Published
February 18, 2025
Dana Hoyes, U.S. campaign director for It’s a Penalty, facilitated a conversation with Kevin Barnes, a former NFL player for the Washington Redskins (now, the Commanders), and Heather Fischer, senior adviser of social impact and human rights at Thomson Reuters, on how non-governmental organizations, NFL players, and private industry can work with the NFL to counter trafficking.
Hoyes provided an overview of It’s a Penalty, an organization dedicated to ending abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking on a global scale through education, awareness raising, advocacy, and youth empowerment. It’s a Penalty runs campaigns during major sporting events featuring businesses and NFL players to combat this heinous crime.
Barnes spoke about his journey of becoming a human trafficking advocate. According to Barnes, “Once you see something, you can’t unsee it. My role is to shine a spotlight on how trafficking is a hidden crime and educate others.” Barnes discussed how traffickers use technology, including encrypted messaging coupled with virtual currency, for nefarious means, primarily the exploitation of children.
At Thomson Reuters, Fischer counsels companies on anti-human trafficking strategies. She spoke about ways she is engaged. “I work with the NFL Player’s Alumni Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE) to train those who are committed in the fight against human trafficking.” She concluded her remarks by discussing how the firm uses digital analytics to create data visualization tools to map trafficking networks and support intervention efforts.
Billet and Mollie Thorsen Andrews, U.S. director of advocacy and corporate engagement at A21, closed out the program announcing that both A21 and the Chamber will present awards to small, medium, and large companies that focus on business advocacy for prevention initiatives and survivor empowerment.
About the authors
Michael Billet
Michael Billet, director of policy research for Employment Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, keeps members and internal Chamber policy staff abreast of pending labor, immigration, and health care legislation, as well as federal regulatory and subregulatory activities. He is also responsible for planning the Chamber’s annual workplace and community wellness forum.
