Guests
Tim Ballard
Jeannie Mai Jenkins
Sheriff Chris Swanson
Oree Freeman
All guests
A - Z order
Tim Ballard
Founder & President, Operation Underground Railroad;
Former Department of Homeland Security, and Central Intelligence Agency
Tim Ballard is the Founder & President of Operation Underground Railroad
(O.U.R.) and serves as O.U.R. 's Jump Team Commander for rescue
operations. Tim began his career at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
where he worked on cases dealing with terrorism and Latin America.
He spent more than a decade as a Special Agent for the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children
Task Force (ICAC) and deployed as an undercover
operative for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team.
Working undercover in the U.S. and abroad, Tim has infiltrated numerous
human trafficking organizations which has successfully dismantled dozens
of criminal organizations while rescuing countless children from sex slavery.
Tim recruited and trained Marisol on undercover work and is
her partner on undercover operations that combat sex trafficking.
Lt. Marc Evans
Officer in Charge - Human Trafficking/Vice/Counter Terrorism, LAPD;
Author of Selling the Daughters of America
A 26-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, Lt. Evans is a
nationally recognized expert in human trafficking, vice-related crimes,
and counter terrorism. He earned both a Master's degree in Criminal
Justice – Critical Incident Management/Counter-Terrorism, and a
Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice at Saint Leo University.
Due largely to the collaboration of different groups, notably the LAPD's
Operations Valley Bureau Human Trafficking Task Force, prostitutes
are now recognized as victims in need of rescue and support rather
than criminals. Lt. Evans is Officer-in-Charge of the task force and is
currently concentrating on operations to capture "Johns"
and "Pimps", two major figures in human trafficking.
Oree Freeman
Advocate at Saving Innocence, Member of the CSEC (Commercially Sexually
Exploited Children) State Advisory Board
Oree Freeman is a survivor of human trafficking for more than 10 years which
began at the age of 11. She is an advocate at Saving Innocence where she
transforms the lives of youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare
systems by sharing what she has learned from her own experience. Born in
Chowchilla State Prison, Oree was given up for adoption by her mother. She
is now serving her second term on the CSEC (Commercially Sexually Exploited
Children) State Advisory Board with the mission to be a voice and a fighter for
all victims of human trafficking. Oree has devoted her career to combating sex
trafficking by establishing awareness, spreading hope, and helping others find
resilience within themselves. Oree is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree
from Southern Methodist University.
Jeannie Mai Jenkins
Emmy Award & NAACP Image Award-winning Host & Producer of The Real;
Activist & Filmmaker for Ending Human Trafficking
Jeannie Mai Jenkins is an American actress, makeup artist, fashion expert,
and TV personality. In 2017, she worked with filmmaker Sadhvi Siddhali
Shree to executive produce the documentary Stopping Traffic: The Movement
to End Sex Trafficking. Jeannie most recently executive produced Surviving
Sex Trafficking (2022), which examines the ongoing struggles of trafficking
survivors as they desperately break free of their past and reclaim their lost
humanity. She is an ambassador for Pacific Links Foundation, an organization
committed to rescuing women and children from sex trafficking & slavery in
Vietnam by providing employment and vocational opportunities; and for Step
Up, whose mission is to propel girls from under-resourced
communities to fulfill their career potential.
Jason Parker
Former SWAT Team Leader (Retired); Founder of SALVO;
Operative with Operation Underground Railroad
Jason Parker is a retired law enforcement officer who
co-founded SALVO, a group that provides Active Shooter,
Sexual Assault/Molestation (S.A.M.) and Human Trafficking
training for schools, public safety, and businesses. Specializing
in investigations, he is now working full time with Operation
Underground Railroad where he focuses on missions to combat
human trafficking and minimize sexual assaults, especially
involving children. Jason and Marisol have worked together
on stings resulting in more than a dozen
child predators being brought to justice.
Nancy Rivard
Founder of Airline Ambassadors International
Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) has trained more than 7,000
frontline airline personnel in identifying human trafficking. Their efforts
have led to numerous arrests and rescues that may have otherwise gone
unnoticed. The training is now mandatory for everyone in the FAA.
Recognized by the U.S. Congress and the United Nations, AAI along with
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, developed
the first ever Human Trafficking Training tailored
specifically for the airline and travel industries.
