Our Why
Paving the Way Foundation is a professional nonprofit run by a group of business experts committed to disrupting the cycle of child trafficking through educational and training programs. We pave the way to freedom for children, their families and our community.
We are driven by three simple principles: Educate. Empower. Prevent.
Educate our children about human trafficking; sharing recruitment and grooming tactics
Empower them with the knowledge about human trafficking and actions to take to stay safe, so we can....
Prevent them from being lured into this silent crime.
We are driven by three simple principles: Educate. Empower. Prevent.
Educate our children about human trafficking; sharing recruitment and grooming tactics
Empower them with the knowledge about human trafficking and actions to take to stay safe, so we can....
Prevent them from being lured into this silent crime.
Our Executive Team
Jan Edwards, President Frank Smith, Director Stephanie George, CFO
Jan Edwards - Founder, CEO and Board Chair
Jan has extensive leadership, speaking and training expertise with Fortune 100 companies. After traveling to Ethiopia and learning about human trafficking there, she wanted to do something about it. She is instrumental in bringing awareness to this silent crime of trafficking to our community. She is a member of the UN National Council on Women, UNICEF Unite and Orlando Cares Team. She has relationships across all levels of law enforcement, education and her global community. She brings passion, drive and a commitment to make a difference out in the world such that children reach their full potential.
Meet the Woman Taking on a Billion Dollar Industry - Huffington Post
Frank Smith - ESQ, Director
Frank has over 18 years of experience practicing law and many years of business experience, helping run a family business. Mr. Smith cut his teeth in the Landlord/Tenant courts in New York City, expanding his practice to ultimately become an attorney that practice both litigation and transactional work. His clients include both domestic and international in the space of healthcare, cosmetics, real estate and financial. He is well steeped in the anti-trafficking Non-for-profit space as he sits on the board for Phantom Rescue and Fireball Run. Frank has been on the Executive Board for 3 years. He resides in Cooper City, Florida with his wife and children.
Stephanie George - CFO
Stephanie has a deep technology background and direct management experience in operational and fundraising roles within companies. Stephanie has operated at a C-level with various software startups in Florida and worked primarily with financing and fundraising for the companies. She's reviewed hundreds of business plans and presentations and helped fund over 40 seed-stage technology startup companies with over $12M in loan and equity funding instruments. Stephanie has an MBA from the Warrington College of Business with concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Competitive Strategy and Technology Management; she also holds a BS degree in Computer Science, both from the University of Florida. She currently lives in Gainesville with her husband. Stephanie has been on our board for 3 years.
Jan has extensive leadership, speaking and training expertise with Fortune 100 companies. After traveling to Ethiopia and learning about human trafficking there, she wanted to do something about it. She is instrumental in bringing awareness to this silent crime of trafficking to our community. She is a member of the UN National Council on Women, UNICEF Unite and Orlando Cares Team. She has relationships across all levels of law enforcement, education and her global community. She brings passion, drive and a commitment to make a difference out in the world such that children reach their full potential.
Meet the Woman Taking on a Billion Dollar Industry - Huffington Post
Frank Smith - ESQ, Director
Frank has over 18 years of experience practicing law and many years of business experience, helping run a family business. Mr. Smith cut his teeth in the Landlord/Tenant courts in New York City, expanding his practice to ultimately become an attorney that practice both litigation and transactional work. His clients include both domestic and international in the space of healthcare, cosmetics, real estate and financial. He is well steeped in the anti-trafficking Non-for-profit space as he sits on the board for Phantom Rescue and Fireball Run. Frank has been on the Executive Board for 3 years. He resides in Cooper City, Florida with his wife and children.
Stephanie George - CFO
Stephanie has a deep technology background and direct management experience in operational and fundraising roles within companies. Stephanie has operated at a C-level with various software startups in Florida and worked primarily with financing and fundraising for the companies. She's reviewed hundreds of business plans and presentations and helped fund over 40 seed-stage technology startup companies with over $12M in loan and equity funding instruments. Stephanie has an MBA from the Warrington College of Business with concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Competitive Strategy and Technology Management; she also holds a BS degree in Computer Science, both from the University of Florida. She currently lives in Gainesville with her husband. Stephanie has been on our board for 3 years.
