Ciera Blehm

Ciera Blehm is a notable advocate for survivors of sexual violence and currently serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Survivor Fund Hub, a pioneering nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to providing flexible financial support to college student survivors. Her motivation to establish this organization arose from witnessing the significant gaps in university support systems for these individuals, particularly when she was just 19 years old.13

In addition to her role at Survivor Fund Hub, Ciera is also a Public Voices Fellow with Equality Now, focusing on advancing the rights of women and girls. This fellowship, part of The OpEd Project’s initiative, aims to amplify diverse voices in public discourse.12 Ciera's work emphasizes not only addressing the immediate needs of survivors but also fostering their resilience and joy, advocating for systemic changes that empower individuals affected by sexual violence.13

Ciera's background includes nearly a decade of experience in political science, where she has engaged in various forms of advocacy, including organizing actions for racial and gender justice and training leaders on crucial issues such as abortion rights and women's empowerment.1 Her philosophy centers on transforming personal trauma into collective empowerment, ensuring that survivors have easy access to financial care to help them reclaim their lives.1