Jason S. Miyares
Attorney General of Virginia

Alexia Brown

Workshop: : Voices, Vision, and Action: A Working Session on Youth Labor Trafficking in Virginia

Alexia Brown, M.P.A., Research Specialist at the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science from VCU in Urban Psychology, with a minor in Sociology. She has been a part of the Virginia Commonwealth iCubed Scholars Program, focusing on the core of Disrupting Criminalization in Education, where she worked on changing how the criminal justice system interacts with traumatized youth. This led to her contribution to a training program in collaboration with the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance, to empower young women with tools to improve their interactions with others in positive and productive ways. She is currently involved with the City of Richmond’s Gun Violence Prevention Initiative Program Evaluation, under a grant aimed at the Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, as well as the Human Trafficking Grant under the OAG's office, among other initiatives.

Jennifer J. Reid, Ph.D.

Workshop: : Voices, Vision, and Action: A Working Session on Youth Labor Trafficking in Virginia

Jennifer J. Reid, Ph.D., holds a degree in Applied Developmental Psychology, which she earned with a Ph.D. in 2013. Dr. Reid has held the positions of Director of Evaluation and Senior Project Director at the Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory, as well as an adjunct faculty member in VCU’s Department of Psychology. She has worked in research and evaluation within an academic setting for over 30 years.

As a developmental psychologist, Dr. Reid's evaluation and research focus on enhancing the positive developmental trajectory of individuals across all life stages, with a particular emphasis on adolescents and emerging adults. She has a rich background in all aspects of survey research, evaluation, and analysis, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. In addition, she has assisted in creating, adapting, and facilitating several intervention/prevention programs for youth and adults. Dr. Reid has partnered with non-profit, state, and university-based departments/organizations on projects, serving as both external and internal evaluator. She uses an ecological systems lens to create research and evaluation plans.

In 2020, Dr. Reid obtained her certification as a coach and currently holds the designation of ACC. She works with individuals transitioning into different stages of their lives and careers, as well as youth transitioning out of high school or college. Using a holistic approach, Dr. Reid guides those she coaches in uncovering their true path, helping them determine their direction toward a smooth, meaningful, authentic transition that leads to greater well-being, success, leadership capabilities, and life satisfaction.

Jason Burkett

Workshop: : Voices, Vision, and Action: A Working Session on Youth Labor Trafficking in Virginia

Jason Burkett is a senior consultant with a wealth of expertise honed through a diverse career background. Prior to joining the Center for Public Policy, Jason served as a Content Director at Hanover Research where he partnered with executive leaders across the U.S. to enhance decision-making and improve outcomes at their institutions. Jason specializes in customer-oriented thinking, articulating future needs, establishing and executing research agendas, and socializing research findings to relevant stakeholders. Jason’s passion for forward-thinking methodologies is woven into every project he undertakes and he is proud to have collaborated on statewide solutions related to the opioid epidemic, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and sexual and domestic violence.

With a Master's in Public Policy, Jason excels in comprehensive research design, economic impact analyses, and conducting thorough policy and program evaluations. Jason is dedicated to leveraging these skills to generate actionable insights, empowering leaders to make informed decisions.

Julie Charbonnier

Workshop: : Voices, Vision, and Action: A Working Session on Youth Labor Trafficking in Virginia

Julie Charbonnier is a consultant and facilitator with a diverse research and evaluation background. Julie specializes in using both quantitative and qualitative research methods to generate data-driven insights for local, state and national government agencies. Her diverse portfolio of work includes a legislative policy review of Virginia's intimate partner violence legislation, a gap analysis of suicide prevention and intervention services in Virginia, and developing a workforce development plan in Mechatronics for the Virginia Western Tidewater region. Julie also co-authored the Department of Conservation's 2022 Virginia Outdoor Survey to gauge the level of which Virginians participate in outdoor recreation activities. Julie holds a PhD in Integrative Life Sciences from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Suleman Masood

