Her Posse Bios

Carissa Phelps

Co-Chair, CEO Runaway Girl

Carissa Phelps is CEO of Runaway Girl, Inc. and a respected advocate in the anti-human trafficking community. She holds both a Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. As a survivor who has rewritten her narrative on her terms, Carissa exemplifies the transformative power of education and employment.As a leader in the anti-human trafficking movement for over a decade she has helped to bring global and local attention to the issue of human trafficking, and has been part of significant changes in legislation, policies, and protocols to improve responses to human trafficking. Carissa is the author of Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets One Helping Hand at a Time (Viking 2012), her award-winning memoir. In 2008, she also co-produced, CARISSA, and award-winning, short documentary film about her life.

Nicole Williams

Co-Chair, Career Expert and Bestselling Author

After working with a woman who had been trafficked, Nicole committed to supporting survivors with career development and placement opportunities.  Nicole has worked in the career industry for over 20 years most notably as LinkedIn’s Career Expert and Consumer Spokesperson and the TODAY SHOW Career Contributor. Nicole has built a successful business as a career consultant working alongside Fortune 500 companies both to create innovative marketing campaigns targeted toward professional women (i.e.: Ford, Gap, Proctor and Gamble) and professional development programming with the goal of attracting and retaining female talent (i.e.: Google, Ally Bank, Latham). Nicole believes in the inextricable connection between the work we do the quality of life we live and leapt at the opportunity to co-chair EHN’s Board to focus on expanding career programming to the growing EHN members and Alumni Network.

Puja Dhawan

Board Member, Long-time Leader in Social Justice Philanthropy and Women’s Rights Work

Puja Dhawan is a long-time leader in social justice philanthropy and women’s rights work. For over a decade, Puja advanced girls’ and women’s human rights at the NoVo Foundation after coming into the Foundation during its early work. As Director of NoVo’s Initiative to End Violence Against Girls and Women, Puja led all of the initiative’s grantmaking and operational work and managed a dynamic five-person team. Under Puja’s leadership, the Initiative distributed $50 million in annual grantmaking to over 200 organizations with a dedicated focus on meaningful partnership and community-building with grantees. Its work was based throughout the United States, Europe, and the Global South and spanned transformational movements rooted in racial, gender, and economic justice. Puja now provides strategic consulting services for philanthropic and social justice organizations. She is based in Seattle, WA.

Abby Fabiaschi

Chair and Co-Founder,  Bestselling Author

Abby is a believer in economic solutions to social and cultural problems. There are three main components to the movement: getting out, change advocacy, and rebuilding lives. That last piece is particularly important: Exiting the life without an extended aftercare plan results in re-trafficking, further exploitation, or a life of poverty. It’s also tricky: There isn’t a one-path-fits-all solution. Leveraging her past work as a high tech executive, Abby built a repeatable, scalable backend for the program that offers a low-operating footprint and 100% donor transparency.

Chetana Gowda

Secretary of the Board

After learning about the human trafficking epidemic in India, where Chet’s parents were born and extended family remains, Chet became determined to be a part of the solution. Appreciating the correlation between education and opportunity led Chet to Empower Her Network, where she is excited by the possibilities presented to the survivors among us. Chet graduated from Johns Hopkins University and The London School of Economics. She lives with her husband and two boys in Tampa, Florida.

Kerri McKeever

Treasurer of the Board, CFA

Kerri McKeever, CFA was valedictorian of her MBA class at Babson College and has been in finance over 15 years, starting as a bond trader and working her way up to specializing institutional investments. She understands the power of funding and how its existence often determines whether potential is realized. Upon learning about EHN’s mission and commitment to transparency, Kerri raised a hand to bring her expertise to the table.

Maureen O’Toole

Board Member, Head of Investor Development at Wealth Management Company

Maureen has had a long career in finance, starting at a time when there were few senior female role models. Coming of age in the early days of feminism made its mark and she was determined to be financially independent. That belief found an avocation when she initiated her fundraising work with Women’s World Banking, a global women’s focused micro finance group. Hearing first hand from women whose incomes “helped me keep my daughter from being trafficked” opened up a new passion for ensuring women had education and access to financial independence. Two years ago she heard a presentation about the size and scope of the US trafficking industry and her thoughts expanded towards the US.

