About

Timeka Walker

Chief Executive Officer

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

Chief Programs & Strategy Officer

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.

Titus Benton

Chief Operating Officer

M.A. in Historical Theology Lincoln Christian University | B.A. in Biblical Studies & Student Ministry Saint Louis Christian College | Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Certification

A Missouri native, Titus Benton has spent his entire career inspiring growth in organizations and communities. With twenty years of leadership experience in pastoral and nonprofit work, his expertise is in communications, team building, and strategic planning. Since moving with his wife and two children to Texas in 2011, Titus has grown to love Houston for the rich diversity, incredible restaurants, and friendly people. His driving passion is to help those who need help most. He loves great stories, being outdoors, and eating great food.

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 those in under-served communities is what led her to UAHT. Her passion, drive, and commitment focus not only on herself but on those around her. An Oakland native with over 10 years experience working in many populations through education, mentoring, outreach, and advocacy, Au’Vonnie commits her career to advance those in all demographics, establishing relationships to build partnerships, and creating new programs to provide incomparable visualizations of fighting so all may live free.

Nate Arneson

National Pathway 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 The Pathway, a secure, online referral database for individuals who have experienced human trafficking. 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.

Ken Henry

Director of Collaboration & Strategy

Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication with a focus on Broadcast Journalism, McNeese State University I Fashion Merchandising Business degree, Brooks College of Arts and Design I Federal Government Human Trafficking Leadership Academy I Coro Fellowship Northern California. 

Ken is a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana and have spent over 20 years working in the social services, fashion, and entertainment industries in Southern California. In 2017 Ken graduated from the National Human Trafficking Leadership Academy. Mr. Henry has served as executive director for his own anti-human trafficking 501(c)3 serving survivors and thrivers of human trafficking. Ken is one of the founders and current leaders of the Compton Human Trafficking Task Force and National Black Faith Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Mr. Henry is excited to be working in the anti-human trafficking space here in Houston, Texas. Ken is truly a Renaissance Man who thrives on inspiring others through bringing hope, inspiration, and love to them.

Sammy Loesch

Regional Pathway Manager

Bachelor of Science in Communication, Thomas Edison State University

While native to Chicago, Sammy also claims Mexico City as home which is where her zeal for the anti-trafficking movement fully evolved. Her international experience ranges from direct services with victims and survivors, to strategic outreach development, to broader fundraising and advocacy projects. Sammy is passionate about sharing the stories of survivors and people at risk in a way that honors those individuals while also inviting outsiders into the story and into the anti-trafficking movement. Her hope is for justice, for freedom, and for restored dignity for all people,  Houston and beyond!

Erin Martin, MSW

Lead 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

Coalition Coordinator

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 Manager

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 human trafficking, and she embraces the opportunity to encourage and celebrate the generosity of spirit of UAHT’s volunteers as its community engagement manager.

CRYSTAL VILLEGAS

Programs Coordinator

Bachelor of Social Work, University of Houston-Downtown

Crystal loves the diversity of cultures and food Houston has to offer! Originally from Mission, Texas, Crystal moved to Houston 3 years ago with a goal in mind; with the love and support of her family, she continued her education as a Social Worker at the University of Houston-Downtown. Her previous experience working with survivors has refueled her passion for helping others. Crystal is excited to be part of the movement to end human trafficking.

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.

Andrew Wright

Finance Coordinator

Bachelor of Business in Finance, University of Houston – Downtown

Andrew has always wanted his work to impact the community.  As a native Houstonian, he knew he had to be a part of an organization that combats human trafficking.  He has long been aware of this problem and now UAHT is giving him the opportunity to make a difference.  His previous experience working to fight against homelessness showed him exactly how vulnerable some individuals are.  Andrew helps with accounting duties to ensure the organization is operating efficiently so UAHT can progress towards ending human trafficking. 

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 Coordinator. Through blogs, newsletters, and social media, Anna aims to transform difficult and complicated facts into understandable and meaningful conversations.

Elyse Lewandowski

Jesuit Volunteer

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Saint Louis University

Elyse is a native to St. Cloud, Minnesota and has recently finished her degree in Finance at Saint Louis University. She is currently serving as a Jesuit Volunteer in Houston. She is passionate about eliminating human trafficking from Houston and the broader world after engaging with victims in her hometown. She is excited for this year long opportunity and eager to keep learning and growing as the year progresses.

Jenny Macmahon

HR Coordinator/Executive Assistant

In January of 2018, Jenny moved from Chicago to Houston for what was supposed to be a 6-month internship and, today, she calls Houston home. She loves Houston’s weather, diversity, and the people she’s met along the way. She’s passionate about UAHT’s vision to “fight so that all may live free,” and is excited to help make that vision a reality.

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 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 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 Coordinator, 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

Prevention & Outreach Coordinator

Bachelor of Social Work, University of Houston-Clear Lake

Taylor has been in the fight against human trafficking for 3 years. As the overlap between various systems of oppression made themselves more evident in his life, he dedicated himself to inspiring change in every sphere of life – every individual relationship, every community, and our culture as a whole. Taylor approaches identifying human trafficking situations and preventing exploitation by inviting and empowering those he serves to explore new ways of thinking and being. Taylor is committed to fighting against trafficking by using his expertise to encouraging men and boys to walk alongside UAHT as we inch closer to a vision of a better world: a world without exploitation and gender-based violence. 

Taylor is in love with philosophy, can talk about music for hours and comes well-equipped with more than enough terrible dad jokes.