Melissa Kaiser is a licensed social worker with specialized expertise in anti-human trafficking efforts, multi-disciplinary team development, and addressing secondary traumatic stress and officer wellness. She has dedicated her career to advocating for victims and survivors, strengthening system responses, and equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to create meaningful change in their communities.

With over 15 years of experience in social work, Melissa has worked in direct services, policy development, and large-scale training initiatives. She brings a wealth of knowledge as a certified trainer in Green Dot, Compassion Fatigue, GEMS, Stand to Protect, My Life My Choice, and SHARP. Additionally, she has received specialized training in Child Welfare and Safe Zone, further enhancing her ability to work with vulnerable populations.

Leadership & Advocacy

Melissa currently serves as the Director of Advocacy for the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF), where she plays a key role in supporting law enforcement, service providers, and communities in their efforts to protect children from exploitation and trafficking. In addition to this role, she is a member of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) Family Advocacy Network, working alongside professionals who assist families of missing children.

Her career has included various contracts and collaborations with national and international organizations, reflecting her deep expertise and commitment to the field. She maintains or has previously held contracts with:

• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 
• OUR Rescue
• National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC)
• Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

Career & Contributions

Melissa’s diverse background includes case management and crisis response for human trafficking victims and survivors, as well as work in treatment foster care, youth homelessness, victim/witness programming, prevention education, psychiatric services, and addiction treatment. Each of these roles has shaped her understanding of trauma, resilience, and the critical need for multi-disciplinary collaboration to effectively support survivors.

A pivotal moment in her career was serving as North Dakota’s first Human Trafficking Navigator and Victim/Witness Specialist, where she led a decade-long initiative to develop comprehensive programming, establish multi-disciplinary teams, and improve responses to victims to include Tribal Nations. Through this work, she became deeply involved in policy advocacy, survivor engagement, and the implementation of trauma-informed practices across sectors.

Since its inception in 2015, Melissa was a core member of the North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force, playing an instrumental role in shaping statewide response efforts. She served as chair of the Lived Experience Subcommittee—ensuring survivor voices were incorporated into policy and service delivery—and vice-chair of the Labor Trafficking Subcommittee, where she worked to improve identification and support for victims of labor exploitation.

Her commitment to the field extends beyond trafficking response, as she also serves on the board of the Fargo Police Foundation. Melissa was also a nominee for YWCA’s 2020 Women of the Year. 

Secondary Traumatic Stress & Wellness

Through her extensive work with law enforcement, social services, and advocacy organizations, Melissa has observed firsthand the emotional toll that high-stress, high-pressure environments take on professionals. This recognition led her to develop training and resources aimed at improving workplace resiliency, addressing vicarious trauma, and promoting wellness within organizations.

Her wellness-based approach has gained significant recognition in law enforcement, healthcare, and social service circles, as she actively works to normalize conversations around burnout, compassion fatigue, and occupational stress.

Training & Speaking Engagements

Melissa has trained over 13,000 students and professionals, presenting at some of the most recognized conferences, law enforcement trainings, and victim services summits across the country. Her speaking engagements have included:

• International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators (IAHTI)
• GRIT Wyoming Conference
• Shared Hope International’s JuST Conference
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference
• National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF) Summit
• Dallas Crimes Against Children Conference
• National Cyber Crimes Conference
• International Human Trafficking & Social Justice (IHTSJ) Conference

Her ability to engage diverse audiences—ranging from social workers and healthcare providers to prosecutors and law enforcement officers—sets her apart as a leading expert in the field.

Melissa’s dynamic training style combines real-world case studies, survivor-centered approaches, and actionable strategies to ensure attendees walk away with practical skills to implement in their work.

Ongoing Impact & Consulting Work

Melissa continues to provide international consulting and technical assistance to organizations looking to improve their response to trafficking, enhance team resiliency, and implement trauma-informed best practices. Her expertise is sought after by agencies that recognize the importance of building sustainable, survivor-centered programs while also prioritizing the well-being of frontline professionals.

Her work is deeply rooted in collaboration, and she believes that lasting change happens when law enforcement, service providers, policymakers, and communities come together to address systemic challenges.

Melissa’s commitment to victim advocacy, professional wellness, and systemic change remains at the core of her work. Whether she is training law enforcement on victim-centered approaches, developing wellness programs for frontline workers, or consulting on policy initiatives, she is passionate about creating tangible solutions that drive long-term impact.

Personal & Professional Commitment

Currently based in St. Petersburg, FL, Melissa balances her professional commitments with a deep passion for mentorship, writing, and speaking on the intersection of trauma, resilience, and justice.

She is also actively involved in national and regional initiatives that seek to improve multidisciplinary responses to human trafficking, strengthen survivor support systems, and advance wellness for professionals working in high-trauma environments.

Her journey—from direct service provider to national consultant and advocate—has been shaped by her unwavering commitment to supporting survivors, equipping professionals, and driving systemic change.

Whether through training, consulting, or advocacy, Melissa remains dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to make a lasting difference in the fight against human trafficking and the effects of secondary trauma.