Workshop: Care in the Courtroom – Meeting the Needs of Trafficking Survivors in the Justice System and Beyond

Suleman Masood, an internationally recognized subject matter expert on labor trafficking and male victimization, has been dedicated to his advocacy work since 2013. His experience has positioned him to work with local, state, and federal government agencies and non-profit organizations, creating culturally responsive services for underserved populations. Mr. Masood has led collaborations with victim service providers and task forces to build trust among survivors and the surrounding community while holding perpetrators accountable. His work emphasizes building partnerships with survivors and ensuring that strategies and implementation influence a survivor-informed approach. Mr. Masood previously served as the Council Chair for the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, a Presidentially appointed position. Through his leadership, the Advisory Council provided recommendations on federal anti-trafficking policies to the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF).

Mr. Masood’s partnerships with service providers and first responders include serving as a senior program manager on behalf of the Office for Victims of Crime. In 2017, Mr. Masood was credited with coining the phrase "survivor-informed," adopted and published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The term “survivor-informed” is now integrated throughout the anti-trafficking field. In 2021, Mr. Masood wrote, produced, and narrated a one-of-a-kind visual PSA on labor trafficking with the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Mr. Masood now serves as an attorney with the internationally renowned law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, where he aspires to create meaningful change within ESG compliance and antitrust law to better support trafficking survivors. Mr. Masood lives by the mantra, “success is the best revenge.”

Alexis Byers

Workshop: Strengthening Shelter Partnerships: Building Survivor-Centered, Sustainable Housing Networks

Alexis Byers brings a deep commitment to survivor-centered systems change to her role as Network Advisor at Atlas Free, where she leads the United States Referral System connecting survivors of human trafficking to safe, vetted programs across the country. With more than three years of experience in anti-trafficking work, Alexis has launched Atlas Free’s first Survivor Advisory Council, supported the creation of a trauma-informed referral app, and facilitated regional gatherings in Costa Rica and Ethiopia to expand global collaboration.

Her work bridges direct service and system design. Alexis has trained agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and spoken at international conferences, while also drawing from her background as a referral program manager and crisis counselor with the Crisis Text Line. Across all of her efforts, Alexis is focused on building practical, accessible pathways to care for survivors—led by their voices and needs.

She holds a Master’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and brings a warm, collaborative leadership style to every table she joins.

Shamere McKenzie

Workshop: Strengthening Shelter Partnerships: Building Survivor-Centered, Sustainable Housing Networks

Shamere McKenzie is a distinguished international anti-trafficking strategist, systems leader, and consultant to the United Nations and various U.S. government agencies, with more than 15 years of cross-sector impact. A passionate activist and internationally recognized speaker, she leverages her lived experience with sex trafficking to transform adversity into advocacy, driving systemic change and advancing policies that promote justice, protection, and meaningful survivor inclusion on both national and global stages.

As the CEO of Sun Gate Foundation, an anti-trafficking organization, Shamere passionately channels her commitment to education and policy into providing survivors of human trafficking with essential educational opportunities. Her influential role extends to the Maryland State Human Trafficking Task Force, where she co-chairs the Victim Services Committee, leading cross-sector collaboration to improve services for survivors.

Beyond her impact in the United States, Shamere responded to a call from the Ministry of Justice in her birthplace, Jamaica, and holds the distinguished title of the first appointed Anti-Human Trafficking Ambassador for Jamaica since 2018.

Drawing on her experiences as a former Program Director, Shamere authored a groundbreaking anti-trafficking program and oversaw an emergency residential program for adult survivors. She is a sought-after resource, having trained various professionals, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, prosecutors, judges, faith leaders, hotel and airline staff, in identifying and responding to human trafficking victims, both in the U.S. and globally.

Her compelling narrative and leadership have been featured in several books, documentaries, and media outlets, serving as an impactful educational tool. Her most recent documentary, "False Promises," released in 2018 on the island of Aruba, specifically addresses sex trafficking awareness among Caribbean youth.