Lisa Specht

Board Member, Accomplished Attorney, Philanthropist, Journalist, and Activist

Lisa Specht is a civic leader, accomplished attorney, philanthropist, journalist, activist, and door-opener for those who share that tenacious spirit. Lisa is listed as one of the most influential people in Los Angeles “LA 500”, along with many honors and awards (including SUPER Lawyer—our personal favorite). Lisa has worked tirelessly to elevate clients, relationships, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to their most productive and effective state. A strong belief in the power of financial independence attracted Lisa to Empower Her Network; we couldn’t be more grateful.

Summer Taylor

Board Member, Founder + Partner of Exakt Marketing & Local Revival Co.

Summer has always been an artist at heart. Growing up in North Carolina, she graduated with a degree in marketing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, followed by attending the Art Institute of Atlanta for two years. In 2006, she started her first graphic and web design company called Good Dog/Bad Dog Creative Design. Six years later, she merged with a local social media company to form Exakt Marketing, both in Tampa, Florida. While Exakt Marketing allows her to put her artistic and marketing skills to work, what truly makes her happy is to feel connected and inspired by the communities in which we live. She is thrilled to join the board of Empower Her Network, where she will be in charge of strengthing both the online and offline EHN brand.

Rachel Thomas

Board Member, Director of Sowers Education Group and Author

A graduate of UCLA and a personal survivor of human trafficking, Rachel has extensive experience teaching, training, curriculum writing, public speaking and mentoring. As director of Sowers Education Group and lead author of Ending The Game: An Intervention Curriculum for Survivors of Sex Trafficking, Rachel has helped millions to become more aware of human trafficking and has helped hundreds of survivors break the bonds of attachment to traffickers and the lifestyle of commercial sexual exploitation. Recently, Rachel was appointed to the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking for a term of 2 years.  www.RachelCThomas.com

Crystal Walker

Vice President, Communications at Aetna, a CVS Health Company

With over 25 years in branding and public, media and community relations, Empower Her Network will benefit from Crystal’s expertise. Crystal joins the board to propel EHN’s strategy, growth and visioning; bringing Empower Her Network a premier thought leader in the industry. Crystal has a master’s in public relations from the University of Florida and a Bachelor’s in magazine journalism from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Naomi Glenn

Alumni Liaison for Empower Her Network

Naomi Glenn is a marketing and finance consultant with a degree in Business Administration. She is a survivor of human trafficking and an alumni of EHN. She is an advocate for helping the homeless, survivors of abuse, and survivors of human trafficking. She is the Founder of Saving Fallen stars, where she developed programs to help the homeless with resources for education, food, shelter, job training, life skills, and counseling. She is also the Co-founder of Even Me, an organization that helps survivors of abuse. As a survivor herself Naomi believes in making a difference for others and creating a second chance in life.

Melba Robinson

Atlanta Advocate, MSW, CLC

Melba Robinson has an extensive history of working for and collaborating with trafficked and commercial sexual exploitation victims throughout Georgia. Currently Program Director of Haven Atlanta, Melba’s expertise is in working with children and families, case management, and program & curriculum development. She joined Empower Her Network because she believes aftercare support is crucial for survivors on their road to independence.

Kate Okamoto

New York City Empowerment Advocate

As a clinical social worker who has spent the last eight years focused on the advancement, health, and healing of people affected by gender based violence, Kate Okamoto, LCSW-R joins Empower Her Network as our New York Advocate and Program Committee member. Her experience as the Supervisor of the Anti-Trafficking Initiative at Sanctuary for Families’ Legal Center and therapeutic expertise counseling and advocating for victims of human trafficking and other extreme abuse makes her an invaluable resource as we build out survivor programs and evaluate nominations. Kate received her master’s degree from the Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, and completed post graduate training at the Trauma Studies Center at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy.

Jaycie Hu

New York City Empowerment Advocate

Jaycie has been working to empower survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, domestic violence and other forms of gender violence since 2014. She was drawn to Empower Her Network as a result of her passion in building growth-fostering relationships and her strong belief in the resilience of the survivors. She is a graduate of NYU’s counseling program and currently works as a trauma therapist at the Crime Victims Treatment Center. She is also trained in several mindfulness modalities including RYT-200.

