Our Team
We bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for purposeful work, thoughtful design, and real connection.*
Bob Davis
My journey as a storyteller began as a paramedic at the intersection of crisis and humanity.
For 16 years, I reported for USA Today, entering national crises as a journalist and bearing witness to profound human suffering. These immersions into the raw edges of human experience taught me that the most powerful stories emerge not from distance, but from presence—from standing in the complexity of tragedy and transformation with unflinching honesty.
I taught science and medical journalism at George Washington University for eight years and served as a newspaper writing coach, helping others discover their own narrative power.
Today, I bring this same investigative rigor and narrative sensibility to share authentic, resonant voices on a mission to save lives.
While medicine is not always known for its emphasis on stories, sharing, listening and connection are everyday essentials as a clinician.
From patient interviews to clinical collaboration, the stories we tell about ourselves and each other are fundamental not only for medical practice but for our own well-being.
As a storyteller, I hope to amplify voices and celebrate successes, while acknowledging hard truths.
Co-Founder
Hilary Gates
Hilary is an educator, connector, paramedic and advocate for humans. Hilary is passionate about taking care of the hearts and minds of EMS clinicians and all of those they touch. Hilary’s interest in high-performing systems of care for cardiac arrest is rooted in multiple experiences as both a lay bystander, provider and bereaver. Combining clinical acumen with a prolific writing career and professional teaching background helps Hilary bring a unique perspective to improving our industry.
Hilary did not enter EMS through the traditional pathway. She began her career as a high school English and journalism teacher. After hearing students tell stories about volunteering in EMS, Hilary agreed to do ride-a-long, which was a life-changing experience. The rest is history.
Hilary is currently the director of educational strategy for Prodigy EMS. Her EMS career began as a volunteer with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Montgomery County (MD), and then as a paramedic, EMT instructor and field training officer with the City of Alexandria (VA) Fire Department. She also implemented AFD’s MIH/CP program. Hilary then served as senior editorial and program director for EMS World, helping to make EMS World Expo the most well-attended EMS conference in the world. Hilary has also served as an adjunct instructor for American University’s School of Education, the University of Pittsburgh’s Emergency Medicine program and the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Hilary has participated with the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride as one of the “Muddy Angels.” She serves on multiple boards and consults for a variety of initiatives including Heartsight, whose aim is to reduce uncertainty and improve understanding for anyone affected by cardiac arrest. She is also an advisory council member for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.
Hilary actively seeks out opportunities where innovation in EMS can improve the patient and clinician experience, and she works tirelessly to find solutions when the road to success seems blocked.
In her spare time, Hilary enjoys riding her bike, skiing as fast as her age will allow, and traveling to foreign lands. She dreams of becoming a surfing instructor and/or seaplane pilot.
Co-Founder
InternRhea Sinha
My journey as a storyteller started in my high school newsroom, as a reporter for my school paper.
I had just gone to a heart screening, where I heard the story of a heart screener — a mother whose story would change everything for me. She told me how she had lost her son to sudden cardiac arrest, pushing her to a life of advocacy. Back at school, I began to wonder where the AEDs were located. After realizing that neither my friends nor I knew where to find them, I began surveying my peers’ knowledge of SCA, CPR, and AEDs. The results were disappointing, and I wrote an award-winning news story on the lack of student awareness in my community.
Through interviewing community members, I met a father whose teenage daughter survived cardiac arrest just a few years prior. Hearing his story, I knew that writing a story would not be enough. Together, we organized a CPR training, and I went on to secure two outdoor AED cabinets for my school. As I shared my story with my peers, I was reminded again of the power of storytelling in fighting for better outcomes.
Joining the Six Minutes to Live Team has only strengthened my love for storytelling. I have interviewed cardiac arrest survivors and shared my experiences in front of hundreds of people. I hope to involve more youth in cardiac arrest advocacy, especially in schools. I want to show others that our stories are our most powerful assets, and use my journalistic skills to amplify our voices.
Research and Engagement FellowEmily Butters
Emily is a second-year student (class of 2028) at Tulane School of Medicine pursuing a dual MD/MPH degree.
Her professional interests include emergency medicine, social aspects of medicine, and community interventions.
As a research fellow, she hopes to explore and better understand the best ways to increase bystander CPR & AED use. She is currently implementing a “6 minute” bystander CPR education initiative through local community clinics and schools!
Adam Kalinowski
Senior AdvisorProducerStoryteller profile here
Anne Ball
Anne Ball is a multimedia journalist and video producer with decades of broadcast experience.
Anne’s extensive journalism career spans over 30 years working as a producer and correspondent for major news organizations including ABC News, Fox News, and Voice of America. Her expertise includes Capitol Hill coverage, U.S. politics, science reporting, and international news.
Known for her exceptional reporting skills and ability to land critical interviews in competitive environments, Anne has interviewed everyone from politicians and astronauts in space to cultural icons. Her writing, editing, producing, and on-camera work make her uniquely qualified to tell the compelling story of Six Minutes to Live and its mission to save lives from sudden cardiac arrest.
*TEAM TRANSPARENCY
In the interest of full transparency, we want to share that Co-founder Bob Davis is married to Senior Advisor Anne Ball, whose daughter, Emily Butters, serves as our Research and Engagement Fellow. We are an all-volunteer team — no one receives compensation for their work. This is truly an effort of love, and we warmly welcome all who wish to contribute their time and talents to our mission.