Shamere holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Loyola University Chicago and actively serves on various boards, advisory groups, and speakers bureaus. She has garnered numerous awards in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the anti-trafficking movement.

A faith-driven leader, Shamere draws strength from her unwavering belief in Jesus Christ. Refusing to be labeled a victim or survivor, she proudly identifies as a liberator— one who has broken free from the chains of her past, determined to pave the way for others who have endured enslavement. Her voice, vision, and leadership continue to shape a global movement toward justice, dignity, and systemic transformation.

Ashleigh Chapman

Workshop: Bridging Borders: Strengthening Multistate Collaboration to Combat Diverse Forms of Trafficking

Ashleigh S. Chapman, JD is a human rights lawyer, social innovator, and a believer that each of us are called and uniquely positioned to make a difference on behalf of those in need in our communities and our world. She has invested 25+ years building solutions, partnerships, and programs to end human trafficking and support vulnerable populations.

Ashleigh is the founder of Altus.™, AFRJ®, Justice U™, the Freedom Council™, and Engage Together®, solutions that have strengthened thousands of efforts and advocates across the United States and on every continent except Antarctica. Additionally, she serves in a number of advisory capacities on behalf of youth in and aging out of foster care, refugees and recent migrants, community-based upward mobility programs, and more. She has been highlighted by Welum's Women Who Inspire and Authority Magazine's Social Impact Heroes, received Qlik's Global Transformation Award, and was recently named one of USA Today's Women of the Year.

Ashleigh graduated Summa Cum Laude with her B.S. from Tennessee Technological University, and Magna Cum Laude with her Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law, where she received the faculty's Most Outstanding Graduate award, and Alumna of the Year in 2024.

Ava Kamdem

Workshop: The Reentry Revolution: Building Pathways to Economic Empowerment

Ava Kamdem is a survivor leader, consultant, and Executive Director of the Savhera Foundation, which unlocks the human capital of survivors and transforms social enterprises into catalysts for healing, dignity, and economic mobility. Ava brings both lived experience as a survivor of sex trafficking and professional expertise across the nonprofit, academic, and private sectors. Her work spans trauma-informed program design, equity-centered evaluation, and strategic advising for organizations advancing justice, public health, and economic opportunity. She earned a degree in Psychology from Columbia University, where she led system-impacted student initiatives and published research on leadership, human capital and equity. Ava’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to structural transformation, survivor-led innovation, and the belief that healing and justice must be built into the very fabric of our institutions.

Dr. Marlene Carson

SoHT, CPRS, Founder, BLAST Movement

Former U.S. Advisory Council Chair

Advocate for Systemic Justice

Workshop: The Reentry Revolution: Building Pathways to Economic Empowerment

Dr. Marlene Carson is a nationally recognized thought leader in anti-trafficking innovation, survivor-led justice reform, and trauma-informed systems redesign. As a survivor of domestic sex trafficking and the former Chair of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, she has informed federal policy and partnered with global stakeholders to reshape survivor engagement at every level of care and governance.

Dr. Carson is the founder of the BLAST Movement (Black Leaders Against Sex Trafficking), a pioneering organization that centers the voices and solutions of BIPOC communities in the national fight against exploitation. The DUH™ Framework—Disrupt, Unify, Heal—has become a powerful lens for redesigning prevention, crisis response, and restorative ecosystems.

Her leadership has reached from the halls of the White House to the hearts of grassroots communities, equipping law enforcement, educators, clinicians, and corporations with tools to engage trauma, shift power, and restore dignity.

With over three decades of lived experience and academic expertise, Dr. Carson embodies the very essence of what it means to be disruptive in all the right ways.

Brandi Bynum

Workshop: Building Dignified, Survivor-Informed Campaigns that Mobilize Communities

Brandi N. Bynum is the Unit chief at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking’s Outreach and Engagement Unit, overseeing the Blue Campaign and the partnership and engagement sections in Washington, D.C. Bynum brings 14 years of experience in education, training, and outreach to the role, and her leadership has driven DHS’ Blue Campaign to translate its resources into multiple languages to connect with a diverse range of vulnerable communities.

