About Us

Amirah was founded in 2011 in response to the increased number of sex trafficking reports in Massachusetts and the low availability of services or resources for adults who are trafficked in the state. Originally conceived as an outreach services organization, Amirah began providing housing and residential recovery through group homes in 2014 and has since grown and transformed into a multi-pronged service organization today, providing mid-term housing through its Rapid Re-Housing program, economic mobility and stability planning, long-term housing navigation, comprehensive case management, peer care navigation, and community support. Amirah works in collaboration with state offices and peer service providers state-wide to coordinate comprehensive services for people trading sex, most of whom have experienced sex trafficking. Amirah’s Executive Director sits on the Governor’s Commission on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking’s Subcommittee on Human Trafficking. Amirah is also a member of the EMMA Coalition, a state-wide group of lived-experience-led agencies advocating for better policies and practices to support people who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and prostitution.

Founded in the belief that no one was created to be bought and sold.

Lived Experience Led
Evidence-Based Researched Driven

Our Team

Mary Speta, DLP

Executive Director

Dr. Mary Speta is a researcher, educator, speaker, and advocate in the movement to end commercial sexual exploitation. She serves as the Executive Director of Amirah, Inc., a nonprofit providing exit and aftercare services to women who have experienced prostitution, sex trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation. Mary utilizes her own lived experience of commercial sexual exploitation as well as her research on the commercial sex trade to break down myths, inform policy, and shape effective evidence-based exit ramps supporting individuals seeking independence from poverty and commercial sex. She sits on the Massachusetts Governor's Commission to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking's Subcommittee on Human Trafficking and services on multiple legislative advisory and service provision committees throughout New England as a policy advisor and consultant on prostitution and intersectional issues. Mary is also a recipient of the 2023 North Shore Chamber of Commerce Diamond Award honoring women in leadership. As an educator, Mary regularly speaks at universities, helping the next generation of service providers and policy makers understand the complexities of poverty, trafficking, and commercial sex in the United States. The work she enjoys most, though, is walking alongside other women exiting the commercial sex trade as a mentor, supporting them as they reach economic independence and walk the road of recovery. Mary completed her doctorate in law and policy at Northeastern University. Her research focuses on the phenomenon of prostitution, the distorted impact of prostitution criminalization, and evidence-based policy approaches to supporting exit from the commercial sex trade. She also holds a master's degree in arts and nonprofit administrative sciences from Boston University and completed her undergraduate studies at Gordon College.

Tori Devine, LICSW

Director of Client Services

Tori Devine serves as the Director of Client Services at Amirah and is a member of the agency’s senior leadership team. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and holds an advanced standing master’s degree in social work from Salem State University. Tori has worked in human services for over 18 years and some of her professional experience includes, but is not limited to: program management & development, clinical oversight & supervision, addictions counseling, and crisis intervention training. She is especially passionate about serving her community while working in trauma-informed care settings that advocate for social justice and that work towards dismantling gender-based violence.

Tori is also a long-time resident of the Massachusetts North Shore, and her Boston accent is most prevalent when speaking with other native Bostonians. In her spare time she loves spending time with the people she loves, traveling, being in nature, cuddling furry animals, watching local live theater, and making art. Some of the things Tori values the most include authenticity, community & connections, empathy, humor, progress not perfection, empowerment, and self-care. Tori’s primary love language is acts of service.

Chet Harding

Director of Development

Chet Harding is the Director of Development at Amirah. He has trained companies and organizations all over the world, to help teams improve psychological safety, engagement and leadership. Chet has a deep love for comedy, spending time with his family and all things sports. Having once shared the big screen with Rob Lowe, he is officially two degrees from Kevin Bacon.

Pamela McLellan

Office Manager

Pamela McLellan is the part-time Office Manager. She is a recent transplant to New England from Virginia. She has worked in administrative roles in a wide range of settings, including government contracting, technology, construction, property management, interior design and church care. Her primary role as mom to four spirited kids has given her a wealth of experience in scheduling, logistics, mediation, taxi driving and crisis management. Pamela has a passion to see others set free through the healing power of Christ. She is excited to bring her administrative and organizational experience to the transforming work at Amirah.

Pamela has been married to her husband, Corey, for 20 years. In her free time she enjoys running, hiking, bargain hunting, restoring historic homes and discovering all the local ice cream places on the North Shore.

Morgan Bae

Case Manager

Morgan Bae serves as a Case Manager at Amirah. Morgan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Gordon College. Morgan is passionate about justice and values individuals as individuals - recognizing that each person comes with their own stories and journeys of healing. She sees the brokenness in the world yet finds such hope in the victories: both small and large, that can be seen in the day to day. Her experience with youth from various backgrounds has allowed her to see the importance of empowerment and beauty in walking alongside people as they encounter the highs and lows of life.

In her free time, she can be found walking her two dogs, spending time outdoors, practicing photography, reading a good book, playing games with friends or sipping a good cup of coffee.