Camille Mica

Southern California Empowerment Advocate

Camille earned her BA in Psychology and Theology from Franciscan University. During her time there, she witnessed the impact of poverty, addiction, and sexual exploitation of women as well as experiencing the mutually transformative power of personal relationship. She began advocating for human trafficking and CSE (commercial sexual exploitation) awareness and interned with the Ohio Department of Health to assist in developing training for state employees. She went on to work with other organizations including serving as an advisory board member for SAFE Coalition for Human Rights and as a member of the San Diego Board of Supervisors Human Trafficking Advisory Council – Victim Service Committee. Camille completed her MA in Psychology from Meridian University and supervised clinical psychotherapy experience. She has addressed human trafficking in various capacities across the country since 2012 through awareness, aftercare, and prevention efforts in local and global contexts. Along with working in several nonprofits/NGOs, she has engaged with faith communities, university students and faculty, clinicians, legal networks, and law enforcement personnel. Camille is grateful to walk alongside survivors and loves learning-with and -from many voices and stories. She looks forward to envisioning transformative possibilities together. She was drawn to Empower Her Network in the belief she shares in community collaboration, the creative resilience of those who have survived trafficking, and the vital importance of relational and accompaniment amidst challenging transitions.

Shamere McKenzie

Baltimore Empowerment Advocate

Shamere McKenzie is a consultant, activist, subject matter expert on human trafficking and a sought-after award winning internationally recognized speaker. She is the Chief Executive Officer for Sun Gate Foundation, an anti-trafficking organization that provides educational opportunities for survivors of human trafficking. In addition, she serves as co-chair for the victim’s services committee of the Maryland State Human Trafficking Task Force and the Anti-Trafficking Ambassador to Jamaica.

Lena S

Portland Empowerment Advocate

Lena has worked with and for survivors of sexual violence and trafficking for almost a decade. She led a survivor advocacy program for commercially sexually exploited youth in Portland, OR and works closely with the survivor-led anti-trafficking community both locally and nationally. Lena has a Masters Degree in Public Health from Tulane University.

Virginia Jreisat

Chicago Empowerment Advocate

Virginia believes in the power of genuine human connection, compassion, and the absolute necessity of creating individualized treatment plans specific to each client’s unique history, cultural background, socioeconomic status, and goals. Empower Her Network benefits from her experience, education, and skills in the field! She earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology and International Studies degree at Loyola University Chicago and her Master of Arts in Counseling degree from Northwestern University. Virginia’s clinical training began at The Family Institute at Northwestern where she specialized in treating adults struggling with various personalitydisorders, relationship struggles, disturbed eating patterns, transitioning, and sexual assault. Virginia then went on to complete a clinical internship at Heartland Health Outreach’s International Faces program where she provided community mental health services, individual,and in-home therapy to refugees and asylum seekers across the Chicago-land area, and now to survivors of trafficking at Empower Her Network!

Jessica Hernandez, BSW, MANP

Southern California Empowerment Advocate

Jessica has been working in the anti-trafficking movement for the last five years. In her various roles, including lead case manager, she facilitated; art therapy, empowerment groups, alternative healing focused on anti oppressive work theory and trauma informed care. She trains others in Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, LGBTQ & Latinx Trafficking, and health education. Jessica has published research on sex industry life balance and hopes to continue learning and educating. She is a small business owner and graduated with her Master’s in Nonprofit Management.

Lauren N Benjamin, MSW, VASI

Baltimore Empowerment Advocate

A native from the country Trinidad and Tobago, Lauren was offered the opportunity to further her studies at age 18.  She migrated to the US, obtained an Associates Degree in Allied Health with a concentration in Addictions.  She then went on to get her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social work.  She holds positions within the Baltimore City Polic Department human trafficking unit, and Co-Chairs the Public Awarness Committee Maryland Human Trafficking Task force.  She is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate for CASA, and the Baltimore Empowerment Advocate for EHN!

Erica Howard

Ohio Empowerment Advocate

Erica Howard passionately believes in the intrinsic worth and value of every human being. It is woven into her being to fight for freedom, advocate for social justice and pursue racial equality.  For the last 8 years at RAHAB ministries she has walked alongside survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking in various capacities to bring hope and restoration.  She holds a BA in Social Work from the University of Akron and has 25 years of business management and banking management experience in which she worked to impact poverty in the lives of those most vulnerable in the community. She is currently getting her MSW.  This unique combination of experience lends to a perspective that enables her to create change at multiple levels within communities and organizations to positively impact the lives of individuals. She is honored to be part of Empower Her Network and believes that everyone has a story that only their voice can tell!

