Our Team

Jump to: Founder, Steering Committee, Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs

Leadership Team

Daniela Peterka-Benton
Director, Global Center on Human Trafficking
Associate Professor, Justice Studies

Daniela Peterka-Benton (she/her/hers) 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. Read More

Madison Kranis
Program Coordinator

kranism@montclair.edu

Madison Kranis (she/her/hers) is the Program Coordinator at the GCHT. Madison is passionate about human rights advocacy and has been involved with anti-trafficking organizations for several years. Madison transferred from Brookdale Community College, where she focused on Criminal Justice to Montclair State University as a Justice Studies student, taking classes in Human Trafficking, International Justice, and Migration. She later earned her MA in Human Trafficking, Organised Crime, and Migration from St. Mary’s University, Twickenham in London, UK. Madison is currently pursuing an MSc in Sustainability Leadership, expected to be completed in Fall 2025. Read More

Ashlee Martellacci
Student Affairs and Community Engagement Coordinator

martellaccia@montclair.edu

Ashlee Martellacci (she/her/hers) is the Student Affairs and Community Engagement 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. Read More

Christabelle Robinson
Program Specialist – Survivor Engagement

robinsonchr@montclair.edu

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. Read More

Amie Rainfish
Program Assistant

rainfisha@montclair.edu

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. She has a BA in Justice Studies from Montclair State University and an MA in Human Trafficking, Organised Crime, and Migration at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham in London, UK. Read More

Founder

Mimi Feliciano
Founder and Senior Advisor, FEM Real Estate, LLC

Mimi Feliciano, Founder and Senior Advisor of the Global Center on Human Trafficking, brought her passion for supporting anti-trafficking efforts to the university in 2018, which led to the establishment of MIGHT: the Montclair Interest Group On Human Trafficking. Reflecting Mimi’s vision for a response to trafficking that integrates all perspectives, this collaborative group included faculty, staff, and students with a mission to engage the entire campus. In 2021, Mimi’s generosity and commitment was realized in seed funding for establishing the Global Center on Human Trafficking. The Center is now housed within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences leading a multi-disciplinary effort focused on developing innovative solutions to the global problem of human trafficking. Read More

Campus Engagement Committee

We welcome new members and partners. Please contact us for more information.

Co-Chairs:

Daniela Peterka-Benton, Associate Professor, Justice Studies
Debra Jones, Global Partnership Strategist, Global Center on Human Trafficking; Adjunct Professor, Justice Studies, Montclair State University

Members:

Tisheka Allen, Victim Services and Compliance Manager, University Police Department
Roxanna Ast, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy
Kieran Barrett, Chief of Police, Montclair State University
Bond Benton, Associate Professor, School of Communications and Media
Nancy Coba, Clinical Specialist, Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy
Gabriel Jung, Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Feliciano School of Business
Maneesha Kelkar, Adjunct Professor, Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Department
Brenda Marshall, Professor, School of Nursing
Maryrose Mcinerney, Instructional Specialist, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Joseph Oluwole, Professor, Chairperson, Educational Leadership
Lynette Reitz, Associate Professor, Social Work and Child Advocacy, Montclair State University
Suzette Shaw, Volunteer Coordinator, Center for Student Involvement
Sanford Shevack, Adjunct Faculty, Sociology, Montclair State University
Marissa Silverman, Professor of Music, Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Education, John J. Cali School of Music
Krystal Woolston, Assistant Director, Center for Community Engagement

Legislative Breakfast Committee

The Legislative Breakfast Committee is a collective of event partners comprised of local organizations, Montclair staff and faculty, lived experience professionals, and the Global Center on Human Trafficking (GCHT). This dedicated group collaborates to plan and promote the Annual Legislative Breakfast to tackle critical issues, drive impactful conversations, and effect positive change in New Jersey’s legislative landscape with survivors and victims at the forefront of the discussion and active advocacy.

Local Partners:

• Covenant House – NJ
• HR Recovery Initiative
• Family Service League
• Legal Services of New Jersey
• New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking
• Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

Montclair Partners:

• Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation
• Justice Studies
• College of Community Health
• Political Science and Law Department
• Pre-Law Program
• Social Work and Child Advocacy Department