Managing Love Team

   Grateful, but not proud of her carbon footprint in over 70+ countries and all 7 continents, Gwen feels blessed to have worked, studied, and traveled in some exceptional places. Born and raised in Zionsville, Indiana, Gwen matriculated to UVA and obtained degrees in Economics and Education from the University of Virginia while currently a graduate student working towards her Masters in Global Development Practice from Harvard Extension School.

Cristina Davis-Blackwood serves as a member of the Advisory Board for Managing Love. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to provide organizational direction and contribute to the Trafficking Tales multimedia and monograph project. This wonderful endeavor is designed as a platform for survivors to share their invaluable insights and experiences and offer an empowering source of awareness and prevention. Cristina also works as an intelligence analyst at Collective Liberty, an organization partnering with government agencies to dismantle all forms of human trafficking by supporting survivors, improving policy, and stopping traffickers. Cristina assists in developing actionable intelligence by collecting data and analyzing OSINT and human trafficking-related sources. 

She received her master’s in international affairs from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M. She also holds graduate certificates in Advanced International Affairs and Social Justice through Texas A&M and Harvard. She has a background in research and political advocacy, working for the WomanSTATs Project, the world’s largest comprehensive compilation of information on the status of women. Cristina has spent time in both the private and public sectors and has pursued her own entrepreneurial endeavors prior to joining the Managing Love team. 

 As owner and instructor for TrueTRIbe Yoga, she specializes in trauma-informed yoga, the application of which is used to aid the healing of the mind and uniquely address the physical, visceral, and body-based needs of trauma survivors. She is particularly excited to incorporate trauma-informed strength-based practices into her role as team lead for Trafficking Tales’ Writing Workshops. She hopes to marry skills of visceral healing with cathartic and insightful survivor storytelling. 

  Max Genin is a Ukro-Canadian-Israeli youth development advocate and human rights leader. He is currently pursuing his ALM degree in Global Development Practice at Harvard University, where he serves as the Chair of the North American Student Council under the Global MDP Association, hosted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). In this role, he creates transformative opportunities for MDP students, promoting interconnectedness and capacity-building across 35 partner universities. Max also holds an appointed position as a Human Rights Board Member of the Youth Advisory Board for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Education Above All Foundation. There, he is actively involved in developing the Youth Rights Academy, which trains youth for country-level advocacy in regions affected by conflict, violence, and insecurity, with a specific focus on Colombia, Palestine, and South Africa. The program is expanding to Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan, Senegal, Fiji, and Guatemala. In addition to these roles, Max serves as the Executive Director of Afflican, an organization dedicated to leading collaborative, co-created community-level projects that advance SDGs 8, 10, and 17. Afflican redefines human development in humanitarianism by shifting the focus to grassroots local development, recognizing the competencies and brilliance of young people. With youth at every level of decision-making, the organization acknowledges their critical role as agents of change in international peace and security, empowering them to lead with integrity. His strategic direction has fostered partnerships and developed innovative programs engaging young people across North and South America and Europe. 

 Max’s extensive experience includes spearheading federal research and social development projects for the Government of Canada, several provincial governments, and corporations, in collaboration with international agencies. He has contributed to education policy in Ontario and led advocacy efforts for youth-led initiatives with Good Neighbours Canada, a humanitarian relief agency. His work has taken him to international platforms such as the United Nations, the ECOSOC Youth Forum, the Summit of the Future, and the International Conference on Sustainable Development, underscoring his engagement in global governance and collaboration. Fluent in multiple languages, Max's passion for sustainable development and human rights is matched by his commitment to cultural exchanges and continuous learning. His track record of leadership, advocacy, development work and policy work positions him as an inspiring youth leader dedicated to driving positive global change. Max holds degrees in Law from Leeds Law School, European Policy from the European Institute, and International Development from the London School of Economics, University of London. He is also a qualifying International Criminal Lawyer in the UK. 

Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina serves as a member of the advisory board for Managing Love. She is a medical doctor and Harvard Scholar, dedicated to advocating for human trafficking survivors.

After being a victim for 21 years, trapped in a system where Child Marriage favors the abuser, she broke the chains of oppression through education. Despite the obstacles of labor exploitation and being removed from school since early childhood, she found refuge in the local library. She earned her GED, pursued a medical degree, and attended Harvard.

 Ekaterina is a speaker and researcher, using her Harvard training to approach human trafficking scientifically. As a  member of the Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking, she collaborates with international leaders and legislators to guide policies, improve support systems for survivors and.address the root causes of this humanitarian crisis. 

Jane Lasonder is a distinguished international speaker, author, and advocate, known for her powerful and transformative speeches on human trafficking and modern slavery. As the Chair of the Survivor Leadership Council at Hope for Justice and Vice Chair of the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC) with the OSCE, Jane's greatest achievement lies in her relentless fight to expose and combat human trafficking, using her own experiences as a survivor to inspire global change.

Jane's journey began in the most challenging of circumstances. Trafficked as a child in the UK, Jane endured unimaginable hardships, including severe physical and psychological abuse. It wasn't until much later in her life that she fully realised the extent of the exploitation she had suffered. Her early career was marked by her involvement with various NGOs, where she began advocating for the rights of trafficking survivors and working towards policy changes to better protect victims. Jane also holds significant roles in anti-slavery initiatives, including her work with Serve the City as the International Coordinator of anti-slavery efforts.

Throughout her career, Jane has garnered numerous accolades. In 2024, she was appointed Chair of the Survivor Leadership Council at Hope for Justice, where she provides essential guidance on strategic anti-trafficking efforts. Jane is also a founding member of the Red Alert Task Force, a multidisciplinary initiative aimed at raising awareness of modern slavery. Her contributions have been pivotal in influencing policies at the European Parliament, the UN, and other international bodies, making her a leading voice in the global fight against human trafficking.

 
Jane Lasonder and her discussions not only illuminate the dark realities of human trafficking but also inspire actionable change. She speaks on various crucial topics, including the identification and intervention in trafficking cases, training for healthcare and law enforcement professionals, and motivational sessions that encourage individuals to realize their potential despite adversity. Jane's ability to connect with and mobilize her audience makes her a sought-after speaker for conferences, educational institutions, and policy forums. 

Sanuja Rajeswaran serves as a member of the advisory board for Managing Love. She is also a co-producer for the documentary currently in projection for Managing Love- Traffikid & Trafficking Tales. Hailing from Canada, Ontario she has a B.A. from McMaster University in Honors Gerontology/Minor Labor Studies. She has also received her Master’s degree in International Relations from Harvard University in 2024. Sanuja has a deep passion for altruism, with an extensive background in international humanitarian efforts. Since 2018, she has worked in Sri Lanka with disabled children's, geriatric groups, and other vulnerable populations. 

Sanuja is a true polymath working in the arts as a classically trained dancer for 15 years, has exposure to modeling/fashion, has experience in artificial intelligence leading projects vetting advanced generative generalist algorithms, and has 6+ years' experience as a medical assistant/advisor. Her wide range of expertise has been a true asset to Managing Love and will aid in catapulting current and future projects.