Nonprofit raises $1.1 million at powerful 25^th anniversary luncheon recognizing founders, celebrating successes, and honoring ProtectHER Awardees for exceptional support of trafficked or exploited women 

Over 1,200 guests joined New Friends New Life (NFNL) on September 29 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas in celebration of 25 years of empowering trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children and driving awareness of this issue and its prevalence.  The luncheon featured award-winning actor, director, producer, and activist Kerry Washington as speaker and raised $1.1 million to help the organization continue its mission.

Gospel singer Gaye Arbuckle set the tone with a powerful rendition of “You Can’t Stop the Girl,” by Bebe Rexha. NBC 5’s Laura Harris welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the impact of their support and the role they play in the transformation happening for the women and girls of the nonprofit. Following the invocation by Pastor Richie Butler of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church, ProtectHER Awards were presented by NFNL Chief Development Officer Priya Murphy to The Meadows Foundation and Yulise Reaves Waters, following a video presentation about their work in the community. The Meadows Foundation, a NFNL mission-defining partner has provided transformative grant support to help remove barriers trafficking survivors face and recently began a partnership with NFNL and Bonton Farms called Liberty Street Garden. The innovate garden provides survivors of human trafficking a means to earn a living wage as they build a new life. Yulise Reaves Waters, Esq., chief innovations officer, Lone Star Justice Alliance (LSJA),was honored for herlegislative and community advocacy work that educates the community about the mass incarceration crisis and its impact on marginalized populations.

Following lunch, guests enjoyed a video detailing the 25-year history of NFNL, narrated by Jessica Waugh, whose mother, Gail Turner, was one of the original founders of NFNL. Co-Chairs Tracey Nash-Huntley, David S. Huntley, Elizabeth Carlock Phillips and Kevin Phillips then took the stage to share more about the history, thank sponsors, and highlight service groups within NFNL. Elizabeth Carlock Phillips shared that her parents and uncle volunteered supporting the work of New Friends New Life in the church where it first began. The co-chairs recognized the honorary co-chairs, representing the founders and early board members of NFNL: Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt; Gail and Dr. Gerald Turner; and Pat and Pete Schenkel. The chairs concluded by talking about full-circle moments that have defined NFNL over the last 25 years, directing the audience to an emotional video about Annette Bailey, a survivor and NFNL’s economic empowerment specialist for the past six years.

In the video, Bailey shared her personal story about her journey and the attorney who saved her life by asking her if she had a drug problem and if she wanted help. He recognized the trauma she had experienced in her life. Instead of seeing her go to jail for drug charges, he was able to get her into a rehabilitation facility where she received counseling and an understanding of her childhood and why she had turned to alcohol and drugs.

“Once he helped me, I wanted to help myself,” said Bailey. “My probation officer directed me to New Friends New Life, and from there I went to Eastfield College and received my associate degree in substance abuse counseling and later, a bachelor’s in sociology from UNT Dallas.”

A 2023 article in The Dallas Morning News about Bailey caught the attention of her lawyer, Mike Howard, and he reached out to connect with Bailey, who then took him to a memorable lunch and shared her accomplishments. Howard, who was in the audience, was called to the stage by Annette Bailey to receive a surprise ProtectHER Award, and he and Bailey received a standing ovation.

NFNL CEO Bianca Davis took the stage to share the impact NFNL has had on human trafficking through its multiple programs.

“At New Friends New Life, we know that societal issues such as poverty, childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, the foster care system, and the legal system must be addressed if we are going to move the needle on the issue of human trafficking," said Davis. "Liberty Street Garden, where survivors can earn work experience and income, along with our legal advocacy clinic and our trauma informed clinical team, are all helping us address poverty and the lack of skills, which are barriers to self-sufficiency. Looking ahead, we plan to hire a GED instructor to serve the 30 percent of our women who didn’t finish high school, and we also have our eyes on housing to offer a safe environment for the 35 percent of our women and teen girls who are in homeless shelters. Collectively, collaboratively and in concert we can make a difference.”

Davis then introduced Kerry Washington and Laura Harris for “A Conversation with Kerry Washington.”

