Our Founder & Team
Our founder
Tiana Sharifi
Tiana Sharifi is internationally recognized as a Canadian expert in the field of anti-sexual exploitation and human trafficking, with over a decade of direct experience. She began her career providing educational workshops on human trafficking, working with youth victims of sexual exploitation and adult women survivors of gender violence and human trafficking.
With a strong foundation in Psychology and Counseling, Tiana approaches sexual exploitation, gender violence, online exploitation and human trafficking through a deep understanding of human behavior, addressing root causes such as consent, vulnerability, and the need for connection.
Tiana Sharifi’s advocacy has been featured in Newsweek, Upworthy, Yahoo Canada, Global News, and CBC, where she has shared her expertise on topics such as online safety, sextortion, and human trafficking. Tiana has also trained various specialized groups, including law enforcement agencies, social workers, healthcare professionals, school administrators, and non-profits.
Over the years, Tiana has educated over 100,000 individuals directly and reached millions more through her impactful TikTok presence. She is passionate about equipping educators, parents, and communities with the tools to foster safer environments both online and offline. Tiana's leadership has made ExEd a trusted partner for schools, parents, and government agencies.
As the driving force behind ExEd, Tiana continues to innovate prevention strategies, provide expert consulting, and collaborate with organizations to address the root causes of exploitation and create lasting change.
Meet our team
Sadaf Mahdi
Strategy and Development Specialist
Sadaf supports ExEd’s mission to prevent human trafficking and sexual exploitation by helping shape our outreach, resource development, and community partnerships. In her role as Strategy and Development Specialist, she works closely with the CEO on strategic planning and program growth, aiming to expand ExEd’s reach and impact.
Sadaf has a background in Immigration Studies, holding a Master’s degree where she explored the complex, intersecting challenges faced by migrant women, particularly those dealing with intimate partner violence and housing insecurity. She also completed a Graduate degree in Urban Studies, exploring social issues affecting local communities and vulnerable populations. Her previous roles in the provincial government gave her hands-on experience in project management, policy support, and building strong relationships with various stakeholders. At ExEd, Sadaf brings her knowledge and care for community to every project.
Sara Salimian
Administrative Assistant
In her role as Administrative Assistant, Sara plays a key part in supporting the team and ensuring the smooth operation of ExEd's mission to educate and empower communities about exploitation.
With over a decade of experience across branding, administration, and marketing, Sara is a versatile professional committed to helping businesses enhance operational efficiency and build strong brand identities. She has successfully contributed to a variety of industries, bringing a unique blend of creativity, organizational expertise, and strategic thinking to each role she takes on.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending quality time with her husband and kids. She is also passionate about exploring new experiences, immersing herself in the arts, and spending time outdoors with her dog.
Michael Taylor
Educational Advisor
Michael Taylor is an experienced educator in the Richmond School District who is currently completing his Doctor of Education in Leadership and Policy at UBC. He is a 2023 recipient of the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Education for his outstanding work through the Social Justice Voices program. Michael is recognized for his creativity in social justice education, service learning, and youth empowerment initiatives. He is passionate about preventing youth exploitation and has provided presentations on the topic himself to his classes.
In addition to leading the students who are a part of our Youth Advisory Committee, Michael oversees the curriculum development for the SEE programs.
Neomi Vafiadis
Digital Content Specialist
Neomi is a passionate marketing specialist whose professional expertise is matched by a deep commitment to making a positive impact, which led her to join Exploitation Education.
Neomi brings four years of expertise in digital marketing and social media, with a steadfast commitment to crafting authentic spaces that genuinely connect with target audiences. Her journey began as a singer-songwriter, where she built her own online community and learned how to forge meaningful connections that foster loyalty and inspire action. These foundational skills have since shaped every campaign she’s led.
For Neomi, the key to impactful engagement lies in discovering the right audience, fostering dialogue instead of monologue, and nurturing two-way relationships built on trust. Whether she’s designing campaigns that ignite important conversations or developing strategies that help brands uncover their true voice, Neomi’s passion lies in creating online experiences that resonate deeply and feel like a home for the communities they serve.