How Education Empowers Survivors of Labor Trafficking

The Harriet Tubman Fellowship at the Human Trafficking Legal Center is a vital initiative that empowers survivor leaders through professional development, education, and financial support. Named after one of history’s most courageous freedom fighters, the fellowship equips individuals with lived experience to influence policy, drive legal advocacy, and affect systemic change in the fight against human trafficking.

In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of education as a powerful tool in this effort that  offers survivors of labor trafficking a pathway to healing, resilience, and opportunity. It fosters mental health recovery by instilling purpose and confidence while providing the skills needed to rebuild their lives. Additionally, our experts will highlight their expertise in this space to discuss how educating medical providers enhances trauma-informed care and improves the identification of trafficking victims. They will highlight how survivors who enter the medical, legal or development fields bring invaluable lived experience to shape and design systemic change. By investing in education, we can transform lives, strengthen communities, and create a more compassionate and effective response to labor trafficking.

Speaker Bios

Anthony Paco Bernaola

Anthony Paco Bernaola

Anthony Paco Bernaola is a survivor of labor trafficking and a dedicated advocate for victims. After immigrating to the U.S. from Peru, his pursuit of education and work experience led to a harrowing experience of forced labor. Currently, as the Program Coordinator for Human Trafficking Support Services at the Asian Association of Utah, Anthony oversees case managers, contributes to grant writing, and provides trauma-informed support to survivors. Additionally, Anthony consults with other agencies, offering his insights as a survivor to enhance their services. In 2024, Anthony was selected for the inaugural Harriet Tubman Fellowship, where he engaged with federal agencies on labor trafficking issues. Currently pursuing an MBA at Southern New Hampshire University, Anthony’s ultimate goal is to create a dedicated program providing housing and comprehensive services for male trafficking survivors.

Rucha Nimbalkar

Rucha Nimbalkar

Rucha Nimbalkar is a survivor of labor trafficking who was forced into the United States under the pretext of marriage, where she endured physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Isolated and without support, she struggled with self-blame and depression until a nonprofit organization, API Chaya, helped her escape and rebuild her life. Despite her traumatic past, Rucha pursued education, earning an associate’s degree and working as a lab coordinator in a nursing school. In 2024, she was selected for the inaugural Harriet Tubman Fellowship, where she collaborated with federal agencies to address labor trafficking issues. Now enrolled in a paralegal certification course, Rucha is dedicated to becoming a human rights lawyer to support others facing similar hardships.

Theresa ONYA

Theresa ONYA is a survivor of forced labor who came to the United States in 2001 with dreams of becoming a nurse.  She obtained employment at a cleaning company, but unfortunately, the owner of the company used her vulnerabilities against her and she found herself working tirelessly for free. Theresa has faced considerable challenges and hardships during and post-exploitation, yet, she has not allowed these obstacles to deter her from pursuing her dreams.

Theresa ONYA

Her resilience never wavered. In 2024, she was selected for the inaugural Harriet Tubman Fellowship, where she engaged with federal agencies to address labor trafficking and migrant issues. 

Now pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in nursing, Theresa is dedicated to supporting trafficking survivor patients by providing education and resources to help them rebuild their lives. A devoted mother and compassionate advocate, Theresa remains committed to helping others in her community

Evelyn Chumbow

Evelyn Chumbow is the advocacy and survivor leadership director at the Human Trafficking Legal Center. She is a survivor of child labor trafficking turned anti-trafficking activist and public speaker. Chumbow focuses her life’s work on ending modern-day slavery. Chumbow was brought to the United States from Cameroon at age 9 and forced to cook, clean, and care for her trafficker’s children. She was never paid for her work, and any hope that she might escape was undermined by the constant beatings she received from her trafficker.

Evelyn Chumbow

Chumbow serves as an advisor to human trafficking NGOs. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Free the Slaves. From 2015 to 2022, she worked at the law firm of Baker & McKenzie LLP in Washington, DC, where she had the opportunity to support human trafficking and human rights related pro bono initiatives. She received her bachelor’s degree in homeland security from the University of Maryland University College. Chumbow hopes to leverage her unique position as a former child slave to end human trafficking in West Africa, in her hometown, and in the rest of the world. Read full bio

Hollie Nadel

Hollie Nadel is a Pembrook Fellow, serving as the survivor leadership program coordinator at the Human Trafficking Legal Center. She is a leader and business owner with expertise in business operations, human resources, recruiting, training, public speaking, 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.

Hollie Nadel

As a survivor herself, the mission is deeply personal for Hollie. Hollie has served as a featured speaker for ACAMS AML Symposiums, HHS, Congressional briefings, 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 professionals to discuss trauma related to human trafficking. Read full bio

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STAC needs your support to sustain these important webinars. Will you donate today? Each gift helps to bring this vital information to the many people who are empowering survivors and preventing human trafficking. The only way we can maintain these programs and this work is with YOUR help.

Suggested donation: $20