Meet the Team
Dylan Cade Bates, MS-THSP, MS-CMHC, PhD Candidate- Forensic Psychology
Founder | Co-Owner | Managing Partner | Training, Education, & Consulting Director | Medically Ret. LEO
Dylan “Blonde in Blue” Bates is the founder and managing partner of Badges & Breakthroughs, a nationwide peer support, coaching, and consulting resource for first responders, veterans, and their families. With nearly a decade in law enforcement from 7 years working in Washington, D.C., and 3 years in Bethel, Alaska—including patrol, crime abatement teams, investigations, hostage and crisis negotiation, sexual assault and crimes against children investigations, death and homicide investigations, critical incident response, a field training officer, a police training instructor, and the coordinator for the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)—Dylan has seen firsthand the toll the job can take on mental health, relationships, and identity.
Medically retired from law enforcement, Dylan turned that lived experience into a mission: to make sure responders never have to walk through their hardest moments alone. She is a counselor‑in‑training with a background in terrorism and homeland security policy and forensic psychology, and is pursuing licensure as a clinical mental health counselor with a specialization in working with first responders and their families. Before joining law enforcement, Dylan also volunteered as a firefighter & EMT at Stonewall Jackson Fire Company 511. She is also a member of the American Psychological Association, World Innovative Psychotherapy Association, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, Society for Police and Criminal Psychology, and the Professional Law Enforcement Association.
At Badges & Breakthroughs, Dylan leads the vision, training and consulting programs, and 1:1 coaching services, helping agencies build sustainable peer support teams and wellness programs while supporting individual responders through burnout, trauma, transition, and life after the badge. She is also the host of the Badges & Breakthroughs Podcast and the creator of the Badges & Breakthroughs Nationwide Peer Support Network, where real stories from the field are used to break stigma and foster connection.
Dylan oversees the strategic vision of Badges & Breakthroughs and leads all agency training and consulting initiatives. She designs and delivers customized wellness and peer support programs, coordinates long‑term consulting contracts with departments and sponsors, and provides direct coaching to first responders, veterans, and their families. More than anything, Dylan is driven by one belief: connection saves lives—and when we take care of each other, we can keep showing up for the communities we swore to protect.
Melanie Brower, MS-CMHC
Co-Owner | Clinical Director | LEO & Former Correctional Officer
Melanie Brower is the Co‑Owner and Clinical Director of Badges & Breakthroughs, and she brings the heart of both a law enforcement officer and a clinician to this work. As a current LEO and former Correctional Officer, she knows exactly how the job can change the way you think, feel, and show up at home—and she’s passionate about creating spaces where first responders and their families don’t have to explain or minimize what they’ve been through. In her role, Melanie helps shape our clinical approach, ensures everything we do is trauma‑informed and ethically grounded, and supports the bridge between peer support and professional care so that no one has to navigate their healing alone.
George Forsythe, LCPC, MS-CMHC, PhD Candidate- Counselor Education & Supervision
George Forsythe spent 26 years as a dedicated Maryland State Trooper working undercover, within HIDA Task Forces, and with the joint Warrant Apprehension Task Force in Baltimore City. After witnessing firsthand the mental and emotional toll that comes with the responsibilities of this line of work, he launched Driftwood Psychotherapy to ensure no first responder would struggle alone. He has experience working with those recovering from trauma, substance abuse-related addictions, pornography, conflict resolution, crisis counseling, domestic violence, relationship conflict, and grief using an integrative approach, including EMDR and hypnosis when appropriate.
George only accepts clients who are first responders.
George is proud to report that he works as an adjunct professor at Divine Mercy University (DMU) in their Spiritual Direction program and also assists as a residential facilitator for both the Spiritual Direction program and the MS in Clinical Counseling program at DMU.
Phone: (443)615-2727
Co-Owner | Advisory & Oversight Director | Ret. LEO
Jesika Floyd
Business Development Manager | LEO Family
Jesika Floyd is our Business Development Manager and a proud law enforcement family member, so she understands firsthand what it means to love someone who wears the badge. She brings a calm, approachable presence to every conversation and cares deeply about making sure first responders and their families feel seen, supported, and valued. Jesika builds partnerships with companies and organizations that share our mission, inviting them to come alongside us as sponsors and major donors, and then nurturing those relationships with the same honesty and loyalty we offer our community. Her work behind the scenes helps keep our peer support network, trainings, and resources accessible to the people who need them most.
Email: Jesika@badgesandbreakthroughs.com
Phone: (424)542-3847
