Sarah Zalonis began her journey in Counter Commercial Exploitation centering on a survivor-leader approach at the survivor-led organization, Courtney’s House, in direct services.

Simultaneously she began a fellowship position at Polaris on the Global Modern Day Slavery Directory, before integrating into the role of consultant for the first published report on Illicit massage businesses. Sarah also became an interning journalist for an award winning social justice youth modeled media outlet. Her published articles revolved around the issues of Women’s Rights, Sex Trafficking, Indigenous Rights, Politics, First Person Narrative, and AI. In this time she collaborated with the UN Youth Council, Trafficking Dispatch, Youth Underground, and Mogul. She has been a recipient of annual scholarship from the Survivor Leadership Institute and annual conference. Sarah has lent her voice to bills such as Sesta Fosta and Bill 318, and she has been a United Nations Women Trainee. She has taken part in the Generation Equality Forum in collaboration with fellow delegates and United Nations Women in their institutional commitments as well as policies. Her latest vocational role has been Expert at A21 Campaign.

“It’s not enough for trafficking survivors to merely survive the horrific experience of exploitation but there has to be a justice component otherwise it is not freedom at all.”