Our Team

Working with STAC over the last few years made her more mindful of the fact that this is also happening on a local level. Her work with STAC for the Imagine Freedom Fundraiser in 2021 and the youth and caregiver toolkit helped increase her understanding of what a broad issue this is not just in a physical way, but online as well.

Nipa also is an accomplished visual storyteller using graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, scripting, videography, editing, and production. Before bringing her talents to SalterMitchell PR and to the STAC board, she worked in Los Angeles serving as one of the top designers for some of the world’s largest entertainment companies such as Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Disney, and 20th Century Fox. Not only has Nipa designed for global industries, but she has developed statewide campaigns for important issues such as mental health awareness, highway safety education, agriculture, education, and advocacy efforts. Her mission is to find the truth behind every idea and she has a passion for exploring new ways those ideas can resonate with the world. She hopes to use this experience to continue to work with STAC and increase awareness of human trafficking in the Big Bend region and to help people recognize the signs of human trafficking around them.

Melissa strives to educate and guide individuals, families and small businesses by taking a holistic view of their finances. She is a graduate of the College of Business at Florida State University and in 2010 graduated from the College of Financial Planning with the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA® ). Melissa is a Leadership Tallahassee Class 29 Graduate, and a committed community volunteer. She is an expert on the importance of the financial sector being informed about human trafficking, and led an internal effort to train associates of Capital City Bank on how to recognize and respond to potential human trafficking in the banking world.

Here’s what she says: “Trafficking involves financial institutions – it’s all about money and greed. All financial institutions, banks, credit unions, paycheck or title lenders need to know how to identify someone who is being trafficked. Immediately with STAC’s help, Capital City Bank initiated the first bank training with our associates. Just from the one training STAC provided, a teller immediately recognized behavior by a depositor that indicated human trafficking. Now Capital City Bank offers STACPRO on our training site for new and current associates as part of their development program.”

Melissa is married with two beautiful daughters, 12 and 16, and a terrific stepson who is 26.

Sameer Jain is a native of India and a passionate advocate for a scientific and data-driven approach to raising awareness against labor and sex trafficking. As a subject matter expert on labor trafficking, Sameer focuses particularly on cases involving individuals or groups who are moved to the United States through legal channels, often under the guise of legitimate employment opportunities.

Having moved to the U.S. on a visa for specialty occupations, Sameer spent much of his life in a white-collar profession. Despite his educational, social, and financial background, he became a survivor of labor trafficking. His journey fuels his resolve to prevent others from experiencing similar exploitation.

Sameer actively works to raise awareness of human trafficking at the federal, state, and local government levels. He is especially committed to engaging faith-based organizations and ethnic minority-serving communities as vital partners in identifying, preventing, and responding to trafficking. His advocacy includes speaking engagements with governmental and non-governmental organizations across the country, where he highlights the complexities and underreported realities of labor trafficking in the U.S.

He currently serves on the United States National Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, where he contributes lived experience and subject expertise to influence national policy and strategy. In July 2025, Sameer joined the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Board of Directors, and he is also featured on Episode 4 of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center’s Imagine Freedom Podcast, where he shares his powerful story and insights on creating systemic change.

Dr. Aguilar is a program manager at CAHR, where she oversees the administrative work of the Center. She has been working with the Center since 2001. She conducts trainings on human trafficking for various groups in the community. In addition, she oversees the Center’s case management and service provision for human trafficking victims and victims of other crimes. She has developed curriculum for the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the Florida Department of Education on human trafficking. She was granted BIA Accreditation in 2013 and is assisting clients with their VAWA, DACA, Adjustment of Status, asylum, SIJS, TPS, U and T visa application submissions. She also represents clients in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. She has assisted over 500 refugees adjust their status to lawful permanent residence and helps them apply for their citizenship.

She has established direct connections with prosecutors, victim advocates, and law enforcement officials throughout the state. She works very closely with them to secure the necessary documentation to apply for immigration relief for clients who are victims of crimes and to apply for any other forms of relief under the Victim’s Compensation Program.

