Lantern Board
Simon Arkley
Simon Arkley and his wife, Aletha have been involved in the fight against trafficking for over a decade and have served in many areas from education, direct assistance, aftercare and safe house development & management. They have created training materials for multiple public spheres and continue to speak and educate on the issue of trafficking every opportunity they get.
They founded The Lantern Project in 2020 and have already educated thousands with in-person and video trainings, engaged more than 100 local organizations to commit to fight against trafficking, assisted dozens of survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation and currently operate three safe-houses for survivors of trafficking. Their vision is to see trafficking wiped out in its entirety and they are starting in the greater Charlotte area.
Rick Phillips
Rick Phillips is a seasoned entrepreneur and security technology expert based in Jacksonville, Florida. As the President and CEO of Mantle Security Inc., Rick has dedicated his career to bringing innovative and valuable solutions to the low voltage industry, particularly in the realm of multi-family.
With over two decades of experience in the field, Rick founded Mantle Security in February 2017. The company specializes in integrating best-in-class technology solutions for multi-family properties, offering a comprehensive suite of services including access controls, security cameras, audio-visual systems, and burglar alarms.
Rick’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond Mantle Security. He is also the founder of IoSync Smart(er) Apartment Technologies, a company he established concurrently with Mantle Security in February 2017. Prior to his current ventures, Rick co-founded Dependent Systems Inc., where he served from April 2012 to February 2017. His passion to use business as a conduit for a broader reach to touch lives, inspired him to be a part of The Lantern Project.
As a family man, Rick is a devoted husband and father of six children(#7 coming next year). Rick’s commitment to both his professional and personal life has likely contributed to his success in the competitive field of security technology.
Dan Michiels
Dan Michiels is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of North Carolina. He currently resides in Concord with his wife and four young children. With many years of experience working with nonprofits, he seeks to support both the work and the Lantern team and looks forward to the continued growth of the Lantern Project.
Jonathan Jacobs
Jonathan Jacobs is a dedicated therapist and a proud member of the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, with ancestral ties to the renowned Chief Pontiac. Residing in Northeast Oklahoma, he specializes in culturally relevant and trauma-informed counseling services for Native American children, youth, and adults. Jonathan’s expertise encompass Logotherapy and Addiction Counseling, and he is increasingly focused on delivering preventative services to marginalized and underserved Native American youth in his community.
As a father of two young women, he is deeply passionate about raising awareness and advocating for the protection of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children affected by trafficking in Indian Country. Jonathan’s commitment to healing and empowerment reflects his deep-rooted dedication to his community and its future.
