Save the Children Welcomes Board Chair Mary Dillon, Vice Chair Cynthia Jamison, and Six New Trustees

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Feb. 25, 2026)— Global humanitarian organization Save the Children welcomes new Board Chair Mary Dillon, new Vice Chair Cynthia Jamison, and six seasoned leaders to the Board of Trustees. Together, they bring decades of cross-sector experience that will help advance the organization’s mission to ensure every child has the chance to thrive.

“Our Board is entering an exciting new chapter. As long‑serving and deeply engaged trustees, Mary and Cynthia bring exceptional strategic insight to our work for children – and we’re delighted they are now stepping into the roles of Board Chair and Vice Chair. Combined with the fresh perspectives and expertise of our new trustees, including returning board members whose continued service reflects their deep commitment to our mission, we are bolstering our organization’s resilience at a moment when children need us most,” Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children US, said. “At the same time, we’re deeply grateful for the steadfast leadership that Brad Irwin, as former Board Chair, and Debra Fine, as former Vice Chair, have provided over the years. Under their leadership, we have delivered tangible, lasting impact.”

“It’s an honor to step into this role and reinforce my decade-long support for an organization that, for more than a century, has worked to ensure children in the U.S. and around the world have a healthier start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. As a mother and grandmother, this mission is profoundly personal to me, and I am inspired every day by the dedication and impact of this extraordinary team,” Mary Dillon, incoming Board Chair of Save the Children US, added. “I’m proud to welcome our new Trustees, and I’m confident that together – through our shared dedication and belief in the power of Save the Children’s mission – we'll continue driving meaningful results for kids, families, and entire communities worldwide.”

Mary Dillon 
Mary N. Dillon is the former President, CEO and Board Director of Foot Locker, Inc. With over four decades of experience in consumer marketing and operations, she is known for fostering inclusive work cultures that value and respect ideas from all levels. At Foot Locker, Inc., Mary spearheaded the Lace Up Plan in 2023 with the vision to amplify sneaker culture, strengthen the real estate portfolio, deepen customer loyalty, and become a best-in-class omnichannel retailer. Previously, she was CEO and board member at Ulta Beauty for eight years. She has also served as President and CEO of US Cellular, Global CMO at McDonald’s Corporation, and President of Quaker Foods at PepsiCo.  Mary has been a Save the Children trustee since 2025 and serves on the Board of Directors at KKR & Co. Inc. and previously served on the Board of Directors at Starbucks Corporation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and Asian studies from the University of Illinois in Chicago.  

Cynthia Jamison 
Cynthia Jamison is the Chairman of Darden Restaurants and serves as Audit Committee Chair and board member of International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF). Previously, she spent more than two decades on the Board of Tractor Supply Company, including as Chairman after leading key governance, audit and compensation committees. Earlier in her career, Cynthia built a reputation as a “crisis CFO,” serving in senior financial and operating roles across multiple public and private companies and later becoming Managing Partner at Tatum, LLP. She has held executive positions at Arthur Andersen, Kraft General Foods, Hewitt Associates, Allied Domecq and Chart House Enterprises, and is an NACD Board Leadership Fellow and former FASAC member. Cynthia joined the Save the Children US Board in 2024 and serves on the Executive and Finance Committees and as Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee.

Aaron Thompson 
Aaron Thompson is President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, where he leads statewide efforts to expand equitable access to higher education for all Kentuckians. He previously served as interim president of Kentucky State University and held executive and academic roles at Eastern Kentucky University. A nationally recognized speaker and scholar on diversity, cultural competence and student success, Aaron has authored and coauthored numerous books and peer-reviewed publications. Among many recognitions of his work, he was named the most outstanding State Higher Education Executive Officer by SHEEO and received the James Bryant Conant Leadership Award from the Education Commission of the States. A first‑generation college student, he holds both a master’s degree and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Kentucky.

Catherine Oppenheimer 
Catherine Oppenheimer is a nationally recognized arts education and nonprofit leader known for founding and developing transformative cultural institutions in New Mexico.  She cofounded the National Dance Institute of New Mexico, where she served as Artistic and Executive Director, and the New Mexico School for the Arts, the state’s first chartered residential high school for the performing and visual arts.  Earlier in her career, she danced with the New York City Ballet and the Twyla Tharp Dance Company. Her work has garnered numerous national honors, and she is a returning Save the Children US trustee as well as an advisor to several nonprofit organizations.

Chris Hodgson 
Chris Hodgson is Principal and Director at Cornerstone Government Affairs, bringing extensive expertise in the legislative process and deep relationships across Congress and the executive branch. Previously, he served as Director of Legislative Affairs to Vice President Mike Pence, acting as the primary liaison to Congress and helping advance key legislative priorities.  Chris also held senior roles in the Office of Majority Whip Steve Scalise and supported major legislation including healthcare reform, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and 21st Century Cures. He began his career on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant for Rep. Steve Scalise, then Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, where he handled a broad portfolio of policy issues. A native Washingtonian, he earned a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia.

Judee Ann Williams 
Judee Ann Williams is the Global Head of Strategic Initiatives – CAA Sports at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and the co-founder of CAA Social Impact, the agency’s consulting team advising major brands and organizations on philanthropy and social strategy. An almost 24‑year CAA veteran and former head of the CAA Foundation, she has overseen high‑profile philanthropic partnerships with companies and talent, including efforts alongside former NFL star J.J. Watt that raised nearly $42 million for Hurricane Harvey relief. She has consulted with leading brands including Google, Walmart, McDonald’s, KPMG, Cartier, and the Alzheimer’s Association. She has been named to Worth Magazine’s 2024 Worthy 100 List, Variety’s 2019 Power of Women New York Impact List, Glamour Magazine’s 35 under 35, Women to Watch in Entertainment, and a Champion for Children in 2019 by Boys & Girls Club of America. A returning board member, Judee Ann served as a Save the Children US Trustee from 2018 to 2025.

M. Lyndon Haviland 
M. Lyndon Haviland is an international public health consultant with more than three decades of experience advancing global health and equity. As founder of Lyndon Haviland & Co. LLC, she has partnered with United Nations agencies, international NGOs and former Heads of State to lead major global health initiatives, including driving the UN Secretary‑General’s Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health, which united all member states and mobilized over $40 billion to help save over 16 million lives. Her work has been featured by leading media outlets, and she serves on several public health boards, including the American Public Health Association and as Chair of the City University of New York’s School of Public Health Foundation.  She holds a master's degree and a doctorate in public health from Columbia University and completed leadership training at Harvard Business School.  

Raj Kumar 
Raj Kumar is the founding President and Editor‑in‑Chief of Devex, the global media platform for aid workers and development professionals that he launched in 2000 while at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Devex has since grown to serve more than one million people worldwide. A social entrepreneur and author, he has held senior roles in media and political strategy, interviewed global leaders and regularly moderates high-profile panels and podcasts. His book, The Business of Changing the World, was named the World Economic Forum’s Book of the Month and featured by outlets including Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, NPR, PBS and Vox. A returning board member, Raj previously served as a Save the Children US trustee from 2019 to 2025. He has also served on the Council on Foreign Relations, Clinton Global Initiative and the World Economic Forum.

For more than 100 years, Save the Children has been working so that children around the world have a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm.  Our Board of Trustees is a committed group of 30 remarkable individuals supporting this mission.  

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