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Join us for an informative and impactful discussion featuring career experts who work directly in the fight against human trafficking. During this session, speakers will share insights from the frontlines, highlighting how trafficking operates, its impact on individuals and communities, and the coordinated efforts underway to prevent exploitation and support survivors. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative strategies being used across different careers, such as law, law enforcement, counseling, nursing, and social work to combat human trafficking and how these efforts are making a meaningful difference.
Registration is required to ensure we do not exceed room capacity. Attendance is FREE.
MEET OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL
Allie Mercer, M.S.
Board Member, Sparrow Freedom Project
Moderator
A prior human trafficking victim advocate at a local non-profit, Allie worked in the field of victim services for over 7 years. Allie currently works in law enforcement within the state of Michigan. Allie has a demonstrated history of working with Human Trafficking, Child Abuse/Neglect, Sexual Assault, Mass Violence and Foster Care. Allie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Oakland University and a Master of Science in Law Enforcement Intelligence and Analysis.
Tracey Cooley
Executive Director, Sparrow Freedom Project
Executive Director, Detroit Bar Association and Foundation
Panelist
Tracey Cooley assumed the role of Executive Director of Sparrow Freedom Project in April 2021, bringing with her a deep commitment to justice and service. Drawing on her background as a human rights attorney, Tracey is dedicated to combating exploitation and human trafficking at the local, national, and global levels.
Tracey has more than 27 years of experience advocating for those in need through employment, leadership positions, board positions and volunteering with such organizations as Sparrow Freedom Project, Kevelighan & Kevelighan PC, Hope Against Trafficking, Leadership Oakland, Desert Angels, Junior League of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills Schools and Rochester Community Schools. She is considered a Master Global Champion in Diversity and Inclusion and a graduate of the Institute of Healing Racism.
Tracey earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude with Honors, in Public Affairs and French from Columbia College in South Carolina. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Detroit Bar Association and Foundation and is an active member of the Detroit Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as subcommittees of the Michigan Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission.
Commander Jevon J. Johnson
Detroit Police Department, 7th Precinct
Panelist
Jevon J. Johnson is a seasoned law enforcement executive with more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience serving the City of Detroit. Currently serving as Commander, Jevon has held every rank from Police Officer through Captain, bringing a comprehensive, ground-up understanding of modern policing, organizational leadership, and community-centered public safety.
Throughout his career, Jevon has led complex operational and cultural initiatives during some of the most challenging periods in Detroit’s recent history. His command experience includes leading the Special Victims Unit through a major transition in reporting systems, implementing the Detroit Police Department’s first full-time Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) vehicle, and assisting in the development of the Department’s Duty to Intervene Policy. He also contributed to the City of Detroit’s Unsheltered Population Policy, reflecting his commitment to compassionate, solution-oriented public service.
Jevon served as a front-line command officer during the George Floyd civil unrest, overseeing operations for more than 100 days. Under his leadership, Detroit experienced the lowest levels of injuries and property damage among major U.S. cities during that period. He also played a key role in planning and managing one of the nation’s largest COVID-19 vaccination operations, which administered more than 5,000 vaccinations per day at its peak, along with multiple testing and vaccination sites citywide.
In addition to his command duties, Jevon currently serves as Co-Chair of the Uniform Committee, the longest-serving member of the Probationary Evaluation Board, liaison to the 36th District Specialty Court, and a member of Councilwoman Calloway’s Detroit Human Trafficking Task Force.
Jevon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Pre-Law) from Michigan State University, a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Technology from Eastern Michigan University, and an MBA from Wayne State University. His leadership and impact have been recognized with the Community Impact Award from the Detroit–Wayne Crisis Intervention Team and the Spirit of Detroit Award from the Detroit City Council.
Known for his steady leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to ethical policing, Jevon Johnson continues to advance public safety through innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
Melissa M. Novock
Victim Specialist, FBI (Detroit)
Panelist
Melissa M. Novock is currently a Victim Specialist with the FBI (Detroit). She primarily works with the VCAC squad (Violent Crimes Against Children) and handles human trafficking cases across southeastern Michigan.
Her history of working with survivors of human trafficking includes both Detroit and New York City. Before joining the FBI, Melissa was the Human Trafficking Director of Programs and Services at Avalon Healing Center (Detroit). In New York City she worked for the Center for Court Innovation as the Prostitution Diversion Coordinator (in the Bronx) where she assisted with developing the Human Trafficking Court Program designed to provide ATI services for survivors. She has worked with survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault for over twenty-five years. The span and context of working with survivors includes the criminal justice system, the legal system, the health care system and various NGOs.
Melissa obtained her J.D. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and her B.A. from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. Her true teachers are the survivors she is privileged to work with every day where she allows the lessons learned to light the way for healing and change.
Jennifer Dulchavsky, PhD
Licensed Counselor, New You Counseling Services
Panelist
Jennifer Dulchavsky has a PhD in Clinical Sexology from Modern Sex Therapy Institutes. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Oakland University, a Master of Science degree in Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. After 10+ years in hospital administration, Jennifer decided to pursue a career in mental health counseling.
After graduating with her Master of Arts degree in Counseling at Oakland University, she opened her own private practice in Commerce Township, MI and has been practicing as a licensed professional counselor for 5 years. She is also a National Certified Counselor.
Jennifer has a passion for working with women who have survived sexual trauma and the New You Foundation was born out this passion and her desire to help others. As Jennifer was working with survivors of sexual abuse as well as volunteering at other organizations that support survivors, she noticed that it was such a challenge for women to receive support services through the healing process as well as financially
endure. The New You Foundation helps support survivors of sexual trauma by providing gap funding to help survivors focus on their mental health and well being.
Jennifer utilizes a variety of clinical approaches in therapy and has experience with cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems therapy and mindfulness. She is licensed in the state of Michigan and Florida.
Emily Pepera
Nurse, Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital
Board Member, Sparrow Freedom Project
Panelist
Emily Pepera is an experienced medical/surgical nurse at Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital with over a decade of expertise, holding a Bachelor's of Science from Madonna University and a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy. She is also a Subject Matter Expert for our Human Trafficking Response Team, dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for victims of human trafficking. Furthering her passion along this line of work, in 2024 Emily became a Board member with Sparrow Freedom Project and this past summer in 2025, she completed a program for sexual assault nursing. Emily is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-RN) at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, where she helps support and provide medical care to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Laura Dillaber, BSW
Victim Advocate, Common Ground
Board Member, Sparrow Freedom Project
Panelist
Laura Dillaber is a Victim Advocate with Common Ground’s Victim Assistance Program, where she provides crisis intervention, case management, and advocacy for survivors of human trafficking across multiple counties to assist in supporting trafficking victims. She also serves as a Board Member of Sparrow Freedom Project.
Laura Dillaber holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Oakland University. With a strong foundation in advocacy and support services, she brings both professional training and lived experience to her role. Laura is deeply committed to empowering survivors of human trafficking by providing survivor-centered support that fosters healing, resilience, and long-term stability. She is passionate about helping individuals move beyond survival toward thriving, and she is honored to contribute her voice, insight, and dedication to Sparrow Freedom Project’s mission.