Renee Thornton

Dr. Renee Thornton holds a Doctorate of Crisis Intervention and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, an MBA in International Business, as well as a dual Psychology and Communications degree. She has served as a guest lecturer for the Indiana University Vera Dwyer College of Health Studies, the John Jay School of Criminal Justice, and the John Jay School of Law and Police Science. Dr. Thornton is a visiting lecturer in the Communication and Business Schools in Arkansas Tech University and has served as an adjunct professor for Indiana University in the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts and the Kelley School of Business.

Renee Thornton is a veteran of the United States Navy and Army, a serial entrepreneur, and a published author. Dr. Thornton is the founder of Pathfinder Resilience, where evidence-based, culturally competent curriculum and training validation is paramount to the creation of a thriving culture. She is considered a pioneer in the field of public safety culture, wellness, and enhancing workforce performance. Dr. Thornton has worked with numerous public safety agencies, focusing on improving individual health and its implications on recruiting and retention, risk management, and organizational behavior. Dr. Thornton has been invited as a subject matter expert on Police Wellness for the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL). She has also served as a guest lecturer for the Veterans Administration and Disabled American Veterans.

Dr. Thornton’s work has been featured in Frontiers in Psychology and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, where she serves as journal editor. Her groundbreaking approach to wellness research has been featured in Mental Health Intervention and Treatment of First Responders and Emergency Workers, POWER: Police Officer Wellness, Ethics, & Resilience, and the upcoming Practical Considerations for Preventing Police Suicide: Stop Officer Suicide. Dr. Thornton was chosen by the Naval Postgraduate School to conduct a case study series documenting the imperatives of dynamic leadership for creating new police departments, housed in the Homeland Security library.

In 2018, she founded the nonprofit organization, the Command Post, to focus on advocating for change in public safety wellness policy. Dr. Thornton’s pioneering approach to making self-care accessible and thoroughly researched resulted in two substantial grant awards from the Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training organization. In addition, she has been fortunate to partner with the Peace Officer Research Association of California and the National Emergency Number Association on numerous wellness training projects. Dr. Thornton’s published works have been awarded the ASTORS Homeland Security Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement Research.

Dr. Thornton is a Ramsey Master Financial Coach and an ASTD Certified Professional in Learning and Performance. She has also been awarded the Brandon Hall Award for Technology and Innovation in Advanced Technology in a Classroom, and the Brandon Hall Award for Technology and Innovation in Learning Management Measurement.

Dr. Thornton keynotes events focused on improving workforce culture through enhanced self-care practices, wellness accountability, personal and professional development opportunities, and the importance of making data-driven decisions that manage risk.