Melissa Palepu is an Attorney Specialist in Human Trafficking and Child Abuse, with the Michigan Department of Attorney General. Melissa previously served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, and was the General Counsel for the Wayne County Land Bank. She is an alumna of the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and History. She then received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
In her current role with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Melissa leads the charge in Human Trafficking and Child Abuse prosecutions. She also sits as a member of the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, the Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking Advisory Committee, and on the Human Trafficking of Children Protocol Revision Committee. Melissa is also a proud member of Shorewood Kiwanis and American Inn of Courts.
Katie Papke is a human trafficking survivor. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Clinically Certified Human Trafficking Victims Services Provider. Katie has her own therapy private practice with Life Support Counseling and Coaching, LLC in Grand Rapids, MI.She has a passion working with victims and survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence and other forms of abuse. Her specialty is working with teens and adults who have a history of trauma, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
She serves as the Vice President of the board of Sacred Beginnings in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sacred Beginnings is a safe haven for victims of human trafficking. Katie is highly involved with her local Human Trafficking Task Force in Kent County, Michigan. She contracts with Kent Intermediate School District’s to provide education to students about human trafficking as part of the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education grant. Katie graduated from Florida State University with her Bachelors and Masters of Social Work in 2006.
In addition, Katie has achieved years of experience in community education and consultation. She is a School of Social Work Program Associate Professor at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan teaching classes on human trafficking and homelessness. She is a national Health, Education, Advocacy, and Linkage (HEAL) Trafficking speaker and trainer and has provided over 100 national and international trainings on human trafficking.
Katie was recently awarded “40 under 40 Boston Congress of Public Health Catalyst Award” for her achievement in shaping human trafficking as a public health concern.
Michael Draminski, of Lansing, is the Compliance Section Manager for the Bureau of Professional Licensing’s Enforcement Division within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University. He serves as the designee of the Director of LARA.
Alice Johnson, of Warren, is a human trafficking advocate for Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan and the founder of Sister Survivor National Connect. She is the author of Out of the Darkness: A Survivor's Story.
Ms. Johnson is appointed to represent individuals who have survived human trafficking for a term commencing March 26, 2021 and expiring March 1, 2023. She succeeds Fadowa Harrel whose term expired March 23, 2021.
Leslie King-Friday was trafficked at the age of 15 for over 20 years in Grand Rapids, MI. On July 4, 2000, Leslie's life was changed forever. Through sincerity of her heart and an answer from God, Leslie was given a new lease on life and set to starting her life's work.
In 2005, Leslie utilized her experience, expertise, and inspiring example of a renewed lifestyle to open Sacred Beginnings, a safe haven that offers hope, and healing to trafficking victims. Leslie consults with law enforcement agencies, human service professionals, clergy, and others requesting direction and understanding in working with prostituted individuals. She also speaks at various conferences and academic institutions across the country on the issue of human trafficking.
Her awards and recognitions include:
Lisa K. McCormick, of Dimondale, is a judge with the 30th Circuit Court of Ingham County Family Division. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctor degree from the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Judge McCormick is appointed to represent a circuit court judge who serves in family court and is submitted by the Michigan Judges Association, for a term commencing March 26, 2021 and expiring March 1, 2023. She succeeds Judge Michelle Rick whose term expired March 1, 2021.
Jonathan Walden, of Detroit, is a Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant and serves as the designee of the Director of the Michigan State Police. As a Detective Sergeant, he is assigned to the Second District Special Investigation Section where is an active member of the Metro North Post Detective Bureau and the Trafficking and Abduction Group (TAG) where a majority of his caseload involves investigating human trafficking, sex crimes, violent crimes against children, exploitation, and child sexually abusive materials cases.
