Terri Markham is the co-founder and executive director of Uprising and an anti-trafficking speaker and trainer. She has worked in the movement for the past 10 years. Terri co-developed the Greater Rockies Immersive Training (GRIT) on Trafficking and Exploitation. Her passion is working in the movement's awareness and prevention education field.
Read MoreKhalila Riga is a strong advocate in the fight against human trafficking. As a survivor leader since 2013, she brings in a unique, specific perspective on the issue. Through service experience and an education working in the anti- trafficking field, she looks to help others leave exploitation and find freedom.
Read MoreMiriam Cobb is founder and director at Empty Frames Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to empowering orphaned and vulnerable youth as they transition out of state care. Miriam served on the NCCAHT BOD in 2019 and helped with JusticeU's NC Specific CSEC Prevention curriculum in 2021 as a subject-matter expert.
Read MoreSarah Chambers is a compassionate leader of health promotion in neuropsychiatric integrated medicine. Sarah’s own experience in foster care and juvenile justice systems, along with her later experience as a kinship caregiver and guardian as an adult, have created within her a unique professional identity as a clinician.
Read MoreBetty Beatty is a mom, writer, and bold change maker in the fight against human trafficking. She is also a former foster youth and survivor of CSEC. With over 10 years of experience in the human services field, combined with her personal history, she is passionate about promoting best practices.
Read MoreLaura Zimmerman is a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Social Welfare program. Laura received bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and psychology and a social work master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Laura’s research interests involve investigating mental health and sexual violence through a critical theoretical lens.
Read MoreGwen England is the program leader for CATCH Court, a specialized docket certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio. Gwen received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University, and her Master of Social Justice from Methodist Theological School of Ohio. She has been working in the criminal justice system for 13 years.
Read MoreKaitlin Casassa is an adjunct lecturer in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Kaitlin received her Bachelors, Masters, and PhD in Social Work from OSU, and she is a LISW-S with three years post-MSW practice experience. Her research focuses on trauma bonding, particularly in sex trafficking or other forms of gender- based violence.
Read MoreAlicia Ley serves Survivor Alliance as their Fellowship Program Coordinator. She spent years advocating and building holistic, trauma-informed programing to support survivors. She brings survivors and allies together to provide solutions in the fight against human trafficking.
Read MoreDr. Christi Scott Bartman founded Eyes Up Appalachia, focusing on human trafficking awareness in Appalachian Ohio. In 2021, she received The Social Justice Leader Award from The University of Toledo's Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute and was one of the inaugural fellows for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.
Read MoreDidem Sahal Celik has been working as a Migration Expert since 2014. She is pursuing her PhD at Dokuz Eylül University, European Studies Programme. During her career, she has worked at various departments of migration management, including international protection, temporary protection, irregular migration, harmonization and communication, and human trafficking departments.
Read MoreDr. Kezban Yagci Sokat is an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at San Jose State University with a passion for analytics for social good. With the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation and IBM, she leads various multi-disciplinary projects to combat human trafficking (HT) and serves on HT committees.
Read MoreMelissa Kaiser is a consultant in the anti-human trafficking field. She was the first Human Trafficking Navigator hired for North Dakota and was employed with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation as their first Victim/ Witness Specialist. Melissa is a licensed social worker, giving her vast experience working in high stress environments where supports and resources for developing resilience are imperative to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Read MoreCheri Mays has provided pro bono counseling to survivors of sex trafficking. She is a licensed professional counselor and counselor educator with a background in treating child and adult trauma for over 20 years.
Read MoreGabriela Cristina Celeiro is a bilingual psychotherapist, public speaker, and facilitator. She has extensive experience serving trauma survivors and the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community. Gabby also assists as a content matter expert and lead trainer on human trafficking identification, LGBTQIA+ cultural competency, and trauma recovery for Rutgers University.
Read MoreAlisa Gbiorczyk is a certified human trafficking investigator, certified human rights trainer, and member of INTERPOL’s Human Trafficking Expert Group. Alisa has collected and analyzed high-quality data, identified victims and traffickers, researched the various aspects of human trafficking, mapped out criminal networks, and assisted and trained authorities worldwide.
Read MoreEna Lucia Mariaca Pacheco is a trauma- informed professional in human security, with a master’s specialization in male survivors of child sexual abuse and human trafficking for sexual exploitation. She has worked with the Government of Canada, non- governmental organizations, and international organizations on anti- trafficking advocacy work, database casework, and global projects.
Read MoreDr. Prince Solomon has 21 years of experience in teaching and training postgraduate students at the Department of Social Work, Madras Christian College. His expertise includes social work, community development, indigenous people development, and qualitative research analysis. Dr. Solomon continues to work towards inclusion, social justice, and empowerment of vulnerable communities.
Read MoreMs. Diya Mariam Thomas has a Master’s in Social Work from Madras Christian College. Her areas of interest are Community Development and International Social Work. She has had field experience working with the Child Help Line, in Resettlement Areas, and with Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in bonded labour.
Read MoreMr. Alan John has a Master’s in Social Work from Madras Christian College. His areas of interest are Community Development and International Social Work. He has field experience working in the remote villages, for the tribes and particularly vulnerable tribal groups, and with released bonded labors.
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