Earlier, Bynum served as a program analyst at the Recruitment Policy and Outreach Office at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. There she worked with the Pathways Programs for Students & Recent Graduates to reach students interested in careers with the federal government and as the League of United Latin American Citizens lead. Before that, she worked with the U.S. Department of State as a human resources specialist in Charleston, South Carolina.

Bynum has completed two Executive Leadership programs—the Presidential Management Council Rotational Program and Excellence in Government.

She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Chris Muller-Tabanera

Workshop: Creating Inoperable Environments for Illicit Massage Businesses

Chris leads The Network’s broad-based effort to defeat human trafficking in the illicit massage industry. He has delivered trainings across the United States on the unique characteristics of the industry, proven disruption methods, and best practices in identifying and responding to exploited workers. Chris is featured in numerous articles about the industry, including national publications like the New York Times, USA Today, and AP News. He is a contributing author for the book, The Historical Roots of Human Trafficking: Informing Primary Prevention of Commercialized Violence. Prior to The Network, Chris was the Director of Training and External Affairs at Restore NYC. He has a MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a BA in Communication and Media Studies from the University of San Diego.

Eddie Worth

President & Executive Director

Safe Surfin’ Foundation

Workshop: Preparing Kids for Life Online: Safety, Skills, Action

Eddie Worth has dedicated his life to public service. He began his career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the early 1970s, joining the Bureau in 1969, bringing energy and determination to the agency during a pivotal time in American history. His early years with the bureau were marked by a strong commitment to justice and a drive to make a difference.

After leaving the FBI, Eddie channeled his expertise and passion for protecting others into various roles, culminating in his current position as the President and Executive Director of the Safe Surfin' Foundation. Under Eddie's leadership, Safe Surfin' has become a groundbreaking nonprofit focused on protecting children online and promoting Internet safety. The organization's innovative programs, including partnerships with law enforcement and cutting-edge tools like the AI-powered “Deputy” program, reflect his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable.

His leadership has also been recognized by the Virginia Moose Association (VMA), where his advocacy for community values has fostered meaningful collaborations. Beyond his professional achievements, Eddie's devotion to family and community shines through in everything he does. From leading Safe Surfin’ to championing online safety, Eddie continues to lead with integrity, compassion, and a profound sense of responsibility.

Graeme Page

Workshop: Preparing Kids for Life Online: Safety, Skills, Action

Graeme Page is the CEO and co-founder of Skyll, a company at the forefront of integrating AI with education to promote online safety. At just eleven years old, Graeme launched his first venture, Fallen Angel, which rapidly grew into a leading influencer marketing firm. His clients included Disney, Warner Bros., Fashion Nova, Hinge, and Liquipel, and his campaigns generated over one billion impressions per month across Instagram and Twitter.

His deep understanding of social media’s potential and risks fueled his passion for creating safer digital spaces, ultimately leading to the development of Skyll. This innovative platform offers an AI-powered movie game that educates teens on social media safety through interactive storytelling and decision-making. The program is now available to schools across the United States.

Based in Dana Point, California, and born in Toronto, Canada, Graeme’s career reflects his commitment to transforming the digital landscape into a secure environment for learning and interaction.

Eliza Marquez

Workshop: Foster Care & Trafficking Risks – Closing the Gaps to Protect Vulnerable Youth

Eliza is a mental health professional with 25 years of experience and over a decade of executive leadership experience in treatment foster care. She is a certified Pressley Ridge Trainer and holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, combining clinical expertise with strategic organizational leadership. Eliza specializes in trauma-informed care, staff and foster parent development, and foster care program innovation, with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for foster families. Her work reflects a profound commitment to equity, resilience, and sustainable transformation in child welfare systems. In recognition of her family caregiving and advocacy, Eliza was honored with the 2022 Family Caregiver Award by Caregiving.com.

