Annette Mango
Ohio Attorney General HTI Survivor Ambassador
Annette was homeless, addicted to drugs, being beaten by johns and pimps, and freezing in the alleyways of Cleveland for more than ten years. In 2015, she chose to go on the human trafficking docket in Cleveland Municipal Court for solicitation and drug abuse charges. There she became involved with the Renee Jones Empowerment Center ("RJEC"), and organization dedicated to helping human trafficking survivors.
Since then, she has gone from being victimized on the streets to being drug-free, holding a full-time job, renting her own apartment, and re-uniting with family members. Annette is one of the first human trafficking victims in Cuyahoga County to have had her criminal convictions related to human trafficking victimization expunged. In June of 2017, she completed a Survivor-Educator Certification course through RJEC, which prepared her to publicly speak and share her story with others. After many years of pain and humiliation, she is now able to use her experiences to help educate others.
Annette now confidently serves as a Survivor-Ambassador for the Ohio Attorney General's Human Trafficking Initiative, where she uses her experience to provide input into healthcare policy development and protocols. Annette also serves as a Survivor-Advisor on the Cleveland Collaborative to End Human Trafficking. During her initial time with the Collaborative, she contributed to a book titled, "Anti-Trafficking Review: Issue 17" sharing her experience educating professionals on human trafficking. Annette is also an Alumna of the Her Empowerment Network. She has since partnered with two registered nurses, providing education throughout the state of Ohio and internationally, taking healthcare providers through, "A Day in the Life" Addressing Healthcare Response and Medical Treatment of Those in the Life of Human Trafficking.
Annette has provided education to a variety of future healthcare providers, ranging from future allied health professionals to medical residents. In the last year, she has presented at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Bowling Green State University, and Ohio State University. In addition to raising awareness in higher learning, Annette has used her experience to provide survivor input in the development of healthcare policy template, which now resides on the Attorney General's website for any healthcare organization in the state of Ohio to download and use. Annette earned her Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, and more recently achieved the lifelong dream of earning her high school diploma, and becoming a Certified Peer Supporter by the state of Ohio.
From being hopeless, to now hopeful, Annette dreams of securing a position either working in a healthcare facility, or in extended stay housing for older women who have been victimized. In the meantime, she plans to continue using her experience and voice in a meaningful way to educate both healthcare providers, and first responders on the multi-faceted and complex needs of human trafficking victims. Annette has beautifully transformed from being a victim to survivor, and now empowered thriver.
Deb Streng, M.Ed, MA
Deb Streng is a dedicated Technology Support Specialist at BGSU Firelands, where she provides expert tech support and Canvas assistance to students, faculty, and staff. A proud U.S. Navy Veteran, Deb brings a diverse educational background and a passion for advocacy to her role.
She holds multiple degrees from Bowling Green State University, including an Associate of Arts in Social Media and Internet Marketing/Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Learning Design and Technology/Education/Project Management, a Master of Education in Instructional Design and Training and Development, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication and Social Media.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Deb serves as a board member for Seeds of Empowerment, and organization committed to combating human trafficking and empowering survivors.
Through her work, she focuses on raising awareness about the dual role of technology in human trafficking - both as a tool for exploitation and a means for prevention and support.
Deb is deeply committed to leveraging her skills and experience to support the Seeds of Empowerment team, advocating for effective strategies and innovative solutions in the fight against human trafficking. Her unique blend of technical expertise and advocacy ensures that she plays a crucial role in the organization's mission to create a safer world for everyone.
Hannah Schnurr MSW, LSW
Hannah Schnurr graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work from Bowling Green State University in May of 2020 and her Master of Social Work from the University of Toledo in May of 2021. She began her career working as a caseworker for a local foster care and adoption agency and then transitioned to Midwest Centers where she worked as a clinical therapist in the drug and alcohol use population.
She led groups, completed individual therapy sessions, worked in crisis management, and served as the liaison between Midwest Centers and Maumee Municipal Courts to help individuals with alcohol or drug related crimes to be recommended for substance use treatment as opposed to jail time. Most recently, Hannah was the Inpatient Director of Clinical Programming for Midwest Centers, but stepped away from this position when her daughter was born in December of 2023. Hannah is now working as a stay-at-home mother but is still dedicated to remaining involved in the field by completing Continued Education Units and gaining knowledge through group involvement and individual discovery.
