Leadership Changes at SFMB
Hello SFMB Supporters and Friends! This year has been a momentous year for Set Free Monterey Bay. Earlier this summer, we opened our house for survivors of human trafficking. In the last few months we have also welcomed new board members to our team. Our programs and services are flourishing thanks to the work of our staff and volunteers. Today, I have exciting news to share. The Set Free Monterey Board of Directors has approved the hiring of Ashley Chesney as the new Executive Director of Set Free Monterey Bay!
As many of you know, Ashley Chesney is a Survivor Leader, trainer, and advocate in the anti-trafficking movement. She also serves as a member of the CSEC (Commercially Sexually Exploited Children) Advisory Board through the National Center of Youth Law. Ashley is an inspiring speaker and expert trainer that has educated law enforcement, service providers, medical personnel as well as middle school and high school students on prevention work and the effects of human trafficking. She has been with Set Free Monterey Bay since our founding and her expertise has been an incredible asset in the opening of our restoration home. During that time, she has also assisted multiple survivors in receiving critical services, including housing, addiction services, and therapy. She is the author of her memoir “From the Ashes” and a current student at California State University Monterey Bay striving to obtain a bachelor's degree in Collaborative and Human Services with an emphasis in social work and nonprofit management. We are all very excited to have Ashley now providing leadership for our organization and look forward to great things ahead.
In addition to hiring a new Executive Director, we have also hired Madeline Riley as our new Director of Housing and Spiritual Formation. She attended CSU Monterey Bay for business, and since returning to the area she has felt called to get involved in the anti-trafficking movement. She is married to her husband Jack and she currently attends Bethel Seminary. Maddie lives with Christ at the center of all things and is skilled at connecting with residents on both practical and spiritual levels. She is excited to work with the women of Set Free Monterey Bay to find healing and restoration, oftentimes through a relationship with Christ.
Our former Executive Director, Garreth Tiefenbach has been with Set Free Monterey Bay since our founding. Garreth stepped into the role with specific skills that helped us establish significant building blocks of the organization. During his tenure, Garreth led the way for us to prepare for and ultimately open the restoration home this past summer. We are grateful for the ways that he and his family gave of themselves for the purpose of fighting human trafficking. The Board of Directors would like to thank him for his many years of service to the organization. We wish him success in the future as he continues to serve the Lord in other capacities.
Great things are ahead for Set Free Monterey Bay in the rest of 2022. I would like to personally invite you to join us for our 2nd annual fundraising auction and dinner on November 12th to hear inspiring stories from our staff and guest speakers.Thank all of you for your continued support of Set Free Monterey Bay and our continuing mission to support the survivors of human trafficking.
Thank you,
Michael Gilmartin
President, Set Free Monterey Bay