Melody Marshall

Workshop: Foster Care & Trafficking Risks – Closing the Gaps to Protect Vulnerable Youth

Melody Marshall is the Co-Executive Director for My Village Ministries, a local expression of family preservation, and the Co-Executive Director for Upstream Collaborative, a nationwide collaborative of family preservation ministries. Throughout her life, she has pursued work that allows her to serve vulnerable families in many different capacities. From being a house parent to at-risk teens, to a Paraprofessional for children with special needs, Melody has seen God work all things in her life towards joining the Lord in His heart for the marginalized, the orphan and the widow. It is her great joy now to be a part of mobilizing the church to care for socially isolated families in crisis. Melody is a mother of 5 children and has been joyfully married to Jeff Marshall for 21 years.

Lindsey Lane

Workshop: Improving Statewide Response to Trafficking Through Multi-Disciplinary Response Teams: A Case Study of Collaboration & Justice

As the Director of U.S. Programs at the Human TraffickingInstitute (HTI), Lindsey leads HTI’s domestic programs including authorship of the annual Federal Human TraffickingReport (FHTR), Strategic Training, and the Frederick DouglassFellowship. As the lead author and architect of the FHTR,Lindsey oversees the collection and analysis of data extracted from federal human trafficking cases filed in the federal court system each year, as well as briefs government agencies and key stakeholders on the findings and emerging trends from the data to help improve the federal response to humantrafficking.Through HTI’s Strategic Training, Lindsey harnesses the power of data to train law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and key stakeholders on how to identify the signs of human-trafficking, and how to investigate and prosecute human-trafficking cases. Using her extensive experience as a former major crimes and human trafficking prosecutor, Lindsey guides future anti-trafficking leaders in the Frederick DouglassFellowship, which serves to inspire and prepare third-year law students in careers in the anti-trafficking space.Prior to joining HTI, Lindsey served as a human trafficking state prosecutor in North Carolina, and a state prosecutor and Special Assistant United States Attorney in East Tennessee. Lindsey has handled hundreds of human-trafficking cases and worked with dozens of trafficking victims during her time as a prosecutor, and now shares this invaluable knowledge and experience she gained during her career to empower others to stop traffickers and protect victims. Lindsey has dual bachelor’s degrees inInternational Relations and History from Salem Women’sCollege and a Juris Doctorate from Liberty UniversitySchool of Law.

Nathan Whiteman

Workshop: Improving Statewide Response to Trafficking Through Multi-Disciplinary Response Teams: A Case Study of Collaboration & Justice

Nathan Whiteman joined the Human Trafficking Institute as the Law Enforcement Advisor in October 2024. In this capacity, Nathan collaborates with HTI’s Special Counsels to deliver strategic training for law enforcement officers,prosecutors, and key stakeholders on recognizing human-trafficking indicators and implementing evidence-based investigative and prosecutorial best practices.Nathan has significantly contributed to the fields of humantrafficking, online child exploitation, missing/abducted children, and criminal profiling. For twenty years, Nathan proudly served as a Special Agent with the FBI in Atlanta,Georgia, was a Team Leader for the FBI Child Abduction RapidDeployment (CARD) Team, and served as a profiler in the esteemed Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) in Quantico, Virginia.During his tenure in Atlanta, Nathan investigated hundreds of human trafficking cases and worked closely with state and federal prosecutors across the United States to bring traffickers to justice. From 2007 to 2019, Nathan led the MetroAtlanta Child Exploitation (MATCH) Task Force, the FBI’s largest child exploitation/human trafficking task force. Nathan empowered local departments to collaborate and develop strong interagency partnerships, while mentoring task force officers in implementing best practices for human trafficking investigations. As a criminal profiler with the BAU, Nathanfocused on cases involving human trafficking, serialhomicides/sexual assaults, missing children, and severe childphysical/sexual abuse. Additionally, Nathan has trained thousands of criminal justice and social service professionals across North, Central, and South America.Nathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Education and a Master of Arts in Spanish from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

