About

Timeka Walker

Executive Director

Master of Social Work, University of Houston | Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Houston| Non-Profit Leadership Alliance | Executive Leadership Certification at Rice University | FBI Citizens Academy

A licensed social worker, Timeka Walker is an innovative leader with over 18 years in nonprofit management and leadership. Timeka is dedicated to serving the most vulnerable and marginalized in our society to bring dignity and love to each individual. Before joining the fight against human trafficking, Timeka served HIV positive homeless men and women and those suffering from mental illness through the AIDS Foundation Houston. During her decade-long tenure Timeka served as the Program Director, Senior Director of Programs, and finally as the Chief Operating Officer. Additionally, Timeka worked with at-risk youth at Neighborhood Centers for six years.

Joining UAHT in 2015, Timeka passionately leads the organization in its efforts to offer trauma-informed programming and serving as a unifying force for the entire anti-human trafficking movement. Under her leadership the organization has grown from two team members to over 20 members and serves over 25,000 individuals each year.

Timeka received her Licensed Master of Social Worker from the University of Houston and holds an Executive Leadership Certification from Rice University.

Elaine Andino

Director of Donor and External Partnerships

Master of Public Policy, George Mason University | Bachelor of Arts in English, Baylor University

For 15 years, Elaine’s passion for ending human trafficking has fueled her work. From research and legislative work in Washington DC, to working with survivors in South Korea, to hosting an anti-trafficking conference in Virginia, to running fundraising and communication efforts in Houston, her zeal for ending exploitation continuously deepens. Elaine loves partnering with donors and coalition members who are dedicated to creating systemic change in Houston.

Jenna Cooper

Director of Programs

Master of Social Work, University of Houston

As a transplant from New York, Jenna first learned of human trafficking while studying Social Work at the University of Houston. During her time there, Jenna worked directly with trafficking survivors, which inspired her to make this her life’s work. She realized that many people know of human trafficking, yet the issue remains a prevalent injustice in the Houston community. Jenna strives to implement, develop, and enhance programs that educate every part of the community to prevent and combat trafficking while supporting survivors.

Katarina Sowerby, MBA

Director of Finance

Master’s in business administration, Loyola University New Orleans | Executive Leadership Certification, Rice University| Bachelor of Science in Social Economics Science, Lambung Mangkurat University 

Katarina is deeply passionate about nonprofit organizations and decided to continue her nonprofit management career path upon her graduation from Business School at Loyola University New Orleans where she was introduced further to social justice concepts. Prior to pursuing her MBA, she worked for an international nature conservation nonprofit organization in Indonesia, where she is from, for more than 8 years and worked for an IT company in the United Kingdom.
Now she is a very proud American who continues to strive for making a great and positive difference in the community. She has volunteered for various Houston-based nonprofits and worked for a Mental Health Nonprofit in Houston for more than a decade. She is very thrilled to be part of a highly mission-driven team. Professionally, she believes that the unique nature of nonprofit mission and organization culture need sophisticated management approaches to support the mission.

Au’Vonnie Alexander

Education & Outreach Manager

Master of Arts in Sociology, Texas Southern University; Bachelor of Science in Communication, Fresno State University 

Au’Vonnie’s optimism for motivating, inspiring and uplifting youth is what led her to be a youth specialist at UAHT. Her passion, drive, and commitment focus not only on herself but to those around her. Au’Vonnie focusses on speaking for those who want to be heard but don’t know how. Through storytelling and expressive discussions, Au’Vonnie hopes to continue impacting lives of youth in all communities positively one person at a time. She notes that “If I can motivate and inspire at least one out of every ten youth that I come in contact with through my own personal story and experiences; then I have done something right–my mission has been accomplished.”

Nate Arneson

Coalition Manager

Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Minnesota—Moorhead

Aspiring to see a sustainable and unified effort to fight human trafficking, Nate manages the Rescue and Restore Coalition led by UAHT. Nate brings his experience with nurturing inter-agency relationships in Guatemala to facilitate a culture of collaboration within the coalition and analyze our needs as a unified voice to fight this crime at a macro level. His passion for building partnerships ensures that our communities within and external to Houston are ready to address those needs and assist survivors from identification to restoration.

Anna Fornaris

Client Services Manager

Master of Science in Psychology, California Coast University | Bachelor of Science in Psychology, West Texas A&M University

Throughout her career Anna has worked extensively with adolescents and adults experiencing problems directly related to substance use, mental health, homelessness, and other significant life challenges. After providing direct services to individuals, groups, and families for 14 years, Anna spent 11 years in program development, implementation, and management. Over the years, she has internalized the importance of actively helping those that are suffering and often overlooked in our community. She is excited to join UAHT and bring her passion and skills to help fight the travesty of human trafficking.

