About Us
Freedom Rising: Breaking Chains, Building Futures
At Freedom Rising, we believe that human trafficking is one of the greatest evils of our time, and far too massive and complex to fight alone. That’s why we’ve built our entire model around collaboration and the proven framework known as the Four P’s: Protection, Prosecution, Prevention, and Partnerships.
We focus on Protection by providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, and education to those most at risk or already victimized. We support Prosecution by working with legal systems and advocacy groups to hold traffickers accountable and seek justice for survivors. We work on Prevention by addressing root causes like poverty, lack of education, and social stigma, empowering vulnerable communities before exploitation begins. And most importantly, we believe in the power of Partnerships uniting with local organizations, global nonprofits, governments, and faith communities to multiply our impact.
No one organization can do it all, but together, we can.
Our Story
Freedom Rising was born out of a deep conviction that no woman or child should ever be trapped in exploitation simply because they were born into poverty or injustice. Our founder witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking reality of children growing up in one of the largest brothel communities in the world, Daulatdia, Bangladesh, where hope was scarce and exploitation was a daily reality. When a key program supporting these children lost its funding, Freedom Rising was launched to ensure the mission would not only survive but grow. What began as an urgent response has become a global vision to fight human trafficking through holistic care, sustainable programs, and collaborative action. From safe homes and schools to vocational training and legal advocacy, every step we take is guided by compassion, justice, and the belief that freedom should never be a privilege. It should be a right.
Meet The Team
Andrew Sveum
Founder & Executive Director
Bachelor's in Political Science
emphasis on Non-Profit Management studies
With years of experience leading a successful business and nearly a decade of international nonprofit involvement, Andrew brings a strong foundation of leadership, strategy, and compassion to his work. His journey into anti-trafficking efforts began five years ago while serving with a nonprofit in Bangladesh, where he was first introduced to the realities of human trafficking through an awareness program. Over the past three years, he has worked directly with programs combatting human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Andrew founded Freedom Rising after seeing not only the massive need, but also the incredible potential for impact when more people join the fight for freedom.
Dan Courtney
Board Member, Freedom Rising
Andrew and Dan met in 2020 while working in Bangladesh, he shares a strong passion for helping vulnerable communities and protecting children from exploitation. Dan brings a heart for service and a commitment to creating lasting change in the lives of those most at risk. Alongside his work with Freedom Rising, Dan is an engineer with Rolls-Royce, where his analytical skills and dedication to excellence continue to make a global impact.
Pastor Kerry Robinson
Board Member, Freedom Rising
Pastor Kerry Robinson serves as the Lead Pastor of Eastside Church of God and brings decades of experience in ministry and international outreach. His leadership, compassion, and deep commitment to serving others have guided countless initiatives both locally and globally. Pastor Kerry’s vision and wisdom strengthen Freedom Rising’s mission to bring hope and transformation to vulnerable communities around the world.
Pastor Matt Manning
Board Member, Freedom Rising
Pastor Matt Manning serves as the Lead Pastor of Saint John’s Lutheran Church and also heads a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting global missions and community development. With years of experience leading the church and working internationally, Pastor Matt brings a deep passion for serving others and a heart for collaboration. His leadership and global perspective help strengthen Freedom Rising’s efforts to empower vulnerable communities and expand its impact worldwide.
Dr. Anne Friesen
Board Member/Chairperson, Freedom Rising
Dr. Anne Friesen has more than 25 years of professional experience in the social justice and human services fields, and working for decades to combat human trafficking domestically. She currently serves as the CEO and Chief Strategy Consultant of Human Trafficking Now, a virtual global community and hub for the latest anti-human trafficking research, information, and resources. Human Trafficking Now partners with Freedom Rising to advance a shared vision of empowering survivors and advocates to protect, prevent, and prevail against human trafficking worldwide.
Joel Honneger
Board Member, Freedom Rising
Joel Honneger serves as the Executive Director of The Hope Network in Chicago and has been engaged in international work for decades. For more than three years, he has been actively involved in supporting programs in Daulatdia, Bangladesh, focused on combatting human trafficking and empowering survivors. Joel brings a deep passion for justice and restoration, along with a strong commitment to building collaboration among organizations working toward freedom and hope for all.