McKayla Burnett

Workshop: Improving Statewide Response to Trafficking Through Multi-Disciplinary Response Teams: A Case Study of Collaboration & Justice

McKayla Burnett is the State Trafficking Response Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. McKayla has worked in victim services since 2015, focusing on domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. McKayla has a Master of Social Work degree and certificate in Gender Violence Intervention from Virginia Commonwealth University. She was awarded as the VCU Outstanding Young Alumni for Community Engagement in 2019 and Richmond Style Weekly’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2020. McKayla serves on the Board of Directors of We Off the Couch, a nonprofit that promotes health equity. She is passionate about creating safe, healthy communities for all people.

Marcel Van der Watt

Workshop: Dignity as the Disruptor: Breaking the Cycle of Demand in Sex Trafficking

Marcel van der Watt, Ph.D., is the President of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) in Washington, D.C., where he leads efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse on a global scale. Marcel brings over 22 years of expertise in combating organized crime, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. His background includes serving as a criminal investigator, hostage and suicide negotiator, and human trafficking case consultant - roles that have shaped his approach to strategic leadership and advocacy. He has also received international recognition for his work, including several awards, highlighting the impact of his contributions in this field. Marcel has provided expert testimony in several human trafficking cases and briefed members of the U.S. Congress on critical issues like online criminality. He is a Research Fellow at the Free State Centre for Human Rights at the University of the Free State, South Africa, and a member of the G20 Interfaith Working Group on Human Trafficking. He has trained professionals from over 30 countries and continues to contribute to global conversations through his research, publications, and presentations, advancing both academic and practical solutions to exploitation and human rights challenges.

Megan Lundstrom

Workshop: Shared Mission, Shared Measures: Collaborating for Survivor Stability, Accountability, and Dignity

Megan Lundstrom, CEO of Polaris. Former Director to the Resilience Fund at Polaris, is a passionate advocate committed to eradicating human trafficking. Megan led all aspects of the program, she collaborated with internal teams, steering committees, and individuals with lived experience, shaping a shared vision for transparent, trust-based resource distribution. Megan, former CEO of The Avery Center, has a rich background in strategic planning, budgeting, and community education. Beyond her impactful roles, she has served as Co-Chair for the Reisher Family Foundation Alumni Board, was an Advisory Board Member for Polaris, and was a Safety Committee Member at Windsor Charter Academy Schools. Megan’s ongoing contributions to the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center and the Office on Trafficking in Persons reflect her expertise and leadership in the field. Her publications, most notably Survivor's Guide to Money, showcase Megan Lundstrom as a multifaceted leader actively contributing to both global and local efforts against exploitation.

Doug Gilmer

Workshop: Shared Mission, Shared Measures: Collaborating for Survivor Stability, Accountability, and Dignity

Doug Gilmer, PhD, is a 35-year veteran of law enforcement, a proud military veteran, and an executive leader in government. He retired from the Department of Homeland Security and Homeland Security Investigations in August of 2024, after 25-years of federal service, where in his last assignment he served as the Senior Law Enforcement Advisor at the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, DC. His introduction to human trafficking took place in 1993, where, as a local police officer in Charlotte, NC, he encountered a 14-year-old girl who was being sold for sex. Since that time, Doug has committed himself to the field of human rights crimes, to include human trafficking and child exploitation. In his federal law enforcement career, Doug worked or supervised numerous human trafficking cases, both sex and labor, domestic and international, involving both adult and minor victims. While with HSI, Doug also served as the Unit Chief of the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit and as Chief of Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC), which under its portfolio, included cases of forced child labor in many extreme forms globally. It was during his tenure as the leader of the HRVWCC Doug saw the impact of multidisciplinary collaboration and became a passionate advocate for this model of leadership. Doug’s work, especially in the field of countering human trafficking, can be found in numerous national strategy, protocol, policy, and training documents throughout the federal government, state governments, and internationally.

