Leadership
Kristi Wells is a nationally recognized leader in the fight against human trafficking, known for her expertise in nonprofit management, strategic growth, and fostering public-private collaboration. As the CEO and co-founder of Safe House Project, Kristi has dedicated her career to eradicating human trafficking in the United States through education, survivor advocacy, and innovative solutions.
Since co-founding the organization in 2017, she has led Safe House Project to become a unifying force in the anti-trafficking field, creating pathways for survivors to escape exploitation and rebuild their lives.
Under Kristi’s leadership, Safe House Project has raised millions of dollars to support the launch of safe homes across America, significantly increasing the availability of housing and comprehensive care for survivors. The organization has trained hundreds of thousands of individuals—including law enforcement, medical professionals, educators, and military personnel—to recognize, report, and prevent trafficking. Safe House Project’s impact extends beyond survivor services, as it also convenes over 500 stakeholders through the Trafficking Survivor Equity Coalition, advancing a coordinated national response to trafficking.
Kristi is a sought-after advisor to federal and state legislators, as well as Fortune 500 companies, where she provides insights on combating trafficking through collaborative, scalable solutions.
Her ability to bridge the nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors has been instrumental in driving systemic change, influencing legislation, and fostering innovative partnerships. Notably, her work has contributed to the creation of task forces across the country, uniting law enforcement, service providers, and community organizations to build a coordinated response to trafficking, which serves as a model for addressing trafficking at the community level.
Brittany Dunn is a nationally recognized expert in the fight against human trafficking, with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. She earned a B.A. in Economics and English from Wellesley College and an MBA with distinction from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Before co-founding Safe House Project, Dunn spent a decade in mergers and acquisitions, leading international business development across Europe and Southeast Asia. Her corporate background in strategic planning and fostering cross-sector and cross-cultural collaboration now informs her innovative work in combating trafficking.
As co-founder and COO of Safe House Project, Dunn has redefined the national response to human trafficking by building a pioneering network of safe housing and holistic care for survivors while driving systemic change at every level of government. Appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Governor’s Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support, she has shaped policy, enhanced protections, and created sustainable public-private solutions.
Her leadership has been featured in Forbes, The Hill, and CBN, and in 2024, she co-authored Eradicating Human Trafficking: A Transformative Approach through Collective Impact. A military spouse and proud mother of two, Dunn is dedicated to creating a safer, more equitable world for future generations.
Kathleen Arnold is the Senior Director of Programs for Safe House Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to combat human trafficking by providing safe housing, education, and training for survivors.
With 10 years of experience in trafficking services, program development, and nonprofit management, Kathleen is a leader in the anti-human trafficking field. Prior to joining Safe House Project, Kathleen held several leadership positions in nonprofit organizations focused on serving vulnerable populations, including developing from the ground up and directing a safe home for children who had experienced sex trafficking. She has a proven track record of developing and implementing effective programs that address the complex needs of vulnerable populations.
In her current role at Safe House Project, Kathleen oversees the organization’s programs and services, including the development of safe housing options for survivors of human trafficking, educational and training programs for survivors and the community, and strategic partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders. She is dedicated to creating innovative solutions that empower survivors and promote awareness of human trafficking.
Kathleen has received certification as a Mindset Instructor and Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner from TCU, as well as gaining experience in Play Therapy, Restorative Circles, and Sexual Exploitation Treatment and Training Services. Kathleen is a founding member of the Roanoke Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and Aspire, a group of allies working to break down racial and ethnic barriers to treatment and services for vulnerable populations. She was the acting chair of the Roanoke Valley Violence Prevention Council in 2020. Kathleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Justice Studies from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Radford University. Kathleen also received the Excellence in Research award in her MSW program. She is passionate about social justice and making a positive impact in the lives of those vulnerable to and impacted by sexual exploitation.
Alia Azariah is a passionate advocate and survivor of trafficking, dedicated to ending human trafficking and empowering those affected by this grave violation of human rights. She is currently Director of Aftercare for Safe House Project, served for 3 years on the California CSEC Advisory Board, has testified as an expert witness in trafficking cases, has been recognized with the Resiliency award by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, and mentors survivors across the country. In her career, Alia has had the opportunity to testify twice in front of UK Parliament and has spoken at the United States Capitol Building, been recognized on the floor of the California State Senate, and trained thousands at conferences around the country. Her focus lies in creating safe and sustainable communities for youth trafficking survivors through education, advocacy, service provision, and social justice. With a combination of professional knowledge, personal experience, and compassion, she diligently works at both local and national levels to create lasting change in the lives of trafficking survivors through specialized training and safe housing initiatives.
Lora joined Safe House Project in the Spring of 2020. In her 25+ years working with C-Level executives, she draws great strength and enjoyment in partnering with leaders to improve overall company efficiency and effectiveness.
Lora graduated Cum Laude from Oglethorpe University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She serves her local Boy Scout Troop as Charter Organization Representative and is Co-Chair of her Parish Council.
