Leadership
Staff
Jessica Evans, Founder & Executive Director
Jessica’s heart was first tugged by the issue of human trafficking in 2007 during a visit to Nepal. When she returned from her trip, she knew there was a calling on her life to be a part of the anti-trafficking movement by educating the Indianapolis community and inspiring others to participate in ending human trafficking. In 2011, she founded the non-profit, Allies (formerly Purchased), and since then, has educated thousands of Hoosiers on the issue, and established programs to serve survivors of trafficking and their families all over Indiana. Jessica is a certified and seasoned facilitator of the nationally recognized My Life My Choice curriculum, co-creator of the "What Would I Do?" curriculum, and a member of the Indiana Protection of Abused and Trafficked Humans Task Force. She is a 2003 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University and holds certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from IU. She recently received achievement awards from the Women Like Us foundation and Indiana Youth Services Association for her contribution to anti-trafficking efforts in Indiana.
Amanda Sparks, Allies Mentorship Program Coordinator
Amanda has worked with Trades of Hope, a fair trade organization since 2013. Early in her career with then she watched a documentary on human trafficking and sexual exploitation which featured one of their artisan groups. Her heart began to break for these woman and young girls. She knew she had to do something to work with women and girls such as these. Her journey began by volunteering for a jail ministry with her church. After a couple of years, she realized she wanted to be more relational. It was then she met Jessica and after several months began volunteering for Allies as an Ally/Mentor. About a year after the volunteer process began, an Allies staff position became available, and she now serves as Mentorship Program Coordinator.
Regan Bennett, Administrative Manager
After a mission trip to Thailand in November 2015, Regan switched her college degree to pursue anti-trafficking work. In 2018, Regan graduated from IU Indianapolis with a degree in Civic Leadership, a hybrid degree of nonprofit management and public policy analysis. In her last semester of college, she interned with Allies as a development intern. Regan continued volunteering with Allies after completing her internship, being part of Illuminate galas and serving as a Gratitude Ambassador. As God continued to stir passion for anti-trafficking non-profit work, Regan joined staff at Allies in 2023 as the administrative manager.
Beth Carney, Program Administrator
Beth yearns to touch the hearts of her sisters and brothers who live in the margins: the suffering, poor, refugee, elderly, and survivors of abuse. She has most recently worked with refugees who resettled to the U.S., our homeless neighbors, and has been on mission trips to MIssissippi and Haiti through her church.Beth is able to serve Allies by using her gifts of administration to help with the functioning of the mentorship program. She also brings her joy and steadiness to this team, generously sharing wisdom and kindness with everyone she meets.
Lisa Pirinelli, Allies Mentor Coach
As a life & career coach for women, Lisa Pirinelli, is passionate about helping women professionals balance career and life goals because she has experienced the positive ripple effect living with purpose can have on family and those around you. When she witnessed her long-time friend, Amanda Sparks, thriving at Allies by making positive impact for girls and women who’ve been impacted by human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Lisa wanted to be of service. When a position came available that could utilize her coaching background, it seemed to be the right fit with God’s timing.
Julie Deem, Allies Mentor Coach
Julie first heard about Allies at an annual concert hosted by Always One Ministries. Answering the call to volunteer, she signed up to be a mentor. While waiting to be matched with her mentee, Julie pitched the idea of starting a podcast for the organization. As founder of The Business Podcast Editor, she partners with businesses interested in spreading their mission through podcasting. Today, Julie is a mentor coach, mentor, and podcast editor for Allies and continues to grow through God’s obedience.
Dana Doss, Events Coordinator
Dana is Realtor in Indianapolis. She loves developing relationships and offering encouragement. After watching a documentary on human trafficking, Dana felt God's call to use her talents and abilities to make a difference here in Indiana. She reached out to Allies offering to volunteer with any event planning needs they had - as that was her former career. After years of volunteering, she was asked to join the team. With the flexibility in her career, it seemed like a no-brainer. When she is not showing houses, chasing around a toddler, or figuring out logistics, you can find her listening to podcasts, cooking, or planning a new adventure.
Contractors
Emily Watson, Thrive Facilitator
Emily is a graduate of Anderson University, where she received her BA in Psychology and Family Science. She went on to get her Masters in Social Work at Indiana University. Emily has worked in the mental health field for over five years as a clinical counselor with young girls who have been sexually abused as well as young men who have sexually maladaptive behaviors. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Unconditional, a ministry dedicated to working with women in the adult entertainment industry, as well as volunteering with program writing and therapy for some of the women served by Unconditional. Emily began working with the Thrive Group at the recommendation of a colleague. Having worked with youth experiencing compound complex trauma, teaching and processing trauma with parents seemed to be a good fit. Emily is passionate about working with youth and families in order to come together to find ways of healing through adverse circumstances.
