unit. Amanda ultimately finished her career in the coveted Transit K-9 Unit.

Amanda met Denis in 2008, and in 2014 they were married. Two years later, they were blessed with an amazing little boy, Denis Mullaney III (D3). After Denis’ passing, Amanda realized that she wanted to be a voice for those who may be suffering in the dark. She wants the surviving families who have lost someone to suicide that they are never alone, thus being a perfect fit as a family ambassador for Beyond the Badge NY!

Kristen Clifford

Family Ambassador

Kristen Clifford is the widow of NCPD Police Officer Steven Clifford who died by suicide on May 23rd, 2017, at 35 years of age. She was also raised in a law enforcement family, as her father is a retired NCPD Detective, and her cousin is currently a NCPD Police Officer. She has been a strong supporter of law enforcement through her entire life, and she has always been an advocate for mental health awareness and wellness.

The LEO suicide widows and families that Kristen has connected with after Steve’s passing are people she shares a special bond with that has been indescribable and invaluable. Kristen has found that sharing her story and walking alongside people in their darkest times not only helps them heal but has been the best therapy to get through her own grief and overcome her battle with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. She is also a Certified QPR Gatekeeper for Suicide Prevention.

Steve began his career in the NYPD in 2005 and then was hired by NCPD in 2008, so it comes as no surprise that Steven’s greatest passion in life was helping others. Kristen hopes to carry on his legacy by continuing to help others, especially first responders, grieving widows and survivors of suicide loss.

Professional Advisement

Thomas Purpi

Counsel

Tom Purpi has been practicing law in the state and federal courts of New York since 2010. His top-rated firm handles a wide variety of legal matters from general civil and commercial litigation to corporate, real estate, employment, and matrimonial law. As a native New Yorker, he is a graduate of New York University and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Tom is currently outside counsel to Beyond the Badge, Inc. His commitment to Beyond the Badge’s mission is inspired by his appreciation of the heroism and sacrifice of his family and friends in law enforcement, and of all those in the first responder community. He has, as too many others have also, been personally affected by the tragedy of loss due to mental illness. Tom plays an intricate part of bringing Beyond the Badge’s mission to new chapters across the country in hopes of once and for all smashing the stigma of mental illness and protecting those who serve and protect us.

Craig Petrella

Accounting/Financial

Craig L. Petrella CPA, MBA is a Certified Public Accountant with over 22 years of experience. His experience has included working in the Big 4 Accounting firms specializing in financial internal controls for Defense Contractors as well as Fortune1000 companies. Craig has been featured on NBC and News 12 Long Island as a financial contributor. He was also highlighted in Newsday, a metropolitan area newspaper.

Over the years, Craig successfully managed office operations, personnel, and budgets. He has had the opportunity to oversee strategic projects that often involved cross-functional resources. Internationally, he directed global accounting and finance operations for entities and has overseen the accounting for numerous entities and liaised with outside auditors, law firms, and other tax firms.

Craig’s experience has afforded him the chance to work with the SEC while preparing and reviewing required financials, footnotes, management’s discussion and analysis(MD&A) and other information for 10-Q, 8-K, and 10-K filings with SEC. He over saw and reviewed monthly, quarterly, and yearly financial consolidation and financial close processes for billion-dollar companies in order to conform with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) as well as GASB (Government Accounting Standards Board).

Currently, Craig Petrella is the sole owner of the accounting firm, Petrella CPA – Accountants & Advisors, located on Long Island, New York and is currently servicing 800 clients.

Craig has had close personal ties to law enforcement his entire life. His father is retired from the NYPD and his brother is currently a Police Officer in the Nassau County Police Department. So, Craig’s decision to join the Beyond the Badge team to help further the mission of raising suicide and mental health awareness was an easy one, as he recognizes the need in breaking the stigma of cops coming forward and getting the help they need and deserve!

Chris Kelly

Grant Consultant/Procurement

Chris Kelly is a non-profit leader with over seven years of experience in securing major gifts, event sponsorships, private and public grants and corporate and individual donations. He has leadership experience in planning, budgeting, and executing comprehensive development plans as well as non-profit experience in the education, substance use and mental health, and overall human services spaces.

Chris holds a M.S. in Government and Politics, with a focus in International Relations and a minor in Public Administration, from St. John’s University’s Rome, Italy, campus. His B.S. is in Business Management from St. John’s, as well. He also received an Executive Education Certification from Fordham University’s Center for Nonprofit Leaders.

As a native Long Islander, Chris has a passion for community service and making the world a better place, one step at a time. His devotion and commitment to supporting the men and women who risk their lives to protect us is second to none, as exhibited in his exceptional work and professionalism.

About Us

Our Mission

Testimonials