Meet our speakers

Nadine M Finigan-Carr, Ph.D., is a prevention research scientist focused on the application of behavioral and social science perspectives to research on contemporary health problems, especially those that disproportionately affect people of color. She is an internationally recognized expert on minor human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and community violence. In 2023, she was named the inaugural Executive Director of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Center for Violence Prevention. The center’s mission is to build resilient and equitable communities for all through the prevention and intervention of all forms of violence and trauma.

Bethany Young is a lawyer, researcher, and policy expert with deep experience conducting legal and policy research about social stratification and its adverse effects on individuals in academic, professional, and legal settings. Bethany currently works as the Director of Policy for Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. Bethany received a B.A. from Spelman College, a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Duke University.

LaShanta Harris is an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland where she also serves as the Human Trafficking Coordinator and the Chair of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force. Prior to her work at the Department of Justice, Ms. Harris spent several years as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office. She also spent five years as a Trial Attorney at the United States Department of Labor and two years as a Trial Attorney with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LaShanta started her legal career by serving as a federal judicial law clerk in the District Court in the Northern District of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. In her community development endeavors, Ms. Harris has helped to organize the Women Moving Forward Conference: A Collaborative Re-entry Program for Women at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup, Maryland. Also, within the last five years, Ms. Harris has served on the Board of Directors of Bishop McNamara High School, the Prince George’s County Bar Association, and the Penn Club of DC. Ms. Harris is native of Prince George’s County, Maryland and a proud graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Howard University School of Law.

Nathan Earl is the Co-Director of Men’s Haven Health in New Haven, CT, and Principal Public Health Advisor at giantslayer., LLC, where he advances research and public health strategies to address human trafficking and related violence through a syndemic lens. His work focuses on health equity for underserved male populations, including boys, men of color, and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, offering critical insights to federal agencies, state programs, and NGOs. A champion of collective impact, Earl integrates evidence-based practices with innovative prevention strategies to dismantle systemic barriers impacting marginalized groups.

Earl leads and consults on impactful initiatives, including the 2024 International Conference on Violence Against Men and Boys, where he co-developed a curriculum focused on syndemic-based public health interventions for violence prevention among vulnerable male communities. His collaborative work with organizations such as the National Center on Child Trafficking, National Center for Youth Law, Yale School of Public Health, Quinnipiac School of Law, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and HEAL Trafficking reflects his dedication to equity and inclusive approaches, helping these entities create safer, more responsive systems for male survivors. Earl’s recent publications and research, including studies on service access barriers and biases impacting trafficking survivors, as well as his focused work on risks and trajectories for the commercial sexual exploitation of males, contribute to critical policy and practice reforms. His findings help shape a more equitable landscape in anti-trafficking and public health, particularly for underserved male populations.

Hollie Nadel is a leader and business owner with expertise in business operations, human resources, recruiting, training, public speaking, policy, and anti-money laundering. Hollie’s most important work is in the anti-trafficking movement, working alongside other anti-trafficking leaders, raising awareness around the evolving realities of human trafficking, and seeking protections and justice for victims. As a survivor herself, the mission is deeply personal for Hollie. Hollie has served as a featured speaker for ACAMS AML Symposiums, USAA, HHS, Congressional briefings, The DC Rotary Club, The Virginia Attorney General’s Annual Human Trafficking Summit, NGA’s Criminal Justice Policy Advisor’s briefing on Human Trafficking, and workshops for mental health and legal professionals to discuss trauma related to human trafficking. Hollie has consulted for and serves on the advisory boards for anti-trafficking organizations, including 3Strands Global Foundation’s Survivor Advisory Board as Secretary. As a recipient of the 2025 Pembrook Fellowship, Hollie is currently working at the Human Trafficking Legal Center to expand Survivor Leadership Programs. Hollie holds a certification from the ACAMS/ Liechtenstein Initiative for Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking, has provided survivor support for the Survivor Inclusion Initiative, and continues to actively work to pass much needed anti-trafficking legislation.

Alexandria Wall, LPC, holds a BA in both Communication and Sociology from George Mason University and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. As Director of Human Trafficking Services at Safe Harbor, she oversees the human trafficking survivor programs, works with minor victims across the state of Virginia, and trains service providers. Previously, she served as a Human Trafficking Case Manager for the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and has developed a clinical program for minor victims of exploitation and trafficking, utilized in two juvenile residential facilities in the state. Her experience includes roles as an Autism Clinician, Mental Health Counselor, and Counselor in foster care programs. Ali was appointed by Governor Younkin to sit on the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Prevention and was recognized federally for Outstanding Victim Protection in Countering Human Trafficking.

Dr. Danielle Thomas serves as the Child Sex Trafficking Regional Navigator for Life Crisis Center working with at-risk youth throughout the Lower Shore. Dr. Thomas completed her doctoral degree in Traumatology, where she focused her dissertation research on the resources available to survivors of child sex trafficking in nonmetropolitan communities. She also holds a master’s degree in Addiction and Recovery Counseling.

In addition to providing case management and advocacy, Dr. Thomas fuels community empowerment through educational presentations and proactive outreach. Her commitment to fostering resilience and advancing survivor support is rooted in a deep-seated drive to facilitate healing and prevent victimization, propelled by a steadfast belief in the potency of collaborative community action.

Jessica Kendall, JD, is a project director at ICF where she has led federal projects and tasks relating to human trafficking, child welfare, unaccompanied children, and workforce development for youth. She brings more than 20 years of experience in training, technical assistance, law and policy analysis. She currently supports the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, which advises and provides recommendations to the Federal government on anti-trafficking programs and policies. Previously, she represented children in child protection proceedings in Washington, DC and oversaw grants for the American Bar Association on fathers in the child welfare system, differential response, and status offenses.

Richard B. Barr M.A, Richard is a Senior Director at ICF with a focus on matters of innovative strategies around growth and development, family formation, workforce and poverty solutions that provides extensive consultation to agencies and communities. Richard served as the first director and formulated the program for the Columbia Urban League’s Fatherhood Engagement Initiative. In 2003 during his tenure as Vice President/Sumter City Executive of the Sumter branch of SC Community Bank, holdings grew 900% in eight years. Richard, formally as the Vice President of Strategy & Organizational Development at the South Carolina Center for Father and Families, grew the Center along with its 6 organizations into a national Fatherhood beacon. He is certified in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Trauma Informed Care and he is federally recognized as a national expert in matters of poverty and economic development opportunities for families, fathers and communities.

Coming soon!

Coming soon!