CHARLOTTE GALA

Pat Harrigan

Pat Harrigan brings a lifetime of service, leadership, and innovation to the U.S. House of Representatives. A combat-decorated Green Beret and a successful entrepreneur, Pat has dedicated his career to tackling challenges—on the battlefield, in business, and now in Congress.

After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in Nuclear Engineering, Pat commissioned as an Infantry officer and was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He deployed to Afghanistan as a young Platoon Leader, commanding a remote combat outpost in the heart of the Arghandab Valley. At just 23 years old, Pat managed over 350 personnel and $100 million in infrastructure and equipment, gaining invaluable experience in high-pressure leadership.

Recognizing the need for even greater expertise in unconventional warfare, Pat volunteered for and earned the Green Beret. As a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, he returned to Afghanistan to lead operations in increasingly complex and volatile environments. For his service, he earned two Bronze Stars, a recognition of his extraordinary valor and effectiveness in combat. These experiences shaped his understanding of the critical connection between accountability, mission success, and guiding teams under pressure.

Alia Azariah

Alia Azariah is a passionate advocate and survivor of trafficking, dedicated to ending human trafficking and empowering those affected by this grave violation of human rights. She currently serves as the Director of Aftercare for Safe House Project, served for 3 years on the California CSEC Advisory Board, has testified as an expert witness in trafficking cases, has been recognized with the Resiliency award by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, and mentors survivors across the country. In her career, Alia has had the opportunity to testify twice in front of UK Parliament and has spoken at the United States Capitol Building, been recognized on the floor of the California State Senate, and trained thousands at conferences around the country.

Her focus lies in creating safe and sustainable communities for youth trafficking survivors through education, advocacy, service provision, and social justice. With a combination of professional knowledge, personal experience, and compassion, she diligently works at both local and national levels to create lasting change in the lives of trafficking survivors through specialized training and safe housing initiatives.