meet the team

Matt Parker

“We can’t help free those affected by human trafficking if we aren’t actively looking for them. “

As our Co-Founder and CEO, Matt is continually providing vision and oversight for the organization. He has a communications degree and spent a decade working in a local faith community before he began undercover work in SE Asia with police. Currently, he travels and speaks on behalf of the organization, designs the organization’s covert gear, and works with field teams as they press forward for freedom. He has lived overseas several times and traveled extensively doing humanitarian work over the last 15 years. Matt is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, with whom he founded the organization. They have three kids and love being outdoors in the mountains of Colorado. You can learn more about how he started The Exodus Road here.

Laura Parker

“No human being should have to live as a slave. It’s not the kind of world I want help build.”

Laura is Co-Founder and President of The Exodus Road as well as the Chief Communications Officer. She has a degree in middle grades education, and a second major in English. She began her career as a teacher, and later merged into writing, starting her own blog and writing for various online and print publications. She now directs the Marketing & Communications team and oversees development within the organization. Laura loves collaborating with the field teams and bringing back stories from the front lines. After living in Asia for six years, she now lives in Colorado with her three children, and her husband, Matt Parker. Matt and Laura have been married for over 18 years and are high school sweethearts. You can read the story of how they started the organization by going here.

Stephanie Steinbart

“Entering the world of counter-human trafficking has been a journey for me and certainly not one that I ever anticipated being part of. It’s dark, messy, and excruciatingly sad. But it’s real. And it’s happening every day in every country in our world. Slapped with this truth, I had a decision to make. Would I turn away and pretend I didn’t know? Or would I accept the call to use my feeble gifts in an effort shine just a ray of light in the darkness of this reality? Certainly, the ordinary can do extraordinary things.”

Stephanie is The Exodus Road’s Chief Operating Officer. While originally from the midwest, she spent most of her career in the South before moving to Colorado. Stephanie has a degree in education and comes to us with over 15 years of nonprofit experience! During her tenure, she has worked for a multitude of organizations including the Susan G. Komen foundation. She has a passion for using her gifts of organizational leadership and collaboration to empower donors to have a hand in the mission of an organization and plans to continue to do just that. She is looking forward to beginning this new chapter in the beautiful state of Colorado working to help find and free victims of human trafficking. Stephanie is excited to share the gorgeous mountain views with her three sons and her husband.

Will Leitch

“Every morning I give thanks for my life and my freedom. It breaks my heart to think of the millions of people on this planet who are enslaved. I feel my life, talents, and time are privileges to spend, not for myself, but on behalf of others who need someone to care and to help.”

Will is the Executive Director of Philanthropy. He is an integral part of our Advancement Team as he is responsible for raising money through grants to support The Exodus Road’s mission. He has two sons, and a three-year-old granddaughter he holds dear to his heart. Will is adventurous, to say the least! He has qualified for the Boston Marathon, and you will often find him trail running, road biking, rock climbing, and hiking the Colorado mountains.

Cameron Bartlett

“I was about 8 years old when I learned about modern day slavery. And from that time, I knew I had to do whatever it took to end it.”

Cameron Bartlett is a digital marketer for nonprofits. He’s led award-winning campaigns for some of the world’s most influential nonprofits, thought leaders and innovative businesses. He’s worked with organizations like IJM, Compassion, Cure and now in his current role at the as the Director of Digital Marketing The Exodus Road. He and his wife, Kaitlin, daughter, Elliana and their dog, Sunday live in Colorado Springs. You can often find Cameron making fair trade bean-to-bar chocolate, spending time with his best friends Kate and Ellie and building community around good coffee and new ideas.

Paul D’Alessandro

“It’s been part of my life’s work to seek justice, love mercy, and have an impact in the world. Human trafficking is one of the many problems to address and make a difference.” 

Paul brings a wealth of experience to The Exodus Road with thirty years of nonprofit consulting. His focus is in developing vision and relationships with donors who support the mission of The Exodus Road. To date, Paul has helped organizations raise a cumulative 1 billion dollars over the course of his career. When he’s not connecting with our generous donors, Paul is soaking up time outdoors in Colorado by hiking, running, and skiing. He loves to travel and has visited all 50 states! He’s a proud Italian from the NY Tri-State area, has four sons and two grandkids, and plays guitar. We are so grateful to have Paul with us in this fight against human trafficking.

Zach Ferlise

“Human Trafficking is an issue I have experienced first hand when working in North Aurora combatting poverty and homelessness. Once I saw humans being trafficked in my own community, I felt wholeheartedly committed to eradicating this issue.”

