100STRONG

PAST EVENTS & PROGRAM VISITS

December 2024 – Year-End Toast to 100 Strong. Our annual end of year gathering, led by our Co-Chairs, Anya and Corinne. The evening began with a heartfelt toast and thoughtful acknowledgments from Janti. We reflected on the successes, events, and trips of 2024, celebrated personal highlights shared by members, and explored exciting plans and ideas for 2025.

November 2024 – A 100 Strong dinner in Washington, DC following the Save the Children Action Network 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Capitol. This intimate gathering brought together 100 Strong leaders, members, and friends, Save the Children Trustees including along Board Chair Brad Irwin, CEO Janti Soeripto, and SCAN Executive Director Christy Gleason.

October 2024 – An election-focused discussion for Save the Children’s leadership groups—including the members of 100 Strong, the Save the Children Board, the SCAN Board, and the Board Alumni Network. Led by SCAN Executive Director Christy Gleason, alongside political analysts Jonathan Kott and Lori Weigel, and featuring Mark Shriver, with opening remarks by 100 Strong member Dawn Sweeney.

September 2024 – Program Visit to Eastern Kentucky. Members of 100 Strong visited Save the Children’s programs, including those focused in early childhood development and school-age education, and a special parenting program to support positive parent-child connections at a local jail.

August 2024 - Intimate Virtual Discussion with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Author, and NY Times Columnist Nicholas Kristof about his new memoir, Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life, featuring 100 Strong member and Save the Children Trustee Jennifer Garner.

June 2024 – Uplifting Children in Rural America – An enlightening conversation about Save the Children's initiatives for children in the United States. Moderated by Trustee and 100 Strong member, Sam Vinograd, and featuring Actor and Save the Children Ambassador Cobie Smulders, Vice President for US Programs Betsy Zorio, South Carolina State Director Sharonda Burison-Harris, and Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) State Manager Hafeezah Yates.

March 2024 – Women on a Mission: 100 Strong US and UK Visit to Sierra Leone - A discussion led by the six members who participated in February 2024 visit to Sierra Leone, with a focus on the Ending Child Marriage project. Members shared photos, personal reflections, and stories from their inspiring trip.

February 2024 – Program visit to Sierra Leone - Six members of 100 Strong, four from the US and two from the UK, visited to Sierra Leone to see, first-hand, the impact of the 100 Strong-inspired Ending Child Marriage project and other programs. Traveling across the country, from the capital of Freetown to rural Kailahun district, they met with Girl Champions, Paramount Chiefs, community leaders, students, teachers, parents, and health workers. Their week-long experience concluded with private meetings with the nation’s First Lady, ministries, and members of Sierra Leone Parliament who are pushing for an end to early marriage and for more hopeful futures for girls.. 

January 2024 – State of the Agency - A discussion with Janti Soeripto, President & CEO of Save the Children, and Silvia Paruzzolo, Managing Director, of Evidence for Impact, Save the Children. Janti reflected on 2023 and shared the agency’s outlook and priorities for 2024. She also reflected on her recent experience in Israel, the West Bank, Egypt, and the Gaza border. Silvia spoke about Evidence for Impact and how Save the Children measures and continually strives to improve program outcomes for children.

September 2023 – The 100 Strong Fall Assembly - The 100 Strong gathering, on September 26, included a panel discussion, cocktail reception, and dinner. Panel speakers were Judy Smith, Founder & CEO, Smith & Co., Crisis Management Expert, Inspiration for Hit TV Series Scandal, Samantha Vinograd, Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and LTG (Ret) Nadja West,  Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, shared their experiences and offer reflections on leadership after leading their teams, countries, and the world through high-profile challenges. 

August 2023 - A Discussion with Isha Sesay, Award-Winning Journalist and author, on her book Beneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram.

May 2023 – Early Childhood Marriage in Sierra Leone Intimate Discussion - Virtual update and discussion on the 100 Strong-inspired Ending Child Marriage (ECM) project in Sierra Leone, with Girl Champions Aminata, Finda, Mariama, and Tewa who are leading the fight in their communities and beyond. 

March 2023 – A discussion with Ambassador Cindy McCain, US Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome and incoming Executive Director of the UN World Food Program, about strategies for tackling global hunger and food insecurity. Led by Raj Kumar, author and President & Editor-in-Chief of Devex.

November 2022 – A discussion on the 1 year anniversary of the Ending Childhood Marriage in Sierra Leone project.  Honorable P.C. Bal Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III and Honorable Catherine Tarawally.

September 2022 – The 100 Strong Fall Assembly - 100 Strong members and friends came together on September 21st for the first-ever 100 Strong Assembly, at 6 East 80th Street, an extraordinary residence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side managed by the Frederick R. Koch Foundation. The event began with a panel discussion on “Pathways to Philanthropy” with featured speakers Dr. Georgette Bennett, Founder of Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees, and Navyn Salem, Founder of Edesia Nutrition. Guests also enjoyed the chance to socialize over cocktails and connect during a special dinner hosted by Co-Founder Peg McGetrick.

August 2022 – A Discussion with Steve Roberts on his new book Cokie: A life well lived - Legendary journalist Cokie Roberts was a Founding Member 100 Strong, a longtime Trustee, and a beloved member of the Save the Children family. Steve and Cokie were married for 53 years.

August 2022 – Ukraine, an insider update on the agency’s response for kids and families impacted by war – those still inside the country and those who have fled to neighboring nations. Featuring Janti Soeripto, Save the Children U.S. CEO, Gabriela Alexandrescu, Save the Children Romania CEO, and Sonia Khush, Ukraine Country Director.

May 2022 – Making Progress For Girls In Sierra Leone – Update and interactive conversation about the first eight months of the groundbreaking 100 Strong-inspired Ending Child Marriage pilot in Sierra Leone, with Save the Children program staff and two local leaders, Kailahun District Council Chairman Sahr A.K. Lamin and Paramount Chief Emmanuel Ganawa of Kissy Teng chiefdom.

March 2022 – Discussion with humanitarian experts Gabriella Waaijman and Yolande Wright about the global hunger crisis, and how conflict around the world threatens to push millions more children to the brink of starvation.

October 2021 – Fireside chat with NYT bestselling author Kimberly Williams Paisley and Grammy  Award winning country music artist Brad Paisley about fighting hunger, and how, together, we can ensure that kids in rural America have access to nutritious food.

September 2021 – Discussion With Pulitzer Prize-Winning Authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn About Their Latest Book Tightrope: Americans Reaching For Hope.

November 2020 – Discussion with Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone , about the global movement for girls’ empowerment – how, together, citizens, governments and NGOs are working to end child marriage and gender-based violence, and to keep girls safe and learning during the pandemic and beyond.

May 2020 – Discussion with Esther Duflo, Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 2019 Nobel Laureate in Economics, on economic development and the alleviation of poverty.