Our Team

Jump to: Founder and Board Chair, Steering Committee, Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs

Leadership Team

Ali Boak, MPH
Director, Global Center on Human Trafficking

Ali Boak (she/her/hers) is the Director of the Global Center on Human Trafficking located within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Montclair State University. Ali is a passionate leader in the global movement to end human trafficking. For more than 25 years, she has worked alongside survivors of all forms of trafficking to develop innovative, survivor driven approaches to prevent and address human trafficking across the United States, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Read More

Daniela Peterka-Benton
GCHT Academic Director
Associate Professor, Justice Studies

peterkabentd@montclair.edu

Daniela Peterka-Benton is an associate professor in the Department of Justice Studies and serves as the coordinator for the department’s International Justice concentration. She has a PhD in Sociology with a specialization in Criminology from the University of Vienna, Austria, a Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, and Master’s degree in Adult and Media Education from the University of Vienna. Read More

Christabelle Robinson
Communications and Social Media Specialist

robinsonchr@montclair.edu

Christabelle Robinson (she/her/hers) is the Communications and Social Media Specialist at the Global Center on Human Trafficking. A survivor herself, her passion for survivor advocacy and rights is at the forefront of her work. Christabelle has years of survivor advocacy experience including blogs, interviews, and public speaking on human trafficking and related issues. She is an experienced trainer and educator and draws from her lived experience to connect with audiences. Read More

Liz Kimbel
Survivor Advocate

kimbele@montclair.edu

Lived Experience Expert and Survivor Leader, Liz Kimbel (she/her/hers) is the Program Specialist for the Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University, as well as a Survivor-led grassroots organization, The Restoring Ivy Collective. She has dedicated a decade of professional experience in program development, policy, media, and public speaking. Read More

Ashlee Martellacci
Student and Volunteer Program Coordinator

martellaccia@montclair.edu

Ashlee Martellacci is the Student and Volunteer Program Coordinator for the Global Center on Human Trafficking, as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy for Montclair State University. She has a Master’s in Child Advocacy and Policy with a concentration in Public Child Welfare and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Montclair State University. She also holds a paralegal certificate from Montclair State University. Read More

Founder and Board Chair

Mimi Feliciano
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FEM Real Estate, LLC

Mimi Feliciano is Founder and CEO of FEM Real Estate, a Real Estate Investment Company, based in Montville, New Jersey, which she opened in 2013, with her husband, Edwin. FEM develops, owns and manages commercial real estate nationwide. She most recently completed her passion project, South Beach at Long Branch, in 2020, an award winning oceanfront 42 unit condominium development that introduces a luxurious live, work, play lifestyle to the Jersey Shore. Read More

Global Center on Human Trafficking Team Photo

Steering Committee

Brianne Baird, Assistant Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Bond Benton, Associate Professor, School of Communications and Media
Chad Brown, Director of Development, Feliciano School of Business
Nancy Coba, Clinical Specialist, Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy
Emily Douglas, Chairperson, Social Work and Child Advocacy
Anthony D’Urso, Associate Professor, Psychology
Maneesha Kelkar, Adjunct Professor, Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Department
Mathew Jack, Managing Director, Public Service Practice, Fermata
AJ Kelton, Director, Center for the Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
Peter Kingstone, Dean, College of Humanities and Social Science
Francesca Laguardia, Associate Professor, Justice Studies
Ashlee Martellacci, Adjunct Professor, Social Work and Child Advocacy
Venezia Michalsen, Associate Professor, Justice Studies
Meaghan Morin, Web Content Manager, College of Humanities and Social Science
Minnie Parker, Professional Services Specialist 2/Administrative Services (CWA), College of Humanities and Social Science
Daniela Peterka-Benton, Associate Professor, Justice Studies
Jessica Restaino, Professor, Writing Studies
Marissa Silverman, Professor of Music, Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Education, John J. Cali School of Music
Kenneth Sumner, Associate Provost for Academic Personnel, Academic Affairs
Ely Santoni Tuero, Senior Director of Gift Planning, Development
Melissa Velez, Program Assistant, Psychology
Krystal Woolston, Assistant Director, Center for Community Engagement

Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs

Survivor Support and Empowerment: Ashlee Martellacci, Adjunct Professor, Social Work and Child Advocacy

Education and Training: Daniela Peterka-Benton, Associate Professor, Justice Studies

Collaboration and Sharing: Jessica Restaino, Professor, Writing Studies

Research and Program Evaluation: Francesca Laguardia, Associate Professor, Justice Studies

Policy, Advocacy, and Regulation: Emily Douglas, Chairperson, Social Work and Child Advocacy

Fundraising: Brianne Baird, Assistant Vice President, Corporate and Foundation Relations; Chad Brown, Director of Development, Feliciano School of Business; and Ely Santoni Tuero, Senior Director of Gift Planning.

Student Engagement: Melissa Velez, Program Assistant, Psychology

We welcome new members and partners. Please contact us for more information.