Dena Ali

Dena Ali is a battalion chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department, where she has worked her way up the ranks. She also serves as the program manager for behavioral health for the First Responder Center for Excellence. She holds a degree from North Carolina State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. She is an Executive Fire Officer Program graduate through the National Fire...See more

Dena Ali is a battalion chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department, where she has worked her way up the ranks. She also serves as the program manager for behavioral health for the First Responder Center for Excellence. She holds a degree from North Carolina State University and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. She is an Executive Fire Officer Program graduate through the National Fire Academy. Ali's passion for mental health awareness stems from her personal and professional experiences, which have led her to become a vocal advocate for the mental health and resilience of firefighters and other emergency personnel. She has conducted extensive research on the mental health challenges faced by first responders, including the impact of trauma and stress. As a sought-after speaker, Ali has delivered numerous presentations and workshops on mental health, resilience, and leadership, sharing her expertise with fire departments, conferences, and organizations nationwide. Her efforts have contributed significantly to developing supportive resources and programs to reduce stigma and promote mental wellness within the fire service. Her work has been recognized with various awards and honors, reflecting her dedication to her profession and her unwavering commitment to the well-being of her colleagues. Her leadership, compassion, and advocacy inspired positive change and support within the firefighting community. Ali has also served as a subject matter expert at the National Fire Academy, where she assisted in reviewing the health and wellness curriculum. Additionally, she is the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support, where she played a key role in developing the statewide curriculum. See less