Terez Durbano

Case Manager

Terez Durbano serves as a Case Manager at Amirah. She is passionate about empowering women to achieve their own version of independence and freedom. Terez comes to Amirah with a background in direct care and comprehensive case management. She will soon be completing her bachelor’s in psychology at Southern New Hampshire University and plans to immediately pursue her master’s in social work. As a survivor of sexual exploitation, Terez shares her story openly with the hopes that other women looking to exit the sex trade can be inspired and see that it can be done. During her free time, Terez’s greatest joy is to be with her granddaughter sharing princess movies, dances, and hugs.

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Melissa Derac

Program & Grants Coordinator

Melissa Derac is the Program and Grants Coordinator for Amirah. She received her bachelor's degree in Public Health from UMass Lowell. Melissa has several years of experience as a customer service representative and has gained valuable organizational, communication and interpersonal skills. Melissa is passionate about being a useful resource within her community.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and yoga.

Bethany Neil

Community & Volunteer Coordinator

Bethany is a lover of people and an advocate for recovering women to know their purpose and incredible value. She has attended Summit International School of Ministry, and spent three years abroad in humanitarian aid, teaching, and directing a small Theatre. She now serves as Community Life and Volunteer Coordinator for Amirah's North Shore safe home where she seeks to get to know each individual. Bethany is a believer that fun is important, and that each person is worthy of time, attention and grace.

Bethany loves to laugh, and her personal joys include sitting on the couch with family, taking long walks in the woods, and songwriting.

Shereen Humdy

Operations Manager

Shereen is the Operations Manager for Amirah’s safe home on the Northshore. She brings strengths and interests in organization, attention to detail, home maintenance and a love of decorating to her role at Amirah. Her life’s work is devoted to helping people grow in their confidence to explore and find their individual potential in a safe, respectful, and caring environment.

Shereen has a degree in Sociology and a MA in School Counseling. Her experience includes working in residential programs for at risk youth and homeless families. She has also worked in the public schools providing support to students with learning disabilities.

In her free time, Shereen enjoys spending time with her family. She loves gardening, exploring the outdoors, and walking her dog Marley on the beach.

Michael Distefano

Associate Director of Development

Michael Distefano is the Associate Director of Development at Amirah, overseeing our church and faith-based partnerships. As a pastor for more than five years in both Houston, TX and Washington, DC, Michael’s heart is to see God’s love for humanity and His passion for justice reflected in the church. As a pastor, Mike’s great joy comes in mobilizing the people of God to meet the needs of their city. Mike’s involvement as a volunteer in the world of anti-trafficking spans more than 10 years and includes prevention through Love 146 + the End It Movement and liberation efforts through Redeemed Ministries in Houston, TX. Michael was a volunteer at Amirah while acting as the Justice Student Committee Chair at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary from 2014-2017. He joined Amirah’s staff in 2019 through what he felt was a direct call from God to minister to survivors and elevate the church. He has degrees in Management and Entrepreneurial Studies from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

He enjoys reading, writing, and anything that feels like “adventure” - canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. He loves his family and is deeply committed to pie (apple, razzleberry, - you name it) and ice cream.

Emily Patrick

Annual Giving and Communications Coordinator

Emily Patrick is the Annual Giving and Communications Coordinator. She received her degree from Texas A&M with a focus in Race, Gender, and Ethics, and shortly after pursued a graduate certification in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Fundraising and Philanthropy. Her passion for helping others led her to serve with AmeriCorps where she mentored youth and worked at a nonprofit consulting company aiding in fundraising efforts.

Emily is a recent transplant to Boston from Texas and is enjoying all Massachusetts has to offer—especially finding the best spots to hike and ski.

Board of Directors

Greg Smith, Chair

Associate Professor of Business & Marketing, Gordon College

Greg Hood, Vice Chair

Physician Assistant, Lynn Community Health Center

Laurie Truschel, Secretary

Director of Student Ambassadors, Gordon College, retired

Sam Aureli, Treasurer

Associate Director of Real Estate, MIT

Craig Hurty

Retired HR Executive, United Bank and Aetna

Jacqueline Dyer, PhD, LICSW

Director and Associate Professor of Practice, Doctor of Social Work Program at Simmons University

Lilly Teixeira

Senior Accountant Consultant, Robert Half International

Markes Wilson, CPA

Consultant, Berrydunn LLP

Advisory Board

Jan Carlberg

Writer/Storyteller

Peter DiMarzio

Victim Assistance Coordinator, Homeland Security

Kalya Hamlett Murray

Executive Director, Bethel Institute for Social Justice

Rod Hoffman

Attorney

Zoe Kessler, LCSW

Rachel Niemiec MSN, FNP-BC

Pediatric & Adolescent/Adult SANE, MA Dept. of Health

Dara Reppucci

Senior Corporate Counsel, Sanofi Genzyme

Hanni Stoklosa

ER Physician, Brigham & Women's Hospital

Jennifer Stuart, M.Div, LICSW

Brian D. Tobin, Esq.

Real Estate Broker & Attorney

Our Services

Our Goal, Vision & Commitment

Our Impact

Stories of Hope & Liberation

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