Our Board and Lead Volunteers
Dana Clary - Director
Dana brings decades of board and board leadership experience. Starting her career with United Way, then Disney swept her away to be one of the youngest PR professionals on the team. Dana’s PR experience lead her to taking on many marketing and branding leadership roles in the Orlando area with organizations such as Create, Evoke and finally, SMT. She currently makes a difference as a performance coach with Landmark Worldwide on their personal coaching and development team. Dana has been on our board for 1 year. She resides in Orlando and New Smyrna Beach with her two fur babies, Cocoa and Jack.
Joe Lopez - Law Enforcement
Joe has spent a lifetime serving our nation and community. From achieving the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps to his three decades of service with the Florida Highway Patrol, where he retired as a Chief. He has never quit protecting and defending the people he loves. After Joe's retirement he became a senior manager of security at a major Orlando area theme park. Joe joined our board in January of 2019. Married with two children, Joe cherishes our community and will work hard to keep it safe. This is Joe's first year on our board.
Daniela Rodriquez - Mission Ambassador Coordinator
Daniela is an interpreter and office manager for Verbatim Translations services in Orlando, working with businesses around the US and abroad. With her native tongue being Spanish, she is an invaluable part of the team, as her company graciously translated all of the print materials for Paving the Way Foundation. She also a certified aesthetician and a board member of her HOA. Daniela has joined our board in January of 2019 and has been managing the Mission Ambassadors for over 2 years. She lives in Orlando with her husband and are certified foster parents by the State of Florida! She's been on our board for 1 year.
Mallory Taylor - Intern Coordinator
Mallory has over 14 years of retail management/merchandising experience. She's skilled at Increase sales through effective merchandising product knowledge and hiring/training and team development. Mallory was with Jan on her first trip to Ethiopia and was deeply moved by the her experience as well. She brings her business acumen , high energy and self -motivation to coordinating and working with all of our interns. She lives in Orlando with her husband and two terrific children. Mallory has been involved with fundraisers and events and has now been on our board for 1 year.
Sacsha Balzar - International Law
Sascha is our newest board member. He has practiced law for over 18 years locally and abroad. Sacsha has extensive business and international law, law enforcement and undercover experience. He has an MBA and his law degree from an renowned international university. He currently sits on the board of Vilo Media, LTD out of the UK, as the Director of Development and resides in Central Florida with his wife and children. Sacsha is new to our board this year.
Bernadette Cipriani - Major - Events and Fundraising
Bernadette Cipriani Major born a Pittsburgh native has been a resident of Orlando for 20 years.
She has an extensive background in medical management and has worked with providers for over 25 years. She has her BBA from Strayer University and has a diverse background in Human Resources. She has developed and implemented many employee rewards programs and is involved with many organizations. She has been a keynote speaker for many events, and is a volunteer auctioneer. She loves to run and is masterful at managing fundraising events. She believes in safety and education and has a first degree black belt. Bernadette is our newest board member.
Dana brings decades of board and board leadership experience. Starting her career with United Way, then Disney swept her away to be one of the youngest PR professionals on the team. Dana’s PR experience lead her to taking on many marketing and branding leadership roles in the Orlando area with organizations such as Create, Evoke and finally, SMT. She currently makes a difference as a performance coach with Landmark Worldwide on their personal coaching and development team. Dana has been on our board for 1 year. She resides in Orlando and New Smyrna Beach with her two fur babies, Cocoa and Jack.
Joe Lopez - Law Enforcement
Joe has spent a lifetime serving our nation and community. From achieving the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps to his three decades of service with the Florida Highway Patrol, where he retired as a Chief. He has never quit protecting and defending the people he loves. After Joe's retirement he became a senior manager of security at a major Orlando area theme park. Joe joined our board in January of 2019. Married with two children, Joe cherishes our community and will work hard to keep it safe. This is Joe's first year on our board.
