FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Thursday, October 19, 2023]
Kids Around The World Names Jeff Rosene as New President/CEO
[Rockford, IL] – Kids Around The World, a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing hope and transformation to the lives of children and communities through Food, Play, and Story, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jeff Rosene as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Jeff, who grew up in Rockford, IL, where Kids Around the World is headquartered, assumes this role at a pivotal time. The organization has been growing rapidly and is poised for continued expansion driven by ambitious goals and strong and flourishing partnerships and global need. Kids Around The World’s mission is centered on creating environments where kids will experience hope through the provision of a nutritious daily meal, a safe place to play on a community playground, and weekly StoryClubs for spiritual development. Under his visionary leadership, Kids Around The World is well positioned to increase its reach to impact thousands more children and their communities around the world.
“The process the Board took in evaluating the next President/CEO was thoughtful and comprehensive. We are confident that Jeff’s passion for reaching kids, humble dependence on the Lord’s direction, and growth-oriented leadership will make him a very strong President. We have an incredible foundation and are excited for Jeff to lead the organization into the future and accelerate our efforts to bring hope to even more kids,” shared Tonya Meister, chairman of the board of directors.
Jeff officially stepped into his new role on October 1, 2023, but his desire for making a global impact in the lives of children had been ignited long before. He embarked on his first mission trip, with Kids Around the World, at the transformative age of 14, venturing to Ukraine with a team to build a playground for a local community. That experience planted a seed in him that 10 years later would take root as he joined the ranks of the ministry as a full-time staff member. For the past 17 years, serving as a key member of the Kids Around The World team, he has played an instrumental role in growth and has witnessed the blessings of over 1,200 installed playgrounds in 86 different countries, distribution of over 67 million essential, nourishing meals to those most in need, and the training of over 35 thousand children’s leaders. Kids Around the World is now working directly in more than 60 communities across the globe, and tens of thousands more children and families are experiencing hope through their Food, Play, Story model. With Jeff’s passionate commitment to the mission, combined with the unwavering dedication of the Kids Around The World team, the ministry is well positioned to greatly expand their impact across the globe.
“Supported with wise counsel from our Board of Directors, covered in prayer by many, and the privilege of serving alongside a dedicated team, my supportive family, and cherished partners, I am excited to embrace this new role. I am so blessed and honored to guide this ministry into an exciting and promising future.” – Jeff Rosene, Kids Around The World, President/CEO