Kristin Vaughn is a nationally recognized survivor leader and the Founder of Second & 50th, a survivor-led initiative that “meets people where they are”—whether it’s their second chance or their fiftieth—by creating pathways for healing, growth, and professional development.
A graduate of Thistle Farms, where she also served as Event Coordinator and speaker, Kristin has spent more than two decades advancing survivor-centered change across the U.S. Her portfolio includes contracts and collaborations with leading organizations such as the National Survivor Network, Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST), Survivor Alliance, Freedom Network USA, and Polaris. She is an alumna of Empower Her Network and Elevate Academy, and holds memberships with the Red Alert Task Force, The Knoble, The Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars, and Cleverhuman’s The Network.
Kristin currently serves as Associate Director of Survivor Network Virginia, a statewide peer-led network building survivor leadership and policy impact. Her board and advisory roles include Liluye (Survivor Affairs Expert), the Pulaski County Free Store, and The Brenna Wallace International Initiative. Her focus areas include vacatur and criminal record relief, survivor engagement, technology and OSINT in anti-trafficking efforts, and policy/legislative reform.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) office featured Kristin in its Survivor Voices series—publishing her biography and a video interview about her journey and leadership. She has also been profiled by Human Trafficking Search and featured on national podcasts.
She speaks with a grounded, hopeful perspective—calling for more doors to be opened for survivor leaders, for meaningful investment in second chances, and for no one to be left behind. She often travels with her service dog, Sherlock, underscoring her commitment to accessibility, wellness, and community care.