ENGAGE, DISCOVER, EXCHANGE, TRANSFORM, INSPIRE engage, discover, exchange, transform, engage, discover, exchange, transform, inspire..NININSPI
July 30, 2015
an evening with
Kay Buck and CAST
moderated by
Pamela Reeves
HUMAN TRAFFICKING & CONTEMPORARY SLAVERY
Topic: Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery, hidden in plain sight.
Issues: Education, Awareness, Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement, Support.
Presenters: A conversation with Kay Buck from CAST and special guests - including a trafficking survivor - moderated by Pamela Reeves.
For context and grounding – and not an absolute prerequisite for your attendance - please click the link below to find a selection of suggested informative topical materials to read and/or watch, generously curated by our expert panel.
suggested background materials
Participants: Click here for Suggested Actions and Further Information
Kay Buck has 25 years of experience leading anti-trafficking initiatives in the United States and abroad. Joining Los Angeles-based Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST) in 2003, Kay leads one of the longest-running anti-slavery organizations in this nation, and was one of the first to advocate for laws to protect victims and open a shelter for trafficked women and girls in this country. The first program Kay developed at CAST was its one-of-a-kind leadership development program for survivors of modern-day slavery who are using their voices collectively to impact systemic change.
In 2014, CAST’s work with survivors was honored at the White House with the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons. CAST is the go-to resource for the media, policy makers, law enforcement, and the philanthropic community for information about modern-day slavery. Most importantly, it is the final life-line for survivors who turn to CAST for expert comprehensive care and leadership development programs aimed at economic and social self-sufficiency. Through innovative partnerships and broad community outreach, CAST engages its stakeholders so that more victims are free and empowered, while every-day citizens and businesses have the opportunity to get involved to end modern-day slavery in our lifetime.
Under Kay’s leadership, CAST built an international technical assistance program, a strong network in Mexico (CAST Mexico), and a model Survivor Empowerment Program that provides specialized legal and social services to survivors of trafficking with a 100% track record in obtaining T visas for its clients. Working with its national networks to establish the first Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000, CAST has taken leadership roles in several legislative initiatives on transparency of supply chains, victim protections, child welfare, and training for law enforcement. CAST was recognized with the California Association of Non Profits Innovation Award and the United Nations Association Global Citizens Award.
Prior to joining CAST, Kay was Director of the Rape Prevention Resource Center of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault in Sacramento, CA. She was appointed to the California Alliance to Combat Slavery and Trafficking, which published the first CA Report on Human Trafficking. In 2005, she was recognized as a Change Maker Dream Maker alongside Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton by the Women’s Foundation of California. In 2012 she was nominated for the LA Business Journal Non Profit Citizenship Award and was featured in Life Moments for Women, a book telling the story of one hundred women leaders in California. Kay spent over five years in Asia working with a network of non-governmental organizations on anti-slavery projects, including the U.N. World Conference on Women in China. And, earlier this year, during Women's History Month, Kay was recognized by the Mayor's office as Pioneer Woman of the Year.
As a leader in the human rights movement, Kay has a deep commitment to developing non-governmental organizations and positioning them as key leaders for innovative social change. Kay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies, and is a Senior Fellow at Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California. She resides in Los Angeles with her partner Don and their daughter Synneva.
Pamela Reeves advises international organizations, foundations, and companies on building public-private partnerships and developing gender strategies to achieve both business and public purpose results. She is gender advisor to the Executive Office of Melinda Gates. Reeves served as Director of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s International Fund for Women and Girls at the U.S. State Department, and as Senior Advisor to Ambassador Melanne Verveer. As advisor to the Nike Foundation, she worked to create the Girl Declaration program and built international support for a post-2015
development agenda for adolescent girls. Reeves has also worked as human rights officer for the United Nations in Liberia during that country’s civil war; as director for new initiatives at the International Foundation for Election Systems; and as advisor to the election commissions of Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Curacao, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, and the Palestinian Authority.
Pamela Reeves is a member of the advisory board of ONE.org, she serves on the board of the Kakenya Center for Excellence, and she is a member of the President’s Leadership Council of Brown University. Reeves mentors women for the Public Leadership Education Network and Politico’s Women Rule. She was named a Woman Who Inspires by Donna Karan.