Harris kicked things off jokingly asking Washington about her week and if it had been quiet – sparking simultaneous laughter from the audience. Throughout the week, Washington had been on a whirlwind, week-long book tour with her new book, “Thicker than Water,” a journey of revelations and truth.

Washington shared that she always felt like her parents were keeping something from her. Five years ago, they told her that her dad was not her biological father, and that she was born from a sperm donor. Thus began a “rollercoaster of emotions,” said Washington.

“Every time I said I love you to my dad, he must have thought she loves me because she thinks I’m her father,” stated Washington.  “I said to him, ‘You now have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be loved unconditionally; we can be in truth, in the facts of the relationship, and be loved. I love you more because of this news. You are trusting this relationship with the truth.’”

Washington continued, “While listening to the conversation today during the luncheon, I reflected upon how much we all deserve to be loved and are lovable despite our past. It has been a journey with my family. They had so much shame in what they did and thought our relationship would suffer, and I would reject them.”

“And then you wrote a book about it,” continued Harris.

“When they asked me not to tell anyone about it, that made me complicit in their lie,” said Washington. “It’s been a hard few years. All of us, including my husband, went to therapy, and we have done a lot of work. I think one of the gifts is that I learned this information after I was a parent myself, and I know how hard it is to be a parent. My parents were making the best choices with the toolbox they had, trying to protect me. I know their intentions were good. What I see as flawed is part of the miracle of why I’m here. We have to love people where they are.”

Harris then shared how, like Annette Bailey and her attorney – who also got into trouble but had stability around him – we all don’t come from the same place with the same support.

“Annette spoke of generational pain,” added Kerry. She didn’t have the support and environment she needed to help her. My mother’s mother immigrated from Jamaica through Ellis Island. That strength of hers is what I lean into to break my generational trauma.  I have alcoholism and abuse in my family. I want us to know we can tell the truth and be loved. We can find safe spaces where we can be loved. This is why New Friends New Life is so important. NFNL teaches that you always have agency, and you must build the right support around you so you can stand in that agency.”

In closing, Washington referenced her character on Scandal, Olivia Pope. "One of the things she taught me was how to be the lead character, and I feel like NFNL is teaching each of these women how to be the lead characters in their lives."

Luncheon attendees included Toni Brinker, Monica Christopher, Elizabeth Gambrell, Nancy Halbreich, Janet Jensen, Sue Justice, The Honorable Ron Kirk, Ashlee Kleinert, Lottye and Bobby Lyle, Lynn McBee, Melissa Sherrill Martin, Katie Moise, Wendy Messmann, Rep. Morgan Meyer, Keana Meyer, Jan Osborn, Eileen Pratt, Jennifer Sampson, Christa Sanford, Marianne Staubach, Stephanie Wilcox, and Katherine Wynne.

Media sponsors were NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 and PaperCity magazine.

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About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. The agency’s vision is to create a community where women and girls can soar above the limits of their past and achieve their dreams. In 2022, NFNL served 357 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of sex trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 546 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces Kerry Washington, an Emmy-winning, and SAG nominated actor, producer, director and lifelong advocate and activist, will headline its annual luncheon, a celebration of the nonprofit’s Silver Jubilee, on Friday, September 29 at 11:30 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Luncheon co-chairs are Tracey Nash-Huntley and David Huntley and Elizabeth Carlock Phillips and Kevin Phillips. Honorary co-chairs represent several of the founding and early board members of NFNL: Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt; Gail and Dr. Gerald Turner; and Pat and Pete Schenkel.

Founded in 1998 when an exotic dancer walked into the local Preston Road Church of Christ seeking help, New Friends New Life has continued and expanded the work of the original and early board members who first helped the woman find employment while providing the ongoing support she needed to make a fresh start. The program grew beyond the ground-breaking church committee and became a separate nonprofit under the name of Amy’s Friends in January 2000. In 2001, the organization hired its first executive director, two skilled social workers and one part-time advocate. Later, in 2007, as more women came forward seeking help, Amy’s Friends revamped its presence and became New Friends New Life. Today New Friends New Life provides an extensive offering of evidence-based programs to help survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation recover from complex trauma, rebuild their lives, and thrive. 

