Abby Avelino, a Maryknoll sister from the Philippines, is the international coordinator of Talitha Kum, the global network of Catholic sisters working to end human trafficking. She began her mission in Japan accompanying migrant women, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to combating human trafficking. Based in Rome, she leads Talitha Kum’s global initiatives across 100 countries, coordinating efforts to prevent trafficking, empower survivors and strengthen international collaboration to end modern slavery.

Sr. Rocío García Villegas, a Mexican religious sister of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate of Guadalupe, holds a master’s degree in educational innovation and a bachelor’s degree in digital marketing. She has experience in education, institutional communications and ecclesial media. She currently directs the communications ministry of her congregation, collaborates on various Church communications initiatives in Mexico, and is a member of Project Pentecost, an ecclesial communications training initiative promoted by the Dicastery for Communication.

Sr. Claris G. Gowo, is a member of the Little Children of Our Blessed Lady, a religious congregation in Zimbabwe. She is a seasoned educationist with two doctoral degrees, a trainer of trainers certification and a commitment to safeguarding. She draws on years of congregational and church leadership, including service as education secretary of the Archdiocese of Harare, dean and lecturer at the Catholic University of Zimbabwe, and chapter facilitator for strategic planning.