Cartwright, Brent
Retired Detective Brent Cartwright served as a police officer for 16 years, spending more than a decade as an undercover detective. He is recognized as an expert witness in narcotics trafficking within the United States Criminal Courts. Cartwright retired after suffering multiple gunshot wounds during an undercover operation while assigned to an ATF Task Force focusing on illegal firearms crimes. Over the course of his investigations, he was tasked with buying drugs and firearms on the streets of one of the most violent cities in the United States. As his career progressed, the line between Cartwright's true self and his undercover persona blurred, becoming nearly inseparable. He openly discusses the struggle to maintain multiple identities as he transformed and lost himself to the streets he sought to clean up. Cartwright is a captivating storyteller and relays his message through accounts of the multiple life-endangering incidents he endured. He uses his experiences to highlight the effects of cumulative stressors and the pitfalls of remaining blind to how our environment impacts self-awareness. The series of events that nearly claimed his life ultimately saved it, leaving him with a profound sense of purpose and direction. Cartwright serves as a Peer Manager with Runestone Ranch in Livermore, CA, which seeks to empower first responders on their journey to transform their traumas into hope. He also volunteers as Peer Support with West Coast Post Trauma Retreat for first responders in Napa Valley, CA.