Courtesy photo.
CAMARILLO — The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County is pleased to announce that Alia Azariah, 2024 Social Justice Fellow, has been accepted to The Obama Foundation’s Leaders program, joining more than 200 global changemakers for the 2025-2026 class. Following a competitive selection process, Alia will be one of just 101 Leaders participating in the Leaders USA Program, where they will receive training in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Alia Azaria serves as the Director of Aftercare for Safe House Project where she leads national efforts to improve long-term outcomes for survivors of human trafficking. A former member of the California CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) Advisory Board, she has trained over 80,000 professionals, advised legislators, and helped shape policy to better support survivors.
Alia has testified before the U.S. Congress and the U.K. Parliament, bringing survivor-centered solutions to the national and international stage. She is a sought-after speaker and thought leader who has spoken at state and federal capitols, been honored by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, and continues to elevate the voices of survivors through training, mentorship, and policy change.
Her work is deeply rooted in her personal mission: “My calling is to bridge the gap of belonging — so exploited girls discover their worth, and the world discovers how incredible they are.” She is passionate about the children and youth she serves, sharing: “Our kids in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties are the most incredible human beings I’ve ever had the chance to be around. And they’re so capable. And if we can get them the assistance that they need, they will change our world.”
Through her advocacy, training, and mentorship, Alia brings hope, helps survivors reclaim their lives and dreams, and calls communities to action to ensure every survivor has the opportunity to heal, thrive, and lead.
As part of the Obama Foundation’s six-month program, these changemakers will convene virtually each week for sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. They will also have an opportunity to participate in virtual experiences and special events, including conversations with experienced mentors in the Foundation’s global network.
Now in its third year, The Obama Foundation Leaders USA Program is guided by the leadership values of President and Mrs. Obama. The program draws on the Foundation’s Hope to Action curriculum to support Leaders in embracing diverse perspectives, harnessing collective power, and driving tangible progress toward a more just and sustainable world. The Leaders USA Program has a particular focus on strengthening democratic culture, and the more than 100 Leaders are working across a broad range of focus areas, including democracy and civic engagement, public health, climate and environmental sustainability, and arts and culture.
The Obama Foundation Leaders program is designed to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States to change their respective communities and the world. To learn more, visit obama.org/leaders.
To learn more about Alia Azariah, Safe House Project, or the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, visit safehouseproject.org, socialjusticefundvc.org or email info@safehouseproject.org, info@socialjusticefundvc.org.