Luncheon Speaker Kerry Washington, known for her role as Olivia Pope on the hit ABC drama Scandal as well as her film credits in Django Unchained, Ray, The Last King of Scotland, Save the Last Dance, Our Song, The School for Good and Evil, and, most recently, Unprisoned on Hulu, is also an advocate and activist dedicated to using her voice to fight for justice. She has spearheaded an effort to support grassroots organizations that empower marginalized groups, fought violence against women, raised money to protect the civil liberties of minorities, advocated for the arts and more.

“Kerry is known for encouraging others to show up, answer the call, stand strong, and give other women a hand up just as the founders of New Friends New Life felt called to do 25 years ago,” said Bianca Davis, CEO of New Friends New Life. “We could not be more pleased to introduce her to our supporters at our Silver Jubilee Luncheon – a watershed moment to reflect on the impact we each can make when we choose to take a stand in this monumental effort to dismantle, disrupt, and disarm an industry that is victimizing 25 million people around the world, including 313,000 people right here in Texas.”

A native of The Bronx, New York, Washington is a versatile and fearless multi-hyphenate who has received high acclaim for her work in film, theater, digital media, advocacy and beyond. She received widespread public recognition for her role on Scandal, breaking barriers as the first Black woman since 1974 to headline a network TV drama. In 2016, she launched her production company, Simpson Street. Washington has been honored as one of Time magazine’s 2022 Women of the Year, in addition to appearing on the magazine’s Most Influential People list in 2014. She also received the 2013 NAACP President’s Award, the 2015 GLAAD Media Vanguard Award, and the 2016 ACLU Bill of Rights Award. In 2022, Washington partnered with LAUSD and others to launch The Roybal School of Film and Television Production, a magnet school aiming to drive transformational change across the entertainment industry for students from underserved communities.

This year’s luncheon co-chair couples are active community leaders entrenched within numerous nonprofits. Elizabeth Carlock Phillips has served as the executive director of Phillips Foundation since 2013. A longtime anti-trafficking advocate and supporter of New Friends New Life, she is also a Governor-appointed trustee of UNC Greensboro and volunteers as a board member for the National Center for Family Philanthropy; Texas Women’s Foundation; The Dallas Foundation; Mission Investors Exchange; and SMU’s Maguire Ethics Center, among others. Elizabeth and her husband Kevin, managing partner of Phillips Management Group, are co-founders of The ImPact and principals of Phillips Enterprises, a family office and portfolio of companies.

“I grew up at the church in which New Friends New life began,” shared Elizabeth Carlock Phillips. “At a young age, it was impressed upon me the difference we can make if we stand together on behalf of those who have suffered unimaginable trauma, especially the women and girls whose dreams have been shattered. To see how far we have come as a community on this issue, and to be a part of the work of NFNL after all these years is a rewarding, full-circle moment, and it inspires us to continue in the fight against human trafficking.”

Tracey Nash-Huntley, the immediate past board chair of New Friends New Life, serves on the board of Goodwill Industries, Dallas; the advisory board of SMU’s Maguire Ethics Center; and the executive committee of the Moody Fund for the Arts. As program chair of the Dallas (TX) Chapter of The Links, Inc., she is passionate about creating a pipeline to STEAM education and careers for underrepresented girls. She is a founding member of The Village Giving Circle at Texas Women’s Foundation and a Junior League of Dallas sustainer. David S. Huntley is AT&T’s senior executive vice president and chief compliance officer and has been a part of the senior leadership team since 2014. He is the recipient of the Carol R. Marshall Award for Innovation in Corporate Ethics, a member of New Friends New Life’s Men’s Advocacy Group, a trustee of SMU, and serves in leadership roles with AT LAST!, Dallas Citizens Council, National Urban League, and Methodist Health Systems. He is the Texas Business Hall of Fame’s 2024 president/chair-elect and serves on the board of Texas Capital Bancshares.