Zach helps build strategy and processes within the Advancement Department as their Director of Development. Before joining us at TER, he was Assistant Director of Operations at the Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region. His background in organizational leadership and non-profit management makes him the ideal person to lead our team to success! In his spare time, Zach enjoys reading and writing, playing soccer, and binge-watching the latest shows at home.

Preston Goff

“All people are entitled to living free from oppression, and as humans, we have a responsibility to create paths to liberation for those held captive in our world.

Preston is the Creative Director at The Exodus Road. He holds a B.A. in Theology and Spanish, and a Master’s of Divinity. As a member of the marketing team, he helps The Exodus Road share its stories of rescue with excellence and clarity. Preston’s wife, Kira, is a Colorado-native and he himself hails from Arkansas. He is an avid marathoner (including Boston!) and an outdoor enthusiast. Preston and Kira enjoy exploring Colorado’s trails with their dog, Bentley. Preston is grateful that his work empowers normal people to take part in liberation every day! 

Ryan Hill

“All people are deserving of freedom and dignity. On a deeper level, having three daughters has led to a lot of self-study and a growing concern for the problem of human trafficking.”

Ryan is Director of Global Operations at The Exodus Road, overseeing all investigations, operations, and foreign partnerships in India, Thailand, Latin America, and the United States. His background lies within the United States Army’s Civil Affairs. Ryan is married to an amazing woman and has three young daughters. In his free time, he loves to hike, backpack, workout, and play the bass guitar. He was the first and only military leader to successfully coordinate and execute a major outreach initiative through a foreign comicon on behalf of the US Embassy to promote NATO within the Baltic nations. With about 20,000 people in attendance at this event, Ryan may or may not have appeared as “Captain America.” We are grateful for the boldness and leadership he brings to The Exodus Road.

Jenny Malmgren

“I care about Human Trafficking because I truly care for the equality of human rights. Children, specifically, have always held a special place in my heart because of their innocence and eagerness for life. Safeguarding our vulnerable children from exploitation is a mission I stand behind.”

Jenny is the Director of Business Administration for The Exodus Road. She manages general administration and human resources, working closely with our finance department to keep TER’s systems and organization controls running smoothly. For over a decade, Jenny worked as an internal auditor establishing an enterprise software audit program for a Fortune 5 healthcare company.  She was the lead auditor driving the program’s state of maturity, identifying enterprise improvement opportunities and reducing liabilities. Jenny is married and has two sons that she adores. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family, read, cook, and explore Colorado’s great outdoors. Jenny was raised by two extraordinary immigrant parents who instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love of family and friends. Their life journey inspires her to be her best. We are so thankful for Jenny and the precision and excellence that she fosters at TER.

Scott Sterling

“While all of us could use some help from time to time, there are many out there who are forced into a life of oppression. I’m blessed to be a part of a team that takes on the responsibility to help those in need.”

Scott is the Director of Partnerships and Development at The Exodus Road. He works to create strategic opportunities for businesses and donors to partner with TER in our mission to fight human trafficking. Scott’s background is in sales, marketing, and he holds a M.A. in Organizational Leadership. Over the past fifteen years working in sales and marketing, Scott has partnered with several organizations, including Procter & Gamble and the Dodgers. He also spent time in South Korea collaborating on strategic marketing plans for Hyundai, LG, and Samsung. When he’s not using his gifting to fight human trafficking, Scott loves to spend time with his wife and their two Great Danes. They stay active by walking, hiking, mountain biking, and exploring towns in Colorado.

Jasmine Hill

“I have always held a passion for the mission of ending modern slavery. It is an honor to advocate for those who are not able to fight for justice themselves.”

Jasmine is the Global Training Manager at The Exodus Road. She creates and oversees training material for TraffickWatch, an initiative of TER, which focuses on education and prevention of human trafficking in the United States. Jasmine also works with the Global Operations teams in developing best practices handbooks in keeping with their standard of excellence and consistency throughout all global TER teams. Jasmine is a former associate news producer, and an experienced educator both online and in the classroom. She holds a BS in Communications and her MAT in secondary education. Jasmine is a mother to three little girls and two big dogs! She loves to read, watch psychological thrillers, and hike. She lived in Germany for ten years, and is now happy to call Colorado home. We are so glad to have her on the team!

Angelica Labuguen

“I have the power, privilege, and responsibility to eradicate the systemic cycle of human trafficking – and it is my passion to do so.”

