Valiant Hearts is currently overseen by a Board of Directors and supported by an Survivor Leader Advisory Council. There are four parts to our volunteer team:
Yvette was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and began a new chapter 25 years ago when she moved to the United States. What started as a geographic transition became a deeply personal journey of faith, growth, and discovery, one that continues to guide her today.
Yvette has spent many years serving in both nonprofit and ministry spaces. She is an ICF-certified Christian life coach who finds great purpose in walking alongside women, listening, encouraging, and helping them uncover their unique identity, strengths and calling God has placed within them.
Yvette believes that every woman carries inherent value and purpose. She is passionate about creating space for others to be seen, heard, and empowered. Her approach is rooted in compassion, faith, and a genuine desire to see others step fully into who they were created to be.
Yvette has been actively involved with Valiant Hearts since 2023, serving in a variety of roles. Her love for the ministry and her commitment to its mission are at the heart of everything she does, and she is honored to serve and support its vision as part of the board.
Patricia Ortega has over 15 years of experience in higher education counseling, retention, and resilience. Patricia has spent her career helping people navigate educational goals, difficult transitions, personal growth, and life challenges with greater clarity and support. Her work is grounded in emotional intelligence, compassion, and a deep belief in the value and dignity of every person. Faith is central to her life and her love of Christ shapes the way she approaches life, relationships, and service to others.
An ICF-certified coach, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources and a master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Higher Education. She is the founder of The Uncommon Career, and host of The Uncommon Career Podcast.
Outside of work, Patricia enjoys time with her husband, and life with their two golden doodles who won’t. Stop. Eating. Her. Socks 
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“Watching one soul find freedom and healing is priceless. In my 14 years at Valiant Hearts, I have had the privilege of journeying with many ladies as they seek restoration from exploitation. I am grateful, it fills my heart, and I look forward to many more stories of healing in the years to come.”
Ava Kamdem is a survivor leader, mother, wife, and student. In the anti-trafficking movement, Ava has assisted federal agents in recovering survivors, publicly shared her story, worked with multiple NGO’s on survivor-informed care, created outreach programs, and served on the Human Trafficking Survivor Leadership Council of Texas.
Ava is currently attending Columbia University to further her education in psychology with the hopes of becoming an IO psychologist.
At the age of 17, Bekah Charleston became a victim of sex trafficking when she ran away from home. She remained a victim for more than 10 years with multiple traffickers, finally able to escape when the federal authorities became involved.
She hit rock bottom, almost believing that she was forever trapped in her circumstances and defined by her past. She started attending Valiant Hearts’ support group, graduating, and then serving as our Executive Director from 2017 to 2020.
Bekah has rebuilt her life and is a nationally recognized speaker, contributor, and consultant. She’s dedicated her life to helping individuals and organizations grow through adversity.
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” - Isaiah 61:1
P.O. Box 92511
Southlake, TX 76092
Office: 817-329-6921
We Are Cherished, Inc., dba Valiant Hearts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN 32-0348032.