Mark Pucci, Founder and President/CEO of NILJ, is a highly decorated, retired NYPD Detective. Mark's investigative experience while working for the New York City Police Department encompassed all facets of law enforcement from Vice, Narcotics, Illegal Firearms, Gangs, and other violent crime related investigations, to Special Operations Division, city-wide major-crime pattern identification, and the apprehension of many of the city's most wanted criminals.

Mark's extensive undercover, observational surveillance and covert / special operations' training and experience during his tenure as a Detective with the NYPD are considered by many to be unparalleled in the private sector. Since Mark's retirement from the NYPD and re-entry into private sector investigations, Mark has worked with several large scale National & International Investigative Firms in the capacity of, Executive Vice President, Chief Investigator, Chief Compliance Officer and National / International Investigative Consultant.

Throughout his career in the private sector, Mark has successfully investigated and supervised the completion of thousands of cases in a wide array of investigative practices, (many of which have garnered "national and international" media coverage and attention), encompassing, civil / criminal law, accidental / wrongful deaths, homicides, missing persons, child abductions, cold cases, white collar, corporate, and cyber-crimes, insurance defense, matrimonial practice and a passionate personal specialty in "Adoption-Adoptee Location" (birth-parents/children/siblings); and the "identification, location and reunification", of those who desire to be reunited.

Kiersten Hathcock is no stranger to taking risks. As founder of Mod Mom Furniture, she left a marketing career with A&E and The History Channel in 2003 to spend more time with her kids and built an internationally-known furniture company out of her garage. The self-taught carpenter and furniture designer braved ABC’s Shark Tank, won an angel investment deal, and grew the Mod Mom brand internationally for almost two decades. Kiersten's designs have been featured in TV shows, People Magazine, New York Times, LA Times, and international design books. Her award-winning furniture has been sought after by celebrities like Christina Applegate and Matthew McConaughey, interior designers, and retailers from 17 different countries.

At the age of 36, Kiersten unexpectedly awakened to her intuitive mediumship gifts. As a skeptic and science-minded mom of two, this was not easy. She ultimately risked her reputation to follow her intuition. This risk led to partnerships with detectives around the country and a book deal for her memoir, Little Voices (Post Hill Press). Retired NYPD Detective Mark Pucci penned the foreword for Kiersten’s memoir after working with her as an evidential medium volunteering her time on cold cases. He credits Kiersten with saving his life during an investigation.

Together in 2021, Kiersten and Mark co-founded The National Institute for Law and Justice (NILJ), a non-profit that helps families of crime victims in search of missing loved ones and answers in homicide cases.

In addition to heading up NILJ, volunteering as a medium, and working with Hollywood producers to adapt her memoir for the screen, Kiersten is the Chief Marketing Officer for Moonshot—a 23-year-old nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs across Arizona and beyond. She currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, Scott, and pup, Scout. 

Michael J. Danzi, Treasurer of the Board, is a results orientated entrepreneur whose community involvement and philanthropy spans almost 40 years. His philanthropic skills include: donor relations, gift prospecting, capital campaigns, strategic planning, philanthropic events, event planning and community outreach.

Michael is one of the Executive Directors and current Board Treasurer of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD). He has been on LICADD’s board since 2003. He is also the current golf committee chair for Mercy Haven. Michael’s involvement includes, but is not limited to the Clark Gillies Foundation, the Association for the help of Retarded Children (AHRC), Tuesday’s Children (golf committee), The Inn, The Arthritis Foundation (100 hole challenge) Paws of War, Horsability, Joining Everyone to Share (JETS of America) and the Long Island Cares / the Harry Chapin Foundation.

Michael holds a BA from Brown University (‘87) in Business Economics and Management as well as an MBA from Hofstra University (’96) in Banking and Finance.

Michael resides in Smithtown, Long Island, New York with his wife Patty and their beagle Sam. They have six children: John, Douglas, Megan, Thomas, Michael Jr. and Helena.

Jeneda Benally, Founding Board Member, award-winning singer, musician, actor, traditional dancer, and activist is from the Navajo nation. Known worldwide for her performing work with her family's dance troupe, "The Jones Benally Family," Jeneda is also well-known for her work for human rights, sacred sites, forced relocation, and environmental and animal rights. Jeneda was part of the Delos Convention for the U.N. in Greece, and was a plaintiff in the federal court case against reclaimed wastewater in order to protect the Sacred San Francisco Peaks.

A traditional practitioner of Navajo medicine, Jeneda has been featured on NPR, in the Nanobah Beckers film "The Sixth World," and has appeared in numerous TV specials and in National and International press. Jeneda Benally has travelled the world sharing her Navajo Culture and important critical issues. Jeneda is passionate about bringing awareness to the fact that many Indigenous women and children continue to go missing or are found murdered. She’s committed to NILJ’s mission of helping bring her Indigenous sisters home.

Vicki Wells received her BFA from Point Park University, Pittsburgh PA. She completed her Juris Doctor at Northwestern California University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in California.

