Meet Our Board
%20(1)_edited.jpg)
Julie Todaro
Founder, Survivor &
Visionary Leader
Where Healing Meets FREEDOM.
God’s love, grace, and healing power created a new heart within me. Through Him, I have been completely transformed and restored from the pain and damage caused by past abuse and victimization. Today, I walk as a survivor—not a victim. I enjoy sharing my story to raise awareness and equip those coming from similar situations.
I believe in God’s redemption of the brokenhearted, the restoration of self-worth, and I know firsthand the healing journey He offers.
It is through the work of Heart for Freedom that God’s light shines brightest in my life. Here, my testimony becomes my purpose—and all the past hurts, shame, and rejection collide with FREEDOM.
taste and See That the Lord is Good!
Lisa Rist ~ LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Counselor. Advocate. Believer in FREEDOM.
Lisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor with nine years in private practice and certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through Project BEST. Her career began in social work, where she spent a decade serving in both adult and child protective services before transitioning to counseling roles with the Department of Mental Health and Excalibur Youth Services, working closely with children and adolescents.
​
Lisa is deeply passionate about Heart for Freedom’s mission to raise awareness of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Her dedication to this cause is rooted in compassion for the vulnerable and a steadfast belief that every person deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to live free from exploitation.
​
Beyond her professional work, Lisa invests her time in her church community, leads her daughter’s American Heritage Girls Troop, and homeschools her youngest child. She also enjoys camping, the outdoors, and spending time with her family, pets, and grandchildren. Lisa and her husband, John, have been married for 20 years and are blessed with four children and four grandchildren.
Tara Manteghi
Treasurer & Advocate
Committed to stewardship, passionate about FREEDOM
Tara Manteghi serves as a Management Assistant at Robert Bosch and as Treasurer on the Board of the Anderson County Department of Social Services. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, finance and accounting, event planning, fundraising, community engagement, and marketing. A former Town Council member, she also served as Treasurer for Regional Athletics (501c3), further strengthening her background in governance and fiscal stewardship.
​
Tara is deeply passionate about Heart for Freedom’s mission to raise awareness of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. She is especially committed to supporting survivors as they rebuild their futures through job readiness, employment opportunities, and confidence-building initiatives.
​
Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Tara enjoys volunteering at her church and with local nonprofits, traveling, and spending time with her family and pets. She and her husband, George, have been married for 20 years and are proud parents to three children—Andrew, Bella, and Alex.
Joseph Maimone
Education Champion &
Data Strategist
Guided by faith, grounded in data, committed to FREEDOM.
Read More
Joseph Maimone, the eldest of seven in a devout Christian family, grew up actively involved in the Pro-Life and School Choice communities. A published author and poet, and a devoted admirer of J.R.R. Tolkien, Joseph combines creativity with analytical expertise. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Belmont Abbey College and his Master of Science in Data Analytics from Southern New Hampshire University.
​
Since 2019, Joseph has served in the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools and recently completed his second consecutive term as a board member for the Rutherford County Department of Social Services. He is also the Deputy Grand Knight of the St. John the Baptist Parish Council of the Knights of Columbus in Tryon, North Carolina. In addition, Joseph serves on the board of Incredible Ladies United and leads as a volunteer with the Guild of Gentlemen.
​
Joseph is passionate about helping others and advancing a culture of life. Through his work with Heart for Freedom, he hopes to use his experience in data and diversity to connect providers, survivors, and preventative resources—ensuring that every person, created in the image and likeness of God, is seen, valued, and supported.
Read More
.png)
Shannon Sanchez
Survivor Advocate & Policy Leader
Where faith, policy, and advocacy unite for FREEDOM.
Shannon N. Sanchez is a retired U.S. military service member, devoted mother, and survivor of both domestic violence and cancer. Her life experience has shaped her into a resilient leader with a deep passion for creating systemic change.
​
Currently pursuing her PhD in Public Policy with a focus on Social Policy, Shannon blends academic research with lived experience to advocate for meaningful reform in the child welfare system. As a policy consultant, she collaborates with agencies to advance trauma-informed, faith-centered practices that improve outcomes for foster children and families.
​
Shannon’s message is one of hope: systems can evolve, positive change is possible, and every child’s story matters. Through her work with Heart for Freedom, she seeks to ensure that survivors and vulnerable children are not only protected but also empowered to thrive.
Elicia Frelix
Communication Strategist & Storytelling Advocate
Counselor. Advocate. Believer in FREEDOM.
Read More
Dr. Elicia P. Frelix is a professor of Communication, author, veteran, and storyteller whose life and work reflect a deep passion for amplifying voices too often overlooked. With teaching experience in Media and Society, Interpersonal Communication, and Social Media Strategy, she equips the next generation to use communication as a tool for meaningful change. Currently on sabbatical, she is completing a book exploring trauma, resilience, faith, and family legacy—an intimate weaving of personal history, cultural identity, and hope for healing.
​
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Frelix leads as CEO of Elevated Media Consulting, helping organizations and small businesses tell their stories with clarity and impact. Drawing on her expertise in strategic communication and digital media, she creates spaces where stories spark connection, transformation, and collective growth.
​
Her 12 years of service in the United States Air Force added layers of leadership, discipline, and commitment, building on the values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence instilled by her father. These qualities continue to guide her work as an educator, consultant, and mentor. Passionate about investing in the next generation, she has mentored youth and young adults across schools, churches, and community programs—encouraging them to discover their voice, their purpose, and their resilience. For Dr. Frelix, faith is not only personal, but also the lens through which she leads and serves.
As a board member of Heart for Freedom, Dr. Frelix leverages her skills as a communicator, educator, and servant leader. She is honored to stand with an organization dedicated to restoring identity in Christ and empowering survivors of trafficking and violence to walk in freedom.
Amplifying voices, advancing FREEDOM.
Our Statement of Faith
Our Plan: Bringing Freedom and Hope
At Heart for Freedom, our vision is simple: to stop human trafficking and sexual exploitation by standing with those most vulnerable, equipping churches and schools, and strengthening our communities through partnership.
At the heart of what we do is a trauma-informed work program that helps survivors take the next step toward healing and independence with career coaching and job placement. Alongside this, we focus on prevention—mentoring the young generations, training churches and childcare providers, and empowering local organizations to recognize and respond.
Together, through awareness, education, and restoration, we believe we can create a future where every life is free, safe, and full of hope.
2 Corinthians 3:17
​Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM.