Engaging Markets to Address Human Trafficking: GuideStone and the Eagle Freedom Alliance

Human trafficking and modern slavery persist across the global economy, often hidden deep within complex supply chains and business operations. For Christians committed to faithful stewardship, these realities raise difficult yet necessary questions: How can capital be used responsibly in a world where exploitation persists? And how can Christian investors move beyond awareness toward meaningful action?

GuideStone’s engagement with the Eagle Freedom Alliance reflects one response to those questions. From its inception, GuideStone^® has helped develop this investor‑led initiative, using shareholder influence to advance human trafficking prevention through constructive corporate engagement.

A Different Model of Corporate Engagement

Formed through a collaboration among faith‑aligned investors and anti‑trafficking practitioners, the Eagle Freedom Alliance became a stand‑alone shareholder advocacy initiative, facilitated by the Eagle Venture Fund, with GuideStone as its first participating investor.

At the heart of the Alliance is a distinctive approach to corporate engagement. Rather than relying on public confrontation (“name-and-shame”) or prescriptive demands, the Alliance emphasizes informed, solutions-oriented dialogue. Investors often have access to corporate leadership, but they may lack detailed insight into how trafficking risks arise within specific industries. At the same time, practitioners combating trafficking often possess deep expertise but limited access to corporate decision‑makers.

The Alliance seeks to bridge that gap. Investors open dialogue with companies through shareholder advocacy, then bring in experienced practitioners to explain how trafficking occurs and what effective mitigation looks like. This approach connects corporate decision‑makers with real‑world expertise, enabling informed conversations supported by investors who help facilitate and sustain constructive engagement.

Identifying Human Trafficking Risk Across Industries

Human trafficking takes many forms and spans industries and geographies, including mining, hospitality, banking and manufacturing. Through Eagle Venture Fund’s broad network, practitioners help identify where trafficking risks are most acute and where advocacy may be most effective. With firsthand knowledge of how labor is sourced and where oversight can fail, their insights ground company conversations in evidence rather than assumptions and help focus engagement on areas of greatest impact.

Research‑informed Engagement

Research plays a central role in the Alliance’s work. Early collaboration included a research initiative examining forced labor risks in tantalum mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That study mapped and documented labor exploitation and linked it to downstream corporate supply chains, giving investors clearer visibility into potential exposure to trafficking risks.

GuideStone contributed charitable capital to support this research, which informed subsequent engagement. The findings helped shape shareholder communications and initiate company conversations, demonstrating how data and analysis can support constructive, informed dialogue.

Solutions, Not Just Criticism

The Eagle Freedom Alliance’s engagement philosophy is intentionally constructive. While accountability remains essential, the Alliance seeks to pair expectations with practical pathways for improvement. In some cases, this could involve encouraging stronger internal policies or oversight mechanisms. In others, it may mean connecting companies with nonprofit or for-profit organizations that offer services or technologies designed to reduce trafficking risks.

When companies take responsible steps to address trafficking risks, the Alliance seeks to acknowledge progress, encourage continued improvement and highlight best practices for peers. This approach reflects a belief that progress can be encouraged through clarity, persistence and collaboration — without losing sight of the seriousness of the issue.

Looking Forward

GuideStone participates in the Eagle Freedom Alliance as part of its broader commitment to corporate engagement, leveraging our shareholder influence to encourage Christ‑like business practices. As a long-term investor, GuideStone contributes its voice alongside other like-minded investors, exploring how capital and influence can be used to encourage practices that respect the sanctity of life and further human dignity within the global economy.

The challenges posed by human trafficking are complex and deeply rooted. No single initiative can eliminate them. Yet the Eagle Freedom Alliance demonstrates how investors like GuideStone, change-makers and companies can work together toward a world transformed by Christian investing.

Contact an advisor consultant today for more resources to help build your faith-based investing business with GuideStone Funds^®.

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