Stopping human trafficking before it starts by providing prevention education to all ages.
ABOUT US
The Set Me Free Project® is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to stop human trafficking before it starts by providing prevention education to all ages.
Our curriculum is informative, interactive, and flexible, reaching students (K-12th grade), educators, parents and leaders in every facet of our communities.
The Set Me Free Project® is unique in our use of engaging, age appropriate curriculum in every presentation. We focus on defining human trafficking and helping students identify why and how they could be at risk. We provide a foundation for all students to recognize the intrinsic value in every human being.
OUR VALUES
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Personal Value: We are committed to the belief that every person has value and deserves equitable treatment.
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Compassionate Prevention: We are committed to keeping youth safe through compassionate and empathetic prevention.
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Integrity: We are committed to personal and professional integrity, working individually and collaboratively.
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Striving for excellence: We are committed to boldly, yet humbly, striving for excellence.
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Creative Solutions: We are committed to finding creative solutions through ongoing education.
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Fun: We are committed to fun in everything we do.
STEPHANIE OLSON
Stephanie Olson is a speaker, an author, a podcaster, and the CEO of The Set Me Free Project ®.
Stephanie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication from Liberty University. In addition, she possesses an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from TIAU Business School.
Before founding The Set Me Free Project ®, Stephanie worked with women in the area of sexual and domestic violence, addiction, and homelessness. She also worked with youth, teaching healthy relationships. After extensive training and research in the study of human trafficking prevention education and social media safety, she co-founded The Set Me Free Project.
Stephanie also helps leaders build resilience. Her work on teaching resilience in leadership has inspired people across the United States with topics such as, leadership, trauma, a toxic workplace, mental health, and resilience. As a woman of color and a survivor of domestic and sexual violence, Stephanie brings lived experience, research, and humor to impact lives. She is a sought-after speaker on women, youth, human trafficking, and social media safety while leading The Set Me Free Project ® to help prevent youth and young adults from personally experiencing trafficking.
KELLY CRANOR
Kelly joined The Set Me Free Project ® (SMFP) in March 2023 as the Chief Operating Officer. She’s responsible for strategy development, operations, human resources, and marketing. Prior to SMFP, she spent 20 years at Union Pacific Railroad in several roles in human resources and marketing and sales. Before Union Pacific, she worked at A.G. Edwards and Sons, Inc. (now Wells Fargo) in mutual fund sales.
She brings a unique skill set with over 20 years of experience at Fortune 150 companies.
Kelly is committed to providing those that do not have a voice with a voice. She regularly facilitates career workshops to survivors of human trafficking. And has seen the long-term effects of human trafficking on survivors. Through the education offered by the SMFP, her hope is that all ages understand the signs and how to prevent it.
She is a graduate of Drury University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Business Administration.
VICTORIA VILLADA
Victoria is based in beautiful Colombia and holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from The Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira. Alongside her engineering background, she's certified in agile frameworks. Her professional journey includes administration, marketing, and roles as an Account Manager and Virtual Assistant. In 2023, Victoria joined The Set Me Free Project® as a virtual assistant. She's dedicated to contributing her part in the fight against human trafficking and educating others on how to recognize and prevent it.
In her personal life, Victoria is a devoted cat and dog mom. She has a deep love for languages, movies, and CrossFit. Beyond her professional interests, Victoria is an advocate for animal well-being. During her free time, she volunteers to rescue and care for animals, providing them with a temporary nurturing home while tirelessly seeking a loving, forever home for our four-legged friends. Victoria's true joy comes from helping others and making a positive impact in any way she can.
REBECCA SAUNDERS
Rebecca joined The Set Me Free Project in November 2023 as the Director of Programming after relocating to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Prior to working with The Set Me Free Project, she was a Children’s Minister. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Children’s Ministry from Oklahoma Christian University. She was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care in both Texas and Oklahoma and worked tirelessly for the benefit of the children assigned to her. Her true passion lies in helping educate and support at risk youth.
Rebecca is a mother to two young children, Aurora and Michael, and enjoys teaching them in her home. As a family, they are active members of their church where you can often find her volunteering. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her large extended family.
JESSICA ANDERSEN
Boone, Iowa native Jessica Andersen has spent much of her career as a Customer Experience Specialist, but she always knew that her life was meant for something more.
Jessica grew up within the foster care system and survived many years of trauma and abuse, but she didn't allow those challenges to defeat her; instead, she used them as empowerment to change the world. Today, Jessica is The Set Me Free Project's Iowa Educator District Lead, providing youth with the tools they need to understand their intrinsic value and teach them to navigate challenges safely.
Along with her passion for providing prevention education to end human trafficking, Jessica is also a full-time mom. As a mother, she discovered that raising a child takes an entire village, which can be said to end human trafficking. With each person receiving human trafficking prevention education, the village becomes bigger, and the world becomes safer for our children.
When not educating and leading her team of Iowa Educators, you can find Jessica sipping on an iced coffee while reading or watching a movie from her extensive DVD collection. However, her daughter is her greatest joy in life, and no book or movie could compare to spending time with her.
DANIELLE HOWELL
Danielle is a Nebraska certified teacher with B.A. and M.Ed. degrees in Elementary Education. She is an experienced classroom teacher and administrator, with six years teaching Kindergarten and Pre-K and four years as a Curriculum Director, leading and training a staff of over 45 teachers. She has planned and implemented staff training on various topics, including child development, positive discipline, classroom management, language and literacy, and communication.As Curriculum Specialist for The Set Me Free Project ®, Danielle currently develops curriculum and speaks to middle and high school students to prevent youth and young adults from ever experiencing human trafficking.