“Once you see how sex trafficking and exploitation has devastated the lives of the women and girls NFNL serves, you cannot unsee it,” said Tracey Nash-Huntley. “Life circumstances have left them without a safety net of support or hope and vulnerable to falling victim to traffickers. I knew I could not sit on the sidelines. Locking arms with the other board members, we encourage organizations and individuals to give of their time and resources, while also cheering on NFNL’s CEO and dedicated staff. They are in the trenches doing the hard work every day breaking through trauma to rebuild lives. It will take all of us in this fight to change the lives of women and girls impacted by this terrible crime.”

“When we look back at the first five years of our organization, Amy’s Friends provided financial and other assistance to approximately 87 women,” added Davis. “In 2022, we served 357 women and girls with the dedicated work of 25 staff, an esteemed board of directors, and scores of volunteers. Our Women’s Program, Youth Resource Center, Men’s Advocacy Group, and newly enacted Legal Advocacy Clinic ensure that we are removing some of the most daunting roadblocks from the path to self-sufficiency for the women and girls who turn to us for help. Our growth is possible only because of this incredible community that has supported us for 25 years.”

Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500. A limited number of individual tickets will be released closer to the date and will begin at $250 each. To reserve your sponsorship or seats, please visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org or contact Senior Development Director Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652.

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About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. The agency’s vision is to create a community where women and girls can soar above the limits of their past and achieve their dreams. In 2022, NFNL served 357 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of sex trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 546 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

Award-winning actress Julia Ormond inspired a crowd of nearly 800 attendees at the November 4 New Friends New Life (NFNL) Luncheon by illustrating how small choices can have a monumental impact. In addition to discussing how the everyday choices we make can create a better, safer world, Ormond cleverly demonstrated how even a small donation can add up to a large sum when magnified by the power of many.

In advance of the luncheon, the actress, turned human rights activist, spent two days in Dallas immersing herself in the work of the nonprofit, getting to know the staff, board members, patrons, and members of NFNL – displaying an unusually generous gesture of support and interest in the agency’s mission.

As emcee Shelly Slater stated at the start of the program, “while the issue of human trafficking is heavy, heartbreaking, and hard, you will learn today the New Friends New Life is offering hope, healing, and a measure of happiness to hundreds of brave survivors and vulnerable youth each year.”

Slater introduced luncheon Co-Chairs Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl, and Melissa Sherrill Martin who thanked friends and supporters. Wynne kicked things off by recognizing Honorary Co-Chairs Matrice Ellis-Kirk and former Dallas Mayor, Ambassador Ron Kirk for “caring about this critical cause.” Hoyl shared that there are an estimated 313,000 human trafficking victims in Texas, with 79,000 being minors. She highlighted the work of NFNL’s Youth Resource Center, which has provided hope for nearly 550 girls, ages 12-22 since opening in 2018. Martin recognized top sponsors Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Tracey Nash-Huntley and David Huntley, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Southwest Airlines, and the Jensen Project as well as Nancy and Randy Best and Carolyn and David Miller.

Following an invocation by Dr. Cynthia Mickens Ross, Matt Osborne and Priya Murphy of NFNL presented the 2022 ProtectHER recipients, who were honored for the impact they make as advocates and volunteers.

Lynn McBee, a philanthropic and leadership force in Dallas and longtime champion for women and girls, understands that education is a key that can unlock access and opportunity for vulnerable youth. A biochemist who spent years as a research scientist, McBee now serves as CEO of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network. Her board service spans dozens of nonprofit groups representing the community’s most pressing social issues – domestic violence, homelessness, and sex trafficking. “Making sure girls and women reach their potential brings me great joy,” said McBee. “New Friends New Life helps women and girls soar above their limits and achieve their dreams. Join me in working harder for these young women and girls.”

The financial and volunteer support of Santander Consumer USA Foundation has provided the funding for an on-site Legal Advocacy Clinic with a staff attorney working on site at NFNL to help members with legal contracts and cases preventing them from moving forward in life. Additionally, Santander employees have volunteered countless hours, including giving survivors skills needed to face the world. “I have been privileged to attend graduations at NFNL and hear stories of women fighting against all odds who have overcome many obstacles,” said Suzanne Massey, vice president, Santander Consumer USA Foundation. “Your work, your mission transforms lives, and we at Santander stand beside you.”

