Save the Children Welcomes Five New Board of Trustees Members

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Februrary 28, 2024) — Save the Children, the foremost independent organization advocating for child rights, elected five distinguished individuals to its Board of Trustees today. 

“This highly accomplished group shares an unwavering commitment to advancing the health, education and safety of children in the U.S. and around the world,” said Janti Soeripto, President and CEO of Save the Children. “The diversity of perspectives and expertise among our board members equips us with the necessary tools to develop and deliver the most effective programs for children in close collaboration with our community partners and build our movement of millions to support the mission.”

“Save the Children is resolute in working to ensure kids everywhere survive, learn and are protected,” said Brad Irwin, Board Chair of Save the Children. “We are honored to have these esteemed individuals join us in helping to shape innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges for children.”

Newly elected board members are:

Peter Benjamin
Peter Benjamin's extensive experience in retail spans more than three decades, including 33 years at The TJX Companies, Inc., where he has held senior merchandising and executive-level positions. Peter is president of Marmaxx, a division of the combined TJ Maxx and Marshalls businesses. Marmaxx is the largest off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. and is part of TJX Companies, Inc. With more than $49 billion in revenue and approximately 329,000 associates worldwide at the end of 2022, TJX operates more than 4,800 stores in nine countries on three continents, as well as six e-commerce sites. Before his current role, Peter held the position of EVP, Chief Merchandising Officer of Marmaxx for six years. 

Cynthia Jamison
Cynthia Jamison is the Chairman of BigLots, Inc. and Darden Restaurants. She also serves as a director and chairman of the Audit Committee at ODP Corp and previously sat on the NACD Corporate Directors Institute Board. Cynthia is a frequent keynote speaker on CFO and boardroom topics and has been quoted as a financial and economic expert in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, CFO Magazine, Agenda, Board Member, and the Economist. Before her full-time board service, Cynthia had an executive career as a “crisis CFO.” In that capacity, she served as a partner with Tatum, LLP. She has been the CFO or COO of several publicly and privately held companies.

David A. Jones, Jr.
David A. Jones, Jr. is a leading venture capitalist in mid-America and a respected voice in healthcare business and innovation. He founded Chrysalis Ventures in 1993 after realizing that the absence of resident venture capital in what some call “flyover country” represented an opportunity to partner with promising growth companies in the region. The Louisville, KY-based firm’s recent focus has been on innovation in elder health, education and the essential worker economy.  David also served on the Board of Directors of Humana Inc. from 1993 to April 2023, including as Chair from 2005 to 2010. Earlier in his career he was an international lawyer at the U. S. Department of State and an English teacher in China.  He’s taught as adjunct professor of innovation at Bellarmine University and University of Louisville.

Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda
Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda is a renowned investor, philanthropist, author and advocate for children's rights, particularly focusing on those with disabilities. As a leader in human rights and inclusive urban development, Dr. Pineda has played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of children worldwide. His collaboration with UNICEF has been instrumental in advancing the rights of children with disabilities, highlighted by the landmark publication “It's About Ability,” developed in partnership with the UN agency. This series of tools, translated into over 16 languages, is a testament to Dr. Pineda's commitment to ensuring that children's rights are recognized and upheld globally. As the executive chairman of The Victor Pineda Foundation / World ENABLED, Dr. Pineda has championed numerous initiatives that directly impact children's lives. He has served as a senior advisor to various governments and international organizations including the World Bank, G20/U20, InterAmerican Development Bank, UNICEF and UN-Habitat.

Neela Seenandan
Neela Seenandan is the Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Hanold Associates Executive Search. She leads their Advisory Practice and serves clients across industries. Hanold Associates’ clients roster include the National Football League, The New York Times, Prada, CBS News, Gucci, Blackrock, Major League Baseball, Tom Brady, Under Armor, American Airlines, Moderna, Save the Children US, Tiffany & Co, Apollo, Silver Lake, Patagonia, Zoom and Fanatics. Before launching Hanold Associates, Neela was the SVP of Human Resources for Nielsen’s Consumer Business. Prior to Nielsen, Neela had a progressive career with Aon Corp and McKinsey & Co.

In addition to these new trustees joining Save the Children’s board, former Xerox Chairman and CEO Anne Mulcahey and longtime Save the Children trustee will transition to the role of Chair Emerita.

For more than 100 years, Save the Children has been giving children everywhere a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. Our Board of Trustees is comprised of a committed group of 33 individuals. 

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Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.