Joshlyn Lawhorn

Tampa Empowerment Advocate

Joshlyn Lawhorn has worked as a social justice activist against racialized, gender-based violence for 7 years. Obtaining her B.A. in Communication & Sociology, she worked as a certified trauma- informed care advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Clarion, PA. While earning her M.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of South Florida, she worked with commercially sexually exploited youth. She provided CSEC survivors with self-sufficiency plans to prepare them to transition after foster-care into independent living. She believes that a communal, multi-faceted healing is necessary to end the fight against human trafficking. At Empower Her Network she will support survivors’ growth towards fulfillment and independence.

Katherine Williams, LCSW

New York City Empowerment Advocate

Katherine has 8 years of experience serving survivors of gender-based violence, most recently as a Program Director at Sanctuary for Families’ transitional shelter. Her expertise with direct practice and program management is built on a foundation of trauma-informed and client-centered values. Katherine has always been impressed with the resilience and fortitude of the survivors she serves, and is a fierce advocate for those navigating challenges such as discrimination and structural oppression. When these barriers are removed, survivors’ ambitions can be realized and for this reason Katherine is proud to join Empower Her Network’s mission.

Nikki Doyle

Northeast Empowerment Advocate

Nikki is a proud alumni of EHN and a Survivor Leader in the movement and is honored to be an advocate for other survivors. Nikki has done tons of hard work, and the long road to get to where she is has made it all worth it. Nikki believes we are all worth it.

Tika Thornton

California Empowerment Advocate

Tika is a Los Angeles Survivor leader and TEDx Speaker dedicated to fighting to end human trafficking. Tika has co-developed and led the TAY/Adult Crisis Response Team with Dr. Stephany Powell at Journey Out, where she has bridged the gaps between service providers, law enforcement, and lived experience experts. She also mentors’ youth on CSEC prevention and intervention for Saving Innocence and juvenile probation. Tika currently serves as a Core Team member on the Long Beach Human Trafficking Task Force, an active California CSEC Advisory Board member. She has previously served as a board member of Qualified Academy (formerly known as Two Wings) and Long Beach GRIP. She is an experienced trainer, having trained emergency service personnel, service providers, and community members on best-supporting individuals who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. Tika is driven by the belief that she needs to be the change she strives to make.

Robin Miller

Northwest Empowerment Advocate

Juliette Zamor

Empower Her Network Administrative Assistant

Juliette is an administrative expert, advocate, activist, and believer in creating opportunities. With many specialist certificates and trainings under her belt, Juliette is the liaison of all thing business at Empower Her Network. Because of her subject matter expertise and careful management of data, EHN is a leader in transparency for donors, members, and partners.

Katisha Andrew

Coordinator for CILEC (Citiwide Immigrant Legal Empowerment Collaborative)

Katisha is a nonprofit human services administrator with a passion for social justice, racial and gender equity.

She brings over a decade of experience working with Sanctuary for Families—where she directed helping hand grants to help meet the temporary financial emergency needs of survivors of domestic violence, commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and other related forms of gender-based violence—to Empower Her Network’s Program Committee. A graduate of Union College, Katisha went on to be a member of the first graduating class of the Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, where she earned her Executive Masters in Public Administration. Her dedication to be a part of the solution is inspiring.

Dr. Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco

Accomplished Survey Methodologist, Research Scientist, and Quantitative and Qualitative Consultant on issues related to human trafficking

Dr. Mehlman-Orozco currently serves as the CEO of an anti-trafficking consulting firm, Mahn, Mehlman & Associates, and teaches human trafficking and social justice material at her alma mater George Mason University. Her book, Hidden in Plain Sight: America’s Slaves of the New Millennium, is a leading resource for anti-trafficking advocates.

Read Domestic Trafficking by Kimberly Mehlman

Lisa Salzer-Wiles

Designer and Founder of Lulu Frost Jewelery

Designer Lisa Salzer-Wiles founded jewelry brand Lulu Frost in 2004 with the purpose of spreading meaning through each of her works. Lulu Frost is beloved for its modernistic approach to celebrating the past, coupled with a brand commitment to create lasting value and meaning in each and every piece. Lisa believes, “Metal is from the earth, it is so rich and elemental. The power and energies it carries, become those that the wearer can carry”.