Upon retiring from federal service, Doug chose to continue his work by creating Resolved Strategies LLC – A global justice solutions group (ResolvedStrategies.com), dedicated to serving non-profits, NGOs, corporations, law enforcement, legislators, policy makers, and government agencies working in the field of human rights crime. Doug works across the country to build collaborations, connect groups with resources, provide training, and develop solutions to counter human trafficking and other forms of exploitative crime. Doug values the voice of survivors, ensuring their input, and that work products are viewed first through a survivor lens.

Doug holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University, a Master’s degree in Counseling (trauma focused studies) from Luther Rice University, a Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Global Sustainability from Virginia Tech where he studied the push-pull factors leading to global migration and exploitation, and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University where his research and dissertation focused on the outcomes of multidisciplinary collaboration between law enforcement and victim service providers in countering human trafficking.

Doug is a well published author and popular speaker at conferences, universities, and to faith-based groups nationwide.

In January of 2025, Doug received the William Wilberforce Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong efforts in helping counter human trafficking globally.

Kevin Branzetti

Co-Founder & CEO

National Child Protection Task Force

Closing Statement

Kevin Branzetti is the co-founder and CEO of the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF), a nonprofit that supports law enforcement and child protection professionals in locating and safeguarding endangered children. Drawing from 29 years in law enforcement, Kevin brings deep expertise in terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, and intelligence operations.

He spent over two decades with the NYPD, ultimately serving as commanding officer of the Cyber Intelligence Unit, where he developed a first-of-its-kind terrorist targeting program. He later served as Deputy Chief of Intelligence at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, leading major investigations and multi-agency operations.

Today, Kevin leads NCPTF, which is on a mission to find missing children and build systems that prevent exploitation and support long-term recovery. His work bridges technology, trauma-informed response, and cross-sector collaboration to drive real change in communities nationwide.

Jacuelyn Aluotto

Lunch Panel Guest

Jacquelyn Aluotto is a distinguished human rights activist, anti-trafficking specialist, documentarian, policy reformer, and systems innovator renowned for her ability to unite diverse sectors, including media, intelligence, technology, law enforcement, and community organizations, to implement lasting, scalable solutions that protect the most vulnerable.

In 2002, Aluotto produced the groundbreaking documentary Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY), the first film to document life inside battered women’s and children’s shelters across the United States. She spent seven years embedded in shelters, capturing over 55,000 hours of footage that exposed the structural and cultural forces perpetuating violence against women and children. The film received a standing ovation from 63 international delegates in Washington, D.C., in 2010 and laid the foundation for her policy and advocacy work. In the same year, she founded Break the Cycle USA to continue her mission of addressing violence at its roots.

In 2017, Aluotto was invited to a Congressional roundtable focused on trafficking along the Texas border. There, she presented extensive intelligence on trafficking patterns and proposed legislative solutions to better protect children in high-risk zones. Her insights have directly influenced the national conversation on trafficking intervention and border policy.

In 2018, she wrote the authored federal amendment to the FOSTA/SESTA legislation to secure restitution for victims trafficked through websites such as Backpage. In 2019, she was appointed to create and lead an Anti-Trafficking Unit in the second-largest precinct in the United States, where she served as a Human Trafficking Liaison, helping to recover children and build cases against exploiters.

Aluotto’s two decades of frontline advocacy and systems disruption have earned her national recognition. She was honored and pinned by the United Nations International Council of Women, originally founded by Susan B. Anthony, for her tireless and fearless dedication to justice and gender-based violence prevention.

In 2020, she co-founded the No Trafficking Zone (NTZ), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and dismantling of human trafficking networks. NTZ creates legislation at the local, state, and federal levels to establish No Trafficking Zones, which enforce high-risk penalties for traffickers and predators. Simultaneously implementing effective systems of advocacy.

Under her leadership, NRG Park became the first sports and entertainment venue in the world to be declared a No Trafficking Zone. That same year, Aluotto was appointed as the Community Awareness Coordinator for the fourth-largest human trafficking task force in the nation and joined the Texas Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Legislative Prevention Task Force.

