Gerard began his professional life as a police officer in Toronto, spending ten years in street patrol and undercover drug work. His introduction to problem-based learning came during graduate school at York University, where self-directed learning shaped his approach to education. He co-created the PTO program with Gregory Saville and has spent two decades helping agencies implement PBL across North America.

Magdalena is an Interactive Design Instructor at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, Manitoba. Certified by IDEO U in Design Thinking and Creative Leadership, she holds Level I–III PSPBL certification and has applied problem-based learning methodology across diverse educational contexts beyond traditional policing environments.

Roger retired from the Richmond Police Department after 26 years of service, working across patrol, crime scene investigation, training, and professional standards. He helped implement the PBL/PTO model at Richmond PD and served as program coordinator before supervising the department's Police Training Program.

Paul brings over 34 years of law enforcement experience to the board. He currently serves as Commanding Officer of Administrative Services for the Lowell, Massachusetts Police Department — one of the original PTO pilot sites. A certified instructor in Legal Issues and Problem-Based Learning with over 22 years of teaching experience, Paul is also a practicing attorney.

Tim began his professional career as a public-school teacher nearly 40 years ago before transitioning to policing in 1995, where he continues to serve today. He began training police officers in 2004 and was certified as a Police Training Officer (PTO) instructor in 2006, leading the Riley County (KS) Police Department’s transition from a traditional Field Training Officer (FTO) model to the PTO program—an approach the agency still uses two decades later. In 2014, he earned certification as a Level II Problem-Based Learning Instructor and has since remained a committed advocate for the PTO model and its foundational principles. He currently serves as a Captain with the Glynn County (GA) Police Department, where he commands the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability.

EQ is an essential tool for public safety. I have used it in law enforcement training, mentoring new officers, framing immediate response to violence, hiring and promotions, developing essential skills (firearms training), and more. At one time it was a standard and part of every training. Buy in from training staff is absolutely essential. It provides a mutual language and goals for training officers.