Hannah has attended multiple trainings to gain a better understanding of the different populations who are underserved. Hannah has a passion for social justice through direct service and networking. She attended the Challenge Yourself Summit in Toledo, OH where she gained leadership skills. She is currently active in the Seeds of Empowerment organization where she serves as the Social Media Manager and Secretary.
Kwami P. Adoboe-Herrera
Subject Matter Expert
Former member of the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
Kwami P. Adoboe-Herrera is an anti-trafficking advocate, speaker, and consultant. As a survivor, he understands the tragic impact of human trafficking and the vulnerable circumstances immigrants endure. He is a Subject Matter Expert and former member of the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. He is currently serving on Ambassador Advisory Council at the Office of the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, as well as serving on the Seeds of Empowerment board.
Lara B. Wilken, DNP, RN
Assistant Clinical Professor, Bowling Green State University
Lara Wilken is a proud graduate of Bowling Green State University. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing and Coordinator of the Bowling Green State University online RN to BSN program. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2020 with a focus on healthcare and human trafficking. Her background in nursing is primarily medical-surgical oncology, with experience in public school nursing and SANE nursing (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). Lara has a great passion for educating healthcare providers on the assessment and identification of those involved in the life of human trafficking.
Lara has spent the last ten years traveling the northwest region of Ohio raising awareness in a variety of healthcare and community settings. She created the human trafficking policy for Firelands Regional Medical Center and is the chair of the Ohio Attorney General's HTI Human Trafficking Public Awareness Subcommittee. She serves on the Board of Directors of Eyes Open International and the Erie County Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter.
Lara helps run and is a co-founder of the Erie County Jail Women's Empowerment Group and Seeds of Empowerment, Erie County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition. She authored the chapter Role Play as an Effective Method for the Identification and Assessment of Human Trafficking in the book titled Paths to the Prevention and Detection of Human Trafficking, which explores simulation as an effective means of human trafficking education.
Lara's mission is to ensure healthcare providers of all disciplines receive education that is not only evidence-based, but also survivor and trauma-informed. She has also most recently co-founded the BGSU Labor Trafficking Education and Research Initiative in her continued commitment to public good.
Nicki Lawrence DNP, RN-BC, CNE
Nicki Lawrence is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) for the School of Nursing. She enjoys teaching in the RN to BSN program, as well as being a committed member of the Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, & Equity committee at the University. In 2022, she was presented with the LGBTQ+ Excellence Program Award for the RN to BSN program at BGSU.
Nicki earned her doctorate in nursing practice from Northern Kentucky University. She is a Certified Nurse Educator from the National League for Nursing and holds certification in medical-surgical nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
She is active in a variety of professional organizations, including the Transcultural Nursing Society, Ohio League for Nursing, Human Rights Campaign, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Nicki has presented the topics of Creating a Safe & Welcoming Environment for our LGBQT+ Community and Culturally Sensitive Healthcare for the LGBQT+ Community to numerous healthcare organizations, academic programs, and community organizations across the state of Ohio. She has a passion for advocacy work, and she has enjoyed networking with a wide variety of community leaders and members on this important topic.
Tracy McGinley, MA
Teaching Professor, Criminal Justice, Bowling Green State University - Firelands College
Tracy McGinley is a Teaching Professor and the Program Director for the Criminal Justice Program at Bowling Green State University - Firelands College. Her background and research interest focus on identity theft, victimology, and human trafficking; three distinct fields that overlap in many ways.
Tracy has been focused on raising awareness about human trafficking for well over a decade. She has traveled throughout Ohio providing programming to civic organizations, middle and high schools students, college students, as well as trainings to law enforcement, first responders, and hotels.
Tracy is a member of the Ohio Attorney General's HTI Human Trafficking Public Awareness Subcommittee. she is currently the Vice-President of Cleveland Missing, and organization created by Gina DeJesus and Sylvia Colon to help families with missing loved ones. Tracy is a co-founder of the Erie County Jail Women's Empowerment Group and Seeds of Empowerment, Erie County Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition. She serves as the human trafficking chair of the Erie County Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking Task Force. She has also received recognition from BGSU and the community for her community service efforts.