Coming together to make a difference.

Jessica Evans, Founder & Executive Director

Jessica’s journey in the anti-trafficking movement began in 2007 after a life-changing trip to Nepal. Inspired to act, she returned home determined to raise awareness and mobilize her community in Indianapolis. In 2011, she founded Allies (formerly Purchased), a nonprofit organization that has since educated thousands across Indiana and developed innovative programs to support survivors of trafficking and their families.

A passionate educator and advocate, Jessica is a 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. A two-time workshop presenter at the National Mentoring Summit, Jessica also leads workshops and trainings for youth-serving professionals across Indiana. Jessica holds a degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from Indiana University. Her work has been recognized by the Women Like Us Foundation and the Indiana Youth Services Association for outstanding contributions to anti-trafficking efforts in the state.

Amanda Sparks, Allies Mentorship Program Coordinator

Amanda Sparks serves as the Mentorship Program Coordinator at Allies, where she oversees and supports one-on-one mentoring relationships for youth impacted by trafficking and exploitation. Her passion for this work began in 2013 while working with Trades of Hope, a fair trade organization. After watching a documentary on human trafficking that featured one of their artisan groups, Amanda felt deeply compelled to take action.
She began her journey by volunteering with a jail ministry through her church, where she gained firsthand experience working with vulnerable women. Desiring a more relational and consistent impact, Amanda became a volunteer mentor with Allies. In time, her commitment and connection to the mission led her to join the staff team. Today, she combines her relational strengths and leadership to equip mentors, support survivors, and cultivate healing through trusted relationships.

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 & Thrive programs. 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.

Brittany Babbitt, Allies Mentor Coach

Casey McLeod, Mentor Coach

As a passionate career educator and coach for those working directly with youth and young adults, Casey knows how indispensable trusted adult relationships and mentoring are to development, navigating trauma, and ultimately thriving. When an opportunity to serve the Allies community presented and Casey experienced the love, support, and servant leadership of the team, she was honored to become a part of the mission.

Madison LeRoy, Mentor Coach

Madison LeRoy has been with Allies since 2024 as a mentor and recently became a Mentor Coach! Madison graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2019 with a Bachelors in Marketing. Madison has always been passionate about working with youth. In college she worked with youth in the Burmese community and that ignited her fire to mentor the youth. She has always been passionate about the issues of human trafficking and wasn't sure how she could get involved in her own community. Once she found Allies she fell in love with the organization and what they are doing for women. 

MaryAnn Amberson, Events Coordinator

With a deep-rooted passion for service, community, and empowering youth, MaryAnn brings years of experience from her roles as a Sr. Program Manager at Multiplying Good and Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Specialist, where she led student-driven service initiatives and fostered meaningful community partnerships. Known for creating impactful events and building meaningful engagement, she thrives on bringing people together to spark change. Outside of work, MaryAnn coaches middle school cross country and high school track and field. She also enjoys baking, photography, exploring local restaurants, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family—all while seeking ways to build and contribute to a more compassionate and connected world.

Katie Blodgett, Development Administrator

Katie has been in nonprofit work since high school. She has always cared about those on the margins, and felt her heart tugged towards service to others. Her work with nonprofits has taken her to many states for summer jobs and experiences, but she has served in Indianapolis now for almost 10 years. Katie worked as a frontline service worker for homeless young people, and was constantly inspired by the resiliency, humor, and strength of those she worked with. She believes in the impact and importance of nonprofit organizations, and is so happy to be able to support the work that Allies is doing in the Indianapolis community.

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.

Sarah Clark, Thrive Facilitator

Sarah Clark, MSW, LCSW, has been working with traumatized youth and families since 2005. Sarah's professional career began with supporting forever families through international adoption. Since then, she has worked with children and families from kinship adoption to foster or adoption placement to orphanages to reunification. Currently, Sarah serves individuals with behavioral and developmental disabilities to support them in developing full independence and richness in their lives, as well as educating caregivers and supports. With Masters Degrees in both Social Work and Vocal Music from Indiana University, Sarah is passionate about translating her professional education into tools anyone can use, including topics such as trauma, positive behavioral shaping, and interpersonal skills. Developing and facilitating the Thrive program has allowed Sarah to gratefully marry her skills and passions in service of families caring for young ladies served by Allies. Sarah has particular interest in building whole, healthy families of many kinds, beginning in her own home with the loves of her life, her husband and two sons.