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Join us for an inspiring women’s luncheon where you’ll learn more about human trafficking, discover Red Oak Hope’s daily work in our community, and enjoy a thoughtfully curated marketplace featuring women-owned and local businesses. The event will also include two exciting speakers (learn more below!) and an expert panel sharing their insights and experiences.
She Rises Speakers
Jennifer Saunders
Anchor & Reporter, KXAN News
Jennifer is an experienced anchor and reporter at KXAN News in Austin, Texas. In the summer of 2025, Jennifer reached out as she began an investigative reporting research fellowship on human trafficking. Her six months of research concluded with a thoughtful and thorough piece on the elusiveness of justice for human trafficking victims and how local justice systems are responding to build successful cases against traffickers.
Jennifer has produced award-winning content throughout her career. Her documentary, “Hidden History: The End of Syracuse’s 15th Ward”, received an Edward R. Murrow award, a Syracuse Press Club award, and was nominated for an Emmy. One of the highlights of Jennifer’s career is being named the 2025 Austin Under 40’s “Austinite of the Year” for her professional work and community service, and receiving the “Journalism, Media, and Content creation” award. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications/Spanish from Texas Lutheran University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas.
Jennifer is passionate about service and community, and will continue dedicating her life to making the world a better, more progressive place.
Sarah Hall
Director of Anti-Trafficking Initiatives at Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services
Sarah is the Director of Anti-Trafficking Initiatives at Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services, where she works to help member organizations build capacity to provide more direct care services to youth who have undergone commercial sexual exploitation and to increase Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth (CSEY) prevention throughout the state. Sarah is a trusted voice in the anti-trafficking community and has been instrumental in developing Red Oak Hope's programs and practices through training and consultation.
As an expert and survivor of Human Trafficking, Sarah lends her support to service provider organizations by designing, coordinating, and facilitating trauma-responsive trainings for youth-serving professionals, with a particular focus on preventing, identifying, and responding to youth commercial sexual exploitation.
Sarah is a Texas Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and a National Certified Counselor. She has an M.A. in Professional Counseling, a B.Sc. in Mathematics, a B.A. in Government, and a B.A. in Anthropology.
Having worked closely with both children and adults who have a wide range of disabilities throughout her life, she considers herself an advocate and ally for people with disabilities.
OTHER WAYS TO BE INVOLVED
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VENDOR FAIR
Do you run a business doing amazing work with women in the world?
Join our vendor fair to show off your products and network with other female entrepreneurs.
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VOLUNTEER
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities both at and before the event.
Contact us to join an amazing team of women working to make the event great.
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