Angelica is the Social Media Manager at The Exodus Road. She holds a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies and has a background in social media for the Women’s Studies Institute. As a member of the marketing team, she is in charge of representing The Exodus Road across social media channels and acts as a voice for the organization. Angelica was born in the Philippines and moved to Colorado from Texas. She is passionate about human rights advocacy, helping marginalized groups, and overcoming cultural and societal barriers. Angelica enjoys skiing and snowboarding with her spouses and kids. 

Marlena Outlaw

“Human Trafficking has always been heavy on my heart, especially having witnessed it the first time I traveled overseas. To see it and know it is always happening, I cannot let that happen on my watch. It is not okay and it feels like such an overwhelming problem, but knowing that I can help just one person out of a dark place makes this huge issue feel that much lighter.”

Marlena was one of the very first employees of The Exodus Road team back in 2012. She was an integral part of the growth of TER and was willing to lend her many talents to any task thrown at her. After working for several other non-profit organizations, she is back with The Exodus Road and we couldn’t be more excited. In her current role, she connects with donors to keep them feeling informed and important. Marlena is married to her best friend and together they have two young children. They are an adventurous family who love being outside and spending time with friends. In addition to being a wonderful team member, wife, and mother, Marlena also teaches yoga. Her willingness and drive make her a valued member of our advancement team and we are so glad she found her way back to our organization.

Jamie Smith

“After witnessing the signs of human trafficking first hand on more than one occasion, the thought of someone being held captive in this industry just broke me.  It was something I couldn’t turn a blind eye to.  I’ve felt prompted to enter into this space for quite some time now and am responding to this in an act of obedience in helping these victims.”

Meet our Director of Donor Engagement, Jamie! She is responsible for developing relationships with donors and giving them a high-quality experience with our organization that fosters long-term engagement and investment. Her strong background in communications and proven initiative from both running her own photography business and years working in the non-profit realm makes her a perfect fit for our Advancement Team. When she isn’t in the office, Jamie loves to spend ample time outdoors hiking, camping, and sitting by the bonfire with her husband, three kids, and their two dogs. She also likes to indulge in her guilty pleasure of binge-watching investigative crime shows.

Taylor Tennis

“Human trafficking exists as the greatest injustice in our society today. If I were to come to the end of my life having used none of my willpower to attempt to address this injustice, I would deeply regret it.”

Taylor is the Business Development Manager at The Exodus Road. She holds a B.A. in International Community Development and previously worked in development for Reading Partners as a member of AmeriCorps, and then in Denver and Tulsa, OK.  Now she is helping The Exodus Road by blending the worlds of development and finance to keep processes flowing behind the scenes. Taylor enjoys reading with a cup of coffee in hand and trying new things – like pottery classes! 

Kyle Bush

“To me, freedom is the most basic human right. I can’t think of anything that is more important than fighting for those who have been deprived of that right.”

After earning his degree in Film and Video Technology from the Colorado Film School and working for Discovery Church as a Media Director – Kyle has joined our team. We have loved having a Multimedia and IT Specialist in house! Kyle is the technical genius behind many of our videos, including “Sunlight on Her Face”. He’s also on standby to resolve all of our basic IT issues. Kyle blows us away with his mastery of technology and talent for storytelling. Kyle lives in Colorado with his wife and daughter and is also pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. His dedication to his family and our mission makes him a great asset to the team. The best part about Kyle? His heart for social justice.

David Zach

“Growing up I’d hear stories about abolitionists like Harriet Tubman or Frederick Douglass. I’d listen to speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr. and I’d think ‘if I were alive in those days, I hope I would do something.’ Matt and Laura Parker’s story helped me believe that the seemingly insignificant contributions of ordinary people can help to bend the moral arc of the universe towards justice.”

David Zach is the Strategic Partnerships Manager at The Exodus Road. He works to amplify the work that TER is doing on the front lines through collaborating with organizations and individuals that are able to introduce our work to new audiences. David works to expand the influence and platform of TER through live events, podcasts, press, and media. David has been a public volunteer advocate for TER since 2013. He’s the lead singer and songwriter for his rock band, Remedy Drive, which was founded in 1997. He holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska. David is married with three kids. He loves to play disc golf with his son and cook with his kids. He still loves to travel, even after regularly logging 250+ days on the road a year. Strange fact: David was kicked by a baby elephant in Thailand which was posted online and has millions of views. It’s worth a google! Lesson learned: not all elephants are interested in a selfie. We are grateful for David and his perseverance in the fight for freedom.