Having spent nearly 25 years in the entertainment industry, Vicki understands the critical role of solid contract agreements for artists of all kinds. She knows firsthand how negotiations can be complex without sound legal advice.

After transitioning away from entertainment,  Vicki found her niche in the commercial insurance industry. During this time, she acquired knowledge and experience not only with worker’s compensation and health insurance for businesses but she also gained firsthand experience in dealing with HR issues that can plague a business. Her time spent educating clients about OSHA requirements along with essential HR issues, including sexual harassment training, became invaluable in allowing her to possess a thorough grasp of the specific needs and demands faced by small to medium-sized companies. While not yet in the legal field, Vicki saw the complex legal issues that clients sometimes faced and how it was critical to have solid legal advice on those issues.

Driven by integrity and commitment to justice, Vicki decided to pursue law as a way to continue serving her community. She focuses on areas of law that are often underserved, advocating for those who need it most. One such area close to her heart is animal law, where she works tirelessly to ensure that animal rights are upheld within our existing legal framework. As a lifelong animal lover, Vicki’s experience with animals of all sizes, domestic and wild, provides her with the perfect backdrop to use her legal skills to assist pet owners and animals in need.

Vicki is also a gifted psychic and empath. Having been aware of “seeing” things from an incredibly young age, she navigated life through all of her career choices while maintaining a high degree of sensitivity that compelled her to look deeper and follow a path of greater awareness. This awareness, second sight, and empathic ability all came together in 2002 when she decided to start offering psychic readings on a professional level. Although being “psychic” became a profession, some of her most profound moments are when that information comes through and she can be a link to peace, clarity, and closure. 

Betty Lyons, Advisory Committee Member for NILJ & President & Executive Director of the American Indian Law Alliance (AILA), is an Indigenous and environmental activist and citizen of the Onondaga Nation. Betty has worked for the Onondaga Nation for over 20 years. Ms. Lyons serves as a member of the Haudenosaunee External Relations Committee and has been an active participant at the annual United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) since the first session in 2001 as a delegate of the Onondaga Nation.

Betty attended Cazenovia College and is a Bryant Stratton College Graduate of the Paralegal Program. Under the Leadership of Tonya Gonnella Frichner, Betty worked closely with AILA since 1997 and joined AILA in 2014.

During her time at AILA, Betty has worked on numerous issues, including: advocating for the Rights of Mother Earth, Treaty support, educating on the Doctrine of Discovery, advocates for Indigenous Nations and peoples at the United Nations, Right to Self Determination and Sovereignty, teaching the Indigenous history of women’s rights, honoring the Two Row Wampum Treaty in New York City, polishing the Covenant Chain with the United States as part of the Canandaigua Treaty obligations.

Betty continues to work for the protection of Indigenous peoples who are fighting to protect their traditions, territories, resources, and care for Mother Earth.

Out of her concern for Indigenous peoples and Mother Earth, Betty serves on numerous boards like: 4 The Future Foundation, Connie Hogarth Center, Center for Earth Ethics, The MOST, Skä•noñh- Great Law of Peace Center Academic Collaborative, and is Co-Chair of the Center of Earth Ethics Advisory Board.

Shannon Tooke, Advisory Council Member, is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. She is originally from Tuba City (To'Nanees'Dizi), AZ, within the Navajo Nation, and now resides in Blanding, UT. She is of the Irish people (Nimasii Diné), born for Zuni Water’s Edge Clan (Naasht’ézhí Tábąąhá). Her maternal grandfathers are the Irish People (Nimasii Diné), and her paternal grandfathers are the Red-Running-Into-The-Water Clan (Táchii’nii).

Shannon’s educational background includes a bachelor's and master’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s in Human Resources from Utah State University. She has worked in the business sector for 25+ years in construction and administrative management, human resources, grant research, accounting, negotiations, marketing, public speaking, public relations, communications, cultural awareness, community awareness, campaigns for sustainable energy, and advocacy for all forms of education.

Through her education and life experiences, Shannon has developed an understanding and passion for addressing the importance of three basic principles: education, enlightenment, and empathy. Using those principles persuaded her to enroll at the University of Oklahoma, College of Law, Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Indigenous Peoples Law program in the spring of 2023. By acquiring an MLS degree, it offers two opportunities. First, it will allow her to advocate in contracts and negotiations between the Indigenous nations and commercial and private businesses pertaining to sustainable energy. Second, she would use the degree to work under the Navajo Nation Judicial branch as a legal advocate for her people.

Last her desire in life to constantly learn. Whether that is by education or the people she meets. Leading by example for others to see they represent the word ‘possibility’; we are all ‘the possibility.’

Scott serves as the CEO/President of Moonshot, a nonprofit 501c3 organization, with an annual operating budget of 1.2M dedicated to fostering innovation in rural Arizona's startup ecosystem and championing Indigenous entrepreneurs. With Scott at the helm, Moonshot successfully secured over $9 million in funding last year, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their dreams. Drawing from over two decades of experience in the entertainment and technology sectors, Scott brings invaluable expertise in brand strategy, distribution, fundraising, marketing, and business development to NILJ.