Please plan to join us on Thursday, November 19, 2026, for our Annual Gala in New York City. This black tie evening will be held in the presence of HRH Princess Madeleine and we will welcome back Julia Chatterley as our beloved emcee. We hope to see you there!
Humanitarian Honoree

Greg Squire

Dark Web Investigations Expert & Child Safety Advocate

For nearly 20 years, Special Agent Greg Squire has been one of the United States’ foremost undercover investigators in the fight against child sexual exploitation. A veteran agent with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Squire specializes in identifying and pursuing serial child sexual abusers who operate across the dark web and other hidden online networks. His work alongside some of the best investigators in the world has helped transform seemingly impossible cases into successful victim rescues, bringing children to safety from offenders who believed they were beyond the reach of law enforcement.

Squire’s work was featured in the acclaimed BBC documentary The Darkest Web, where he sheds light on the often-unseen psychological toll borne by investigators dedicated to rescuing children and bringing offenders to justice. He has become a vocal advocate for investigator wellness, encouraging agencies to prioritize mental health, resilience, and peer support. Renowned for his persistence, technical expertise, and collaborative approach, Squire remains committed to protecting children, pursuing justice for victims worldwide, and supporting the investigators who undertake this demanding and essential work.

Child Protection Advocate of the Year

Senator Lauren Book

Founder, Lauren’s Kids

Lauren Book is a nationally respected child advocate, Florida State Senator, and founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse and empowering survivors. A survivor herself, Lauren has transformed trauma into tenacious advocacy, successfully driving more than two dozen legislative victories to protect children and support healing.

Determined that no child should suffer in silence, she created the EMMY and Gracie Award-winning Safer, Smarter Schools curriculum, which has educated millions of children worldwide on personal safety from a place of fun—not fear. Each April during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, she walks 1,500 miles across the State of Florida to raise awareness and educate communities. A fearless leader and devoted mom of twins, Lauren fights every day for a safer, smarter world where all children can grow up free from abuse.

Host

Julia Chatterley

Journalist

Julia Chatterley is an Emmy-nominated financial and political journalist, beginning her career at Morgan Stanley before becoming an International correspondent and anchor for CNBC and Bloomberg then joining CNN in New York.

Julia has reported from all over the world. She was instrumental in CNN’s coverage of many major global business stories including the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on businesses, industries and economies around the world. She has also reported on the U.S.-China trade relations, Brexit and from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Julia has interviewed many prominent world and business leaders including the Prime Ministers of Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Australia, Canada, Vietnam and Thailand, Former U.S. climate Envoy John Kerry, the UN Secretary General, the NATO Secretary General, the head of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Richard Branson, former Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Michael Dell, Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, LVMH’s Antoine Arnault, and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi among many others.

Julia has also spoken with celebrities and influencers including Matt Damon, Jaime Oliver, Idris and Sabrina Elba, singer Maluma, Chinese Pianist Lang Lang, DJ Steve Aoki, renowned activist Malala Yousafzai, wellness guru Deepak Chopra, and Indian Masterchef host and author Vikas Khanna.

2026 GALA CO-CHAIRS

Madeleine Ekholm
Joanna Heimbold

2026 GALA COMMITTEE

Sofia Chappuis
Charlotte Heuveldop
Angelina Jolin

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary L. Pulido, PhD

WORLD CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION’S MISSION
To inspire, promote, and develop solutions to end the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Thank you to the 2025 Annual Gala Sponsors

Joanna Heimbold

ericsson logo

Monika Heimbold

The Stenbeck Family

Sofia & Jacques Chappuis
Madeleine & Borje Ekholm
Charlotte & Niklas Heuveldop
Lena Kaplan
Salma Merchant Rahmathulla & Adil Rahmathulla
Reiss Family Foundation
Helenmarie Rodgers

Thank you to the 2025 Gala In-Kind Sponsors

For additional information, please contact [email protected] or call 212-920-7341

TAX ID 16-1559586 World Childhood Foundation, Inc. 
is a qualifying tax-exempt organization in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A copy of the last financial statement filed with the Department of State may be obtained by writing to World Childhood Foundation or to the Department of State, Office of Charities Registration, Albany, NY 12231.