Meet the Leadership Team

Daniela Peterka-Benton is an associate professor in the Department of Justice Studies and serves as the coordinator for the department’s International Justice concentration. She has a PhD in Sociology with a specialization in Criminology from the University of Vienna, Austria, a Master’s degrees in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati, and Master’s degree in Adult and Media Education from the University of Vienna.

Her research interests center around transnational crimes such as human trafficking, human smuggling, arms trafficking, and right-wing terrorism and extremism. Dr. Peterka-Benton and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals including International Migration Review, The Journal of the Institute of Justice & International Studies, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, and The Journal of Applied Security Research. In 2022, she published the co-authored book Introduction to International Justice.

More recently Dr. Peterka-Benton completed a grant project funded by the New Jersey’s Division of Criminal Justice with two of her Montclair State colleagues, analyzing human trafficking data reporting, law enforcement response, and improvements for data collection methodologies such as the use of a statewide database on human trafficking. Another area of interest to her is the role of misinformation and disinformation on various issues including human trafficking. Her research on how QAnon has hijacked the human trafficking discourse was published in the journal Anti-Trafficking Review.

Dr. Peterka-Benton teaches numerous courses including, Human Trafficking, Intro to International Justice, Crime and Globalization, and Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. Prior to her focusing on a full-time academic career, Daniela Peterka-Benton worked for the U.S. State Department’s Office of Diplomatic Security at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria.

Christabelle Robinson (she/her/hers) is the Communications and Social Media Specialist at the Global Center on Human Trafficking.

A survivor herself, her passion for survivor advocacy and rights is at the forefront of her work. Christabelle has years of survivor advocacy experience including blogs, interviews, and public speaking on human trafficking and related issues. She is an experienced trainer and educator and draws from her lived experience to connect with audiences. She is the Director of Programs at Karana Rising, a survivor-led organization for survivors of human trafficking, where she leads the development of survivor-led programming. She is also a co-founder of the Global Survivor Collaborative, an initiative of the Global Center on Human Trafficking and Karana Rising. She believes in survivors leading the fight against human trafficking, and it’s her goal to support survivors of human trafficking in that mission.

In addition to her work in the human trafficking field, Ms. Robinson brings to this position a wealth of experience developing communications strategy and social media campaigns as an independent consultant to private companies and non-profit organizations. Since 2017, her focus has been on ethical and inclusive marketing that is designed to include people from all walks of life.

Some of Christabelle’s other interests include running an online storefront to be an outlet for her art and macrame, video gaming, makeup artistry, and curling up with a good book and some coffee.

Ashlee Martellacci is the Student and Volunteer Program Coordinator for the Global Center on Human Trafficking, as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy for Montclair State University. She has a Master’s in Child Advocacy and Policy with a concentration in Public Child Welfare and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Montclair State University. She also holds a paralegal certificate from Montclair State University.

Professor Martellacci is a former Investigator for the New Jersey Public Defender’s Office: Office of Law Guardian Division. Her investigations played a vital role in ensuring children in family court matters involving allegations of abuse and neglect against parents or other caregivers received the legal representation they deserve. Her research interests revolve around: human trafficking, professional wellness for child welfare and higher education professionals, and the importance of self-care for college students.

Professor Martellacci teaches several courses including Introduction to Child Advocacy and Ecological Systems of the Developing Child.

Madison Kranis (she/her/hers) is the Program Assistant at the Global Center on Human Trafficking. Madison is passionate about advocating for human rights and has been involved with anti-trafficking organizations for several years. Madison transferred to Montclair State University as a Justice Studies student in September 2018 and began taking classes in Human Trafficking, International Justice, and Migration. During the pandemic, Madison went on to earn her MA in Human Trafficking, Organised Crime, and Migration at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham in London, UK. During her time in London, Madison was able to combine her passion for human rights with her childhood dream of working in fashion in both the non-profit and corporate sectors. Madison’s passion for the prevention of labor trafficking within the supply chain is evident when you speak with her, she was even recently featured on a podcast about Conscious Consumerism.

For nearly a decade, Madison has coached cheerleading for various organizations, including her local college. She enjoys teaching athletes of all ages strong foundational skills that will allow them to advance their skillset and feel a sense of pride. Madison believes it is important to have a ‘home away from home’ and prides the cheer gyms as a space for athletes to make it theirs as it was for her.

Madison looks forward to supporting the Global Center on Human Trafficking and all the incredible projects they are a part of and within the administration.

Mimi Feliciano is Founder and CEO of FEM Real Estate, a Real Estate Investment Company, based in Montville, New Jersey, which she opened in 2013, with her husband, Edwin.  FEM develops, owns and manages commercial real estate nationwide.  She most recently completed her passion project, South Beach at Long Branch, in 2020, an award winning oceanfront 42 unit condominium development that introduces a luxurious live, work, play lifestyle to the Jersey Shore.

Mimi spent 12 years prior as the Owner and CEO of Lincoln Park Healthcare, the largest nursing home complex in New Jersey. Mimi took over and expanded this second-generation family business by building JDT Medical Rehab & JDT Medical Villa, two visionary state-of-the-art buildings for sub-acute, short-term care within a luxury, hotel-like environment.

Entrepreneurship has been a continuing trend in Mimi’s career.  At age 19, she became a partner of a health club and banquet facility, for which she supervised the construction of and managed for 14 years with great membership success.  Subsequently, Mimi and her husband invested in residential real estate, acquiring and managing apartment units.

Mimi’s affiliations include The Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University, Board chair;  The Mimi & Edwin Feliciano School of Business; Board Member; Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship, Board Member; Homeland Security Foundation, Board Member; ROI NJ 2021 Women of Influence Executives Power List;  NJ BIZ Real Estate Power List 2020; NJ BIZ Top 50 CRE Power List 2019; New Jersey Business Hall of Fame Laureate 2016; Endowed the Mimi & Edwin Feliciano Healing Garden at Chilton Memorial Hospital 2016;  Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs 2014; Best 50 Women in Business, NJ BIZ 2014;  Honoree For Chilton Memorial Hospital Gala 2013;  Recipient of Montclair State University Carpe Diem Award  2012; Competitive Ballroom dancer holding national titles 2017, 2018 and 2019.