It has always been a dream to be able to use her gifts and her talents to benefit those in most desperate need. After spending most of her professional life working in a corporate environment, Lora considers it a privilege to be part of an organization that is changing the world in the most profound way.
Clay Vaughan is a seasoned revenue executive and the Chief Marketing Officer at Safe House Project, where he’s all about practical growth that makes a real difference.
Over the past decades, starting with his work founding Good Agency, Clay has built his career on rolling up his sleeves and delivering honest, results-driven strategies.
What really motivates him, though, is his personal commitment to ending human trafficking. His agency supports non-profits with targeted grants designed to boost awareness and empower those fighting on the front lines. Alongside his wife, Emilee, Clay works closely with organizations, developing results-focussed campaigns and partnerships that truly change lives.
Clay’s passion for this cause isn’t just something he talks about—it’s shaped by his own experiences. Early in his career, he spent several years working with youth in Limbe, Haiti, and Trenchtown, Jamaica. There, he saw firsthand how vulnerable communities can fall prey to exploitation, a reality that ignited his drive to help build safer, stronger communities.
At Safe House Project, Clay combines his deep expertise in business growth with his heartfelt dedication to social impact. His focus isn’t on flashy achievements but on the steady, genuine work of driving sustainable revenue while fighting for a future free from human trafficking.
As Strategic Advisor – Technology at Safe House Project, Lior Weinstein leverages his extensive background as a serial entrepreneur and digital transformation specialist to combat human trafficking through innovative technological solutions.
Drawing on his experience helping CEOs of 8- and 9-figure businesses navigate the AI landscape, Lior applies his unique ability to separate signal from noise in the complex anti-trafficking space. His tactical expertise in leadership, marketing, and software engineering enables Safe House Project to rapidly implement effective technological strategies that drive measurable impact.
With a proven track record of building and selling multiple technology companies and holding several machine learning and AI patents, Lior brings invaluable technical credibility to Safe House Project’s mission. He excels at translating complex challenges into practical, actionable roadmaps that help the organization stay ahead of emerging threats.
Lior’s life purpose of dissolving barriers to action perfectly aligns with Safe House Project’s urgent mission, as he empowers the team to leverage untapped technological opportunities in the fight against human trafficking.
Regional Operations Coordinator, Safe House Project With over15 years of nonprofit experience, —including the launch of the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition—Jennifer brings deep expertise in building statewide systems of care, launching crisis response infrastructure, and implementing survivor-centered frameworks. As Regional Operations Coordinator for the Safe House Project (SHP), she leads collaborative anti-trafficking initiatives across the Pacific Northwest, partnering with healthcare systems, community organizations, and law enforcement to strengthen trauma-informed, survivor-centered support networks. Previously, Jennifer served as Executive Director of the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition (2018–2025), where she led the creation of Idaho’s first coordinated statewide response framework for human trafficking. Under her leadership, the Coalition launched a 24/7 crisis response line, built a robust network of survivor services, and standardized trauma-informed protocols across healthcare, education, and direct service sectors. Jennifer’s earlier work at Idaho Parents Unlimited (2011–2018) focused on advocacy for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs, where she managed state and federal grants, facilitated statewide training, and supported underserved communities through educational outreach and systems navigation. Throughout her career, Jennifer has been a tireless advocate for systems change, policy reform, and survivor-informed care. Her work bridges gaps between policy, practice, and direct services to advance justice, healing, and long-term recovery for vulnerable populations.
Lindsey Gray Regional Operations Coordinator | Survivor Advocate | Mental Health Coach Lindsey combines lived experience with professional expertise in human trafficking advocacy, mental health support, and emergency services. A Pacific Northwest native now living in Virginia with her husband and two children, she brings both personal resilience and professional compassion to her work. Bringing a decade of multidisciplinary experience, Lindsey currently serves as Regional Operations Coordinator for Safe House Project, leading anti-trafficking efforts and building partnerships between law enforcement, healthcare providers, community organizations, and survivors. Her background includes extensive mental health coaching, inpatient behavioral therapy, residential safe housing, 911 EMS operations, Board Director at Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking, and active volunteer with Innocent Lives Foundation. Lindsey’s personal journey as a survivor of abuse, trafficking, and cPTSD, fuels her passionate commitment to early detection, comprehensive care, and systemic change. As a mother, spouse to a military police investigator, and a survivor advocate herself, she is well acquainted with the complexities of multiple perspectives and the importance of problem solving from a holistic approach. She specializes in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and client-centered approaches, always maintaining an unwavering belief in every person’s capacity for healing and growth. Her work is characterized by professional excellence, genuine warmth, and an unwavering belief in every person’s capacity for healing and growth—impacting lives across the country as she remains dedicated to changing trajectories for future generations through early intervention, mutli-agency collaboration, holistic care, survivor mentorship, and trauma-informed support.
