CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NDPA
ADAM KATCHMARCHI, PH.D.
Dr. Adam Katchmarchi (Ph.D.) serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. Adam is also an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Sciences (KHSS) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Prior to join NDPA’s staff, Adam served as a NDPA Board Member (2013-2017) and held titles as Secretary (2014-2015), Vice President (2015-2016), and President (2016-2017). Adam was named NDPA’s Executive Director on July 1, 2017. Adam was promoted to the Chief Executive Officer of NDPA in 2023.
Adam completed his Ph.D. in Coaching and Teaching Studies with a cognate specialization in Sport Management from West Virginia University. He received his M.S. in Sport Management from IUP and completed his B.S.Ed. in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Aquatics from Slippery Rock University. Adam carries a very active research agenda all surrounding his passion for aquatics. His research interests focus on aquatic education, swimming and water safety, drowning prevention education, lifeguard training, and sport facility risk management.
Adam holds provider, instructor, and trainer certifications from multiple safety and aquatic organizations and is a licensed teacher in the state of Pennsylvania for grades K-12 in Health and Physical Education. He received a National Swimming Pool Foundation Fellowship Award in 2014 and has been recognized twice by Aquatic International as a Power Award recipient, first in 2012 as a “Next Generation Leader in the Field of Aquatics” and again in 2017 as one of the “Most Influential People in the Aquatic Industry.” He has also received a letter of commendation from the National Water Safety Congress in 2011. Most recently, Katchmarchi received a Recent Alumni Award from Slippery Rock University in 2019.
Adam is a steering committee member for the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan, serves as an organizational representative to Water Safety USA and the Aquatics Coalition, represents NDPA in the planning for National Water Safety Month, and serves on numerous industry committees and councils.
Email: CONTACT US
Phone: 1-800-757-9270 ext 2
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, NDPA
EMILY WUJCIK
Emily Wujcik is the Operations Director for the NDPA and has been involved with water safety for many years. She previously held the position of Vice President for the Swim On Foundation (Safer Waters In Memory Of Nicholas) – a water safety non-profit based out of Saint Louis, Missouri. Emily has earned her B.S. in Early Childhood and Special Education with a minor in Aquatics from Slippery Rock University and her M.S. in Sports Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During her time at IUP, Emily was also the Graduate Assistant for the NDPA.
Emily has been in the aquatics field for over 10 years starting her time as a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor at her local YMCA. Following her graduation from IUP, she held the Aquatics and Safety Coordinator position at Saint Louis University before moving on to be the Assistant Director of Aquatics at the University of Dayton; where she focused her career on aquatic and facility risk management, aquatic staff training and development.
Email: CONTACT US
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST, NDPA
ALISON PETRI, ED.D.
Dr. Alison Petri (Ed.D.) was always the child at school who had her name written on the board as punishment for talking out in class. As the years have passed her energy, enthusiasm and talkativeness have not dwindled but have been focused. With her background in education and advocacy Alison has worked to use ‘her big voice to make the world better for its smallest people.’ With drowning being a preventable tragedy Alison is eager to use her energy and talents to make a difference.
Alison’s formal education includes a double major in education and public relations from the University of St. Thomas, and a master’s and educational doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Dayton. Alison has taught children from toddlers to middle school and worked in educational public policy for nearly 2 decades. Alison currently is also the Program Manager for Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation in Minnesota. Alison loves the mission of Abbey’s Hope: “Safer Pools. Safer Kids.” and is honored to work with the NDPA to further prevent childhood drownings. In 2020 Alison received the NDPA President’s Award with the virtual conference team for their excellent pivot to present a virtual conference. In 2021 Alison received the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Distinguished Service Award for her partnership efforts to promote water safety in the Minneapolis area.
Outside of work Alison is married to John, a Marine Corps veteran, and they have three lively boys. As a family their favorite things are snorkeling, Disney, and telling cringeworthy jokes.
Email: CONTACT US
Phone: 1-800-757-9270 ext 2
MEDICAL & SCIENCE DIRECTOR, NDPA
JULIE GILCHRIST, M.D.
Dr. Julie Gilchrist is a pediatrician and researcher who retired in 2017 from CDC’s Injury Center after more than 20 years guiding research and programmatic efforts to prevent common childhood injuries such as drowning. She graduated from Rice University, attended UT Southwestern Medical School and completed her pediatrics residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She joined CDC’s Injury Center in 1997 as an EIS Officer. She focused on the prevention of childhood injuries after caring for too many children in the emergency department or intensive care unit following drowning or other injury incidents, often without desired outcomes. She has authored numerous research articles and book chapters and worked with many national and international water safety organizations. She has co-authored the last two American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy statements and technical reports on drowning prevention. Since retiring from CDC, she has continued to support drowning prevention research and programs through work with national organizations like AAP and NDPA and foundations that focus on water safety.
MEDICAL & SCIENCE DIRECTOR, NDPA
BENJAMIN HOFFMAN, M.D.
Dr. Hoffman is a leading national expert and advocate in child safety. He is a professor of pediatrics at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine, medical director for OHSU’s Tom Sargent Safety Center, and director of the Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs. His wife Jane Kim-Hoffman, MD, FAAP, also works at OHSU with the Doernbecher Specialty Pediatrics Clinic. Dr. Hoffman will become AAP president on Jan. 1, 2024, following Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, of Virginia who will serve as president in 2023.
PUBLIC RELATIONS, NDPA
ROSALIE HAGEL MARTIN
Executive Vice President & Account Director, Blue Whale Public Relations
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, NDPA
