Forced Labor in Our Backyard: Experts Discuss Human Trafficking

Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring local and national subject matter experts on human trafficking. This event will focus on exposing labor trafficking within our global supply chain and in the Westchester and Fairfield communities. Our experts will shed light on this critical issue and offer actionable steps you can take to make a difference.

About the Speakers:

Angel Krull, Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice. From 2008 to 2020, Ms. Krull worked in the United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Illinois, where she was a Deputy Chief in the Violent Crimes Unit. In 2021, Angel transferred to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut where she is currently a Deputy Chief in the Major Crimes Unit and the Human Trafficking Coordinator.

Susan Schnitzer, President & CEO, Connecticut Institute for Refugees & Immigrants (CIRI). Ms. Schnitzer joined the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) in November 2016 as the Director, Grant Management and Compliance. She is thrilled to work with the outstanding team at CIRI as they continue to deliver high quality and comprehensive services to individuals and families new to the United States. The significance of CIRI’s mission and work will be more pronounced as considerable changes are anticipated regarding the federal government’s policies impacting individuals and families seeking safety and opportunity in the United States. 

Elizabeth Rapuano, Chief Communications Officer, Grace Farms Foundation. Ms. Rapuano is responsible for creating and executing a communications strategy that amplifies the Foundation’s humanitarian work, including Design for Freedom. To her work at Grace Farms, Elizabeth brings nearly two decades of experience in communications and marketing for not-for-profit and educational institutions. Elizabeth was Assistant Dean for External Relations at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where she oversaw all communications and development efforts, including a major rebranding of the school after receiving a milestone gift. Her passion for unique public spaces began on Governors Island, where she served as Director of Marketing and Communications for eight years. 

Jamie Manirakiza, LMSW, Executive Director, Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT). Ms. Manirakiza, has over 15 years of experience in the field of anti-human trafficking. Jamie joined PEHT as the Executive Director in July 2020, to establish one of Connecticut’s first residential programs for survivors of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.  As Executive Director, Jamie has helped to establish a 24-month residential program and re-launch a survivor led Social Enterprise business providing employment opportunities for women who have experienced human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation or sexual violence. Prior to her work in PEHT, her longest position was in the Salvation Army in Greater Philadelphia as Director of Anti Trafficking for the New Day to Stop Trafficking Program. Jamie continues to serve as an adjunct professor for Vanguard University’s Human Trafficking Certificate Program and has consulted on crime victim services for a number of national organizations. 

Maria Palacios Paz, DOJ Accredited Representative, Immigration Services, A Program of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County. Maria Palacios is one of two DOJ Accredited Representatives serving in the Catholic Charities Immigration Service Program of Catholic Charities since 2020. Before joining Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Maria worked for Catholic Charities Las Cruses in New Mexico. There she worked in the humanitarian department where she assisted with cases related to U-Visas, VAWA, and T-visas. As an immigrant herself, emigrating to the United States at the age of 5, Maria understands firsthand the different struggles facing the immigrant community in the United States.