In 2021, she was invited to present with former I.C.E. Director and Border Czar Tom Homan, where she introduced A.T.L.A.S.a system designed to help locate missing children across state and national jurisdictions. She also spearheaded the successful passage of S.B. 1831, the No Trafficking School Zone Act, which imposes enhanced penalties (25–99 years) for trafficking and online solicitation of youth in schools or connected to them in Texas.

Her momentum continued at the federal level. In 2022, Congress requested her testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Counter Crimes, Terrorism and Homeland Security. She called for urgent action to dismantle trafficking networks nationwide and improve victim-centered systems of justice.

In 2023, Aluotto was the catalyst with No Trafficking Zone for H.B. 3553 and H.B. 3554, which expanded No Trafficking Zones across Texas to include foster care homes, daycares, detention centers, universities, youth shelters, and more.

In 2025, S.B. 1212 passed, making all of Texas a No Trafficking Zone and establishing a first-degree felony charge (25–99 years) for human trafficking and online solicitation statewide. In 2025, Aluotto and No Trafficking Zone became the Houston HIDTA human trafficking task force coordinators. The model prioritizes survivor-led intelligence and focuses on both high-impact convictions and long-term healing for victims.

Aluotto’s approach integrates intelligence specialists, survivor leaders, federal agencies, law enforcement, and grassroots organizations into collaborative systems for protection and prevention. She continues to advocate for bipartisan solutions and insists that courageous leadership is essential for protecting children and communities.

Her current work includes launching No Trafficking Zones nationwide, with the goal of classifying these offenses as federal crimes. She remains focused on dismantling systems that enable exploitation and replacing them with systems that deliver justice, safety, and hope.

Adam LaRoche

Founder, E3 Ranch Foundation

12-Year Major League Baseball Player

2012 Golden Glove and Silver Slugger

Lunch Panel Guest

After a 12-year Major League Baseball career with teams including the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Chicago White Sox, Adam retired to focus on service.

Adam co-founded the E3 Ranch Foundation with his wife, Jennifer, to support combat veterans, fight against human trafficking, and assist those in crisis. Adam is also a co-owner of the Outdoor Channel’s hunting show “Buck Commander,” collaborating with friends and fellow athletes.

Kerri Walsh Jennings

U.S. Olympian - 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 3-Time Gold Medalist

1-Time Bronze Medalist

Stanford University Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2011

USOPC Hall of Fame, Class of 2025

Lunch Panel Guest

Kerri Walsh Jennings is one of the most decorated athletes in beach volleyball history. A three-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012) and bronze medalist (2016), she holds the record for the most career victories in both international and domestic beach volleyball, with 135 wins. A three-time world champion (2003, 2005, 2007), Walsh Jennings also set records for the most consecutive match wins (112) and tournament wins (19).

Alongside longtime partner Misty May-Treanor, she achieved an unprecedented 21 consecutive Olympic match victories across three Olympic Games. Walsh Jennings’ resilience, dominance and dedication have left an enduring legacy in the sport of beach volleyball and beyond. Despite undergoing five shoulder surgeries, she returned to win the Rio Grand Slam in 2016. In one of her most memorable feats, she competed at the Olympic Games London 2012 while five weeks pregnant.

OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE

• 5-time Olympian; 4-time Olympic medalist (3 gold, 1 bronze)
• Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, bronze (Team - Women)
• Olympic Games London 2012, gold (Team - Women)
• Olympic Games Beijing 2008, gold (Team - Women)
• Olympic Games Athens 2004, gold (Team - Women)
• Olympic Games Sydney 2000, 4th (Team - Women)

• Most recent: 2019 – 17th (Team - Women)
• Years of participation: Team - Women 2001, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019
• Medals: 3 (2 gold, 1 silver)
• Gold – 2007 (Team - Women); 2005 (Team - Women)
• Silver – 2011 (Team - Women)