David Weiss
All are invited to take part in LifeWay Network’s gala supporting safe housing for trafficking survivors.
David Weiss, the chief of the Human Trafficking Unit at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the law enforcement lead for the U.S. Department of Justice-funded Enhanced Collaborative Model, Brooklyn Human Trafficking Task Force, is the 2025 recipient of the Freedom Award from LifeWay Network, a New York based anti-human trafficking organization.
Weiss will be honored at the nonprofit’s spring gala, the Event Towards New Life, held 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 5, 2025, in Wallace Hall at the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola, 980 Park Ave, New York. The event includes dinner and drinks, a silent auction, raffle and live entertainment.
Weiss began his career in 2006 handling cases involving all types of violent crime. He has prosecuted numerous violent traffickers for exploiting children and adults and led a multi-agency investigation and prosecution resulting in the closure of two hotels in Brooklyn and Queens as well as the arrests of the owners for permitting prostitution. In 2017, Weiss was cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York to bring federal sex trafficking charges in a case involving the trafficking of several underage girls.
Weiss regularly presents on human trafficking investigations and prosecutions throughout New York State, around the United States and for international law enforcement officials, focusing on evidence-based prosecutions, prosecuting without a victim, and prosecuting in a true victim-centered manner. He recently testified before the New York State Assembly as a subject matter expert discussing the need to expand the statute of limitations on human trafficking cases to account for trauma and delayed disclosure. Weiss was the recipient of the 2024 Homeland Security Investigations New York Field Office Prosecutor of the Year award.
“David’s work is crucial to the fight against human trafficking,” said Alison Boak, executive director of LifeWay Network. “He has ensured justice and freedom for survivors of this terrible crime and put traffickers behind bars. We’re grateful to have such a strong partner in this vital work.”
In addition to the Freedom Award, LifeWay Network is celebrating our 2025 Inspiration Award and Outstanding Service Award winners.
This year the Inspiration Award goes to Ansa Noreen. Noreen is the founder of Empowerment Square, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting women—especially survivors of trafficking and immigrant women—as they rebuild their lives and pursue their highest potential.
An immigrant herself, Noreen arrived in the U.S. with no English, no connections, and many challenges. Through perseverance and self-discovery, she found her voice and purpose—and now devotes her life to helping others do the same.
EJ Camp is the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award. She is known for creating iconic movie posters such as Forrest Gump and Top Gun, as well as for her editorial and commercial work with Rolling Stone Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers and other distinguished clients.
For more than 30 years, alongside her career in portraiture and advertising, EJ has devoted herself to photographing the sea and its shores. An avid sailor, she considers the waters of the North and South Forks of Long Island her second home. Her sweeping portraits of shorelines and waterways render distilled vistas of these environments.
The Event Towards New Life, now in its 19th year, brings together roughly 150 members of the LifeWay community. Tickets to the Event Towards New Life and details about auction items, special guests and more can be found at LifeWayNetwork.org. The event is open to the public.
“Human trafficking requires the strong, fighting spirit of a community,” said Boak. “We welcome new friends and old to join us at the Event Towards New Life and get involved in our mission to eradicate trafficking and support survivors.”