Erin Martin, MSW

Case Manager

Master of Social Work, Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio

Erin R. Martin determined that her passion for helping individuals and families through case management is a self-rewarding job. Within 12 years of providing case management services, Erin developed the skills of advocacy, negotiation, education, facilitation, and leadership. Furthermore, Erin aspires to bridge the gap in services within the community to provide resources and information for her clients. Erin has devoted her expertise to the homeless population, at-risk youth, and victims of domestic violence. When Erin is not working she enjoys exercising, volunteering, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Misa Nguyen

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin

“What Starts Here, Changes the World.” Misa internalized this motto from her alma mater and believes that individual efforts create a collective impact against human trafficking and social justice issues. With her eyes on the future, Misa plans and strategizes projects today that propel UAHT’s mission and vision into tomorrow. Aside from her dedication to UAHT, Misa delights in sharing with others Houston’s culturally diverse food scene and Fair Trade food, clothing, and goods.

Veronica Bucio

Community Engagement Coordinator

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Houston

A former career newspaper journalist, Veronica has transitioned her communication skills to the nonprofit sector and considers her work within it a most personal and impassioned second act. As a native Houstonian, she has long been aware of the susceptibility of labor exploitation and trafficking in immigrant communities, and, as a mother of a young daughter, her troubled concern over the problem of sex trafficking has grown as its shadow has expanded ever wider online. Because of this, Veronica is honored to work with UAHT toward abolishing the slavery that is human trafficking, and she embraces the opportunity to encourage and celebrate the generosity of spirit of UAHT’s volunteers as its community engagement coordinator.

Emma Chong

Grant Writer

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Certificate in Latin American Studies, Regis College

Emma first came to Houston through Americorps, teaching ESL to Latinx immigrants at an East End community organization. What was supposed to be only an 11-month term of service became a full-time residency! Emma uses her passion for writing to convey UAHT’s important mission to current and potential donors.

Rachel Dawson

Administrative Coordinator

Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness, Sam Houston State University

Rachel loves her hometown of Houston, TX. She enjoys exploring the city and immersing herself in the diversity of its various neighborhoods. After learning about the prevalence of human trafficking in her city, she knew she needed to be a part of the fight. Her background experience in various non-profit positions and passion for assisting those in need are what drew her to UAHT. As Administrative Coordinator, Rachel works to ensure the daily operations of the UAHT team run smoothly so that we can focus on our mission – To end human trafficking through awareness, education, and outreach.

Anna Johnston

Communications Coordinator

Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, University of Houston

 Anna loves Houston—the museums, the free events, the diversity. She grew up here, attended university here, and got married here. That’s why when she heard that her beloved hometown was home to thousands of human trafficking victims, she knew she needed to act. Anna paired her love of storytelling with her passion to bring freedom to Houston and became UAHT’s Communications Specialist. Through blogs, newsletters, and social media, Anna aims to transform difficult and complicated facts into understandable and meaningful conversations.

Sara Jayne Breuer

Education Coordinator

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science-International Affairs and French with a Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of California Riverside

A recent California transplant, Sara Jayne works toward a better world where all are free to pursue their dreams and live free from exploitation and violence. When she learned about trafficking in 2008, Sara Jayne knew she wanted to do something. She dove into research and helped enforce anti-trafficking legislation throughout Los Angeles County. For the past five years, she worked at the American Red Cross, teaching communities how to prepare for disasters. She also served clients in shelters, met with families after home fires, and went door-to-door to teach people about fire safety.  She is passionate about working in diverse communities, bringing together different people towards a common purpose.  Sara Jayne brings her love of community theater and entertaining others into delivering engaging and informative presentations. It has been her dream to work professionally in human trafficking for over a decade, and she is overjoyed to work with UAHT. As the Education Specialist, she hopes to bring knowledge of human trafficking to as many people in Houston and beyond as possible so that we can work together to help victims become empowered survivors.

Dalton Taylor Johnson

Programs Specialist

Bachelor of Social Work, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Resilient youth inspire Taylor. After seeing human trafficking, sexual assault, and other atrocities ignored by trusted systems, Taylor hopes to change the way our community views some of the most overlooked people in our community: children. Taylor aims to equip young people to grow and advance on their own terms. To do so, Taylor visits schools and juvenile detention centers to facilitate conversations that build the kids’ self-confidence and prevent abuse. He approaches those difficult conversations with compassion and a trustworthy listening ear.

Samantha Ledezma

Outreach Specialist

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, minor in Sociology, University of Texas in Austin

Samantha has a strong passion for social justice, mental health, and her hometown—Houston. In hopes of creating an equal world for all, she advocates for individuals of all genders and ages whose freedom was robbed. With a deep desire to see trauma victims fully recover, Samantha helped children in the child protection system and empowered adolescents recovering from eating disorders in both Austin and Houston. Humbled by the privilege of higher education, Samantha whole-heartedly brings awareness and sparks activism in her community. Her experiences and education inspire empathy as she builds relationships in overlooked communities and gives a voice to the voiceless with UAHT. With passion, knowledge, and commitment, Samantha’s voice reaches and educates others to fight for freedom for all