Leadership
Kristi Wells is a nationally recognized leader in the fight against human trafficking, known for her expertise in nonprofit management, strategic growth, and fostering public-private collaboration. As the CEO and co-founder of Safe House Project, Kristi has dedicated her career to eradicating human trafficking in the United States through education, survivor advocacy, and innovative solutions.
Since co-founding the organization in 2017, she has led Safe House Project to become a unifying force in the anti-trafficking field, creating pathways for survivors to escape exploitation and rebuild their lives.
Under Kristi’s leadership, Safe House Project has raised millions of dollars to support the launch of safe homes across America, significantly increasing the availability of housing and comprehensive care for survivors. The organization has trained hundreds of thousands of individuals—including law enforcement, medical professionals, educators, and military personnel—to recognize, report, and prevent trafficking. Safe House Project’s impact extends beyond survivor services, as it also convenes over 500 stakeholders through the Trafficking Survivor Equity Coalition, advancing a coordinated national response to trafficking.
Kristi is a sought-after advisor to federal and state legislators, as well as Fortune 500 companies, where she provides insights on combating trafficking through collaborative, scalable solutions.
Her ability to bridge the nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors has been instrumental in driving systemic change, influencing legislation, and fostering innovative partnerships. Notably, her work has contributed to the creation of task forces across the country, uniting law enforcement, service providers, and community organizations to build a coordinated response to trafficking, which serves as a model for addressing trafficking at the community level.
Brittany Dunn is a nationally recognized expert in the fight against human trafficking, with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. She earned a B.A. in Economics and English from Wellesley College and an MBA with distinction from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Before co-founding Safe House Project, Dunn spent a decade in mergers and acquisitions, leading international business development across Europe and Southeast Asia. Her corporate background in strategic planning and fostering cross-sector and cross-cultural collaboration now informs her innovative work in combating trafficking.
As co-founder and COO of Safe House Project, Dunn has redefined the national response to human trafficking by building a pioneering network of safe housing and holistic care for survivors while driving systemic change at every level of government. Appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Governor’s Commission on Human Trafficking Prevention and Survivor Support, she has shaped policy, enhanced protections, and created sustainable public-private solutions.
Her leadership has been featured in Forbes, The Hill, and CBN, and in 2024, she co-authored Eradicating Human Trafficking: A Transformative Approach through Collective Impact. A military spouse and proud mother of two, Dunn is dedicated to creating a safer, more equitable world for future generations.
Kathleen Arnold is the Senior Director of Programs for Safe House Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to combat human trafficking by providing safe housing, education, and training for survivors.
With 10 years of experience in trafficking services, program development, and nonprofit management, Kathleen is a leader in the anti-human trafficking field. Prior to joining Safe House Project, Kathleen held several leadership positions in nonprofit organizations focused on serving vulnerable populations, including developing from the ground up and directing a safe home for children who had experienced sex trafficking. She has a proven track record of developing and implementing effective programs that address the complex needs of vulnerable populations.
In her current role at Safe House Project, Kathleen oversees the organization’s programs and services, including the development of safe housing options for survivors of human trafficking, educational and training programs for survivors and the community, and strategic partnerships with other organizations and stakeholders. She is dedicated to creating innovative solutions that empower survivors and promote awareness of human trafficking.
Kathleen has received certification as a Mindset Instructor and Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner from TCU, as well as gaining experience in Play Therapy, Restorative Circles, and Sexual Exploitation Treatment and Training Services. Kathleen is a founding member of the Roanoke Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and Aspire, a group of allies working to break down racial and ethnic barriers to treatment and services for vulnerable populations. She was the acting chair of the Roanoke Valley Violence Prevention Council in 2020. Kathleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Justice Studies from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Radford University. Kathleen also received the Excellence in Research award in her MSW program. She is passionate about social justice and making a positive impact in the lives of those vulnerable to and impacted by sexual exploitation.
