JOY International’s mission is carried forward by a dedicated team serving both in the United States and around the world. From program leadership and survivor care to education, operations, development, and ministry, our staff and partners bring their unique gifts and experience together to advance JOY’s vision of preventing trafficking and bringing freedom, healing, and empowerment to children and survivors.
Leadership Team
Alyssa McKinley
Executive Director
Alyssa McKinley has served with JOY International since 2015 and currently serves as Executive Director, providing leadership and vision as JOY works to prevent trafficking and bring freedom, healing, and empowerment to children and survivors around the world. Over the years, she has served in a variety of roles across the organization and has led ministry teams in 14 countries. Alyssa is passionate about walking alongside survivors, strengthening programs that create lasting impact, and helping others discover the freedom, healing, and identity God has for them. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Grand Canyon University and is trained as a Trauma-Informed Care Practitioner.
Tonya Sweater
Development Director
Tonya spent 14 years as an educator and after deciding to work with students in the gifted program, she pursued her master's classes in Gifted Education. Over the years, she enjoyed providing students with enriching instruction; as well as engaging in leadership roles, such as directing a Summer Enrichment Program for students that needed additional support. With her continued desire to help children, in 2018, Tonya became a volunteer for JOY International and joined the JOY staff in 2019.
Dr. Jeff Brodsky
Founder and President Emeritus
Dr. Jeff Brodsky is the Founder and President Emeritus of JOY International. His journey began in 1979 while traveling the world as a goodwill ambassador with Food for the Hungry, where he had the opportunity to serve alongside Mother Teresa’s ministries in Calcutta, India. Deeply impacted by the needs of vulnerable children around the world, Jeff founded JOY International in 1981. In the 1990s, his focus shifted specifically toward the growing crisis of child trafficking, ultimately shaping JOY’s mission to prevent trafficking and bring freedom, healing, and empowerment to children and survivors worldwide.
During JOY’s early anti-trafficking work, Jeff personally participated in rescue efforts before helping transition the organization toward collaborative partnerships with law enforcement and specialized anti-trafficking teams. Over the decades, JOY and its partners have contributed to thousands of children being brought to freedom. Jeff received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Promise Christian University in recognition of his humanitarian service and has spent more than 45 years inspiring others to stand against exploitation and injustice. Today, as Founder and President Emeritus, he continues to support JOY’s mission and legacy while encouraging others to join the fight for freedom.