Nicole G. Epps takes on leadership role to continue global policy work along with focus on innovative, culturally competent grass-roots programs for child sexual abuse prevention
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 17, 2020 / World Childhood Foundation USA ("Childhood USA") today announced that Nicole G. Epps has been named as Executive Director, effective January 1, 2021. In this new role, Epps will succeed current Childhood USA President and CEO, Dr. Joanna Rubinstein who is stepping down at the end of this year. Epps has been working as Childhood's Managing Director of Programs and Policy since 2015 toward the organization's mission to end sexual abuse, exploitation, and violence against children.
An industry champion for the protection of children, before joining Childhood USA, Epps had been a non-profit leader in the anti-trafficking and street affected, vulnerable youth population, both domestically and internationally. Epps previously held industry leadership roles as Associate Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Morris and Sussex Counties in New Jersey, and with Safe Horizon, the largest victim services organization in New York. Epps also led the U.S. office of the anti-trafficking organization, Apne Aap.
"It is an honor to become Executive Director of Childhood USA. During my five years at Childhood, and under Joanna's leadership, we have moved from a small grant-making foundation to a global thought leader, including through support for two pioneering global initiatives: the Economist Intelligence Unit Index on response to child sexual abuse and the UN Broadband Commission's report with actionable recommendations on Child Online Safety. I look forward to continuing Childhood USA's high-level global policy work, while engaging in direct impact on the ground with a focus on developing innovative, culturally competent, grass-roots programs," said Epps.
Nicole G. Epps named Executive Director of Childhood USA, effective January 1, 2021
"Now more than ever, the work of Childhood USA is needed with the continued inequities in the USA and the added stressor of the COVID-19 pandemic," added Epps. "Our children are even more vulnerable to their abusers in both real life and the digital space. We have both a responsibility and obligation to ensure that our most vulnerable children have access to evidence-based resources and tools that can keep them safe and this will continue to be a priority at Childhood, as the pandemic continues."
Dr. Rubinstein expressed her support for the transition, stating, "I am extremely pleased and proud of Nicole as she takes on this new role as Executive Director of Childhood USA. Working together with Nicole over the past five years has been an amazing journey. Coming from different professional backgrounds, age groups and cultures, and benefiting from Nicole's experience working on the ground in the U.S. and internationally, allowed us to develop impactful programs and mobilize resources in support of Childhood's work to prevent abuse and exploitation of children," said Dr. Rubinstein.
Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, the founder of Childhood, said, "Let me congratulate the Childhood USA Board of Directors for appointing Nicole as the next Executive Director. Nicole is a valued member of the larger Childhood family, with her broad experience having worked directly with anti-trafficking programs. I wish her all the best in her new role and look forward to continued strong collaboration among Childhood's four offices in Sweden, Germany, U.S. and Brazil."
Lauren Aste, Childhood USA Board Chair, added, "Nicole is a talented, hardworking, empathetic and experienced leader with a strong track record of success at Childhood. The Childhood USA Board looks forward to supporting Nicole in her new role as she continues to drive impact through Childhood's work. We also thank Joanna for her many years of leadership at Childhood, she has had a tremendous impact, including through her strong advocacy for children as part of the global agenda."
Speaking about her plans for the future of Childhood USA, Epps stated, "As we move ahead, I plan to ensure that Childhood USA continues to support innovative and replicable work serving diverse communities, including the LGBTQ community, communities of color, and children with disabilities, among others, as well as expanding our youth participation."
In addition to her leadership roles with Childhood USA, and in recognition of her national work, earlier this month Epps was elected as the next Vice President and Policy Co-Chair of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. She was also appointed to the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and chairs the Community Outreach and Engagement committee. Epps is a member of APSAC's Public Policy Committee, as well as RAINN's National Leadership Council, among other key industry leadership and advisory roles. Epps is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her B.A. in Political Science and International Relations. She received her MBA in Management and Marketing from the University of Georgia, Terry School of Business. She studied International Law, Economics and Organization at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She is pursuing her MSW at Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Due to COVID-19, Childhood USA's annual ThankYou Gala and main fundraising event will be held virtually on Thursday, November 19. For more information, please visit: https://www.childhood-usa.org/.
About World Childhood Foundation USA
World Childhood Foundation envisions a world where all children are free from violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation. Founded in 1999 by H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden, World Childhood Foundation is investing in the development of solutions to prevent and address child sexual abuse and exploitation. World Childhood Foundation, a UN accredited NGO, directly supports >100 projects globally and raises awareness about our cause. World Childhood Foundation's work is aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 - ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children by 2030. For more information, please visit: www.childhood-usa.org.
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SOURCE: World Childhood Foundation USA
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