Julie Zuraw

Founder and CEO of Julie Zuraw Group

Julie Zuraw is CEO of the Julie Zuraw Group, a consultancy that has been committed to developing executive leaders, and particularly women, since 2003.  She is an expert in corporate positioning strategy, having been the strategy lead for the Publicis Brand Optimization Systems Group, where she built the group’s brand education practice and oversaw global client operations and brand identity initiatives.  She has held various management roles in New York City political campaigns, and has been a faculty member at both Columbia University and Barnard College, where she has taught courses to undergraduates on skill-development pedagogy and to graduate students on pitching their professional projects, in addition to developing the renowned “Speaking Fellows” program, which builds young women’s voice and power.  Julie is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College.

Read Women’s Voices? They’ve Been There All Along by Julie Zuraw

Laura Brodsky

Community Activist, Fundraiser Extradinaire

After fourteen years volunteering for her local Big Brothers Big Sisters, Laura now focuses her fundraising experience and charitable enthusiasm on organizations with less staff. Empower Her Network is hugely fortunate to have this helper by nature, whose passion is to advocate for marginalized populations ready to go the next mile, on the team.

Dr. Kellie McElhaney

Board Member, Founding Director, Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership at Berkeley Haas Business School

Dr. Kellie McElhaney founded the Center for Equity, Gender And Leadership (EGAL) at Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley and is a leading expert on equity fluent leadership, value-creating strategies of diversity and inclusion, and corporate social responsibility. The Center for Gender, Equity and Leadership, launched in November 2017, educates equity fluent leaders to ignite and accelerate change. Kellie helped develop this leadership concept and teaches it globally.   Kellie authored a book entitled Just Good Business: The Strategic Guide to Aligning Corporate Responsibility and Brand.  Kellie consults and keynotes for Global 1000 companies and organizations all over the world on her areas of expertise.  She earned her B.A. from the University of North Carolina, her M.A. from Ohio University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Christine White

Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Christine White is on the Program Committee at Empower Her Network.    She currently serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Law and Society Minor in MLaw Programs at the University of Maryland, College Park.  Her area of expertise and research surrounds issues of the role race plays in the criminal justice system and the transnational crime of human trafficking. Christine commits her time and skills to criminal justice reform including the protection of human trafficking survivors.

Rebecca Bender

CEO & Founder, RBI, Survivor Leader and Author of In Pursuit of Love

Rebecca thought she found her fairytale when she moved to Las Vegas with her boyfriend. But her dream became her nightmare when her boyfriend became her pimp at the age of 19. Trapped in a life of chaos, coerced into prostitution, abused and controlled by her trafficker, Rebecca was forced into sex trafficking for nearly six years. Many attempted escapes, two brandings, and several pimps later, Federal Investigators raided the home, allowing her an eventual avenue for escape.  She speaks on leadership and founding non-profits, serves on the United States National Advisory Committee, Dept of Justice Human Trafficking Advisory Council, the board of Exodus Cry and the Advisory Network and Program Committee of Empower Her Network

Valerie Bonner

Senior Producer at FCB Chicago

After Valerie graduated from college during one of the worst economic times, she was unsure of where to go next. Through connections, she interviewed at an advertising agency in Chicago, where she instantly fell in love with the city and the creativity that flourished in the industry. Ten years later, one career pivot and a short stint in LA, Valerie is still working in the ad world and loving the “windy city.” Valerie’s current job is a mix of something she always loved as a child- puzzles. Using that knowledge, she routinely takes creative ideas and meticulously figures out how to fit them seamlessly together within a client’s vision and budget. Sometimes these tasks are as simple as four-piece puzzles, while others feel like 1,000 pieces scattered in front of her. However, she thinks it’s the perfect role that allows her to tap into her creativity while also thinking through strategy and innovative solutions. She’s worked with numerous clients ranging from healthcare to CPG to an international shoe store. While her job keeps her professional life fulfilled, her desire to help others both locally and across the U.S was still lingering. She is thrilled to join the Empower Her Network advisory board, where she will use her skills and knowledge to help highlight all the incredible things Empower Her Network does and increase their awareness.

