Safer communities for every person

Innovative technology for the social good

Vitals™ started in 2017 to meet a pressing need that we couldn’t ignore: Communities needed a simple way to protect the most vulnerable children and adults, in the moments when minutes matter and seconds count.

The Vitals™ founders knew from personal experiences the essential role of clear, calm communication between vulnerable people and first responders in a moment of crisis. And they knew that simple, powerful and lasting solutions must come through a dual focus on technology and partnerships.

Founded in partnership with the Autism Society of Minnesota, Vitals™ launched in August 2017 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Today, we help people, families, first responders and communities across the U.S. — and we are only getting started.

Our earliest work began by connecting with non-profits, families, caregivers and first responders. We heard parents and caregivers share the burden of worry, when clear communication is so uncertain between first responders and the person in their care. And we heard emergency responders express the stressful challenge they face without access to information in urgent moments of crisis or escalation.

This growing understanding led us to create a technology solution that bridges the information gap between first responders and vulnerable people in times of crisis. And we invite you to join us in the connection, care and community peace of mind that is the Vitals™ App.

Meet the people who lead the Vitals™ App team

Janeé Harteau

President & CEO

Chief Janeé Harteau (retired) was Minneapolis’ 52nd Police Chief and the first female chief in the city’s history. She initiated MPD 2.0 immediately after becoming chief, systematically changing accountability and transparency within the Department, while maximizing officer performance and advancement opportunities within the organization. This is one of the reasons Fortune Magazine named her one of the world’s top 50 leaders in April 2017.

Steve Mase

Chief Technology Officer

Steve Mase has spent the majority of his career using data to develop and drive company after company. Now serving as the CTO at Vitals™, Steve is developing technology for social good with potentially life-saving benefits. Steve’s strength is his ability to scale technology in data-sensitive sectors. His plan to expand Vitals™ across the nation will have real-time data delivery for critical moments.

Stan Alleyne

Chief of Communications

Previously the chief of communications for Minneapolis Public Schools and senior consultant at a premier Twin Cities communications consulting agency, Stan Alleyne offers over 20 years of experience in communications and public relations. At Vitals™, Stan oversees communications and partnerships. With heavy involvement in Vitals™ Network for Schools, he understands the large impact it will have on the educational experience for students with special needs.

Dawn Carvalho

Director of Operations

Dawn Carvalho adds to the Vitals™ team recent experience working in the public safety sector and her reputation as an inspired leader in the human services industry, as the founder and director of an innovative residential care organization. Dawn believes that everyone has a voice that deserves to be heard — we just need to understand how to hear it. She uses her skills and perspective to help Vitals™ deliver a thoughtful, caring customer experience.

Kris Arneson

Public Safety Regional Manager

Kris Arneson is a seasoned professional in law enforcement, non-profit leadership and education, with more than three decades of experience. She is a subject matter expert in community policing, law enforcement administration, domestic violence advocacy, leadership development and procedural justice. As a leader, Kris is hands on and motivating and is valued by peers and colleagues for her strategic thinking, bold execution skills and guidance.

Brenda Leffler

Strategic Partnerships Director

Brenda spent more than 20 years with the Colorado State Patrol and was the first and only female officer in the department’s history to achieve the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Brenda is recognized as a national expert in the areas of implicit bias and procedural justice, using her skills to help law enforcement agencies build collaborative relationships with their communities. Brenda leads Vitals™ efforts to build strategic partnerships that help grow our work to create safer communities for every person.