Daniela Rodriquez - Mission Ambassador Coordinator
Daniela is an interpreter and office manager for Verbatim Translations services in Orlando, working with businesses around the US and abroad. With her native tongue being Spanish, she is an invaluable part of the team, as her company graciously translated all of the print materials for Paving the Way Foundation. She also a certified aesthetician and a board member of her HOA. Daniela has joined our board in January of 2019 and has been managing the Mission Ambassadors for over 2 years. She lives in Orlando with her husband and are certified foster parents by the State of Florida! She's been on our board for 1 year.
Mallory Taylor - Intern Coordinator
Mallory has over 14 years of retail management/merchandising experience. She's skilled at Increase sales through effective merchandising product knowledge and hiring/training and team development. Mallory was with Jan on her first trip to Ethiopia and was deeply moved by the her experience as well. She brings her business acumen , high energy and self -motivation to coordinating and working with all of our interns. She lives in Orlando with her husband and two terrific children. Mallory has been involved with fundraisers and events and has now been on our board for 1 year.
Sacsha Balzar - International Law
Sascha is our newest board member. He has practiced law for over 18 years locally and abroad. Sacsha has extensive business and international law, law enforcement and undercover experience. He has an MBA and his law degree from an renowned international university. He currently sits on the board of Vilo Media, LTD out of the UK, as the Director of Development and resides in Central Florida with his wife and children. Sacsha is new to our board this year.
Bernadette Cipriani - Major - Events and Fundraising
Bernadette Cipriani Major born a Pittsburgh native has been a resident of Orlando for 20 years.
She has an extensive background in medical management and has worked with providers for over 25 years. She has her BBA from Strayer University and has a diverse background in Human Resources. She has developed and implemented many employee rewards programs and is involved with many organizations. She has been a keynote speaker for many events, and is a volunteer auctioneer. She loves to run and is masterful at managing fundraising events. She believes in safety and education and has a first degree black belt. Bernadette is our newest board member.
Mission Ambassadors and Survivor Leadership
We have 49 Mission Ambassadors throughout the country - from Phoenix to Ft. Lauderdale, Columbia SC, to Chicago, Tampa to Jacksonville, FL up the coast to Washington D.C. They are trained to lead a conversation following our award winning film, Trapped in the Trade to empower and educate.
Together we've educated and trained over 10,000 youth, parents and teachers in the past two and half years. We impact our communities through powerful conversations saving our children from being lured into this dark world.
If you would like to join us on our mission to disrupt the cycle, please click here and complete our Mission Ambassador application or consider becoming a volunteer.
We have an incredible team of Survivor Leaders that work closely with us to ensure we continue to be survivor informed and guided. This group is comprised of 3 warriors and mental health professional. Due to the sensitive nature of survivors their names and pictures are not posted for their safety. They are our hero's and we are forever grateful for them sharing their wisdom with us.
Together we can make a difference and end modern day slavery.
We have 49 Mission Ambassadors throughout the country - from Phoenix to Ft. Lauderdale, Columbia SC, to Chicago, Tampa to Jacksonville, FL up the coast to Washington D.C. They are trained to lead a conversation following our award winning film, Trapped in the Trade to empower and educate.
Together we've educated and trained over 10,000 youth, parents and teachers in the past two and half years. We impact our communities through powerful conversations saving our children from being lured into this dark world.
If you would like to join us on our mission to disrupt the cycle, please click here and complete our Mission Ambassador application or consider becoming a volunteer.
We have an incredible team of Survivor Leaders that work closely with us to ensure we continue to be survivor informed and guided. This group is comprised of 3 warriors and mental health professional. Due to the sensitive nature of survivors their names and pictures are not posted for their safety. They are our hero's and we are forever grateful for them sharing their wisdom with us.
Together we can make a difference and end modern day slavery.
Proud of our Founder, Jan Edwards, 2019 Orlando Magazine Women of the Year for her work in disrupting the cycle of trafficking