Dr. Nissi Hamilton, a child sex trafficking survivor who became an award-winning advocate, gave an impassioned acceptance speech to the riveted audience. Dr. Hamilton won the Foundation for Improvement of Justice’s 2022 Paul H. Chapman Award for her advocacy in the passing of the Texas Smart Act, which was signed into law in 2021 and provides protection and resources to trafficking victims. She is a passionate leader in the national anti-trafficking movement, a sexual abuse counselor, and CEO of the nonprofit Nissi’s Network, Inc. She captivated the audience with a powerful recount of her journey from trauma to triumph. “Human Trafficking is a second slavery. By the time I was 15, I had slept on countless bathroom floors. I was a homeless teen mother. I had to stand in front of a judge who did not honor me, protect me, or see me. I lived in foster care and was transferred to live in my trafficker’s home with my children by the time I was 16. I lost my children and studied law to get them back – eight in all.” She encouraged attendees to be a “burden barrier,” see trafficking survivors and offer support as they rebuild their lives.

New Friends New Life CEO Bianca Davis took the stage highlighting the work of the nonprofit’s Youth Resource Center, a place where 546 girls “have come to feel seen, safe, and supported.” She shared impactful stories and stated that the program now provides a tailored path forward for varying age groups. In thanking donors for the role they play in restoring and empowering the survivors, she shared that the organization was just $40,000 away from its financial goal of the luncheon and encouraged additional support to help restore and empower survivors.

Davis then introduced keynote speaker, Emmy award-winning actress, founder, and activist Julia Ormond, who flew into Dallas three days prior to immerse herself into the work of the organization, meet the women in the program, visit with supporters, and participate in one of NFNL’s educational bus tours illustrating that trafficking is happening everywhere.  Ormond is the first and former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador against Trafficking and Slavery. She has traveled the world and has been fighting trafficking since the 1990s.

Shelly Slater began the conversation by noting that in all the years of this luncheon, she did not recall any speaker so passionate about the mission that they would come into town days early to learn more about the work of the organization and those it serves. She asked Ormond about her attachment to fighting trafficking. 

Ormond shared from her perspective that “enslavement and forced labor are like the cancer in humanity. With cancer you do chemo to get right to the tumor. With trafficking we also need to take a laser-like approach that gets right to the tumor. We need to understand that when we buy a product from a supply chain, we are supporting value chains, the people who are in forced labor.”  She shared how businesses as well as the consumer play roles in ensuring the supply chain for goods is free of slavery and that we need to make sure that “workers have access to human rights.”

She talked about visiting shelters all over the world and always leaving with sadness. When walking into New Friends New Life, “all were so welcoming and achieving a goal of providing a safe space with hope.” She complimented the skilled staff who lead the bus tours which she described as “something very clever” demonstrating trafficking is happening everywhere while sharing her new knowledge of the “high-five” area in Dallas. “We must have the courage to step up and hear it” to make an impact.

Slater asked her about her trips around the world and the slavery she had witnessed. She highlighted her trip to Lake Volta in Ghana where enforced labor of children was discovered because children’s bodies were washing up onto the shores. When traveling there, she expected to see skinny children, but instead she saw “a very muscular, well-built young man.” She was told by those she was with that by his height they believed him to be 12 years old, and he had likely done about five years of hard labor.

She began to think about the fish they were catching and wondered, “Any chance I have purchased and eaten this fish or fed it to my children? If so, I am supporting a system trapping people in enslaved and forced labor. My mission became to work on transparency to protect people.”

Ormond is the founder of the nonprofit ASSET Campaign, which is the source of global legislation the Transparency in Supply Chains Law that requires major businesses to publicly disclose their policies to prevent human trafficking and forced labor in product supply chains.

“Through this new law, we now look at a company’s disclosure and see everything, and if that leads to a company who has found 25 child slaves, then this company showed up and transparency works.”

