Speakers

María Julia Moreyra is from Argentina. She is a Lawyer, Magister in International Relations and Peace Fellow – Rotary International (Chulalongkorn University, 2016, Class 20). She has a Diploma in Feminst Political Innovation (Asuntos del Sur – Argentina) and a Diploma in Legal Writing and Argumentation (Escuela de la Abogacía de la Administración Pública Provincial). She is MOFA Fellow 2026 (Ministry of Foreing Affairs- Taiwan).

Her area of expertise and knowledge is the fight against gender – based violence and particularly human trafficking, where she is academically qualified and she has field experience. She worked for different Argentina government agencies. Currently she works for the Ministry of Women and Diversity of Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina), where she is a member of the Team which fights against Human Trafficking.

María Julia Moreyra was Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean of PeaceWomen Across the Globe (PWAG), a Swiss international organization which was created as a nomination of 1000 women from 150 countries to the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. At this organization she worked on the topic “Women, Peace and Security”.

She has been replicator of the Workshop "Gender and Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation " – Office for Women of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (Argentina) since 2013.

Likewise, María Julia is Speaker Chair at the Rotary Club End Human Trafficking; Activator of Positive Peace (alliance Rotary – International for Economics and Peace (IEP) and Ambassador of the IEP. She was in charge of the Seed Funding Project: (Rotary International and IEP) “From pain to hope” in Argentina. This project, which was focused on the eight pillars of Positive Peace -  was aimed to victims and survivors of gender- based violence.

She is a lecturer at national and international conferences (Bolivia, Colombia, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Indonesia, Senegal, among others).

María Julia Moreyra wrote the book “Armed Conflicts and Sexual Violence against women”. Publishing House: Editores del Puerto - Buenos Aires, 2007. She has been writing  articles on her areas of expertise.

In 2018, she was volunteer with the International Movement “Fourth World” in Escuintla and Guatemala city (Guatemala) focusing on people who fight against poverty.

 Finally, María Julia Moreyra received the award “Service Above Self” in 2024 and Rotary Athenaeum District 4905 Award: "In recognition of representing the values of Rotary and the vocation of Community Service through Service Above Self" (May 2023).

Dr. Cassandra Ma, Psy.D., is the Founder and Executive Director of Reclaim13, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healing services to survivors of sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation.

Reclaim13 began in 2012. Dr. Ma and Reclaim13 have been recognized by the Office of the U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois for their work with victims of child sex trafficking. She has been recognized by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services for her compassion, dedication and commitment to the children and families of Illinois and has served on various advisory boards, including the Illinois Children’s Justice Task Force and the College of DuPage’s Human Services. Dr. Ma has been featured on ABC’s “Our America: Women Forward” and “Asian Influences.” She presents frequently about child trafficking and child victimization and contributed the chapter on “Developmental Aspects of Child Trafficking” in the book, Psychological Perspectives on Human Trafficking, published by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Ma was recognized as Woman of the Year by the Rotary Club of Chicago, was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation, and received Convene’s Infinitely Beyond Award, in recognition of one who courageously answered God's call, stepped out in faith, and allowed God to work through them in remarkable ways to advance His Kingdom.. She is passionate about forging a forever community for survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation until all children can grow up feeling safe and loved.

Dr. Ma received her doctorate in clinical psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in marriage and family therapy at the Family Institute at Northwestern University, where she joined the staff team and core faculty, teaching and coordinating the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic.

María Celeste Tortosa is Co-Head of the NGO LEFÖ-IBF, Intervention Center for Trafficked Women*. A sociologist and social worker from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, she specializes in care politics from a gender perspective. Since January 2024, she has been part of the leadership team of LEFÖ - Counselling, Education, and Support for Migrant Women*. Before that, she spent seven years working as a psychosocial counsellor and in supporting clients throughout their legal and court procedures at LEFÖ-IBF. Her experience in research and project development and management covers the topics of institutional and structural violence, human rights, and migration. She is especially committed to bringing together law and lived realities with anti-racist and intersectional feminist perspectives.
 

Gene McConnell – Expert Witness, Advocate, and Educator on Sexual Exploitation and Pornography Harms

Gene McConnell is a nationally recognized expert on the impact of pornography, sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, and compulsive sexual behaviors. With more than 40 years of experience, he has educated and trained thousands of professionals—including therapists, law enforcement, clergy, and medical providers—on the behavioral, relational, and societal harms associated with pornography and the commercial sex industry.

Mr. McConnell brings both professional and lived experience to his work. Having been exposed to pornography at a young age and previously struggled with compulsive sexual behavior, he offers informed insight into patterns of use, escalation, addiction dynamics, and their effects on brain function, relationships, and overall well-being. His combined experiential and professional background has informed decades of public education, training, and advocacy.

He has collaborated with law enforcement and legal organizations, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the National Law Center for Children and Families, to develop and advance public policy addressing the secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses. Notably, he played a contributing role in the development and passage of one of the nation’s strongest constitutionally sound Sexually Oriented Business ordinances in Lancaster, California. Following its enactment, he has advised and assisted multiple jurisdictions across the United States in drafting and implementing similar regulatory frameworks.

Mr. McConnell has also worked extensively with organizations serving individuals exiting the commercial sex industry, contributing to program development, community-based interventions, and demand-reduction strategies. His work has consistently focused on the relationship between pornography consumption and downstream harms, including exploitation, trafficking, and public health impacts.

He is the creator of The Power of Pornography™ https://www.authenticrelationshipsint.com/ending-sexual-exploitation/ , a educational program delivered to more than 100,000 college students nationwide, and Pursuing the Hidden Heart™ https://www.authenticrelationshipsint.com/initiatives/pursuing-the-hidden-heart/, a structured program addressing trauma, shame, and compulsive behaviors. These programs are utilized in both community and institutional settings across the United States and internationally.

From 2004 to 2015, Mr. McConnell served with Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage, Alaska, where he held the role of Program Director of Special Projects under the Office of the President. In that capacity, he led initiatives focused on behavioral health, violence prevention, and culturally responsive programming, including significant contributions to the Family Wellness Warriors Initiative addressing domestic violence, sexual abuse, and neglect.

Mr. McConnell has presented at national and international conferences and has consulted with governmental and non-governmental organizations on issues related to sexual exploitation and public health. His work has included participation in global forums and contributions to international awareness efforts addressing the demand side of sexual exploitation.

He is also featured in the documentary Buying Her www.buyingher.com, which examines the demand dynamics driving sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Mr. McConnell continues to provide education, consultation, and expert insight on the individual and societal impacts of pornography and sexual exploitation.