Board Members

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Major Trakida Maldonado was inspired to create Restoring Hearts for the Brave through her vast experience as a Peace Officer as well as her support of her daughter’s current active duty in the United States Army. Trakida has over 21 years of law enforcement experience. During her outstanding career in law enforcement she earned her Master’s Degree, her licensure and National Certification as a Professional Counselor. Simultaneously with her work in law enforcement she has worked to provide psychotherapy to adults, adolescences, and children for over a decade. With her unique combination of professional experiences Trakida has witnessed and treated firsthand the long-term impact of repeated trauma on First Responders, Veterans, their families, and our communities.

Judge Erica K Dove is a judge in the State Court of Gwinnett County. Before taking the bench, She received her Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice at Howard University and her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, in Washington, DC. She began her legal career at King & Spalding, LLC in Atlanta before becoming an Assistant Solicitor in the Gwinnett County Solicitor’s Office from 2005 to 2015 where she prosecuted misdemeanor crimes and served in many capacities in all the State Court treatment courts and programs. Furthermore, Erica ran her own law firm for 7 years, where she served as a court-appointed attorney on the Indigent Defense List in Gwinnett County for State Court, as the Defense Attorney on the Veteran’s Court Team in Gwinnett State Court, as well as serving as a Judge in the Municipal Courts of Lilburn and Chamblee.  Now, as she serves on the State Court bench, she also serves as a backup Judge for the Veteran's Court Program in Gwinnett State Court.

Dr. D. Edward Tatum serves as the Clinical Director and Program Coordinator for the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Mental Health Task Force.  He has spent the past 30 years working throughout the United States in the correctional environment as a clinician, treatment innovator, advocate, and trainer in all areas of correctional and forensic psychology. He has also spent the past 26 years consulting with law enforcement in both live hostage and crisis situations as well as cold and open criminal investigations.  The health and well-being of our First Responders is a mission Dr. Tatum has been a part of throughout his career.  

Marcelino LaBoy is a United States Navy Veteran as well as a retired Deputy Chief. Marcelino retired with thirty years of service for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office. Throughout his career with the Sheriff’s Office, he worked in several divisions of the agency and earned promotions at regular intervals. His last assignment was overseeing the entire GCSO Operation Bureau. Marcelino is a member of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as one of the top 50 Influential Latino Leaders in Georgia for 2024. He is tremendously dedicated to helping Veterans and First Responders thrive in the community. 

Major Dontae Royal, currently serves as the Assistant Division Commander with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Court Operations Division and have served as a loyal employee for over 23 years. He specialize in building security and have extensive training in security/surveillance equipment and building surveys. Major Royal certifications include Field Training Officer, Executive Protection, Active Shooter and Crisis Intervention Training. He is an advocate for public safety and supports the mission breaking the stigma regarding mental illness.    

Nathaniel Ruiz has over 16 years of experience in law enforcement and currently a SRO for GCPS. Mr. Ruiz is a lifelong learner, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, and later obtained a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Faulkner University in 2006. Nathaniel has earned certifications to include, general instructor, defensive tactics, peer support, CIT, de-escalation, surveillance, advanced firearms and much more. Nathaniel also actively trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a certified instructor of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Anna Messano has been a licensed clinician for 20 years. During that time, she has worked with a wide variety of clients struggling with addiction, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, and relational difficulties. She excels at making people feel comfortable and provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for her clients to become their best selves. She has a private practice office in Lawrenceville Georgia for in-person sessions and she is a huge advocate for public safety members and veterans.