Career Panel- Combating Trafficking, Illicit Trade, & Terror Financing

When: Thursday, September 3rd 2026, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm EDT

Location: Elliott School of International Affairs, Lindner Commons (Room 602), 1957 E Street Northwest, Washington, D.C

Join us for a panel discussion on “Breaking the Networks: Careers Combating Trafficking, Illicit Trade, and Terror Financing” on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 3:30-5PM, featuring professionals currently engaged in fighting transnational crime across sectors/borders. As part of our 3rd annual Elliott Internship Week series, this panel will be moderated by leading Anti-Trafficking Expert, Laura Lederer, who has a decades-long career in the field and helped draft the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, exposing the links between organized crime & human trafficking. Confirmed panelists include:

Megan Lundstrom, CEO, Polaris- A nationally recognized expert on human trafficking, data-driven systems reform, & survivor-led policy and program design. She leads national strategy, operations, & partnerships that integrate advocacy, research, & technology to prevent & disrupt trafficking. 

Bob Sharp, VADM (ret.), Chief Maritime Intelligence Officer, Windward. A 34-year Navy veteran, former Director of the NGA & Commanding Officer of ONI. He brings intelligence leadership experience spanning naval, special operations, & maritime missions. He now shapes strategy at Windward, working with maritime domain awareness, GEOINT, & OSINT to support defense, government, & commercial customers.

Amy O'Neill Richard, Senior Director for Human Rights & Freedom. The McCain Institute. International counter-human trafficking leader with 34 years of State Department experience shaping U.S. foreign policy, advancing human rights, & combating transnational organized crime and human trafficking. 

Mario Cosby, Data Analytics/Visualization '19, Program Design Manager, Coinbase. Works in combating illicit finance across complex, high-risk environments. Experience spans military intelligence, federal law enforcement, big tech, consulting, & crypto with a consistent emphasis on terrorist financing, sanctions, money laundering & emerging financial threats. 
What you will learn:
The intersection of illicit finance & human/drug trafficking
State/local collaboration for threat protocols 
Practical advice & skills needed in this area
ESIA NO-SHOW POLICY IS IN EFFECTTo ensure the effectiveness of the services offered by the ESIA- GSS and maintain professionalism & courtesy among graduate students, alumni, professional staff, and our Employer Partners, the No-Show Policy is in effect for this event.