Kelli Cary

Background

About Kelli Cary

Kelli Cary, MSSA, LISW-S has been a leader in the anti-trafficking space for 15 years. As a licensed independent social worker (LISW-S) her experience working with survivors in clinical and advocacy settings fuels her passion for this work. Kelli is currently the State Anti-Trafficking Director at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, managing the Governor’s Human Trafficking Task Force. Previously she held executive positions in anti-trafficking non-profits throughout Ohio and Tennessee where she supervised programs providing direct services to adult and minor survivors of human trafficking. In these roles she led MDTs, coalitions, policy efforts and statewide working groups with the belief that collaboration at the local, state, and national level is how we will effectively combat human trafficking.Kelli also serves on the steering committee for the National Compendium of State-Run Anti-Trafficking Initiatives and is passionate about developing trauma-informed programs, standards of care, and policies that prioritize survivor voices to ensure that services are truly restorative. As a collaborator, she believes we are stronger advocates when we use our collective voice for systemic change.