Conversations That Make a Difference with Teresa Velardi: Be a Voice for the Voiceless

Be a Voice for the Voiceless Guests: Andi Buerger, Alma Tucker, Dr. Pamela J. Pine, Brian Searcy and Bruce Ladebu BIOS:  Andi Buerger, JD, international speaker, author, and survivor of child sex trafficking, advocates globally for victims of exploitation. She founded Beulah’s Place, rescuing 300+ at-risk teens, and later co-founded Voices Against Trafficking, uniting voices worldwide to defend human rights. Her books and the internationally distributed Voices of Courage magazine empower survivors and honor human rights champions. In 2025, the Voices of Courage television series debuts, expanding her mission to inspire justice and hope. Website: https://voicesagainsttrafficking.com/ Alma Tucker, Notable Achievements: Founder and Executive Director of International Network of Hearts, an institution and pioneer in providing care for victims of human trafficking with international presence in both Mexico and the United States. Founded the only shelter in Baja California dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and young women in vulnerable situations, recognized by the United Nations as one of 12 Mexican shelters dedicated to victims of human trafficking. Clinical Psychologist with 35+ years of experience in education, training, human rights, and victim support. Alma founded the first and only group home in Baja California designed for young survivors of human trafficking, with over 200 children coming through the shelter since 2010. Named 2024 Citizen of the Year in Baja California by Grupo Salinas for altruistic work on behalf of children. Nominated for and received 2024 San Diego Magazine’s Celebrating Women Award as a Trailblazer in the NonProfit category. Honored with “Alma Tucker Day” by the City of National City, in recognition of contributions to justice, healing, and the global fight against human trafficking. Charter Member in the Board of Voices Against Trafficking. Honored in 2022 and 2024 by the Soroptimists Together Against Trafficking for dedication to raising awareness through trainings in San Diego and supporting children. Received a Social Impact in Tijuana award given by the digital media outlet El Tijuanense in 2025. Advocated and helped launch the International Amber Alert Program in Mexico, aiding to the search and rescue of missing children. Invited to the White House in 2019 to discuss issues related to human trafficking along the US-Mexico border. Spoke at the Vatican in Rome and Dubai through the Global Sustainability Network on human trafficking. Honorary academic member of the National Commission of the Ministry of the Interior to Prevent Human Trafficking in Mexico since 2017. In 2014, INH collaborated with UCSD researchers who published a study in 2015: Vulnerability Factors and Pathways Leading to Underage Entry into Sex Work in Two Mexican-U.S. Border Cities. Starting in 2011, INH held its annual binational conference on human trafficking at the Chula Vista City Council Chambers, convening federal and local authorities from both sides of the border. Dr. Pamela J. Pine, PhD, MPH, has been an international health, development, and communication professional throughout her adult life, supporting the lives of poor and otherwise underserved groups in over 30 countries worldwide (from Albania to Zambia), with the past more than two decades focused on childhood trauma and protection. Since 2000, she has been a dedicated advocate focusing on the critical issues of child sexual abuse (CSA), including trafficking, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). With extensive experience in trauma-informed programming, she aims to educate and empower individuals, communities, organizations, and companies around the world to prevent abuse and recognize the signs of abuse and its long-lasting effects on children, adolescents, and adults they become, as well as on their families, communities, organizations/companies, and societies. She was the Founder and CEO of the free-standing international non-profit, Stop the Silence® - Stop Child Sexual Abuse, Inc., and became the Director of Stop the Silence® - A Department of the Institute of Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) in January 2021 when the original organization became a part of the larger non-profit. Dr. Pine is also a professor of public health as well as a multimedia artist working in oils, watercolor, pastel, clay, song, and the written word (she is a best-selling author of adult and children’s books and a poet, and an award-winning photographer), which she uses in her work to open hearts and minds. She is the 2025 Voices Of Courage Award® recipient. Dr. Pine has been a regular expert on leading media outlets such as: NBC, CNN, PBS, iHeart (formerly ClearChannel) radio, and many others. Articles about her and her work have been featured in the Washington Post, Washington Times, The Maryland Gazette, TruEntertainment Magazine, Women’s Calen