She serves as a co-chair for the Big Bend Coalition Against Human Trafficking Survivor Support Committee. On behalf of the coalition, she has written co-eds, participated in radio show interviews to discuss how Florida is affected by human trafficking, and conducted presentations and outreach initiatives. In addition, she serves on the Social Justice Committee of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center, a non-profit that assists victims and survivors of human trafficking in the Second Judicial Circuit.

She received Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees from Florida State University. In addition to working for the CAHR, Ms. Aguilar taught for Adult and Community Education (ACE) in Tallahassee from 2005 to 2022, where she taught evening classes to English learners from around the world. She was the lead teacher for the online English classes at ACE. She conducted classes for adult students in which she incorporated information about services and remedies for victims of various crimes, including human trafficking, and prepared students for their citizenship process. She received her doctorate degree in Instructional Systems and Learning Technology, and her focus was on equitable education for immigrants and refugees.

Her work explores how vulnerable populations become entrenched in the criminal justice system and examines macro-level factors that influence a country’s ability to detect, convict, and clear human trafficking cases.

Ashton’s passion for human trafficking research began during her undergraduate studies at the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a B.A. in Psychology. A victimization course sparked her interest, leading her to pursue specialized lectures, training, and research opportunities. She later earned her M.S. in Criminology from Florida State University.

Committed to bridging the gap between research and practice, Ashton advocates for collaborative relationships between academics, policymakers, and local organizations. She has partnered with STAC and a local business to provide training on identifying trafficking victims and responding appropriately, while also supporting fundraising and awareness efforts.

Outside of her academic and advocacy work, Ashton fosters cats through It’s Meow Or Never Tally, helping over 20 cats find forever homes. She is dedicated to educating the community on the importance of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and owns three cats—Salem, Karma, and Styx—who help socialize her fosters.

Daniela Donoso works as the Gun Violence Intervention Staff Attorney with Legal Services of North Florida, helping families in Leon County affected by gun violence. Previously, Donoso served as the Program Wide Immigration Attorney, at LSNF. She designed a comprehensive immigration advocacy program in North Florida to serve immigrants who are crime victims and establish immigration procedures and resources for LSNF staff and community partners. Daniela, a past  DACA recipient, knows what it is like to have your life shifted by fear and uncertainty because of the broken immigration system. Her personal and professional experience working with marginalized communities has instilled an altruistic spirit. 

Donoso received her law degree from Florida State University College of Law. She spent her undergraduate and graduate time working for the Florida State University’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, gaining mentors and experience in immigration and anti trafficking advocacy. She continues to engage in anti-trafficking advocacy and serves as a Board Member of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center.

Jae Hee Kim comes from a multicultural background from having lived all around the Americas.  Jae Hee was born in South Korea and spent her early childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  She then spent her formative years in Quebec, Canada.  After graduating high school in California, Jae Hee received her B.A. in political science at UBC, Vancouver, Canada.  Jae Hee then found passion in the legal field to combat human trafficking.  Jae Hee now is a career prosecutor serving Florida through the office of Statewide Prosecution.  She hopes to use her skills and knowledge to fight human trafficking on the legal field.

She is a public relations professional dedicated to the art of communication and she is the Founder of Infinite Public Relations Firm, in Tallahassee, FL. With her passion for storytelling, Khia has spearheaded several successful public relations, social media, and strategic communications campaigns that have assisted various brands in their selected industries. Khia has carved out a unique path in the world of public relations and legal communications.

Lorie was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and moved to Tallahassee to attend college. Lorie has worked for over 25 years in Maternal-Child and Women’s Health and has a passion for caring for women and children. She was always fascinated with childbirth and after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Florida State University in 1994 she worked on the labor and delivery unit of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. In 1998 she earned a Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and became a certified nurse midwife (CNM). Lorie has been a clinical preceptor to Florida State University and University of Florida nursing and midwifery students. Lorie relocated briefly to Clearwater, Florida, and worked as a CNM at Morton Plant hospital. During her time at Morton Plant, Lorie served as a clinical preceptor for University of South Florida medical residents during their obstetrical rotations. Lorie has worked in a variety of settings from rural hospitals to urban care centers. During clinical practice Lorie personally delivered over 1200 babies and assisted in the birth of many more.

