Meet the members of Sad Team Six
Discover the dedicated individuals and inspiring stories behind Sad Team Six. We believe in connection, understanding, and the power of shared experience to heal.
Our founder's journey: Chris Snyder
Chris Snyder aka Squishy is a retired firefighter/paramedic, speaker, and the founder of Sad Team Six, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in first responder and military communities. Born and raised in Stark County, Ohio, Chris grew up in a blue-collar family where hard work was expected, showing up mattered, and emotions were often kept quiet. That mindset carried into a two-decade career in fire and EMS, where he witnessed the best and worst days of people’s lives. Like many in the profession, Chris learned to cope through dark humor, camaraderie, and pushing forward… until that approach stopped working. After surviving his own battle with mental health, Chris made it his mission to speak openly about the realities first responders and veterans face in their own minds. The stress, the silence, and the weight that doesn’t stop at the end of a shift or the end of a career. Through Sad Team Six, Chris blends stand-up comedy, storytelling, and real conversations to create a space where people can laugh, relate, and most importantly, realize they are not alone. His work focuses on meeting people where they are and helping them take the first step toward connection and support. Chris isn’t a clinician or someone claiming to have it all figured out. He’s someone who lived it, is still working through it, and is committed to making sure others don’t have to do it alone.
Partners in purpose: Justin Miller - Vice President
Justin Miller is a combat veteran, former U.S. Army noncommissioned officer, and passionate advocate for veteran and first responder mental health. During his 11 years of military service, he completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and has remained committed to supporting those impacted by the invisible wounds of service. Justin is also a cofounder of the Objective Zero app, a platform dedicated to suicide prevention and peer support for veterans and service members. In 2025, he joined Sad Team Six to continue advocating for veterans, first responders, and their families through awareness, connection, and community support.
Healing through laughter: Matt King's role
Beyond traditional support, Sad Team Six utilizes a truly unique and powerful tool for healing: comedy. Led by the brilliant Matt King, our comedy events offer solace and joy, providing a much-needed break from the weight of trauma. We believe laughter can be a profound path to recovery.
Meet our team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of professionals, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our business.
Carrie Da Re
Volunteer Director
Board Secretary
As the sister of President and Founder Christopher Snyder, Carrie holds the mission of Sad Team Six near and dear to her heart. Carrie is a Lead Business Systems Specialist with an Ohio-based insurance company. She brings years of experience in team organization, process improvements and workflows to the coordination of our Volunteers. In her free time, Carrie enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking and kayaking with her two adult children, and is an avid book lover.
Bill Mathews
Fundraising Director
Board Member
Bill Mathews—a man with an extraordinary past—carries a legacy as timeless as the rolling hills he once roamed in a former life, where he developed an enduring bond with his flock and a profound love for sheep. That same devotion now fuels his work as a fundraising director for non-profits, where he shepherds causes with care and precision. With the wisdom of someone who has spent lifetimes tending to the vulnerable, and the heart of a stalwart, steadfast protector, Bill brings people together to rally behind meaningful missions, proving that his love for sheep was only the beginning of a much greater calling.
Ryan Johnson
Finance Director
Board Treasurer
Ryan is a certified public accountant located in Central NY and has worked with numerous not-for-profits over the past 19 years. Also, he works for a NYS state regulatory agency as an audit supervisor performing audits of local governments. After Ryan is done assisting clients and auditing elected and appointed official, he enjoys spending time with his family of 6 kids, two of which enlisted into the Marine Corps in 2024, one shipped out on January 28,2025 and the other ships out in September 2025.
Ryan Rogers
Comedian
Ryan is a rising star in the comedy scene, known for his high energy and captivating story telling that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. He has made waves across multiple states. As seen on the “You See Me Comedy” series Season 3 on Tubi, Ryan has been invited back for Season 4.
With an impressive lineup of performances, Ryan has opened for comedy heavyweights like: Brad Upton, Cam Bertrand, Heywood Banks, Dustin Chafin, Sam Miller, John Heffron, Heather Shaw. His Dynamic presence and relatable humor promise to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Letiția (T) Montes
Director of Event Planning and Marketing
Letiția is a full-time IT Business Analyst for a large banking institution, where she has spent many years developing strong organizational, leadership, and event planning skills. Alongside her professional career, she has worked with and volunteered around horses since high school and became a volunteer with Forever Amber Acres in 2024.Through her passion for horses and the healing benefits they provide, T found a meaningful way to support veterans and first responders.
After meeting Sad Team Six President Chris Snyder at an event, she quickly found her Sad Team Six family and now helps with event planning, marketing, and community outreach for the organization. T is also currently pursuing her MBA, working toward her fourth degree while continuing to support the mission of helping veterans, first responders, and their families find connection and healing.
Christopher Forslund
Peer Support
Board Member
With 35 years in Emergency Medical Services and 22 years as a firefighter with the City of New Haven, his career has been defined by service, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to helping others on their worst days. From high-acuity medical calls to fireground operations, he has witnessed the full spectrum of emergencies—and the cumulative toll they take on those who respond.
Over time, the weight of repeated critical incidents led to a diagnosis of PTSD, a reality faced by many in emergency services but too often endured in silence. He took an important step toward healing by completing six weeks of intensive treatment at the IAFF Center of Excellence, where he learned that strength includes asking for help.
Growing up with a father who served 20 years as a police officer, he saw early on that the struggles of EMS, fire, and law enforcement are deeply interconnected. Those experiences shaped his perspective—and fueled his belief that peer support is essential. First responders understand each other in ways no one else can.
Today, he is passionate about advocating for peer-driven support within emergency services, breaking stigma, and ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to protecting others have the resources and community they deserve.
Jason Edwards
Faith And Fitness Outreach (FAFO)
Jason joined the Marine Corps in December 1993 and served for 20 years and retired as a First Sergeant in December of 2013. During his service he continued to challenge himself by volunteering for and successfully completing a tour as a Drill Instructor (8511) at 3rd Bn Mike Company, Parris Island, SC. After returning to the FMF and completing a deployment to Iraq he was chosen to serve as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor for the University of Pennsylvania/Temple/Drexel ROTC consortium. While there he also served two summers at Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA serving as a Sergeant Instructor and Platoon Sergeant.
Upon his selection to First Sergeant, he was assigned to the Inspector and Instructor Staff in Charleston, SC. He loved the area so much that he decided to make it his home. Always seeking ways to serve others, Jason also runs a faith based non-profit men’s outreach program implementing equine therapy.
Lisa Sousa
Peer Support
Lisa is a proud mother, wife, United States Coast Guard veteran, and the owner of AlohaBlessings LLC. Through her personal journey of trauma, healing, and resilience, she has dedicated herself to helping others heal by sharing her story openly and authentically. She creates handcrafted crystal jewelry and shares knowledge of metaphysical and energetic healing to support mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
Recently joining Sad Team Six, Lisa continues her mission of breaking the stigma surrounding trauma and mental health by connecting with others through compassion, advocacy, and aloha.