2025 WOMEN OF HOPE HONOREE
Mari Carmen Zamora
Celebrate her impact
Mari Carmen Zamora is a force for both strategic leadership and heartfelt advocacy. As a Traffick911 Board Member, she brings decades of expertise in marketing insights and brand strategy, having worked with multinational companies like Nestlé, Colgate-Palmolive, Saatchi & Saatchi, and T-Mobile. Her ability to understand and engage diverse audiences has been instrumental in shaping impactful initiatives both in business and in the fight against human trafficking.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mari Carmen is deeply passionate about her faith, which fuels her commitment to justice and restoration.
Mari Carmen’s dedication extends beyond board meetings—she has actively invested her time and talents in advocacy work, engaging in initiatives that create lasting change. Her life reflects a deep devotion to both strategic action and servant-hearted leadership. We are honored to celebrate Mari Carmen as a 2025 Woman of Hope.
Mari’s “Why”
“Looking back on my journey, I can see how every step—both personal and professional—has shaped my deep commitment to fighting human trafficking. My career in marketing and consumer insights has always been centered on understanding people, their motivations, and their needs. Over time, this same curiosity and empathy extended beyond my professional life, leading me to a cause that resonated deeply within me: the fight against human trafficking. Witnessing the scale of this modern-day slavery and the profound suffering it causes was impossible to ignore. I felt a moral and spiritual calling to take action, to be a voice for the voiceless, and to use my skills and resources to make a tangible impact.
My passion for learning about different cultures has also played a significant role in shaping my resolve. Throughout my life, I have been deeply fascinated by the diverse ways people live, think, and experience the world. Traveling, engaging with different communities, and immersing myself in new cultural perspectives have not only enriched my understanding of humanity but have also opened my eyes to the vulnerabilities that exist across borders. Many victims of human trafficking come from marginalized backgrounds or communities that lack access to education, economic opportunities, or protection from exploitation. This awareness has fueled my commitment to advocating for change, knowing that every culture deserves dignity, freedom, and the ability to thrive without fear.
My motivation stems from a strong belief that no human being should ever be exploited, abused, or stripped of their dignity. Every story of survival, every person rescued, and every step toward dismantling trafficking networks fuels my drive. I am incredibly passionate about spreading awareness and engaging others in this fight. Through education and advocacy, I believe we can inspire more people to take action and bring much-needed attention to this issue. Additionally, I hope to contribute by helping develop events and programs that attract donors, ensuring that the organizations dedicated to this cause have the resources necessary to continue their critical work.
Being selected as one of the Top Women of Hope is both humbling and inspiring. This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the power of collective action. It reaffirms that advocacy, awareness, and relentless effort can create real change. It also reminds me that there is still so much work to be done. This honor strengthens my resolve to continue pushing forward, to inspire others to take action and to remain unwavering in the mission to eradicate human trafficking.
More than anything, I hope this recognition serves as a platform to amplify the voices of those still trapped in the darkness of exploitation. My journey is far from over, and I am more determined than ever to fight for freedom, justice, and the hope of a world where every person is safe from the horrors of trafficking.”