Meet The Team

Executive Director

Eric Nation

Eric has been with the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (NADEC) for over 13 years serving as the Director of Training and Development prior to his promotion to Executive Director in July, 2024.

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Eric's Background:

• 20+ years in Law Enforcement.

• Served as Lieutenant over a drug task force.

• Started a county-wide Drug Endangered Children Alliance, which is still serving children in the community over 15 years later.

• Recognized national trainer and speaker on substance use, multidisciplinary teams & capacity building to name a few.

Director of Alliance Development

Nikki Romer

Nikki Romer joined NADEC as the Director of Alliance Development, where she oversees partnerships at the state, tribal, and local levels.

​Nikki's Background:

• Prior Adjunct Professor teaching criminal justice courses.

• Lead forensic interviewer at Blank Children’s STAR Child Advocacy Center where she interviewed child victims, provided expert testimony and addressed child neglect and exploitation.

• Victim Service Specialist with the Iowa Attorney General’s Crime Victim Assistance Division.

• Formed a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to help identify, respond to, and serve child victims of severe neglect, and she spearheaded efforts to address the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).

• Holds degrees in Social Work (MS) & Psychology (BA).

• Spent 6 years as a Certified Peace Officer, serving as a patrol officer, hostage negotiator, and field training officer.

Marketing & Branding Advisor

Lucy Rivers

Lucy is the Co-CEO of Talent Masters and VP of Hope Masters nonprofit, and an accomplished entrepreneur with 7+ years of experience in marketing, branding, and strategic vision.  She advances NADEC's mission to support drug-endangered children with her creative expertise, branding and promotion skills, and strategic mindset.

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Lucy's Background:

• Built and successfully scaled 2 businesses and 1 nonprofit from the ground up.

• Holds a Bachelor's and a Master's in Media, with a current PhD in progress.

• Expertise in: leadership and collaboration, project management, content creation, social media strategy, social media marketing, and brand management.

• Crafts compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences and drive community involvement.​

Project Specialist

Shaz Bachelani

Shaz is a data management professional with expertise in project management, data optimization, and process improvement. He is passionate about driving operational efficiency and leveraging technology for growth.

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Shaz's Background:

• Extensive experience in: Administrative leadership, outreach coordination, data analysis, and process optimization. 

• Proven ability to implement systems that enhance efficiency and support business growth.

• Collaborative leader committed to team success and organizational goals.​​

Director of Operations

Carrie Jensen

Carrie Jensen is the Director of Operations for NADEC, bringing 20 years of expertise in child abuse prevention, training, curriculum development, and conference planning.

Carrie's Background:

• Worked for the Utah Attorney General’s Office in the Children’s Justice Center Program.

• Associate Director at Prevent Child Abuse Utah, teaching children to recognize and report abuse.

• Former member of various boards, coalitions, and task forces, including: Utah Opioid Task Force and the Utah Trafficking in Persons Task Force.

• Licensed Social Service Worker with a Bachelor’s in Social Work, Child and Family Studies.

Business Strategist & HR Advisor

Dr. Darla Shaw

Dr. Darla Shaw is the CEO of Talent Masters, a premier business strategy, HR consulting, and recruiting firm, where she specializes in optimizing organizational strategies and driving transformative growth.  She is also the Founder & President of Hope Masters, the nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting the growth of other nonprofits through consulting and capacity building, and providing career support to individuals from underserved communities.

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Darla's Background:

• Over 25 years of Business & HR leadership experience, serving as a Business Strategist and fractional CHRO for high-growth companies across industries.

• Holds a PhD in Organizational Psychology, alongside two Masters degrees (an MBA and a Masters in Law).

• Expertise in global Business & HR operations, business partnerships, and technology.

• Proven track record in: scaling organizations, navigating complex legal issues, and building partnerships.

Training Manager

James Henning

James Henning served nearly 32 years with the Denver Police Department, retiring in 2020 as a Commander. He held diverse assignments, including training, communications, administration, and Investigative Support Division.

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James's background:

• Appointed Lieutenant of the Vice/Drug Control Unit in 2012, leading implementation of Colorado’s first-in-the-nation legalization of recreational marijuana. Revised city policies surrounding Drug Endangered Children (DEC).

• Certified DEC instructor, collaborating with the Denver DEC team, Department of Human Services, Denver District Attorney’s Office, and service providers.

• Currently teaches nationally on marijuana legalization and its impact on Drug Endangered Children.

Finance Manager

Jim McDonald

Jim brings over 50 years of experience in accounting and finance, having served as CFO, VP of Finance, and Controller across diverse industries.  Since 2010, Jim has consulted for various organizations, including NADEC, and taught accounting and finance at universities in Colorado for 20 years.

Jim's Background:

• Accredited CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner, with a B.A. in Accounting, and an MBA in Finance.  

• Former U.S. Army veteran, who served 3 years in Germany. ​