Today we’d like to introduce you to David Reid
Hi David , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I co-founded redM in a2ndCup coffee shop with 50 strangers who became friends, because I saw a growing issue—human trafficking—that too many people either misunderstood or ignored. I didn’t want to approach it the way many organizations did, with fear-based messaging that often left people feeling powerless. Instead, I wanted to build awareness in a way that inspired action, helping people see that they could be part of the solution.
Coming from my role at NOV, I had a global platform and a network of industry professionals who could help spread this message. I started introducing the topic in corporate and industry settings, particularly in spaces where trafficking risks are high, like large Internationalevents, transportation and hospitality. I wanted to make this a conversation that didn’t rely on shocking people but moved them to identify themselves as a part of the solution and to do something about it.. Thousands of individuals all doing a little, but changing the world.
redM grew because of volunteers—people who believed, like I did, that small steps could create real change. Through social media, events, and community involvement, we built a movement focused on education and advocacy. The goal was always to give people practical ways to recognize trafficking and take meaningful action.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting redM wasn’t easy. One of the biggest struggles I faced was getting people to pay attention to human trafficking without overwhelming them. Many either didn’t believe it was happening around them or felt powerless to do anything about it. I had to find a way to talk about such a dark issue without losing people to fear or apathy.
Another challenge was balancing my role at NOV with building redM. I was already leading in a demanding industry, and launching a volunteer-driven movement meant working outside of normal hours, bringing in the right people, and keeping the momentum going even when progress felt slow.
Funding and resources were also hurdles. Because we didn’t want to rely on shock tactics, getting support required deeper conversations. It wasn’t just about raising money—it was about changing mindsets. Convincing people that awareness alone could be a powerful tool took time.
And then there was the personal toll. Learning more about trafficking and hearing survivors’ stories was heavy. It made the work urgent, but it also meant constantly managing the emotional weight of the issue and managing my own health well.
Despite the struggles, the impact has made it all worthwhile. Seeing people engage, take action, and change how they view the world has kept me going. redM isn’t just an organization—it’s a movement, and every person who joins strengthens it.
What has surprised and energized me the most is witnessing real change—seeing children’s lives, even those of people I know, take a different path simply because someone recognized the signs of grooming. The support of private investigators and recovery services has made a tangible difference, helping those who might have otherwise slipped through the cracks. When you educate a room, nine times out of ten, someone comes up afterward—or even weeks later—and says, I think you’re describing my child. It’s a powerful, emotional moment that reinforces why this work matters. Preventing trafficking before it happens is the ultimate goal, but knowing there’s a system in place to step in when it does occur is deeply moving and a constant motivation to keep going.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Ultimately I am an artist – who if not helped by passionate and wonderfully unsatisfied friends with who we think we are who ask me hard questions, I became more than an isolated introvert reporting life from the outside on canvases or in song or word, but ended deep in the beautiful and ugly mess of humans forming hope, possibility and change – because I am in a personal process of change that makes me believe we all can change and discover a better us that comes from a seed and produces a tree with amazing fruit for the world.
I’ve spent my career in the energy industry, currently serving as an executive at NOV, where I focus on the creative voice and vision expressed in innovation, strategy, and technology. My work involves shaping the future of the industry by driving new ideas and creating solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
In my private life I am patient zero of an almost mental disorderthat believes we can take on the second largest $300bn plus crime business of Human Traffickinb. I co-founded redM, a counter intuitive no-cost, no-staff, no-facilities volunteer-driven movement focused on raising awareness about human trafficking. We approach this issue differently than most—we avoid fear-based messaging and instead focus on education and practical ways people can recognize and prevent trafficking in their own communities.
What I’m most proud of is seeing real change happen, whether it’s in my own life, in industry, or in society. The times with my family, becoming as functional as we can, the happening of technology and innovation driving progress, or the lives of people who have been impacted by redM as volunteers who find community and children who will not experience extreme trauma. One of the most powerful moments is when someone tells a story of hope and change, its easy to focus on the negative but stories that inspire different perspectives are a big deal for me.
What sets me apart is my ability to bring people together—whether it’s industry leaders, communities, or individuals who want to make a difference. I believe the most effective solutions come from collaboration, and I’ve dedicated my career to connecting ideas, people, and opportunities to create lasting impact.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I see risk as an essential part of progress. Whether in business, technology, or advocacy, growth doesn’t happen without stepping into the unknown. But I also believe risk-taking isn’t about recklessness—it’s about making informed, intentional choices that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
In my career at NOV, I’ve taken risks by championing new technologies and approaches in an industry that can be slow to change. Innovation always carries risk, but the real danger lies in standing still. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was pushing for ideas that challenged conventional thinking—sometimes before the industry was ready. But I’ve found that if you can clearly articulate the why behind the risk, you can bring people with you. Seeding ideas and growing support takes patience, that may be the hardest for someone who sees opportunity everywhere, and sometimes it is right. I love how my boss, and the CEO of NOV tells me, you have lots of terrible ideas, and then some great ones. I need those voices, that value me and know my human flaws.
With redM, the risk was different. Entering the fight against human trafficking meant stepping into an issue that is dark, complex, and often met with resistance. People don’t want to know about the problem because they believe it doesn’t relate to them. We took a different approach, choosing not to rely on fear but instead to engage people in a way that empowers them. It was a risk because it went against traditional advocacy methods, but it worked—people responded, got involved, and started seeing how they could make a difference.
For me, risk is always about purpose. If the reason behind the risk is strong enough, it’s worth taking. I don’t take risks for the sake of it, but I also don’t let fear of failure keep me from moving forward. The key is to surround yourself with great people, stay grounded in your mission, and be willing to adapt along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joinredm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redmjointhemovement?igsh=MnZuN2xldm1jOWE5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/168pCotET7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redmovement/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@joinredm5988?si=l8Lt9Odah0Mz5JV3
