Speakers

Speaker Date Topic
Michelle Tupy Sep 10, 2026
"What Shelter Mover does in the community across Canada"
"What Shelter Mover does in the community across Canada"
Michelle Tupy is a nonprofit and community-services leader based in New Brunswick with extensive experience in gender-based violence support, volunteer engagement and nonprofit governance. She currently serves as Regional Director for Shelter Movers in the Maritimes, overseeing operations across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Shelter Movers provides free moving and storage services for individuals and families fleeing abuse. Under Michelle’s leadership, the organization expanded beyond its original regional scope and has now completed more than 1,800 survivor-supported moves.
Through media outreach and community advocacy, Michelle has spoken publicly about the barriers survivors face when leaving abusive relationships and the importance of coordinated volunteer networks and community support systems in improving safety and access to services.
Prior to her current role, Michelle worked with Hospice Southeast New Brunswick in both community services and business development positions. She helped develop grief support and public education initiatives as well as manage the organization’s social enterprise and volunteer engagement initiatives.
Michelle currently serves as Chair of Urban/Rural Rides, a nonprofit dedicated to accessible transportation services, and is an active board member with Moncton Cares, a nonprofit that supports refugees, immigrants, newcomers and other vulnerable community members as they settle and integrate into life in New Brunswick. Her board leadership emphasizes collaboration between businesses, volunteers, and nonprofits to strengthen accessibility, community wellbeing, and social impact across Atlantic Canada.
Laura Hackney Sep 24, 2026
"Intersections of Technology and Human Trafficking. Coding and AI Training Program for Survivors"
"Intersections of Technology and Human Trafficking. Coding and AI Training Program for Survivors"
Laura Hackney is a human rights advocate and full-stack software engineer from Atlanta, GA. She is the CEO and Cofounder of AnnieCannons, a national organization dedicated to training, preparing, and connecting individuals who have experienced human trafficking to sustainable careers in tech. Laura helped to build AnnieCannons’ Coding Training Program and develop AC’s internal portfolio of software products. Prior to AnnieCannons, Laura managed the Program on Human Rights at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute. She also worked as the Senior Research Associate for Stanford’s Anti-Trafficking Project in the Mekong Sub-Region and was a Program Associate for the Freeman Spogli Institute’s International Policy Implementation Lab. Laura is passionate about the intersections of human rights, technology, and education. She is based in Brooklyn, NY.
--
AnnieCannons is a nonprofit with the mission to train, prepare, and connect individuals who have experienced human trafficking to sustainable careers in tech. AnnieCannons' programs incorporate a unique blend of in-demand technical training alongside project-based learning, job readiness, personal and professional development, and job placement and support. This holistic approach to economic justice centers equity, accessibility, and survivor-centricity so that participants will be capable, qualified, and successful in obtaining jobs in the tech field, forever breaking cycles of exploitation. 
 
 
Faron Barr Oct 08, 2026

Faron is a current board director with the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) serving a three-year term. He is a charter member of the Empowering Girls Rotary Action Group. He is also a current Annual Fund subcommittee chair for District 5710.

Faron was an Assistant Rotary Coordinator (ARC) from 2021-2024 who helped four districts in Zone 29 with their membership growth and retention. As an ARC, Faron was also responsible for leading some of the membership sessions at Regional events.

Faron is a Past District Governor (2020-2021) and past District Rotary Foundation Chair (2022-2025) for District 5710. During his year as District Governor Elect, Faron helped establish the End Human Trafficking (EHT) district committee which led to the Community Action Against Human Trafficking (CAAHT) Rotary club being formed and was chartered during Faron’s term as District Governor. This committee and club are responsible for four successful global grants that have been implemented in District 5710. Faron was one of the primary contacts on a global grant implemented in Guatemala focusing on Disease Prevention and Treatment. He is also involved in several other global grants that are in various stages of implementation.

Faron is a Major Donor, a Paul Harris Society member, a Bequest Society member, and a recipient of the Citation for Meritorious Service. Faron is also the committee chair for the annual Gathering For Good Rotary Foundation event in D5710 which was started during his term as District Governor. This event is a fundraiser that has generated over $175,000 for The Rotary Foundation so far.

Faron is a Past President of the Topeka South Rotary club. He has traveled to Central America several times on Rotary service projects leading volunteers who help communities with water filters, cook stoves, medical checkups, shoes, beds, etc. He has also participated in almost every project Topeka South has planned.