John D. Ryan
Former President & CEO of National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
(NCMEC); Former Deputy General Counsel & Cybersecurity Chief at AOL
John served on the NCMEC Board of Directors for more than 12 years before
becoming its CEO. He led a U.S. campaign to combat child sex trafficking
which has moved from the streets to the Internet. John was called to testify
before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on
Human Resources in October 2013 regarding the subject of sex trafficking
among foster adolescents. In 2013, he spearheaded ‘Safe to Compete: Protecting
Child Athletes from Sexual Abuse’, a Summit co-hosted by the Cal Ripken Sr.
Foundation, which brings together young sports groups and experts
aiming to prevent child sexual abuse in sports.
Sadhvi Siddhali Shree
Former U.S. Army Combat Medic (Iraq); Award-winning Filmmaker & Author;
Activist for Social Injustice; First North American Jain female-monk
Sadhvi Siddhali Shree is an Iraq War veteran who served as a U.S. Army combat
medic, first North American female Jain Monk, and a film director dedicated to
selflessly serving the world. Over the years she has tirelessly travelled the world
to share her spiritual teachings, create inspiring films, and serve humanity. As a
filmmaker, Siddhali rose to prominence with her award-winning documentary,
Stopping Traffic – The Movement to End Sex Trafficking (2017), which she
directed and is based on the global crisis of human and sex trafficking. Her most
recent film is Surviving Sex Trafficking (2022), which she directed and produced,
examines the ongoing struggles of trafficking survivors as they desperately
break free of their past and reclaim their lost humanity.
Sheriff Christopher Swanson
Sheriff of Genesee County, Michigan’s 10th largest police force;
Founder of the Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST),
a specialized unit focused on combating crimes
of human trafficking and drug offenses
Sheriff Swanson and his team have arrested more than 100 individuals
for sex trafficking throughout the state of Michigan and has garnered a
100% conviction rate of trafficking offenders. He and Marisol Nichols
have successfully worked together on operations
that brought child predators to justice.
Sheriff Swanson is a licensed paramedic and certified Medical Examiner
Investigator and has led special protection teams for Presidents George W. Bush
and Barack Obama, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dick Chaney, and Joe Biden.
A career police officer for more than two decades, Sheriff Swanson’s agency is
one of the only agencies in the State of Michigan with dual police officers and
paramedics assigned to road patrol. He earned a Master’s degree in Public
Administration and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Laila Mickelwait
Founder & CEO, Justice Defense Fund
Founder, Global #Traffickinghub movement
Laila Mickelwait is the founder and CEO of the Justice Defense Fund and the global #Traffickinghub movement against PornHub, the largest Porn site worldwide. She has been fighting the injustice of sex trafficking for a number of years and is one of the world's best-known experts on the issue.
The #Traffickinghub led by Laila is a decentralized movement to make Pornhub and other big companies connected to them responsible for the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of countless victims. The petition has been signed by over two million individuals in 192 countries which gave a solid impact on various media and organizations,
Laila has directed several international initiatives to raise awareness of and prevent human trafficking for several years with organizations Exodus Cry and New Reality International.
Her contributions have been featured in countless media reports all over the world, in outlets such as The New York Times Magazine, The New York Post, BBC News, CNN, Bloomberg, Reuters, AP, Rolling Stone, CNBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and so many others.
Kerri Kasem
Founder, Kasem Cares and the Kasem Coalition
Kerri Kasem is an American radio host on KXNT, Racing Rocks the National Lampoon Comedy Countdown, The Solomon Free Money Hour, and Pet Talk.
Kerri has founded non-profit organizations, Kasem Cares and Kasem Coalition, dedicated to raise awareness against any forms of elderly abuse through education and awareness campaigns, support of social change, and legislative action.
All guests
A - Z order
Cami Mendes
an actress, singer, and model, was born in Charlottesville, Virginia,
United States. In 2016, she graduated from New York University's
Tisch School of the Arts. She is a strong advocate for body positivity.
During her freshman year at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts,
she was drugged and sexually abused, leading her to get a tattoo above her
rib cage that said "to build a home." Furthermore, she was outspoken about
her feelings regarding the false claims leveled against her Riverdale co-stars
Cole Sprouse, Lili Reinhart, Vanessa Morgan, and KJ Apa, labeling them
"destructive and sickening" (June 2020)
Sheriff Christopher Swanson
Sheriff of Genesee County, a career police officer with Swanson leads 269
officers, the tenth largest police force in Michigan. He has served in a
variety of positions, including corrections, patrol, narcotics, criminal
investigation, death investigation, and command operations.