Slater summarized, “It really is all about education and transparency, and thinking where did that come from? I am not getting that Tilapia from across the sea if it is tied to this. It all comes back to dignity.”

“With small choices, we can vote for the world we want,” Ormond stated. “This law is helping us to see who is doing what, and we can start as consumers to support those who we think are doing the right thing. So, every time we spend a dollar, we can vote for the world that we want.”

Ormond then illustrated the power we each have to make a difference in the world. She said that you need resources in the world to do the heavy lifting, such as New Friends New Life, but we should never lose sight of the fact that a small choice has power and can be effective.

She then asked the audience how they would feel about giving $10 right now to NFNL, inviting someone to the stage with a calculator for this exercise. “With 800 people in the room, that comes to $8,000, which is nice, but what if everyone did that once a month.  Times 12, that amount changes to $96,000. Does everyone have ten friends? That brings it to $960,000. Multiple by 12, and you have $11,520,000.”

At the conclusion of the luncheon, the impact of Ormond’s words was evident when day-of donations totaled $99,000 helping NFNL surpass its goal with $560,000 in net proceeds raised.

Luncheon attendees included Robin Bagwell; Elizabeth Gambrell; Nancy Ann Hunt; Maggie Kipp; Ashlee and Chris Kleinert; Jan Langbein; Wendy Messmann; Caren Prothro; Jenna Quinn; Ted Poe; Pat Schenkel; Beth Thoele; Gail and Dr. R. Gerald Turner; Jessica Turner-Waugh; and Jimmy Westcott.

Media sponsors were PaperCity, and The Dallas Morning News. Visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2021, NFNL served 312 members. NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 546 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

 A United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and founder of the Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET), Ormond will share her thoughts on what is needed to create systemic change to eradicate trafficking at its source

New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces Julia Ormond, a British Emmy® award-winning stage, film, and television actress who has been fighting human trafficking since the 1990s, will headline its annual luncheon on Friday, November 4 at 11:30 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd. Luncheon co-chairs are Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill Martin. Honorary co-chairs are Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk.

Among her best-known film work, Ormond has starred in Legends of the Fall, Sabrina, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Che. On the small screen, Ormond received an Emmy® Award in 2010 for her role in the HBO movie Temple Grandin, and in 2012 she was nominated for a second Emmy® for her recurring role on Mad Men. She can most recently be seen in her series regular role in The Walking Dead; World Beyond, and in the still-to-be-released Reminisce.

Offscreen, Ormond is a longtime activist against human trafficking, promoting international awareness in her role as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and as founder of the advocacy nonprofit, Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET), which works with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government officials, and individuals to create the systemic change needed to eradicate slavery at its source. ASSET was instrumental in passing the 2010 California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, a consumer rights disclosure bill requiring major manufacturers and retailers to make public their policy on trafficking and slavery all the way down the supply chain. As an advocate, Ormond has traveled the world assessing solutions and challenges, and she has appeared as an expert witness before the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. For this advocacy work she received the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award and the Women for Women International’s Peace Award.

Luncheon Co-Chairs Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill Martin are longtime community leaders and volunteers with numerous nonprofits. Wynne is a former marketing, public relations and investment executive who spent ten years in various capacities for U.S. Trust, now Bank of America Private Bank. She is a member of New Friends New Life’s Board of Directors. Hoyl serves as chief philanthropy and community affairs officer at Baylor Scott & White Health, and her sister Melissa Sherrill Martin served as vice president of development for over 14 years at The Family Place. Honorary Co-Chairs and Dallas power couple Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk are known for the impact they have had on the Dallas community and beyond. Ellis-Kirk has over 20 years of experience in the executive search industry with deep knowledge in governance. Before founding Ellis Kirk Group, she led board and CEO assignments at two large global search firms and a boutique search firm. Ambassador Ron Kirk is senior of counsel in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Dallas and Washington D.C. offices. The former mayor of Dallas and Texas Secretary of State also served as United States Trade Representative and was a member of President Obama’s Cabinet.

