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About Sano Unda

our mission

A Place of Healing and Peace

At Sano Unda, we believe that true strength lies not just in facing the fire—but in healing from it. Our mission is to create a nurturing atmosphere for healing, where public safety service providers can recover, rebuild, and heal, surrounded by a community that understands.

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If this is an emergency, please dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

What We Offer

A Safe, Restorative Space
Step away from the weight of the job and find peace in healing.
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Public Safety Provider-specific mental wellness support

No one should suffer in silence.

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Camps, Retreats & Events
Designed to help first responders grow, heal, and reconnect.
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Al DiBenidetto

Chairman of the
Board

Al DiBenidetto

Kevin Dodds

Co-Executive Director
& Co-Founder

Kevin Dodds

Scott Briggs

Co-Executive Director
& Co-Founder

Scott Briggs

Patricia Haugland

Vice Chairman/ Treasurer

Patricia Haugland

Tim Williams

Secretary

Timothy Williams

our vision: a path to peace

We believe that healing is as vital as courage—and that peace is possible for every public safety service provider who seeks it.

How You Can Help

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You’ve spent your life saving others.
Let us help bring healing to you.

© 2025 Sano Unda Foundation

Al DiBenidetto

Al DiBenedetto

Chairman of the Board, Sano Unda Foundation

Al DiBenedetto began his career in the fire service in 1979 as a wildland firefighter before transitioning into structure firefighting. Throughout his career, he remained actively involved in wildland operations, ultimately achieving the rank of Captain with the Scottsdale Fire Department. Al also served as a Division Group Supervisor and was a member of the Type 1 Southwest Incident Management Team. Over his 40 years of service, he demonstrated unwavering dedication to protecting the public. Today, Al continues his lifelong commitment to the fire service community as Chairman of the Board for the Sano Unda Foundation, supporting the mental wellness of firefighters across the nation.

Kevin Dodds

Co-Executive Director & Co-Founder, Sano Unda Foundation

Kevin Dodds is a retired fire service professional with over three decades of dedicated service. He began his firefighting career with Rural Metro Fire in 1993, where he rose to the rank of Captain. In 2007, he joined the Phoenix Fire Department, serving as an Engineer and wildland firefighter until his retirement in 2024.Throughout his tenure, Kevin was an integral member of both the Southwest Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams and notably served during the Yarnell Hill Fire.

In 2020, Kevin was diagnosed with Complex PTSD, prompting him to embark on a challenging journey toward mental wellness. After exploring various programs, he found effective support through dedicated counseling and committed himself to the rigorous work of healing. This personal experience ignited his passion for aiding fellow first responders facing similar challenges.

As Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Sano Unda Foundation, Kevin now channels his experience into advocating for mental health support within the firefighting community. He holds certifications in Basic and Advanced Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), underscoring his commitment to the well-being of his peers.

Kevin Dodds

Scott Briggs

Co-Executive Director & Co-Founder, Sano Unda Foundation

Scott Briggs is a filmmaker and storyteller dedicated to amplifying the voices of wildland firefighters and addressing the mental health challenges they face. His acclaimed films—Prisoners of Fire, A Dirty Secret, and Compassion Spreads Like Wildfire—highlight the unseen struggles of those on the firelines.

Motivated by the urgent need for support within the fire community, Scott co-founded the Sano Unda Foundation to provide resources and advocacy for first responders dealing with PTSD. He has completed basic wildland firefighter training and continues to expand his expertise with certifications, including Basic Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).

With a background in geomorphology from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, Scott combines his scientific insight with a passion for history and storytelling. His lifelong commitment to bringing people together fosters a collaborative environment where talents and stories converge to promote healing and resilience.

Scott Briggs
Patricia Haugland

Patricia Haugland

CEO, Kindness Evolves, Vice Chairman/Treasurer Sano Unda Foundation

Patricia Haugland is the CEO of Kindness Evolves, an Arizona-based in-home healthcare company dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities. As the mother of two amazing neurodiverse children, Patricia transformed her life’s work into a mission to improve in-home care for the developmental disability community. Drawing from over 30 years of success as a real estate and business professional, she has channeled her entrepreneurial expertise into building compassionate, person-centered care models that put individuals and families first.

Originally from Chicago, Patricia launched her first company in the training and development sector, serving clients in tech, legal, banking, and telecom industries worldwide. After relocating to Arizona, she made her mark in the real estate industry, founding and growing one of the largest independent brokerages in the country. A proven business strategist and negotiator, Patricia has built and sold multiple successful ventures, including a Medical Surgery Center, Real Estate Investment Firm.

With a unique blend of heart and business acumen, Patricia brings visionary leadership to both Kindness Evolves and the Sano Unda Foundation. Her unwavering dedication to equity, inclusion, and access continues to drive innovative solutions for underserved communities across Arizona.

Tim Williams

Timothy Williams

Secretary, Sano Unda Foundation

Timothy Williams is a lifelong student of the fire service, dedicating over 35 years to protecting communities and mentoring fellow firefighters. His journey began as a Fire Explorer from 1985 to 1987, after which he became a volunteer firefighter and seasonal firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

In 1994, Tim advanced to the role of Fire Apparatus Engineer, and by 2001, he was promoted to Captain, overseeing dispatch operations and leading inmate fire crews. His leadership and commitment led him to manage CAL FIRE’s inmate training program, where he played a pivotal role in preparing crews for frontline wildland firefighting.

Beyond his operational duties, Tim served 18 years in Search and Rescue and maintained his EMT certification for 34 years. He retired as a Battalion Chief in 2020, concluding a distinguished career marked by resilience, service, and mentorship.

Today, Tim continues his mission of service as Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Sano Unda Foundation, where he advocates for the mental wellness and support of first responders across the nation.