OUR TEAM
TONI FOX
Toni Fox brings over 15 years of experience in sales, account management, and marketing across a wide range of industries, including tech, software, and training programs. Her dynamic career has allowed her to lead initiatives, build strategic relationships, and deliver impactful results, particularly in the fast-paced world of technology and professional development.
A Southern California native and seasoned entrepreneur, Toni has also worked in the event, financial, and entertainment sectors. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active, spending time outdoors, and exploring the arts.
JEANNIE HUDSPETH
A lifelong native of Arkansas, Jeannie earned a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Central Arkansas, and a Master’s in Instructional Technology from Arkansas Tech University. After spending several years in public school systems as a counselor and then media specialist, she eventually focused the majority of her career as a psychology instructor at Ozarka College. While in this position, she accumulated an additional 18+ master’s level hours in kinesiology and health promotion, as well as Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor national certifications, which enabled her to assume the role of Fitness Center Coordinator in addition to her classroom and online instructional duties. Most recently, after becoming aware of human trafficking as a real crisis, Jeannie spent many months debating what she could possibly do, and how she could hope to step up to help in the fight against this modern day slavery. Finding and joining The Set Me Free Project was clearly the answer she had sought, and Jeannie considers the opportunity to serve here a gift. Jeannie’s life revolves around her (practically) grown kids, dogs, and anything she can do in the great outdoors. She enjoys all things fitness, reading, collecting books, and finding new ways to serve the Lord. Her ultimate goal at this point in life is to make at least one person’s life better in some way every day.
ERIN DOSTAL
Erin joined The Set Me Free Project as an educator in August of 2023. She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Minor in Sociology. After a short stint as a journalist for a small newspaper in Colorado, she moved back home to Iowa to care for her elderly grandmother, and soon after married her husband, Greg. They live in Urbandale, IA with their two children and a small zoo, consisting mostly of small, furry animals and fish. In her freetime, she enjoys watching her son play baseball and basketball, and her daughter play softball, soccer,basketball and tae kwondo. Erin works part-time as a teacher/tutor for Sylvan Learning Center in Johnston, Iowa. After being a part-time at-home teacher for her two children during covid, she quickly learned what an enormous impact teachers and educators have in children’s lives. Erin’s true passion is helping people. She is a strong advocate for mental health and wellness and strives to offer hope and understanding to those in crisis. She is very excited to be a part of The Set Me Free Project team in Iowa!
DANICA HARDEN
After graduating with an MA from the University of Tulsa, Danica worked as an HR Systems Analyst and Trainer for large and small companies in both consulting and in-house capacities. After taking some time to raise her family, caretake for her father, and pursue an MS from Creighton University, she is excited to join the team. She’s creating interactive e-learning courses for the READY To Stand Curriculum® and Hotel Motel Human Trafficking Prevention and Response Program.
LINDSEY SHUNKWILER
Lindsey joined The Set Me Free Project ® in October 2021 as an Educator. Now as a Trainer, she enjoys meeting new people and bringing awareness to the seriousness of human trafficking.
Lindsey is a wife and mother to 3 children ages 12, 10 and 8. She also works part-time as a fitness coach and events coordinator. Lindsey attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she studied Speech, Language and Pathology.
In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, interior decorating, spending time with her family.
PYPER BOWER
Educator
Meet Pyper, a dedicated educator with a passion for helping children grow and learn. Pyper's commitment to advocacy and education led them to officially join The Set Me Free Project® in 2023. Outside of The Set Me Free Project, Pyper is intrigued by the intricacies of life and death, aspiring to become a mortician to honor the departed. Alongside their professional pursuits, Pyperis an enthusiastic language learner, currently working to become fluent in ASL, Spanish, and German. With a heart for service and a thirst for knowledge, Pyper's journey is defined by a pursuit of growth, understanding, and meaningful connection.
MEET THE BOARD
Ambassador Susan Jacobs
Retired, U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – U.S. Department of State
McLean, Virginia
Dr. Sabrina Townsend
Global Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
World Wide Technology
Dallas, TX
Dr. Angela Addison
Area Superintendent with Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
Atlanta, GA
Leo Moncada M.s, HRM
Director of People & Culture at The Dupont Circle Hotel, Doyle Collection
Washington DC
Minden Nester
Former Special Education Teacher, Behavioral Skills Program
Omaha, NE
Lucas Shook
Owner/Sole Practitioner, Shook
Books & Tax, LLC
Omaha, NE
Linda Kaplan
Mental Health Care Consultant and Contractor
Christian Mirch
Attorney - Private PracticePolice Officer,
Yutan Police Department
Omaha, NE
STEVIE KANE
Stevie Kane brings 10 years of experience as a direct service advocate to survivors of human trafficking. She comes to The Set Me Free Project with passion and willingness to learn the prevention side of human trafficking. Through her experience as an advocate, she has learned from survivors the importance of “their voice” as being a vital part of the work that’s being done. With education and expertise, Stevie Kane believes that to see change, you must be the change. Stevie Kane graduated with the highest honors with a degree in criminal justice, from Southern New Hampshire University.
Outside of the vital work she does, she enjoys time spent with her large family and friends. She loves to relax at night with a book and a mindful playlist.
Winchester (Winnie)
Chief Canine Officer
Winnie has been volunteering with The Set Me Free Project ® for 8 years, however, she officially joined the team in 2022. Winnie has studied extensively in the art of scarfing down food as quickly as she can and napping in as many locations as possible. Winnie has been an invaluable assest to the team and brings as much cuteness as possible every day.