Alina Donahue
SME
FL, USReal. Relatable. Revolutionary. Alina’s story moves hearts—and her expertise moves systems.
Alina Donahue is a trailblazing advocate and visionary dedicated to transforming the response to human trafficking. Renowned for her pioneering work, Alina’s mission is to educate law enforcement on the complexities of human trafficking and bridge the critical gap between police and survivors. Through her leadership and expertise, she is driving change, fostering collaboration, and ensuring more effective, compassionate support for victims.
As the co-creator of The Shelly Stayer Shelter’s Human Trafficking Residential Program in Immokalee, FL, Alina helped establish a groundbreaking 18-month model that now serves as a national standard for aftercare services tailored to adult female survivors of sex trafficking.
Her commitment to justice previously extended to her role with the Project Recovery Program team at the Collier County Jail, where she supported female inmates in confronting addiction and mental health challenges. Through her personal journey of overcoming human trafficking, Alina inspired countless incarcerated women to find their voices and share their own stories of survival.
Most recently, Alina founded the Human Trafficking Education & Response Academy (HTERA)—a bold initiative delivering high-impact training to law enforcement and nonprofit agencies across the country. Powered by lived experience and frontline expertise, HTERA is setting a new standard for survivor-informed education in the anti-trafficking movement.
Today, Alina considers it a true honor to travel the country, using her lived experience and subject matter expertise to train law enforcement on critical topics such as Human Trafficking Response, Forced Criminality, and Understanding the Game. She has trained thousands of local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel—ranging from first responders to advanced practitioners—and works closely with organizations to equip them with the tools they need to prevent and respond to human trafficking effectively.
Alina is a proud graduate of both the Associate Leadership Collier Class of 2018 and the Leadership Collier Class of 2024. In 2021, she was recognized by Naples Illustrated as one of the Top 100 Ones to Watch, and in 2024, she was honored with Gulfshore Business’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award for her outstanding contributions in the fight against human trafficking.
Alina Donahue is a trailblazing advocate and visionary dedicated to transforming the response to human trafficking. Renowned for her pioneering work, Alina’s mission is to educate law enforcement on the complexities of human trafficking and bridge the critical gap between police and survivors. Through her leadership and expertise, she is driving change, fostering collaboration, and ensuring more effective, compassionate support for victims.
As the co-creator of The Shelly Stayer Shelter’s Human Trafficking Residential Program in Immokalee, FL, Alina helped establish a groundbreaking 18-month model that now serves as a national standard for aftercare services tailored to adult female survivors of sex trafficking.
Her commitment to justice previously extended to her role with the Project Recovery Program team at the Collier County Jail, where she supported female inmates in confronting addiction and mental health challenges. Through her personal journey of overcoming human trafficking, Alina inspired countless incarcerated women to find their voices and share their own stories of survival.
Most recently, Alina founded the Human Trafficking Education & Response Academy (HTERA)—a bold initiative delivering high-impact training to law enforcement and nonprofit agencies across the country. Powered by lived experience and frontline expertise, HTERA is setting a new standard for survivor-informed education in the anti-trafficking movement.
Today, Alina considers it a true honor to travel the country, using her lived experience and subject matter expertise to train law enforcement on critical topics such as Human Trafficking Response, Forced Criminality, and Understanding the Game. She has trained thousands of local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel—ranging from first responders to advanced practitioners—and works closely with organizations to equip them with the tools they need to prevent and respond to human trafficking effectively.
Alina is a proud graduate of both the Associate Leadership Collier Class of 2018 and the Leadership Collier Class of 2024. In 2021, she was recognized by Naples Illustrated as one of the Top 100 Ones to Watch, and in 2024, she was honored with Gulfshore Business’s prestigious 40 Under 40 award for her outstanding contributions in the fight against human trafficking.
Unmasking Trafficking: What They Didn’t Teach You in Training
Format: 8-hour training course (can be delivered in-person only)
This program is perfect for:
- Law enforcement professionals and first responders
- Nonprofit staff, social workers, and service providers
- The audience will leave with:
- A clear understanding of how trafficking operates in the U.S., including myths, methods, and modern...
More Than a Survivor: My Story of Strength, Struggle, and Becoming
Format: 20–30 minute keynote
This program is perfect for:
- General audiences seeking inspiration and empowerment
- Organizations or events focused on resilience, transformation, or survivor voices
The audience will leave with:
- A renewed belief in the power of resilience and healing
- Motivation to face their own challenges with courage and...
Understanding the Game: Inside Human Trafficking, Forced Criminality, and a Florida Case Study
Abstract (70 minutes):
This high-impact training is designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking a deeper, more practical understanding of human trafficking dynamics. Through a uniquely informed lens, this 70-minute session breaks down the inner workings of “the game”—the methods traffickers use to recruit, manipulate, and control individuals. Attendees will learn to identify victim profiles, including those who may present as suspects due to...
The Hidden Victims: Identifying Human Trafficking in Jails, Juvenile Detention, and Street-Level Encounters
Abstract (70 minutes):
Many survivors of human trafficking are misidentified as offenders—especially during street-level encounters, in detention settings, and within the juvenile justice system. This session is designed to help law enforcement professionals recognize the less obvious signs of trafficking, particularly among individuals charged with theft, drug offenses, or prostitution. Attendees will learn how to spot indicators of coercion, trauma responses, and...
