Gwen Cassady
Grateful—though ever mindful of her carbon footprint—Gwen cherishes the opportunity she’s had to work, study, and travel across 70+ countries and all seven continents. Originally from Zionsville, Indiana, she nurtured her love for learning at the University of Virginia, where she earned degrees in Economics and Education. Today, she continues to deepen her global impact as a graduate student at Harvard Extension School, pursuing a Master’s in Global Development Practice.
When she's not teaching or leading entrepreneurial ventures through Managing Love, Gwen is constantly seeking out new educational adventures—whether through global exploration or hands-on volunteerism, both locally and internationally.
Through Managing Love’s small but powerful production arm, VisionForward.Media, Gwen and her team premiered their first documentary short at the United Nations during the inaugural intergovernmental dialogue on global homelessness. Drawing from personal experience, Gwen has also spoken at several international events, sharing her story with honesty and humility.
Humanitarian
Building on that early momentum, VisionForward.Media completed its first full-length social justice documentary, "If It Could Happen to Me, It Could Happen to You." The award premiered at Harvard University, with the hope to screen in all 11 cities where it was filmed. Having already received nine awards, it continues to resonate powerfully with audiences.
Now, the team is deep into production on their next project, "Traffikid"—a hard-hitting exposé on child trafficking in the United States. An expansion of their award-winning short of the same name, this feature-length expository documentary brings together the voices of survivors, policymakers, agency leaders, and mental health professionals. Shot with Netflix-approved equipment and produced to industry standards, Traffikid aims to secure wide distribution and potentially evolve into a global docuseries.
Beyond film, Managing Love is launching The Trafficking Tales—a storytelling initiative that empowers survivors of human trafficking through authentic, soulful narratives. The project will culminate in a groundbreaking book featuring:
- A collection of short stories detailing survivor experiences
- A resource guide for victims, service providers, and advocates
- A domestic policy manual to inform legislative change at both the state and federal levels
Committed to turning awareness into action, the Managing Love team is working on policy reform to combat human trafficking across the U.S. In collaboration with leading advocacy groups, they helped pass three anti-trafficking bills in the most recent legislative session, laying a strong foundation for federal-level change.