Workplace Violence in Retail & Private Employers: Critical Prevention Steps and High-Risk Response Priorities

Kimberly A. Urbanek, BA, NREMTP, is an award-winning workplace violence prevention expert, #1 best-selling author, and nationally sought-after speaker with more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, public safety, and emergency management. She is widely recognized for her expertise in workplace violence prevention and threat mitigation, helping organizations better understand, prevent, and respond to violence in the workplace. As the founder of K4 Consulting and co-founder of OPTICS for Healthcare, an innovative violence and risk mitigation platform, Kim works with organizations to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen compliance, and reduce harm and liability through training and proactive prevention strategies. She is also the author of the Workplace Violence Prevention Handbook and is known for bridging the gap between policy and real-world practice.

Bob VandePol, MSW, is a crisis response expert who has built a distinguished career serving as a steady and guiding presence during a wide range of crisis situations, including natural disasters, mass shootings, and mental health emergencies. He is known for developing comprehensive strategies and mobilizing resources to support effective crisis response and foster resilience within organizations and communities. With extensive leadership experience, including his work with Crisis Care Network and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Bob has played a key role in shaping large-scale crisis response efforts. As a speaker, he is recognized for delivering practical, accessible insights that help individuals and organizations navigate crises with confidence, compassion, and clarity.

Katherine Schweit is a founding member of The Bureau Consortium consulting group and the owner of Schweit Consulting LLC, where she provides crisis and communications guidance to schools, businesses, and government agencies. A former FBI Special Agent with 20 years of service, her career focused on preventing and responding to acts of violence, including advancing strategies for threat assessment and crisis response. She is a recognized authority in violence prevention and has received two U.S. Attorney General Awards for her work supporting victims. In addition to her consulting work, she serves as an expert advisor, teaches on workplace and community safety, and hosts the Stop the Killing podcast. She is also an accomplished author, known for her practical, nonpartisan approach to violence prevention.

Joseph Paul Manley is an Independent Security Consultant, Board-Certified Workplace Violence & Threat Specialist, and Adjunct Lecturer who focuses on preventing and managing violence in high-risk workplaces. Through his work with Risk Mitigation Technologies, LLC, he helps organizations identify and address early warning signs of potential violence using his P.R.E.V.A.I.L™ model, transforming risk indicators into actionable prevention strategies. His approach integrates security, behavioral threat management, and organizational leadership, enabling clients to protect people, property, and reputations while meeting practical and legal standards of care.

William S. Marcisz is the President and Chief Consultant of Strategic Security Management Consulting, Inc. (SSMC) and a nationally recognized security practitioner with extensive expertise in workplace violence prevention, healthcare security, and crisis and threat management. With a career in the healthcare industry dating back to 1983, he brings decades of experience in security administration, safety, and emergency preparedness. In addition to his security background, he has eight years of experience practicing as a full-time litigation attorney, giving him a unique perspective on both operational and legal aspects of risk management. As a consultant and expert witness, he provides organizations with strategic guidance, forensic analysis, and litigation support in complex security and workplace violence matters.