Chris Hargis is the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Safe House Project, a leading anti-trafficking organization dedicated to combating human trafficking. Chris brings a unique blend of strategic thinking, relationship management, and organizational expertise to his role.
Professionally trained in finance and business management, Chris brings a strategic and analytical mindset to his work. He is particularly adept at asking detailed, insightful questions that uncover deeper understanding and drive strategic decision-making.
Driven by a passion for efficiency and maximizing potential, Chris excels in creating meaningful connections and identifying innovative solutions. His approach is characterized by a distinctive ability to recognize and cultivate talent, transforming potential into tangible progress. With a keen eye for strategic problem-solving and a talent for relationship building, he thrives on creating synergies that drive organizational impact.
Chris’ professional philosophy centers on hard work, collaborative achievement, and the power of interpersonal connections. He possesses a remarkable skill for energizing teams, breaking down complex challenges, and organizing resources to optimize productivity. His upbeat demeanor and natural ability to win people over make him an exceptional partnership director, capable of bridging gaps and creating meaningful collaborative opportunities.
As Strategic Advisor – Technology at Safe House Project, Lior Weinstein leverages his extensive background as a serial entrepreneur and digital transformation specialist to combat human trafficking through innovative technological solutions.
Drawing on his experience helping CEOs of 8- and 9-figure businesses navigate the AI landscape, Lior applies his unique ability to separate signal from noise in the complex anti-trafficking space. His tactical expertise in leadership, marketing, and software engineering enables Safe House Project to rapidly implement effective technological strategies that drive measurable impact.
With a proven track record of building and selling multiple technology companies and holding several machine learning and AI patents, Lior brings invaluable technical credibility to Safe House Project’s mission. He excels at translating complex challenges into practical, actionable roadmaps that help the organization stay ahead of emerging threats.
Lior’s life purpose of dissolving barriers to action perfectly aligns with Safe House Project’s urgent mission, as he empowers the team to leverage untapped technological opportunities in the fight against human trafficking.
Clay Vaughan is a seasoned revenue executive and the Chief Marketing Officer at Safe House Project, where he’s all about practical growth that makes a real difference.
Over the past decades, starting with his work founding Good Agency, Clay has built his career on rolling up his sleeves and delivering honest, results-driven strategies.
What really motivates him, though, is his personal commitment to ending human trafficking. His agency supports non-profits with targeted grants designed to boost awareness and empower those fighting on the front lines. Alongside his wife, Emilee, Clay works closely with organizations, developing results-focussed campaigns and partnerships that truly change lives.
Clay’s passion for this cause isn’t just something he talks about—it’s shaped by his own experiences. Early in his career, he spent several years working with youth in Limbe, Haiti, and Trenchtown, Jamaica. There, he saw firsthand how vulnerable communities can fall prey to exploitation, a reality that ignited his drive to help build safer, stronger communities.
At Safe House Project, Clay combines his deep expertise in business growth with his heartfelt dedication to social impact. His focus isn’t on flashy achievements but on the steady, genuine work of driving sustainable revenue while fighting for a future free from human trafficking.
Alia is the Aftercare Development Director for Safe House Project and a survivor underage sex trafficking and adult sexual exploitation.
She also serves as a member of the California State Commercial Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CSEC) Advisory Board. In this capacity, she endeavors to influence the policies and procedures involved in the identification and care of today’s survivors.
Alia believes restorative care is essential to the healing of those who have experienced sexual exploitation and that no survivor is ever too far or too gone to find complete healing.
Lora joined Safe House Project in the Spring of 2020. In her 25+ years working with C-Level executives, she draws great strength and enjoyment in partnering with leaders to improve overall company efficiency and effectiveness.
Lora graduated Cum Laude from Oglethorpe University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She serves her local Boy Scout Troop as Charter Organization Representative and is Co-Chair of her Parish Council.
It has always been a dream to be able to use her gifts and her talents to benefit those in most desperate need. After spending most of her professional life working in a corporate environment, Lora considers it a privilege to be part of an organization that is changing the world in the most profound way.
