From 2006 to 2013, Andrea Heinz experienced the harsh realities of Edmonton’s licensed commercial sex industry as a young, vulnerable woman. Today, she is the Project & Policy Lead with the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons. She is also completing a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Governance, Law, and Management at Athabasca University and holds a diploma in Correctional Services from MacEwan University.

A peer-reviewed scholar on commercial sexual exploitation, Andrea has written for professional publications, participated in numerous interviews, and served as a witness during the 2022 parliamentary review of Canada’s Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act. Since 2013, she has helped deliver Commercial Sex Offender Programming (“john school”) in Alberta. She co-founded Red Light Exposé—an international group of exploitation survivors using their voices through new media—and co-authored the book When Men Buy Sex: Who Really Pays? with fellow advocate Kathy King. Andrea also executive produced the film Labeled: The Missing, Murdered, and Forgotten, which has received several major arts awards.

Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Woman of Courage Award, the Dr. Zohra Husaini Memorial Award, a Human Rights Champion Award, and the Joy Award. Andrea continues to turn lived experience into advocacy, using her voice—and creating platforms for others—to challenge exploitation and influence meaningful change.