Merrie Karimov: The Power of Hope and Community

This week, in the 100th episode of Women Influencers, I sit down with Merrie Karimov, founder of Harbour Hope International, a Central Florida nonprofit dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.Merrie’s story is one of compassion turned into purpose. Raised in rural Colorado, she discovered early on a deep empathy for the “least likely”—those who feel unseen or forgotten. That calling led her across the globe, from South America to South Asia and ultimately to Moscow, where she met her husband before settling in Florida. It was through her travels and early experiences mentoring vulnerable youth in Los Angeles that she first encountered the reality of human trafficking—a reality that would eventually define her life’s work.In 2015, Merrie founded Harbour Hope after meeting her first survivor in Central Florida. What began as a single act of compassion grew into a movement: a network providing mentorship, case management, and long-term support for survivors and their children. Now marking its 10-year anniversary, Harbour Hope has become a beacon for restoration and community collaboration.Merrie’s journey reminds us that impact begins when we move from good intentions to informed action—and that lasting change happens together, not alone.“If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb (shared by Merrie Karimov)Connect with Veronica:https://capstrata.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/Connect with Merrie:www.harbourhope.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/merrie-karimov-912860275/To order the book: https://harbourhopeinternational.audiencetap.com/qc/26fShkLk1BWKN#womeninbusiness #CRE #commercialrealestate #businesspodcast #realestatepodcast #commercialbroker #entrepreneur #CCIM #HarbourHope