S2P NORTHEAST LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dr. Pina Violano is an interdisciplinary scientist and a notable figure in the Connecticut community. Her scholarly work integrates nursing and public health to guide the Swords to Plowshares Northeast (S2PNE) program in its development, grants, and research. As a co-founder of S2PNE, Dr. Violano spearheads statewide gun buyback and safe gun storage programs aimed at enhancing public safety for all residents. A passionate advocate for child protection and well-being, she served over 14 years as the Principal Investigator for the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of New Haven and is an active appointed member of Connecticut’s Child Fatality Review Panel. As a pioneer of Yale New Haven Hospital’s Injury & Violence Prevention Program, she continues to be sought out as a leader in violence prevention and in 2021 an appointed member of Connecticut’s Commission on Community Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention.  Her longstanding research focuses on reasons for owning a firearm, firearm storage practices, motivation to turn in a firearm, thus informing public health policy. Dr. Violano has presented evidence-based data to the Connecticut state legislature, testifying on behalf of all residents.

With over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in critical care and emergency medicine, Dr. Violano employs her extensive expertise to educate the next generation of nurses. As an Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing at Quinnipiac University, she mentors hundreds of students annually and reaches thousands of Connecticut residents through outreach and prevention programs. In her role as Director of  “Quinnipiac School of Nursing Community Engagement Program,” she  provides experiential learning combining teaching, nursing practice, and hands-on community service. This program involves students in data collection at gun buyback and safe storage events, furthering their practical experience. Dr. Violano applies her PhD in Public Health to disseminate research nationally and has secured funding for special projects for  S2PNE. She serves on various boards and, with numerous awards in nursing and public service, she generously nominates her students and colleagues for recognition. Her leadership drives change and her dedication to making our country safer is both inspirational and invaluable.

The Right Reverend James E. Curry is a retired Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. He is a founding member of Bishops United Against Gun Violence and a contributor to the anthology Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace. He is a co-founder of Swords to Plowshares Northeast and a board member of Mothers United Against Violence in Hartford. Jim serves as Head of Operations and Chief Blacksmith, creating the tools that are the final output of the group and organizing demonstrations with community and religious groups throughout the Northeast. He has a BA from Amherst College, an M.Ed in counseling from UMass, and an M.Div and DD from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

Steve Yanovsky’s role in the organization is to function in the capacity of liaison with the police departments and alliance partners that are key to the growth of Swords to Plowshares Northeast and its mission. In the past, Steve has created relationships with police departments and other gun violence prevention groups in New Haven, Norwalk, Guilford, and Hamden, Connecticut, as well as Worcester, Massachusetts. He also serves on the Leadership Team of Guns to Gardens, a national organization of which Swords to Plowshares is a member. Previously, Steve served on the North Castle Zoning Board and the board of North Castle Cares. He also served as an educational mentor for Of Home Family and Future. Steve holds a BA in Political Science from Queens College and an MBA in Marketing from the Zicklin School of Business.