Dr. Taryn Taylor is an Assistant Professor and academic obstetrician gynecologist specializing in health professions education. With a PhD in qualitative research and a passion for simulation education, she co-leads initiatives to train medical professionals in caring for trafficked survivors, emphasizing empathy, cultural competence, and comprehensive support strategies.
Read MoreAura Burditt is an outreach worker for The Salvation Army Correctional & Justice Services and is also the Chair for the Ontario Southwest Regional MSHT Committee, speaking to universities and colleges and other community agencies and groups. Aura has a BA from UWO, and a Certificate in Restorative Justice from Simon Fraser University in B.C.
Read MoreWendy Goldsmith holds a Master of Social Work Degree and is currently an Advocate/Counsellor with London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC) in London, Ontario. She also coordinates LAWC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives. Wendy is a trainer for the Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinating Office. She trains front line staff, law enforcement, and judiciary on how to work with sexually exploited youth.
Read MoreShamiso Masokovere-Magoko is a Zimbabwean lawyer and development practitioner dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in Africa. With expertise in legal and human rights issues, she utilizes her extensive experience to inform evidence-based policy formulation, implementation, and review in the areas of women and child rights.
Read MoreKristin Vaughn, a resilient survivor of human trafficking, brings over two decades of dedicated experience to the anti-trafficking sector. She has worked under contract for various projects, contributing her expertise to organizations such as the National Survivor Network, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking, Survivor Alliance, Freedom Network, and Polaris.
Read MoreKhalila Riga is a strong advocate in the fight against human trafficking. As a survivor leader since 2020, 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 MoreBetsy Nolan is Associate Director of Learning and Impact at Polaris. Betsy has 15+ years of experience in data and knowledge management, statistical analysis, monitoring and evaluation project management, teaching and coaching, and survey research, including working with diverse clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. Notable Polaris projects include development of the organization’s impact framework and the National Survivor Study.
Read MoreM. Elizabeth Bowman is an Assistant Professor at Gallaudet University. She is also a minor domestic sex trafficking survivor and the founder of the Restoring Ivy Collective. In clinical practice, she works with trafficking survivors using expressive therapies including arts and yoga.
Read MoreMatthew Clarke is the Principal Researcher for the Freedom Keys Research Project. With a background in information technology, data analysis, and peacemaking, his recent publications emphasize the importance of understanding and engaging with the people who abuse, exploit, and coerce others in the context of human trafficking.
Read MoreAuthor, entrepreneur, and assistant professor at Doane University, Lisa Clonch Tschauner ignites ideas and fosters connections. Passionate about transformational leadership and change through story-telling, she is the founder of the RE:Write online community. A perpetual learner pursuing her PhD in Human Sciences, she holds a Master’s in Organizational Management.
Read MoreVani Bhardwaj is the Co-President of Society of Gender Professionals. She is also the co-founder and co-lead of the Gender and Climate Justice Circle at the same organization. She has completed her bachelors in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women and masters in International Relations and Area Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Read MoreAmy LaGesse is the Program Manager for the FOCUS on Runaways Project and the PATH Project at The University of Toledo’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute. Amy is honored to serve as the current Chair of Northern Ohio REACH. She has been featured on public radio and local broadcasts.
Read MoreSharli Mudaliyar is a doctoral scholar at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in India and holds a postgraduate degree in law and social work, researching “Dual Victimization of Drug Use in Sex Trafficking”. Specializing since 2013, she focuses on criminal justice, social work, and research with trafficking victims, prisoners, and child sexual abuse.
Read MoreFounder and Executive Director of Worthwhile Wear, Dan Emr has 12+ years of experience working with survivors of human trafficking domestically and internationally. Dan has built groundbreaking initiatives, reached over 750,000 individuals through national awareness campaigns, and leads an organization that offers comprehensive services to survivors in the region.
Read MorePetky Kiringa holds a Diploma in Co-operative Management from the Co-operative University of Kenya. He is active in fighting human trafficking and raising awareness since 2022 and is a member of HAART Kenya’s Survivor Advisory Board. He hopes to encourage other (male) survivors to speak out and join the movement.
Read MoreBrenda Odhiambo is a Kenyan survivor leader with a vision to create safe spaces for survivors that encourage and unify them in the fight against human trafficking. She was co-researcher on Survivors and Organizations in East and Central Africa and is a Survivor Advisory Board Member for HAART Kenya.
Read MoreAs a resilient survivor of human trafficking, Mercy Murugi Njeru has transformed her experience into a force for change. She is a dedicated Survivor Advocate and member of the HAART Kenya Survivor Advisory Board. Working with various organizations, Mercy is committed to raising awareness, influencing policies, and supporting fellow survivors.
Read MoreHolly Wood is an anti-human trafficking researcher and educator. She is the Vice Chair of the Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking. Her passions include the intersections of anti-human trafficking, law, policy, and human rights. Holly has been featured in the Journal of Human Trafficking and has 4 pending publications.
Read MoreEna Lucia Mariaca Pacheco is the Global Ambassador for the U.S. Council on Violence against Men and Boys. She has worked with Governments, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, law enforcement, and lived experience experts on research, policy writing, human rights advocacy work, and global projects focused on supporting victims and survivors.
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