“As we at New Friends New Life continue to connect the dots and educate the community about the crime of human trafficking, we couldn’t be more delighted to introduce Julia Ormond to our donors and supporters at this year’s luncheon,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life. “Her role as an activist against trafficking around the world, and her experience assessing solutions and challenges, will provide attendees with further insight about how we can all dismantle, disrupt, and disarm this industry that is victimizing 25 million people around the world, including 313,000 people right here in Texas.”

Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500.  A limited number of individual tickets will be released closer to the date and will begin at $250 each. To reserve your sponsorship or seats, please visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org or contact Senior Development Director Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652.

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About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2021, NFNL served 312 members. NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 442 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

Nealy Cox is widely known for her leadership and pioneering efforts to combat sex trafficking on both the supply and demand sides as well as her groundbreaking work to provide financial restitution to victims

New Friends New Life announces Erin Nealy Cox, has been appointed to its 2021-2022 Board of Directors. A fierce advocate against sex trafficking, the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas is a partner in Kirkland and Ellis’ Dallas and Washington, D.C., offices. She represents corporations, boards of directors, and executives involved in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and high-stakes investigations and is a member of the firm’s Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations Practice Group. Her practice focuses on matters arising from alleged violations of state and federal laws, including fraud, cybersecurity, public corruption, national security, workplace compliance, and issues involving board governance. 

“We are incredibly honored to have Erin Nealy Cox, an extraordinary ally in the fight against sex trafficking, as the newest member of New Friends New Life’s Board of Directors,” said Tracey Nash-Huntley, Board Chair. “Without question, her leadership, commitment, and compassion combined with her innovative work to fight sex trafficking will be a huge asset to the board as we provide direction and support to NFNL’s chief executive officer, Bianca Davis, as she leads the agency forward.”

“I have long admired the work of New Friends New Life as they work tirelessly to help women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty and limited opportunities,” said Erin Nealy Cox. “NFNL has long served as a vital resource to our community by providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health and spiritual support to victims of human trafficking.  I am honored and excited to join them in this mission.”

Nealy Cox has been recognized nationally for her pioneering efforts to eradicate human trafficking through the efforts of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force. While working with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to revamp the task force, she attacked sexual exploitation from multiple angles, including the demand side. In June 2020, the trafficking task force shut down CityXGuide, a leading source of online ads for sex trafficking, and used the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) to charge its owner with reckless disregard of trafficking. Additionally, she charged sellers as well as buyers and instituted a system to see restitution for victims. Nealy Cox was nominated for Texan of the Year by The Dallas Morning News in 2020 for her efforts.

Throughout her two and a half decades in public service and private practice, she has successfully tried numerous cases in federal courts. She has served at the highest levels of the Department of Justice as United States Attorney, in her role, she was recognized nationally for her work in developing strategic responses to benefit the eight million residents of the North District of Texas. In addition to her work to eradicate human trafficking, she was also recognized nationally and locally for her efforts to combat domestic violence through gun control initiatives. Prior to her appointment as U.S. Attorney in 2017, she served as a senior advisor at McKinsey & Co.; managing director at Stroz Friedberg; Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy in Washington, D.C.; and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the North District of Texas. Nealy Cox graduated with a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and a JD from SMU School of Law.

Nealy Cox joins a diverse board of community representatives including Tracey Nash-Huntley, NFNL board chair, community leader; Robin Bagwell, community leader; Nancy Best, business and community leader; Adam Cannon, VP of brand management, G6 Hospitality, LLC; Sherri Daniel, certified public accountant; Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN; chief clinical officer, AMN Healthcare; Kelley Grayson, VP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas; Ashlee Kleinert, community leader; Wendy Messmann, regional investment executive, US Trust, Bank of America; Paulette Miniter, associate attorney, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Jane A. Rose, general counsel, Irwin R. Rose & Co.; Christa Sanford, partner, Baker Botts, LLP; Pat Schenkel, community leader; Shelly Slater, community leader, WFAA Special Contributor; Gail Turner, community leader; Jessica Turner-Waugh, actor & voice over artist; and Katherine Wynne, business and community leader.

For more information, visit newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.

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About New Friends New Life:
Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2020, NFNL served 330 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. More than 100 girls visited the YRC during its first year. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.