Melissa Brockie is the director of a homeless family shelter and oversees a human trafficking program for homeless youth. Melissa has worked for ten years with victims of sex trafficking, including the development of a federal grant project and mentoring program. Her work has been highlighted on a federal level.
Read MoreHolly Yost is a counselor for trafficked, homeless young adults. Holly has also worked with child victims of domestic violence, the developmentally disabled, and people with mental health disorders. She has training in therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy. Currently, Holly facilitates multiple trafficking specific groups.
Read MoreDr. Heather Sloane and Dr. Aravindhan Natarajan are assistant professors in the social work program at the University of Toledo. Both scholars are interested in the empowering possibilities of art for clients, social workers, and communities. Dr. Sloane and Dr. Natarajan study the importance of combining humanities and social science methods and logics.
Read MoreNeil Simon is the founder and president of Business Development Group. He presents interactive workshops nationally and internationally in areas relating to leadership and talent development, operational effectiveness and efficiency, and cultural and change management. He is an Instructor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University.
Read MoreKaren Li is a fourth-year medical student at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She will be applying for residency in psychiatry this fall, and hopes to pursue a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship in the future.
Read MoreDr. Samuel Scott is a graduate of The University of Toledo College of Medicine and a general psychiatry resident at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Following a general psychiatry residency Samuel will pursue Child and Adolescent Psychiatry as a fellowship due to his interest in working with underserved teens.
Read MoreSarah Jackson is a student researcher in the Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research at Arizona State University. Sarah is currently working toward a Master of Social Work.
Read MoreTonya L. Rider is a retired law enforcement and full-time faculty member at Bowling Green State University. With an extensive background in Sexual Assault Investigation, Tonya consults with the Ohio Attorney General by delivering training on Domestic Violence and Non-Stranger Sexual Assault. Tonya has a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University, and appears in a weekly show, “Cold Justice,” on the Oxygen Channel.
Read MoreAmy Rouleau is the Founder and Director of Restoration Place, a nonprofit organization. Featured in magazines, newspapers, and local television, she has been recognized for her excellent work combating human trafficking. Her personal testimony as a foster care child and survivor of sexual exploitation will leave you inspired.
Read MoreNiraj Phuyal is the branch manager at 3angels Nepal and has been actively fighting to combat human trafficking in Nepal. He started to participate in anti-trafficking initiatives in Nepal at an early age of 20. His work focuses on the rehabilitation of rescued girls from brothels in India.
Read MoreSandy Sieben has experience working in micro and macro social work. This is her fourth year as the International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference Planner. Sandy is Co-Chair of the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition and a visiting assistant professor at The University of Toledo.
Read MoreSophia Papadimos assists with the coordination of the Governor’s Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force. Previously, she worked with the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking. Before joining the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Sophia worked on regulatory issues for the Lt. Governor. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from DePaul University and a Master’s Degree in Slavic and East European Studies with a concentration in human trafficking from the Ohio State University.
Read MoreJoseph Osuigwe Chidiebere holds a Bachelor of Education degree and has written a book on human trafficking. He is an anti-human trafficking advocate, author, and researcher. He has been at the forefront of combating human trafficking in Nigeria using 21st century approaches.
Read MoreCallan Loo created the Village Wisdom Portal to collect and share stories to provide hope and inspiration to others during major life transitions. He is a certified celebrant, a ceremony officiant, and a legacy coach. Callan is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Intentional Living Collective, and has founded several other organizations.
Read MoreLaurel Neufeld Weaver is a licensed independent social worker and Clinical Director at Creating Hope Counseling in Bluffton, OH, where she provides therapeutic services to trauma survivors. She is a Community Lecturer at The Ohio State University School of Social Work. She has experience in creating sexual assault and anti-human trafficking response in Ohio.
Read MoreDr. Sherry Dingman is an Associate Professor of Psychology. Dr. Dingman volunteers for humanitarian aid groups, and helps after both manmade (e.g. human trafficking) and natural (e.g. earthquakes) disasters.
Read MoreDr. Vernon Murray is an Assistant Professor of Marketing. Dr. Murray has published and presented several papers about human trafficking. He is currently developing a "Trafficking Misery Index."
Read MoreAmanda Colegrove is the Safe Harbor Expansion Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health. She manages the integration of, identification of, and services to labor trafficked youth in Minnesota’s response to human trafficking. Previously, she was the organizer for the Coalition Against Trafficking & Exploitation (CATE) in St. Louis, Missouri.
Read MoreSarah Ladd is the Human Trafficking Child Protection Program Coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Sarah is also an adjunct professor at the University of Toledo, and a former member of the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition. She conducts research, writes, and consults on trauma informed trafficking response.
Read MoreDr. Charles Hounmenou is an Assistant Professor in the Jane Addams College of Social Work, UIC. Recently, he was the principal investigator for an international comparative study on child prostitution in West Africa. Dr. Hounmenou’s current research project is a needs assessment of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation in Chicago, Illinois.
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