Lorie now works in Public Health as Health Educator at Florida Department of Health’s Women’s, Infants and Children’s Supplementary Nutrition (WIC) program in Gadsden County Florida. The WIC program is a federally funded nutrition program providing healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding education and support to low-income mothers and babies. Lorie is also Program Manager for Gadsden County Florida Healthy Babies program and serves on the Health Equity Program Council focusing on reducing health disparities and high morbidity and mortality rates. Lorie become very involved in human services as a spokesperson against violence towards women and children and has been trained as a sexual violence and crisis counselor. Lorie often speaks at local workshops about women’s health and maternal-child health issues.

In 2001, she traveled to Bangladesh as a part of a U.S. State Department mission that included a site visit to a trafficking rescue shelter in Dhaka. This trip inspired her work to take action to end human trafficking. From 2002 to the present, she has directed numerous local and statewide anti-trafficking projects, lectured extensively on the topics of violence against women and human trafficking and contributed to many national and international publications and curricula.

In addition to her anti-trafficking work, Robin’s areas of expertise include domestic and sexual violence law and policy. She has served on and held leadership positions on local, state, and national boards and commissions.

Robin served as the Executive Director for Florida’s first Task Force on Domestic and Sexual Violence and on the National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women. She holds both law and master’s degrees from Florida State University and a B.A. from American University in Washington, D.C. where she graduated summa cum laude.

She is a skilled researcher and interviewer, has expertise working in non-profit agencies, and provides training and education on human trafficking to communities around the state and the globe including both NGO’s and governmental agencies.

Her work has focused on empowering individuals and families to navigate complex systems and reclaim their independence through compassion, collaboration, and trauma-informed care.

Before joining STAC, Micha coordinated entry and housing initiatives across the Big Bend region, supporting system-level improvements and advocating for vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. Her work is grounded in the belief that every person deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to thrive. Micha is deeply committed to fostering safe, supportive environments where individuals can build stability, resilience, and lasting change.

Michael Winn is President and CEO at RB Oppenheim Associates, a digitally driven marketing agency based in Tallahassee, Florida for 38 years. He is responsible for analyzing and maximizing all digital media campaigns, corporate marketing objectives, and organizational branding initiatives for clients. Michael ensures that all current technologies, digital web design methodologies, and search engine optimization strategies are leveraged to provide the highest level of success for more than 225 client websites built exclusively on WordPress.

Jamie Rosseland is a consultant in the field of anti-trafficking work with expertise in the program development and implementation for victims and survivors of sexual exploitation, trauma-competent and survivor-centered digital marketing and outreach strategies, and most recently, working on policy guides and research projects. She has been active in local government and statewide level policy advocacy. Through sharing her lived experiences and unique perspective, Jamie is committed to change the cultural view of the sex trade, addressing systems that drive demand, and confronting gender inequality.

Jamie has experience providing mentorship, court advocacy, and care coordination to youth impacted by sexual exploitation as part of the Open Doors Outreach Network with the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center. She has presented at countless community events, statewide summits, and national conferences. Currently, Jamie serves on the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s State Advisory Group. She is a Social Science Scholar at Florida State University, where she is working on earning her undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary social science.

In 2018, Jamie won the Survivor Advocate of the Year award presented by the Florida Attorney General for her outstanding work with exploited youth. In 2021, the United Nations published the Delta 8.7 Justice Policy Guide, which Jamie contributed to as a working group member. Additionally, Jamie recently guest appeared on the New York Times podcast, The Argument, addressing the intersection of anti-trafficking work and pro-sex work technologies.