More Than Rescue: Why Systems Change Matters in the Fight Against Trafficking
In this powerful episode, Bryce Butler sits down with Jeremy Vallerand, the co-founder and CEO of Atlas Free, a global network combating human trafficking through partnership, capacity-building, and systems thinking. Jeremy shares how a formative childhood shaped by faith and radical hospitality led him to a career devoted to justice. A trip to India in 2008 opened his eyes to the reality of modern slavery, launching a life-changing journey that would culminate in the creation of Atlas Free.
Together, they explore the global complexity of human trafficking, the importance of empowering local leaders, and how Atlas Free is building an interconnected network to tackle both immediate interventions and long-term systemic change. Jeremy also offers insights on the challenges of nonprofit funding, the myth of the “one-size-fits-all” organization, and why collective impact—not isolation—is the only way forward.
Key Topics Covered:
Jeremy’s Personal Story
The Birth of Atlas Free
The Atlas Free Model
Why Local Leaders Matter
Systems vs. Relief Work
Collective Impact & Interdependence
The Power of Survivor Justice
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