An Overview of the Blue Lightning Initiative and Best Practices for Counter-Trafficking Awareness Efforts in Aviation

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Blue Campaign

Ms. Maraya Lasinsky currently serves as the Chief Engagement Manager at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS), Center for Countering Human Trafficking’s (CCHT), Blue Campaign- a national human trafficking public awareness program in Washington, D.C. Maraya brings 19 years of experience working and volunteering in the human trafficking awareness field.

Prior to joining the Blue Campaign, Ms. Lasinsky spent 10 years at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) including training as an open-source intelligence analyst.

Maraya holds a B.A. in Business/Communications from Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA and a M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Dublin City University in Ireland.

Counter-Trafficking Initiative,
Office of International Transportation and Trade, Office of the Secretary,
U.S. Department of Transportation  

Ms. Elizabeth Pfenning currently serves as International Relations Specialist and Counter Trafficking Advisor for the Counter-Trafficking Initiative at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the Secretary, Office of International Transportation and Trade, where she supports tribal engagement, the Department’s Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking, the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Initiative, the Blue Lightning Initiative, and multilateral work to advance counter-trafficking practices and standards.

Prior to DOT, Ms. Pfenning served as the Capacity Building Specialist and Prevention Team Lead with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons for eight years, where she was responsible for coordinating and evaluating team initiatives related to prevention, capacity building, and communications.

Prior to federal service, she worked in women’s health policy and spent six years working with and on behalf of individuals with lived experience in human trafficking as a federal grant recipient. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Colgate University.