Zelle Calina

“My family has personally experienced human trafficking. I want to be a part of the movement to end modern slavery.”

Zelle is our Development Specialist and is an asset in supporting the Advancement Team at The Exodus Road. Zelle studied Biomedical Sciences and has a graduate degree in Public Health from the University of Nebraska Medical School. Through this graduate program, Zelle learned about human trafficking as a public health concern and she was compelled to help. She has a heart for her community and she helped found St. Jude’s Play Live fundraising chapter in Orlando, FL. This is a yearly event where kids and families play video games together and raise support for St. Jude’s Research Hospital. In the first year, her chapter raised $15,000 and then rocketed up to $50,000 in the second year and continues to grow. Zelle has two dogs, and she loves to hike with them. She also enjoys painting and playing board games in her down time. 

Stephanie Kunstle

“I was blessed to grow up in a world where I was loved, safe, and given opportunities to thrive. But so many people have not tasted this kind of life, and it grieves me to hear their stories of exploitation, violence, and poverty. I believe we must do all we can to fight for these men, women, and children to bring freedom and healing. It’s an honor to use my passions and gifts to advance the mission of The Exodus Road.”   

Stephanie is the Content Creator for The Exodus Road.  She joined the marketing team to share stories of survivors as well to write about issues concerning human trafficking and the work of The Exodus Road through TER blog and email platforms. She supports the team in creating a movement of people called to action to uphold our work of bringing freedom to modern slaves. Stephanie has worked in sales, development, and marketing in for-profit and nonprofit worlds. She is married to David and they have two precious daughters. When she’s not advocating for the work of The Exodus Road, Stephanie is in the kitchen experimenting with a recipe which will usually end up documented on Instagram or her food blog. She loves to travel, cycle through beautiful Colorado, hike, and especially to gather family and friends over good food and wine to celebrate life.

Isaac Leigh

“Ending human trafficking is a fight I am honored to elevate in the telling of incredible stories of rescue around the world.”

After graduating from CU Denver  with a BA in Creative Writing in 2019, Isaac travelled through the U.K. and Europe working as a professor’s assistant for a university’s study abroad program. Now, he’s the producer for The Exodus Road’s 2020 debut podcast, Until All Are Free. For Isaac, producing this podcast means crafting the incredible stories you hear from our TER operatives, and also listening to and editing interviews from compelling guests who contribute their insights and struggles as they combat sex trafficking issues in their own ways. He understands the weight of this responsibility, but Isaac believes it is an honor to take it on with the Creative Team at TER. Isaac is married to Whitney and they live in Denver. In his free time, he likes to write and take hikes in the Colorado wilderness. He also loves to play the guitar and bass, and he enjoys playing music with his brothers, who are also musicians, whenever they’re together. It’s one of the ways he feels most connected to himself and to his family. Isaac, and the creativity he brings, is invaluable to The Exodus Road.

Cintia Meirelles

“Human trafficking exists as the greatest injustice in our society today. If I were to come to the end of my life having used none of my willpower to attempt to address this injustice, I would deeply regret it.”

Cintia is a Specialist in Humanitarian Affairs for The Exodus Road. Her academic background ranges from a business degree from a prestigious school in Brazil to a Master’s in Intercultural Studies and in Women’s & Gender Studies. She is a wife and mother, and she’s been actively engaged in her pursuit for equality and social justice for several causes. Her experience includes working with World Relief, helping to establish refugee families in the U.S., and her reach has gone as far as the Vatican where she met with Pope Francis to amend and sign a document of cooperation with the Catholic Church. Cintia was also responsible for a ground-breaking case study in Venezuela that influenced multiple organizations to focus on the refugee crisis there.

Caitlin Shannon

It’s up to “ordinary heroes” like you and I to bring light to dark places. Even the smallest candle flame can snuff out darkness.

Caitlin graduated as Valedictorian of Full Sail University Graphic Design program in 2010 and has been with the team since 2013. She manages Exodus Road’s visual brand and absolutely loves playing a role in fueling rescue. As an authenticity-obsessed brand strategist, her greatest joy is uncovering her clients natural superpowers and showcasing them through strategic visual design. Caitlin is a Colorado native, currently living in Castle Rock with her incredible husband and their adorable mutt, Sherman. She is passionate about healthy living, hot coffee, fresh flowers, hygge, and the Enneagram (9w1).

Matt Parker

Laura Parker

Matt Stowell

Steve Leigh

Nate Griffin

Cliff Clarkson

Tori Murphy

Daniel Murphy

Sarah Ray