Carissa Phelps is an American attorney, author, and advocate known for her work supporting survivors of human trafficking and homelessness. A graduate of UCLA with both a law and business degree, she gained national attention through her memoir Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time (2012), which recounts her personal journey from surviving exploitation as a runaway youth to becoming a leading voice for reform. Phelps founded the nonprofit organization Runaway Girl, Inc., which provides training and resources to communities addressing human trafficking and youth homelessness.