Jennifer Medina-McCormick

Owner/Creative Director, Medina Creative Design

Jennifer is a graduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta and brings 25 years of experience as a Brand Consultant and Graphic Designer. She was Lead Designer for the brand marketing re-brand team for a major financial company’s IPO, where she provided strategic design guidance, as well as the development/design and facilitation of brand training materials. She currently holds the role of Brand Manager and Art Director. Jennifer has always been a firm believer in not only giving back but getting involved. From 2004-2009, she served on the Communications Advisory Committee for Camp Twin Lakes, a camp facility that caters to children with life challenges. Her contributions were as a brand advisor as well as re-design of all Camp Twin Lakes marketing materials. When the opportunity presented itself to work with EHN, it just made sense. We are meant to do much more, much bigger things outside of ourselves – and what better way than to be part of an organization whose mission is to lift others? For that reason, Jennifer is excited to bring her knowledge and expertise to continue to promote and elevate the Empower Her Network brand.

Tonya Cornileus

Vice President of Development, Inclusion and Wellness, ESPN

Tonya Cornileus is the Vice President of Development, Inclusion and Wellness at ESPN where she serves as an integral member of the Human Resources senior leadership team and regularly acts as an advisor to other senior management at ESPN. Dr. Cornileus is responsible for learning and organization development, talent management, diversity & inclusion, and wellness. Dr. Cornileus joined ESPN in November of 2009.  Dr. Cornileus’ philanthropic endeavors focus primarily on promoting education. In 2019, she established the Tonya Harris Cornileus CJC Diversity in Communications Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Florida. She mentors high school and college students and sits on the board of the Greater Hartford Urban League.  She earned her Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of Georgia and her bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida. Tonya believes that she would determine what success is in her terms, and has since developed and helped others in Your Aha Life. She shares the values at Empower Her Network, and believes that survivors should be given the option for a new destination – “Destination; Her Choice.”

McKenna Callahan

EHN’s Alumni Coordinator

McKenna Callahan is EHN’s Alumni Coordinator!  McKenna has been involved with EHN since inception, and helped to establish the Atlanta chapter.   She is now pursuing her MSW at the University of Georgia and hopes to continue her work with EHN. In addition to her regular coursework, she plans to work with Dr. David Okech, a professor at UGA’s School of Social Work and founder of the African Programming and Research Initiative to End Slavery (APRIES), who specializes in trafficking research and focuses on designing evidence-based interventions to inform programs and policies that improve the wellbeing and increase economic empowerment for survivors.

“What I love about Empower Her Network is its focus on helping survivors gain their independence. There are many programs that provide short-term assistance, but few have a mission like that of EHN. Preventing re-exploitation through a reliable, present, and supportive network is imperative to cementing long-term stability in the lives of EHN members.It is truly an honor to work alongside them!”

Cristian Eduardo

Lead Human Trafficking Consultant and Survivor with Shobana Powell Consulting

Cristian Eduardo is an advocate, speaker and educator for anti-trafficking initiatives, immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights. He is a survivor of international and domestic sex and labor trafficking, a Mexican immigrant, HIV+, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and someone who speaks openly about the mental health challenges he has faced that frequently result from trauma.Although these are parts of him, he is whole, who cannot be defined. Cristian Eduardo is also a student, who is science and engineering oriented.

Cristian Eduardo’s inspiration for his social justice work is to give insight that victims always remain human beings.

Cristian Eduardo is a Lead Human Trafficking Consultant and Survivor with Shobana Powell Consulting, shaping national human trafficking trainings and policies. He also serves as a Survivor Consultant for ECPAT-USA, Center for Court Innovation, and USCRI. He is the Co-Founder of United Immigrants of New York (UIONY), a coalition of immigration advocates providing accessible education and resources to Spanish-speaking immigrants in New York. Cristian Eduardo is on the Steering Committees for New Yorkers for the Equality Model and Louisiana for the Equality Model and has been instrumental in the development of Equality Model training and legislation across the US.

Maheen Kaleem

Activist for Human Rights Focusing on Gender Based Violence. Deputy Director at Grantmakers for Girls of Color

As a Pakistani Muslim woman, a survivor of gender-based violence, and the child of immigrants and social justice servants, I am committed to building a world rooted in love, justice, and collective liberation. My greatest teachers have been girls behind bars and those impacted by gender-based and state violence. All of my work is led by the belief that by centering the liberation and leadership of girls and women of color, we will all see freedom. I have expertise in supporting movements that address the intersections of racial and gender justice, particularly juvenile justice, sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence impacting women and girls of color. Empower Her Network’s work to interrupt cycles of violence and give survivors the tools and support to achieve their long-term goals are exactly the kinds of solutions we need to truly end exploitation.