Meet our development team and learn a little more about who we are and why Free the Slaves matters to us!
Katherine Carey: Special Projects Officer
- Why this mission matters to me: I still remember the shock I experienced when my mom, a career-long criminal prosecutor, denied that trafficking existed in the United States. I was talking about it because of what I was learning in my anti-human trafficking college course, but from that moment on I was hooked on the issue. On a fundamental level, I believe strongly that every person has the right to be free. And every time I take a sick day or take a break from work and go buy a coffee, I’m reminded of how these simple yet critical rights are denied to millions. That drives my passion for this work.
- What I do in Dev: I’m a “Jill” of all trades! I primarily help with grant writing and editing and maintaining and improving our donor database.
- Fun fact about me: I am a volunteer tour guide at the National Zoo on weekends! My teammates know not to ask me about animals unless they want an earful of facts.
Sarah Gettel: Manager of Foundation and Government Grants
- Why this mission matters to me: While I was in college, I attended a Take Back the Night march for sexual violence awareness. At the end of the walk, we gathered together in a nearby park, and participants took turns confiding their own stories while holding a candle for hope. The experiences of my classmates – people I knew! – made me heartsick. I knew that I wanted to be a part of changing how people treat one another and how we support people who need help. Through this experience, I learned about human trafficking and came to D.C. to follow my passion for human rights.
- What I do in Dev: As Manager of Foundation and Government Grants, I mediate between Free the Slaves and our institutional funders to communicate shared interests, what we’re up to, and how we’re doing. As a newer member of the team, I’m looking forward to getting to know our current donors and building relationships with new partners.
- Fun fact about me: I love to dance, from swing to hip-hop. I taught myself to tap dance with a wooden board and Bonnie Franklin video.
Jenny Ly: Development Assistant
- Why this mission matters to me: My passion for ending modern-day slavery has been two-folded: I was inspired by my experiences travelling abroad and growing up in San Francisco; and in reading the catalytic book Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof I learned about the atrocities happening to women and girls worldwide. As a younger, confused and optimistic version of myself, I was driven to figure out how to make a difference in the world and pursue a career that would reflect my values. Shortly, I volunteered at a local shelter working with domestic violence and trafficked survivors, and that same summer I went reality tour to learn about human trafficking on the ground in Thailand, an experience that never left me. I continued to be involved on campus on the issue. I sincerely believe everyone have the right to live a life of dignity, hope and freedom of choices and opportunities to pursue their happiness and well-being and be empowered to do so, which is what Free the Slaves does: working directly with partners and vulnerable communities to become their own agents of change and sustain the end of slavery, one community at a time.
- What I do in Dev: My role as the Development Assistant entails being the first point of contact for donors when any issues arise when making a donation. So if you have questions, feel free to reach out to me! I upkeep our database, manage student chapters, assist our team on preparing grants, and process checks/donations.
- Fun fact about me: I have been raised as a California gal my whole life. Relocating to D.C. was the first time setting foot in the East Coast. I literally saw snow fall for the first time a couple weeks ago, and survived my first blizzard – WOOHOO!
Lina Permut: Manager of Individual Giving
- Why this mission matters to me: As the daughter of a Cuban-African American mother and a Jamaican father my passion for Free the Slaves is embedded in my desire to understand my own history. I have, for as long as I can remember, been fascinated by the role of systems that oppress and hinder a person’s ability to succeed and what it takes to eliminate them. When I found Free the Slaves I was and remain impressed with our approach on eradicating the root cause vs. addressing a symptom – it is an empowering stance.
- What I do in Dev: As Manager of Individual Giving, I am the first point of contact for fundraisers, donors and those looking to volunteer with Free the Slaves. As one of the newest members of the team, I am hoping to connect with our donors on a regular basis to understand how we can all make our mission a reality.
- Fun fact about me: I was born in Palermo, Italy.
