ABOUT US
PARTNERSHIPS
A creative partnership emerged in 2020 to address the physical and emotional stress experienced by first responders of drug overdose patients in Oklahoma. The Injury Prevention Service, a division of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, partnered with the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity within the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences to create a unique program. Across the spectrum of potential interventions, there are only a few approaches shown to actually reduce the stress and pressure of participants who experience above average traumatic events in the course of their occupations. The Mindful First Responders program leverages the powerful impact of these proven mindfulness and movement activities.
Inner Circle Institute
In 2026, Mindful First Responders partnered with Inner Circle Institute. Inner Circle Institute is the training and credentialing arm of the Inner Circle ecosystem, providing applied education, professional development, and resources for individuals and systems working in high-pressure and trauma-exposed environments.
As the primary facilitation partner for Mindful First Responders, Inner Circle Institute leads the program’s educational content and works alongside mindfulness and movement facilitators to translate neuroscience, trauma, stress regulation, and resilience research into practical strategies participants can use both on and off duty.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS
Jens Jespersen, PhD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Jens Jespersen earned his doctorate in Human Development and Family Science from Oklahoma State University. He went on to complete a Postdoctoral Fellowship with the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity at the OSU Center for Health Sciences. His research focuses on the development and evaluation of family- and community-based programs, including mindfulness-based training for parents of young children. Dr. Jespersen joined the Mindful First Responders team in 2022 as an evaluation specialist and became Principal Investigator for the program in 2025.
Christi Sherrill, MPH, MS
Program Manager
As a United States Marine Corps veteran, Christi has a passion for service that extends beyond her military career. Drawing on her leadership experience and dedication to public service, she now works in federal grant programming with a focus on substance use disorders (SUDs), health, and wellness among underserved populations. Her work supports rural communities in accessing critical resources, advancing recovery initiatives, and promoting healthier futures. She is the co-founder of the OSU Project ECHO Veteran Care line and also teaches several courses at OSU and TCC. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, a Master of Public Health, and a Master of Science in Dietetics. As both a veteran and a professional in public health, Christi brings a unique perspective to her role—combining discipline, compassion, and commitment to empowering others.
Kaylen Smith, BS
Program Coordinator
Kaylen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oklahoma State University. Alongside her role with Mindful First Responders, she also contributes to the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (CIRCA), where she supports outreach efforts and grant administration. Outside of her professional work, Kaylen dedicates her time to studying PTSD and exploring somatic healing modalities, with which she has over a decade of experience in practicing. With close family members who have served in the military, she has witnessed firsthand the lasting effects of cumulative stress. This program’s mission strongly aligns with Kaylen’s personal experiences and her enduring dedication to the mental health field.
Certifications:
Open Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (OMBSR), Mindful Leader
PROGRAM FACILITATORS
KATE COOPER, MSC
Founder & Executive Director, Inner Circle Mental Health
Program Strategy and Partnership Lead
Kate Cooper is the Founder and Executive Director of Inner Circle Mental Health. Drawing from nearly 14 years of lived experience within a military and law-enforcement family, she leads the development of trauma-informed systems, partnerships, and programs designed around the realities of first responder life. Through Mindful First Responders, Kate provides strategic leadership and helps ensure the program remains aligned with the needs of responders, families, and trauma-exposed organizations.
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AUTUMN COOPER, PhD(c)
Co-Founder & Director, Inner Circle Institute
Lead Education Facilitator
Autumn Cooper is the Co-Founder and Director of Inner Circle Institute and a doctoral candidate specializing in trauma-informed education, reflective practice, and relational approaches to resilience. She has worked across community mental health, public health, private practice, and organizational training. As a primary facilitator for Mindful First Responders, Autumn leads educational sessions focused on stress, trauma, emotional regulation, resilience, and practical strategies for sustaining wellbeing under pressure.
KENDRA GUTHRIE
Kendra Guthrie, EYRT-500 TIYT, received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma in Criminal Justice, Administrative Leadership, and Nonprofit Management, and holds an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. She currently serves as Executive Director for the nonprofit, Humble Warrior Collective.
Kendra’s teaching has grown with over a decade of experience sharing trauma-informed movement and mindfulness practices in studios, clinical settings, correctional centers, mental health facilities, recovery centers, public schools, higher education, workshops, and conferences. Kendra blends evidence-based practices of somatics, functional movement, yoga, tai chi, and mindfulness philosophies into her classes.
She dedicates her unwavering support for the humble warriors in her life, most especially veterans; with gratitude to her Marine father, her grandfathers who served the Army and Air Force, and her ancestors who fought in every war all the way back to the Revolutionary War. Kendra envisions a future where everyone achieves wellbeing, peace, and a life well lived.
Certifications:
500 ErYT, YACEP Certified Yoga Instructor
LifePower Yoga Teacher Training 200 YTT Program Certified
YogaMu 300 YTT Certified
Prison Yoga Project Prison Yoga Training TIYT Certified
S.O.A.R. Success Over Addiction & Relapse TIYT Certified
Yoga Integrative Therapy The Body in Trauma TIYT Certified
M.B.R.P. Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention TIYT Certified
Sundara Yoga Therapy Earth Element TIYT Certified & Local Trainer
Off The Mat Yoga In Action Certified Trainer
Yoga Meditation & Mindfulness in Addiction Treatment Training Certified
Trauma Informed Kundalini Yoga Certified
Mindfulness East Seminar Training Certified
SUE WEBB
As a mindfulness meditation teacher and trauma-informed yoga instructor, I guide people in simple, practical techniques to manage stress and stay grounded in demanding situations. My work focuses on building resilience, emotional steadiness, and clear focus—skills that directly support the challenges of daily work and life. I aim to make mindfulness accessible and useful, so participants leave with tools they can rely on anytime.
Certifications:
Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program - Sounds True, the Awareness Training Institute, University of California at Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center
RYT 200-hour training - Everyone Yoga School
Trauma-Informed Yoga Training Levels I and II - Sundara Yoga School
Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Training - School of Positive Transformation
Radiance Sutras Meditation Teacher Training
Sound Healer Training
BETH RICHMOND
My personal yoga practice began in 1999, and since 2016 I've had the opportunity to guide others through their own yoga experiences. Focusing on trauma informed practices led me to teach as part of the Humble Warrior Collective. I share yoga in addiction recovery and mental health facilities, public schools, in addition to corporate and studio spaces. The tools of yoga are a powerful resource that can help us to reconnect with, and heal ourselves. I feel fortunate to be able to do this work every day.
Certifications:
Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy Methodology - Sundara Yoga Therapy
Meditation Training Workshops
Certified Yoga Teacher - EveryOne Yoga School
Kundalini Yoga Training - EveryOne Yoga School
Prenatal Yoga Teacher - Beauty Blossom Birth
