A Hidden Crime: Labor Trafficking in the U.S.

Charlee Borg (she/hers) is dedicated to technical assistance in supporting providers and agencies to enhance their existing skills. Leveraging her background in designing, implementing, and managing national and international anti-trafficking programs across diverse sectors, Charlee integrates first-hand knowledge gained from over a decade of service to survivors of human trafficking. Using this knowledge and proven instructional design methods Charlee supervises the development of engaging Framework trainings and materials tailored to the specific needs of you and your agency. Before joining Framework, Charlee played a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of agencies across the United States, as well as abroad while working with organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Her contributions included consulting as a cross-cultural trauma and crisis response specialist, specifically focusing on direct services and awareness campaigns during humanitarian crises. Charlee holds a Master of Arts in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver, complemented by a certificate in Program Development and Evaluation. Her academic background reflects her commitment to advancing the field through rigorous research and thoughtful program design and assessment.

Theresa Nietzel has 10 years of experience as a Human Trafficking Investigator for the Erie County, New York, Sheriff’s Office while also serving as the Program Director for the Western District of New York’s Human Trafficking Task Force and Alliance. Theresa has served as a Task Force Officer with Homeland Security Investigations. Theresa retired in 2024 with over 20 years of service in law enforcement. In 2019, Theresa was awarded Homeland Security Investigations Executive Director Award for Outstanding Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking as a Task Force Officer. In 2017, Theresa was awarded the Women in Federal Law Enforcement Partnership Award for her Outstanding Contribution as a State or Local Officer while serving as a Task Force Officer with Homeland Security Investigations conducting human trafficking investigations. Theresa has also served as a member of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Underwater Recovery Team and the Motorcycle Unit. After earning her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College, she joined Medaille University for 10 years as an adjunct professor in the social sciences division.

Hilary Burgess joined the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2018. She has served as a Senior Project Manager since 2022 for multiple Department of Justice (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime anti-human trafficking initiatives. Hilary first gained valuable experience working for four years on the DOJ COPS Office-funded Collaborative Reform Initiative Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) program where she managed technical assistance delivery and resource development for the policing field. She previously worked for the National Sheriffs' Association for over 13 years where she served in multiple capacities, including Director of Professional Development. Hilary is a skilled project manager, earning a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.