Episode release date: Thursday, July 30
Guests: Nina Ahmad, Philadelphia City Councilmember; Marisa Balanda, Deputy Policy Director at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; Laura Cyrus, Senior Director of Industry Training and Outreach at TAT
Season 10 of Shelf Confidence begins with an important conversation about human trafficking awareness and prevention, and the role businesses, transportation networks and frontline employees can play in helping protect vulnerable people.
In this episode, PFMA is joined by Philadelphia City Councilmember Nina Ahmad, Marisa Balanda of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Laura Cyrus of TAT for a discussion focused on recognition, response and community awareness.
Human trafficking can affect communities across Pennsylvania, including places where people travel, shop, work and gather. For food and beverage retailers, convenience stores, restaurants and transportation-adjacent businesses, employees may be in positions where they notice something that does not seem right. Knowing what to look for, how to respond and where to report concerns can make a meaningful difference.
The conversation explores how major events, transportation routes and public-facing businesses can intersect with trafficking risks. It also highlights the importance of training employees in a way that is practical, responsible and sensitive to the people involved.
For PFMA members, this episode is a reminder that awareness is not about turning employees into investigators. It is about helping teams recognize warning signs, understand reporting options and know how to respond safely when they have concerns.
This episode also looks at the broader partnerships needed to address human trafficking, from government and law enforcement to advocacy organizations, transportation agencies and private businesses.
Listen to this episode of Shelf Confidence on PFMA’s social media channels, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, the PFMA website and all major podcast platforms.