With a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree
from the University of Michigan, Sheriff Christopher Swanson is a licensed
paramedic and certified Medical Examiner Investigator. He is responsible
for protecting Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and Vice
Presidents Gore, Chaney and Biden. A career police officer with experiences
spanning more than two decades, Sheriff Swanson leads 269 officers, the
tenth largest police force in Michigan. His agency is also one of the only
agencies in the State of Michigan with dual police officers and paramedics
assigned to road patrol.
Jason Parker
Ret'd SWAT Team Member; Founder of SALVO and currently an Operative
with Operation Underground Railroad
Jason Parker is a retired law enforcement officer who co-founded SALVO,
a group that provides Active Shooter, Sexual Assault/Molestation (S.A.M.)
and Human Trafficking trainings for schools, public safety, and businesses.
Specializing in investigations, he is now working full time with Operations
Underground Railroad where he focuses on missions to combat human
trafficking and minimize sexual assaults, especially involving children.
Jeannie Mai Jenkins
Emmy Award & NAACP Image Award winning host of The Real;
Activist & Documentarian for Ending Human Trafficking
Jeannie Mai Jenkins is an American actress, makeup artist, fashion expert,
and TV personality. In 2017, Jeannie Mai worked with filmmaker Sadhvi
Siddhali Shree to executively produce a documentary called “Stopping Traffic:
The Movement To End Sex Trafficking" in Vietnam. While abroad, she works
with non-profit organizations that offer opportunities to improve health care
for impoverished children, rescue women and children from sex trafficking,
and provide extensive services to 7,785 survivors. She is also an ambassador
for the Milpitas, Calif-based Pacific Links Foundation, an organization
committed to rescuing women and children from sex trafficking and slavery
in Vietnam by providing employment and vocational opportunities; and for
Step Up, whose mission is to propel girls from under-resourced communities
to fulfill their career potential.
Jenna Elfman
Born and raised in Los Angeles, where she presently resides with her
husband, Bodhi Elfman, and their two sons. A Golden Globe awardee,
a three-time Emmy nominee, and a two-time TV Guide winner.
She partners with Saving Innocence, a Los Angeles-based non-profit
organization that was founded in 2010 and works nationally in the
United States. The organization is affiliated with multiple agencies,
working 24/7 to rescue and restore child victims of human trafficking,
with over 2000 children impacted in the organization's
ten years of operation.
John D. Ryan
Former President & CEO of National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
(NCMEC); Former Deputy General Counsel & Cybersecurity Chief at AOL
Served on the NCMEC Board of Directors for more than 12 years before
becoming CEO. Led a campaign in the United States to combat child sex
trafficking, which has moved from the streets to the Internet via online
classified sites like Backpage.com. He was called to testify before the U.S.
House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human
Resources in October 2013 regarding the subject of sex trafficking among
foster adolescents. In 2013, he spearheaded Safe to Compete: Protecting
Child Athletes from Sexual Abuse, a Summit co-hosted by the Cal Ripken Sr.
Foundation, which brings together young sports groups and experts to
discuss child sexual abuse prevention in sports.
Kristin Chenoweth
Initially named Kristi, I. Kristin Chenoweth was born in Broken Arrow,
Oklahoma and was adopted into the Chenoweth family. She is a graduate
of Oklahoma City University with a Master’s degree in Opera Performance.
She has a career in film, television, voiceover and stage. In 2015, she
partnered with the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center (BAPAC)
Foundation in her home state of Oklahoma and launched an annual
Broadway Bootcamp, providing young Broadway hopefuls with the
opportunity to take classes, hold performances and learn from top mentors
in the entertainment industry including herself. She is also the creator of
“Places! The Kristin Chenoweth Tour Experience," a unique educational
program for young singers that puts them right
next to her performing on stage.
Lili Reinhart
was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Bay Village. At the age of 10,
she discovered her passion for the performing arts, including singing,
dancing, and acting. Extremely outspoken on the subject of
depression and mental health.
