FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Mike Gallagher retired from the Portland Police Bureau after nearly 30 years of service, including 11 years in the Sex Trafficking Unit. Throughout his career, he witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by sexual exploitation.

Dedicated to combating trafficking, Mike has established strong partnerships with victim advocates, the district attorney’s office, churches, hotels, and various community organizations to create a coordinated response. He is also committed to public education and conducts essential training to raise awareness and empower communities.

Mike actively addresses the demand side of trafficking, believing that reducing demand is crucial to eradicating exploitation. He helped create the SBAD (Sex Buyers Accountability and Diversion) School, which educates offenders about the profound harm their actions cause to women, children, families, and society as a whole. Mike is passionate about helping survivors not just recover but truly thrive.

DIRECTOR

Darlene has dedicated over 30 years to mentoring survivors of abuse and trauma, with the past 14 years focused specifically on supporting survivors of sexual exploitation. She has played a pivotal role in coordinating victim resources and providing trauma-informed training by collaborating with law enforcement and community leaders.

In 2013, Darlene developed a mentoring program for sexually exploited survivors and served as its Director for four years, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of resources, support, and healing. Since the founding of Bridging the Gap in 2014, Darlene has been an active participant, previously serving as President and currently as Director.

Darlene has recently completed her first book, “The Voiceless Outcry: Abused, Exploited, and Trafficked in America,” which will be published soon. Outside of her professional work, Darlene has been married for 37 years and is a proud mother and grandmother to two adult children and two granddaughters, aged 5 and 8. Their future inspires her passion for anti-trafficking efforts and the pursuit of lasting change.

SECRETARY

Christina has been an overcomer since birth. She was born to a 14-year-old victim of sexual exploitation, and her mother (Christina’s grandmother) had also been involved in "the life." Despite these challenges, Christina defied the odds. As a biracial child abandoned to the system, she broke the generational cycle of abuse and commercial exploitation. Today, Christina is a mentor, role model, and source of hope for the girls and women she serves.

As the first person in her family to attend college and step into community leadership, Christina brings extensive training, lived experience, and a deep understanding of trauma and its lasting effects. She facilitates trauma recovery groups and speaks at events, sharing her story to inspire others to invest in their communities.

Christina and her husband are passionate about bringing healing, justice, and freedom to marginalized and stigmatized children, particularly those in the welfare system. When she’s not advocating for change, she is busy keeping up with her six amazing boys.

TREASURERS

Kirt and Anne both grew up in the Portland area and have been married for 23 years. Together, they have three children and a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable youth.

Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and has worked as a pediatric operating room nurse for 23 years. She is passionate about caring for children who have experienced abuse and trauma, using her skills to provide both medical care and emotional support.

Kirt works as an Administrator, overseeing employees’ trust funds and managing a large employer’s drug and alcohol safety program. His role focuses on ensuring financial security and workplace safety for employees.

In 2022, Kirt and Anne became certified hosts for Safe Families, opening their hearts and home to a teenager in need, who has since become a beloved part of their family, among their other 3 children.

BOARD MEMBER

Harmeet has dedicated most of her career as an accountant, focusing on grant mandates for school districts in California. Currently, she works with law enforcement agencies in the state to ensure compliance with grant mandates.

Harmeet is married and has an adult daughter. She and her family enjoy traveling to new places. Their home is known as a welcoming gathering spot, as Harmeet loves to host friends, family, and neighbors.

With a strong passion for helping the vulnerable, Harmeet has been mentoring women for over 20 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in building relationships and collaborating effectively to achieve common goals.