Keynote Speaker · Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking
More People Are Enslaved Today Than at Any Point in History
Modern slavery is not a distant problem — it is woven into the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the devices we use every day. Josef "Joe" Schmidt, founder of the world's largest anti-slavery movement, delivers keynotes that educate, awaken, and move audiences to act.
"Having worked side-by-side with Joe Schmidt, I can tell you that he possesses a rare ability to present and transform a dark, complex topic like modern slavery into a story of hope, dignity, and collective action. When we partnered with Joe and Freedom United, it wasn't just talk — he inspired our team to see how enterprise leadership and frontline awareness can save lives. Joe is an extraordinary storyteller whose passion is contagious and whose impact is undeniable."
Allison Ausband
Executive Vice President & Executive Sponsor for Anti-Human Trafficking
Delta Air Lines
About Josef "Joe" Schmidt
Educator, Advocate & Founder of the World's Largest Anti-Slavery Movement
Over 40 million people are trapped in modern slavery right now. That number is not an abstraction — it represents human beings in forced labor, sex trafficking, domestic servitude, and forced marriage, hidden in plain sight across every country on earth, including the United States.
Most of us are unknowingly connected to this crisis. The smartphone in your pocket, the shirt on your back, the food on your table — global supply chains are riddled with exploitation that consumers, students, and citizens rarely see. Josef Schmidt (known widely as Joe Schmidt) believes that awareness is the first step to abolition.
Joe spent 30 years building market-leading companies, twice reaching the INC 500 list. In 2013, he redirected those skills toward human rights by founding Freedom United (freedomunited.org) — today the world's largest movement dedicated to ending human trafficking and modern slavery, with 8 million supporters across 190 countries.
As a keynote speaker, Joe's mission is education first. He brings the reality of modern slavery to life for students, faith communities, civic groups, corporations, and policy audiences — making a complex global crisis personal, understandable, and actionable for every person in the room.
Featured Keynote Presentation
Under our nose: Exposing & Ending Modern Slavery in the Digital Age
Modern Slavery · Human Trafficking · Global Awareness · Everyday Complicity · How to Take Action
Most people believe slavery ended in the 19th century. The reality is that more people are enslaved today than at any point in human history — and most of us are unknowingly part of the system that sustains it. In this eye-opening keynote, Joe Schmidt breaks down how modern human trafficking actually works, where it hides in everyday life, and what ordinary people — not just executives or policymakers — can do to help end it.
Key Takeaways for Audiences
The 4 Faces of Modern Slavery
Sex trafficking, forced labor, domestic servitude, and forced marriage — understanding the forms exploitation takes and why 40 million people remain invisible to most of the world.
We Are All Connected to This Crisis
The clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the devices we use are often produced through forced labor. Joe shows audiences how everyday consumer choices intersect with global exploitation — and how awareness changes behavior.
How Modern Slavery Hides
From local communities to international supply chains, exploitation is designed to be invisible. Joe reveals the warning signs, the systems that enable it, and why it persists despite global awareness campaigns.
Real-World Campaigns That Changed Laws
Behind the scenes of Freedom United's global advocacy — including freeing imprisoned anti-slavery activists in Mauritania and driving a unanimous UN Security Council resolution against ISIS human trafficking.
What You Can Do Starting Today
Abolition is not just for governments and NGOs. Joe leaves every audience with concrete, personal actions — from advocacy to purchasing decisions to community organizing — that create real change.
Speaking with Purpose
A Mission Bigger Than Any Stage
Josef Schmidt's work with Freedom United is driven purely by purpose. Joe has never accepted a salary, stipend, or financial compensation from Freedom United — instead remaining one of its primary financial supporters.
When Joe speaks, the goal is simple: leave every person in the room with a clearer picture of modern slavery and a concrete reason to act. From boardrooms to university auditoriums, the message is the same — awareness is the beginning of abolition.
100% of any speaking fees Josef receives for engagements on modern slavery and human trafficking go directly back into the abolition movement — funding the organizations, advocates, and survivors working to end it.
What event organizers & leaders say
Trusted by executives and institutions
"Joe did an excellent job in his presentation. He was engaging, knowledgeable, and passionate about the subject. His energy captivated the room and motivated the audience to take action. I would definitively recommend Joe for any speaking engagement on business, leadership, entrepreneurship, or human trafficking."
Michael Chen
Former President & CEO, GE Capital
"Joe has an ability to engage and capture an audience with his relatable approach and compelling storytelling. I have seen him speak in a variety of venues, and in each one he was able to connect with the audience and communicate his message effectively."
Geoffrey Krouse
Associate Dean, Duke Law School
Keynote & speaking topics
Topics Joe Schmidt speaks on
- What Modern Slavery Actually Looks Like Today
- Human Trafficking: Myths, Realities & Warning Signs
- How Everyday Consumers Are Connected to Forced Labor
- Digital Advocacy & Building Mass Movements for Change
- From Awareness to Action: What Ordinary People Can Do
Freedom United
The World's Largest Anti-Slavery Movement
Freedom United unites people from every walk of life to challenge the systems that allow modern slavery to persist. With 8 million supporters across 190 countries and 70+ international partners, the movement has driven 18 million advocacy actions and 100+ global campaigns — proving that ordinary people, when informed and organized, can change laws, free activists, and reshape the world.
Bring This Conversation to Your Community
Whether you're organizing a university event, a faith gathering, a civic forum, or a corporate conference — Josef "Joe" Schmidt delivers a keynote that educates, challenges, and inspires every person in the room to become part of the solution.