About Us

Debra Rush is the Founder and CEO of Breaking the Chains. Her insight and experience into this daunting industry are the driving force behind Breaking the Chains’ founding. Debra, too, is a survivor of human trafficking, lured out and violently trafficked in 1999 for several months. Following her daring escape she was taken to a confidential location, which isolated her from the region where she had been victimized. Unfortunately, at that time, no avenues or efforts were in place to expose human trafficking, and there were limited resources available to help her cope with the specific trauma she had endured. In 2008, after years of guilt and shame, she found the courage and strength to begin her healing journey. This spurred her quest to help individuals trapped in human trafficking and who may believe there is no way out. Debra, who holds degrees in Human Services and in Business, works closely with the Fresno Police Department’s Trafficking Task Force. She is an alcohol and drug counselor and a Certified Trauma Professional. Debra has gained notoriety as a passionate community leader, a proud alumnus of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fresno Class XXXIII (33). She humbly holds the 2018 title of California State Assembly Woman of the Year and has just become a published author. Although she has accomplished much since her transformation, Debra’s most cherished achievement is being the proud wife of Mark Rush and the doting mother of seven beautiful children and one incredible grandchild.

Tiffany Apodaca is the Co-Founder and Chief Operational Officer for Breaking the Chains. Tiffany uses her 20 years of management to oversee the business operations at Breaking the Chains. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, from Grand Canyon University. She sits on a few boards and committees to assist other Non-profits in the Central Valley. She is in the Leadership Fresno Class of 37. Her passion stems from the subjection to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that she experienced as a child – abuse that started at the young age of four and continued into her late teens. Her perseverance to overcome these issues gave her the passion to want to be a leader that leads by example while helping others see their potential. Tiffany is married to Tony Apodaca, they have 6 daughters and lots of grandchildren. She enjoys spending as much time as possible with family by feeding them and creating memories.