Megan Lundstrom became pregnant when she was 18 years old.  Instead of going off to college on the full-ride scholarship she received, she married her child’s father, who turned out to be an abusive alcoholic.  After escaping her marriage following the birth of her second child, and experiencing extreme financial and emotional vulnerability, Ms. Lundstrom was seduced by a charismatic man who promised her love but who turned out to be a pimp.  Forced by him into “the life,” Ms. Lundstrom was threatened with violence when she tried to leave him. Finally escaped after four years of being trafficked, Ms. Lundstrom went on to earn a BS in Finance and today is a nationally recognized expert on human trafficking, data-driven systems reform, and survivor-led policy and program design.  After founding and directing both Free Our Girls and The Avery Center, she signed on as Chief Executive Officer of Polaris, where she continues to lead national strategy, operations, and partnerships that integrate advocacy, research, and technology to prevent and disrupt trafficking.  Ms. Lundstrom has led federally supported research with the National Institute of Justice, is an alum of the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance leadership academy, has served as a governor-appointed council member for Colorado’s anti-trafficking efforts, and serves as a Network Consultant to the U.S. Department of State.  She has collaborated on projects across government agencies, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to develop tools and guidance that help professionals identify and respond to trafficking.  Her testimony, analysis, and publications have informed criminal and civil prosecutions, congressional hearings, legislation, operational practice, and national partnerships addressing labor and sex trafficking.