She, along with her Riverdale co-stars Cole Sprouse, Vanessa Morgan, and
KJ Apa, were falsely accused of sexual assault (June 2020). Written in
tumbler about her experience with a much older man in a position of
authority who pressed her to have sex. At the age of 16,
she experienced to be sexually coerced.
Madelaine Petsch
was born in Port Orchard, Washington. Her parents were originally from
South Africa and eventually moved to the United States.
Having been sexually assaulted herself, she was outspoken about her views
on false accusations directed against her Riverdale co-stars Cole Sprouse,
Lili Reinhart, Vanessa Morgan, and KJ Apa (June 2020). In addition, she
created a PSA to encourage and empower those who have been sexually
assaulted to seek help. This is in response to an episode of Riverdale in
which her character was almost sexually assaulted.
Lt. Marc Evans
Officer in Charge, Human Trafficking/Vice/Counter Terrorism, LAPD;
Author of Selling the Daughters of America
A 26-year veteran lieutenant who earned both his Master's degree in
Criminal Justice – Critical Incident Management/Counter-Terrorism and
his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice at Saint Leo University.
A nationally recognized expert in human trafficking, pimping, pandering,
and prostitution-related crimes.
Prostitutes are now recognized as victims in need of rescue and support,
rather than criminals, due largely to the activities of different groups,
notably the LAPD's Operations Valley Bureau Human Trafficking Task
Force. The task force's current OIC is Lt. Marc Evans. The task team is
currently concentrating on capturing the Johns and Pimps, two major
figures in human trafficking. They carry out operations in which they
send female members of their team undercover as prostitutes.
Nancy Rivard
Founder of Airline Ambassadors Int'l. Recipient of the President's Volunteer
Service Award; Global Woman of the Year Award
Nancy Rivard is the executive director of Airline Ambassadors International
for orphans and vulnerable children. Under her leadership, the group has
hand-delivered over $60 million of aid to orphaned children across 62
countries. She also trained over 5,000 front line travel industry personnel in
human trafficking awareness. Since founding Airline Ambassadors, she has
received dozens of awards including the President’s Volunteer Service Award,
Global Woman of the Year Award, and the Award for Visionary Leadership by
New Friends, New Life.
Oree Freeman
Advocate at Saving Innocence, Member of the CSEC (Commercially Sexually
Exploited Children) State Advisory Board
Oree Freeman is an advocate at Saving Innocence where she transforms the
lives of youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems by
sharing what she has learned from her own experience. Born in Chowchilla
State Prison, Oree was given up for adoption by her mother. She is now serving
her second term on the CSEC (Commercially Sexually Exploited Children)
State Advisory Board with the mission to be a voice and a fighter for all victims
of human trafficking. Oree has also devoted her career to combating sex
trafficking by establishing awareness, spreading hope, and helping others
find resilience within themselves.
Sadhvi Siddhala Shree
First North American Jain female-monk, Frmr. U.S. Army Combat Medic
(Iraq); Award Winning Filmmaker & Author; Activist for Social Injustice
Sadhvi Siddhali Shree is North America’s first female Jain Monk, an Iraq-war
veteran, and film director who is dedicated to selflessly serving the world.
From US army veteran to speaker and filmmaker, Sadhvi has worn many hats,
but the core of her messages are always the same: love yourself; know yourself;
and hope for a better world begins with you. Over the years, she has ceaselessly
shared spiritual teachings, giving heartfelt speeches, creating inspiring films,
and continuing to serve humanity through her many efforts. As a filmmaker,
she is mostly known for her documentary Stopping Traffic in 2017 which is
based on the global problem of human and sex trafficking.
Tim Ballard
Founder & President, Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R)
Tim Ballard is the Founder and President of Operation Underground
Railroad (O.U.R.). He also serves as O.U.R. 's Jump Team Commander
for rescue operations. Ballard began his career at the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA) where he worked cases dealing with terrorism and Latin
America. He has spent over a decade working as a Special Agent for the
Department of Homeland Security where he was assigned to the Internet
Crimes Against Children Task Force and deployed as an undercover
operative for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team. He has worked every
type of case imaginable in the fight to dismantle child trafficking rings.
Ballard has worked undercover in the United States and in multiple foreign
countries to infiltrate child trafficking organizations. In this effort, he has
successfully dismantled dozens of these organizations and rescued
countless children from sex slavery.
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