Our Advisory Team

Barbara Hogan is the founder, CEO, and president of Timbelo, Inc., and co-owner of Afidence IT Consulting. Passionate about anti-trafficking, read more of Barbara's story below.

As an early preteen, Barbara catapulted from country living to the city after her father's premature death, exchanging idyllic summer days filled with fishing, horses, and fun for the cement jungle and condo living. Feeling alone and displaced lent itself to a feeling of uncertain vulnerability. While Barbara's mother's job kept her away from home during the days, a family friend helped fill the empty hours, feeling trapped in a condo. However, what started as a seemingly positive distraction quickly turned to emotional and sexual abuse. Not knowing who to turn to or how to process the events left an already traumatized preteen woefully unprepared to embark on the journey of womanhood. Booker (2013) illuminates, "Sexually abused girls reach puberty before other girls, a new study finds, and early puberty increases their risk of having emotional problems."

It would take years to sort through and heal from the emotional trauma incurred within those years, years that led to unfortunate choices that would require more healing. "When you grow up believing there is something intrinsically wrong with you," explains Barbara, "When you feel you are somehow dirty or less than, life can become a series of decisions that lead you to a place you never wanted or intended."

Through a series of unforeseen events, Barbara finished high school in Ohio and attended a college near Chicago, graduating with a B.S. in Psychology and Social Justice. But, the lies were deep, and after an unplanned pregnancy and a failed abusive marriage, the past began to unravel. Devastating loss. Moving from the peaceful country of Indiana to Phoenix, Arizona. Trapped in a condo because of a well-meaning mother's fears. A predator who preyed on the vulnerable. A young girl suddenly turned woman, more trapped than ever by a silent secret that misshaped and directed her life, but only for a time.

Fortunately, Barbara's story doesn't end there. With counseling and prayer, Barbara started to find her way forward in emotional healing and healthy choices. Out of the adversity and healing, a determination surfaced, born out of a new belief that she had much more to give in this life than life told her she did. This new belief propelled her forward with an underlying determination to help women find their identity while also protecting the vulnerable.

Barbara started Timbelo, Inc. in December of 2016. As she landed on the name, Timbelo, it stemmed from her life verse Song of Solomon 2:16, "This is My Beloved, and My Beloved is Mine." She believes that if you know who and whose you are, you can do anything. Without hesitation, Barbara chose to fight for freedom by ending modern-day slavery (trafficking) as the company cause. To help those trapped in either sex trafficking or labor tracking find freedom from lies and bondage is a dream materializing before our eyes at Timbelo.

As with all dreams, it takes a team to make them a reality. It is the Timbelo Team in conjunction with our Advisory Team (anti-trafficking leaders) who worked tirelessly to make the vision a reality. The Timbelo Cause Hub is exactly what it sounds like, a place to find anti-trafficking information, connection, inspiring stories, and a place to stand united against modern-day slavery.  

The Timbelo Team invites, no implores you and your organization to unite with us against modern-day slavery by taking the Pledge and joining our cause for FREEDOM for ALL PEOPLE!