Dr. Marianne Thomas (Marianne Pazienza Thomas) is a nationally recognized survivor, behavioral health expert, and leading voice in anti-trafficking program strategy. With over two decades of experience in the field and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology and a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, Dr. Thomas is a trusted advisor to government agencies, law enforcement, and survivor-led organizations across the country.

As a survivor herself, Dr. Thomas brings an unmatched combination of lived experience, clinical expertise, and policy influence to her work. She co-authored Florida’s DCF Human Trafficking Standards and currently leads national partnerships with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the University of South Florida to build trauma-informed, compliant, and sustainable anti-trafficking solutions.

Credentials & Leadership Highlights

• 20+ years working with survivors, nonprofits, law enforcement, and community-based programs

• Co-author of Florida's official Human Trafficking Program Standards (DCF)

• Founder and Director of the largest mobile crisis and long-term anti-trafficking program in Florida

• Safe Home Director for 4 years at a facility named the “gold standard” by DCF for minor girls who had been trafficked

• Former Counselor for children in the dependency system and families impacted by trafficking and homelessness

• National Speaker at JuST Conference, International Human Trafficking Symposium, and others

• Advisor & Trainer to law enforcement, social services and survivor-led program teams nationwide

A Survivor. A Strategist. A Voice for Change.

From running frontline residential programs to shaping policy at the highest levels, Dr. Thomas has helped rescue, restore, and reimagine what effective anti-trafficking care looks like.

She is also a sought-after public speaker and faith-based mentor, sharing her personal journey of overcoming exploitation and trauma through hope, strategy, and forgiveness.

Why She Founded My Name My Voice

Through My Name My Voice, Dr. Thomas and her collective of lived experience experts help organizations:

• Build or strengthen anti-trafficking programs

• Ensure compliance with evolving standards

• Train staff and law enforcement to support survivors with dignity

• Avoid common mistakes that cause harm or program failure

Whether you're launching a new initiative or rethinking your current approach, Dr. Thomas offers a trusted, survivor-informed and/or survivor-led strategy to help you get it right.

Visit: https://humantraffickingacademy.org/profiles/marianne-thomas/