Dr. Regina Bernadin is the Director of Protection in the Safety, Health, and Education Technical Unit at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Regina and her team support the organization’s child protection and anti-trafficking efforts in the United States and Europe.  She has held various roles at the IRC, including serving as the Deputy Director of the Miami office. Previously, she served as the Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator with the Florida Department of Children and Families.  She is a consultant for the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center and the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center on human rights issues.

Regina also conducts presentations and trainings nationally, in English and Spanish, on victim identification, service provision and collaboration. She has also overseen targeted outreach campaigns aimed at increasing the number of trafficking survivors identified in the community. Internationally, she has trained on the topic of conflict analysis and resolution and the implementation of anti-trafficking initiatives.  Her interest in the development of human rights abroad has taken her to several countries, including Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname and Tanzania.

She holds a B.A. in International Studies and Criminology from the University of Miami and an M.A in International Administration and Certificate in Non-profit Management from that same institution.  She received her Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Her dissertation focused on refugee self-sufficiency. Regina is a published author and blogger, and active member of various advisory boards and committees, including of the Board of Directors of the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence and Freedom Network’s USA Steering Committee. Regina is the recipient of the Sarlo Distinguished Humanitarian Award and the Janita Lee Award for Victim Advocate Professional of the Year.