Dr. Kristen Szabla is a neuroscientist, coach, speaker, writer, survivor of human trafficking and mental illness, and founder of Transforming Pain. She has developed a neurobiologic-based approach that has enabled her to positively transform her life from one filled with anxiety and pain to one filled with hope and love.
Read MoreShiran Malmedovsky-Somach is a social tech entrepreneur celebrated for her leadership in both local and international social projects utilizing Generative AI technology. From conceptualization to implementation, she excels in fostering multi-sector partnerships, representing D-ID, an AI company, in the advancement of innovative social initiatives.
Read MoreNaama Zeevi Rivlin, founder and former director of Saleet, led a pioneering welfare program with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, focusing on women in prostitution. With deep knowledge in treating those affected by sexual violence, she brings extensive managerial experience in spearheading social projects and advocating for women's rights in prostitution.
Read MoreAnastasia Lynge is a program coordinator and consulting researcher in the anti-human trafficking and labor rights sectors. Their current areas of professional focus include mitigation of forced labor and child labor in supply chains, development of worker-centric trainings, and the public health approach to trafficking prevention.
Read MoreAlicia is a powerhouse and change agent. In 2019, Florida’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, recognized her as Survivor of the Year for her efforts in building capacity for human trafficking awareness and education. She is the author of a survivor guide series, Brave Girl Diaries, to be released in 2024.
Read MoreRachel Gorman is a client advocate at Advocating Opportunity, primarily supporting foreign national survivors of trafficking. With a background in international and Middle Eastern studies from Indiana University, she is proficient in Modern Standard Arabic. Rachel is dedicated to expanding clients’ access to community services while providing trauma-informed, holistic advocacy.
Read MoreRebecca Bundy is an attorney facilitating Advocating Opportunity’s Toledo Foreign National Survivor Project. Specializing in immigration and expungement, Rebecca represents diverse survivors of human trafficking. She previously defended victim, civil, and workers’ rights at ABLE, HTSJI, and Goodman, Hurwitz, and James. Rebecca studied law, social work, and criminal justice.
Read MoreNili Gesser is a research fellow at Drexel University. After receiving her PhD in criminal justice from Temple University, she completed a psychology postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Dakota. She is a former prosecutor and a victim advocate. Her research interests focus on prostitution, substance use, and victimology.
Read MoreMonica Klonowski is the Research Manager at The University of Toledo’s Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute where she designs and conducts a variety of mixed-methodological processes, outcomes, and impact evaluations on local, state, and federally funded grant projects. She has published several interdisciplinary manuscripts in academic journals.
Read MoreJames Andretta is a licensed psychologist and certified to conduct adolescent and adult forensic mental health evaluations. He is board-certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Forensic Psychology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology with over 50+ research publications, including the topic of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Read MoreNeil Brick is a survivor of ritualistic abuse. His work continues to educate the public about child abuse, trauma, and ritualistic abuse crimes. His child abuse and ritualistic abuse newsletter S.M.A.R.T. and website have been published for over 28 years.
Read MoreSarah Ascienzo (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at NC State University. Dr. Ascienzo teaches practice and research courses, as well as engages in research in the areas of psychological trauma, interpersonal violence, and student and provider wellbeing.
Read MoreCassi Rodgers earned her Master’s in Developmental Psychology from Lancaster University and her MSW from NC State University. Cassi has worked alongside human trafficking victims within DHHS/hospital settings. She is on the Nash UNC Hospital Human Trafficking committee and holds a Polaris HT Certification.
Read MoreAdora Nsonwu is a global, social-behavioral scientist who studies sexual/reproductive health, human rights, global health policy, bioethics, and human trafficking. She received her Master of Public Health degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently a research fellow for the Center for Disease Control.
Read MoreDrake Gomez is a BSW student at NC State University. He has interned at NC Stop Human Trafficking and completed the following certifications: DHS Human Trafficking Awareness, FEMA, Polaris Human Trafficking Training, Office for Victims of Crime Understanding Human Trafficking, and Victim Assistance Training - Crimes - Human Trafficking.
Read MoreMaura Nsonwu is a Professor in the School of Social Work at NC State University. She has practiced as a clinician, educator, and researcher in refugee resettlement, human trafficking, health care, child welfare, and social work education. She co-authored the textbook, Human Trafficking: Applying Research, Theory and Case Studies.
Read MoreDr. Jared Rose is an Ohio licensed professional clinical counselor and supervisor, a national certified counselor, and an EMDR certified therapist. Beyond being a university professor and founder/owner of a private clinical practice, he has over 30 years’ experience as an advocate and social justice activist.
Read MoreYvonne Mbewe has spent her career delving into childhood trauma and multisystemic interventions to trauma and abuse. Her research at University of Connecticut assesses human trafficking legislation and implementation for trafficked child laborers in Zambia. Yvonne serves as an Adjunct Lecturer with Columbia University’s School of Social Work.
Read MoreDominique Roe-Sepowitz is an associate professor at ASU's School of Social Work and the director of the Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research. Her work focuses on addressing social issues impacting girls and women, collaborating with partners such as law enforcement, social service providers, and survivor support organizations.
Read MoreEzequiel Dominguez is a PhD student at Arizona State University and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar. His research centers on the prevention and detection of human trafficking in the United States, with a specific emphasis on forced labor and exploitation especially among Latinos/as.
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