New York, N.Y. Fifteen years ago, I began a journey of unknown destination. Last week, we celebrated that journey — and the many people who have journeyed with us. Many destinations — Haiti, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Cuba – have become apparent over the years, as has our focus on the arts, education and orphan care.

Eugenie Carys de Silva, Seal-Bin Han, Dr. Kazuko Tatsumura Hillyer, the
author, and Kevin McGovern. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.

the author, and Dr. Ralph DePalo. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.

Vishu Grover of Legacy High School. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
I started my career as a journalist, and I have always believed that perhaps the most crucial element in solving a problem is making people aware of it. Although the subject of human trafficking is not a happy one, the knowledge that there are dedicated students (and talented writers) like you seeking to raise the level of societal understanding of this issue keeps me motivated. I am very pleased to see that the J. Luce Foundation has recognized your work as exemplifying their mission of honoring young leaders working to better humanity.
Finding work that you believe in is deeply important, and I encourage you to continue along the path that you have found. Human Trafficking – like prison reform, teen suicide, and other troubling issues that you have highlighted – is something that people too often want to sweep under the rug. As you continue with your studies and your career, I hope you continue asking difficult questions, rejecting easy answers, and using your gifts in reporting to bring out the truth.
I extend my heartiest congratulations to you as well as to the other honorees: Eugenie Carys de Silva, Jamil Patacon Fuller, and Seal-Bin Han. I am sure that our world will benefit from all of your work.
We have begun a scholarship program known as J. Luce Scholars to provide financial awards to undergraduate and graduate students for academic and/or living expenses in the U.S. Our 2014 Awardee was Jamil Patacon Fuller and our 2015 Awardees are Yu “Jeff” Guan and Jeremy Leung.

and four-year old Dylan. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
As a city that remains committed to improving the lives of young people and building a brighter future for them, New York applauds organizations like the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation and Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) for their mission to foster young leadership and provide better opportunities for children in need around the world.
By increasing access to education and arts programs and other social services, the J. Luce Foundation and OIWW have demonstrated tremendous generosity and empowered new generations to make a difference in the lives of youth.
I applaud tonight’s Luce Leaders for all that you have done to strengthen our global community and look forward to the ways your outreach will meet the challenges of the future. On behalf of the City of New York, congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees.
One of our foundation’s Global Advisers, NYU’s Ralph DePalo, Ph.D., also Director of Archcare Senior Life PACE Program and a Scientific Adviser with the Global Stress Initiative, said in his remarks, “The J. Luce foundation is a wonderful venue for young adult global leaders to spark their cognitive curiosity, creativity, and ‘caringness’ in bettering the human condition.”
Orphans International Worldwide and our foundation have a long history of acknowledging the efforts of individuals who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of humanity. These Humanitarians are exemplified by those who believe, like this year’s Foundation Honoree Mitzi Perdue, “Success is not measured by what you can get, but by what you can give.”

delivering his second keynote address as Humanitarian Meera Gandhi looks on.
Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
This year we awarded four spectacular individuals who are outstanding in their serve to the global community. These were:
Meera Teresa Gandhi of The Giving Back Foundation
Founder and C.E.O. of The Giving Back Foundation, geared towards alleviating illness, poverty and suffering while also addressing education issues which affect women and children around the world, Meera devotes her life to charity and help for those in need, notably abused and hungry children, widows, the sick, the deaf and blind. Meera received an M.B.A. from Boston University School of Management and then completed the Executive Education Program at Harvard Business School.

Awardee Meera Gandhi. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
Dr. Kazuko Tatsumura Hillyer, GAIA Holistic
Kazuko Tatsumura Hillyer was born into a distinguished old family of silk in Kyoto, Japan, Dr. Kazuko’s tireless life long work in philanthropy is vast and well known, ranging from Save the Beacon Theater to Save the Boat People. She has been a dedicated Board Member of Orphans International Worldwide for many years. Her dedicated work for Tibetan children remains very strong and she raised funds for the new academic building at Manjushree Orphanage in Tawang, India.

the author. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
Kevin McGovern, The Water Initiative
Kevin, Chairman of The Water Initiative, has founded over 15 companies — seven of which have become world/category leaders — has been lead negotiator/principal in over 25 global joint ventures and serves as Chairman of McGovern Capital, an investment, strategy and licensing provider to global businesses. He was a founder of SoBe Beverages, the fastest growing beverage company ever in the U.S. (sold to Pepsi). McGovern Capital was one of three owners of KX Industries, L.P., the largest manufacturer of carbon air and water purification filters, having invented and supplied PUR to P&G, first end-of-tap filter to Brita, and the first refrigerator water filter to Electrolux.

Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
Hon. Mitzi Perdue
Mitzi Perdue is the widow of the late Frank Perdue. Her biography, Tough Man, Tender Chicken: Business & Life Lessons from Frank Perdue, was published in 2014. She writes a philanthropy column where each week she profiles a local charity, letting the community know about the needs the charity is addressing. Her dream is to do this on a national scale. She has written more than 1600 articles and was also a nationally syndicated TV hostess and producer, having produced more than 400 half hour shows. She served as a U.S. Delegate to the U.N. Conference on Women in Nairobi and she was a Commissioner on the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.
2016 Humanitarian nominees have also begun to be accepted and include philanthropists Steve Killelea, Karolína Kurková, Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen (“Coco”), and Avis Richards.

Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
Loraine Cancro, MSW, Executive Director of Global Stress Initiative and Global Adviser to our foundation, stated:
The J. Luce Foundation is committed to providing strong role models and mentors to inspire Young Global Leaders who show outstanding leadership skills. With the proper nurturing they will become tomorrow’s thought leaders and game changers. This year’s veteran leaders and humanitarians included Mitzi Perdue, Kevin McGovern, Meera Gandhi, Rita Cosby, and Dr. Kazuko Hillyer.

Baghdad, Iraq. Photo courtesy of the Battery Dance Company.

Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.

Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.

Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
Finally, with an emphasis on supporting the arts, we named our Poet Laureate this year, Manav Sachdeva Maasoom. He was born in Punjab, India and has worked with the United Nations and other international organizations in over forty countries.
Our Executive Committee, known as the ‘Exec Team,’ is a task-oriented global group that has met once a week in New York City art galleries, including Asymmetrik Gallery and Gallery RIVAA, since 2011. Senior Members include Ashwani Agrawal (India), Abhinav Chintakunta (India), Meera Kajendrakumar (Sri Lanka), Mathew Luce (Indonesia), Ekua Musumba (Kenya), April Lauer Stone (U.S.), and Joey Vaughan (U.S.). Yu “Jeff” Guan (China) serves as Senior Team Leader. Junior Members include Thanh “Ethan” Dang (Vietnam) and Haseeb Hassan (Pakistan/U.K.). The group is led by Team Director Jeremy Hu (Taiwan).
Any institution needs to make plans for succession. I announced ours at the reception, strikingly simple: upon my retirement, our Luce Leaders will become our Trustees, and our Executive Committee graduates will begin directing, raising funds, and spending interest from our Endowment to continue our Mission in perpetuity. I trust the legacy of my life to these young leaders.

Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.

Hon. Luis Javier Baró of Cuba. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
We welcomed Permanent Representatives and diplomats to the United Nations and esteemed Consul Generals from around the world including H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona of Sri Lanka, H.E. Luis Javier Baró of Cuba, H.E. Nguyen Phuong Nga of Vietnam, and H.E. Mary Morgan of Panama.
Many of the Foundation’s Global Advisers participated in the reception including Cynthia Artin, Evens Anozine, Jaya Dargan, Susie de Rafelo, Dr. Danielle Duret, Sunil Herath, Jitin Hingorani, Jan Anders Ivarsson, Jill Pollans, Lorraine Cancro Silvetz, and Vlada von Shats.
No event is complete without proclamations and letters of support. Ours included U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Mayor Bill de Blasio (New York City), Matt Lauer (NBC Today Show), Ted Kennedy, Jr. (Attorney), Ambassador Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona (Sri Lanka), and Brian Moynihan (CEO, Bank of America). These may be seen in the on-line program.
Ted Kennedy, Jr. supported the event. He stated:
I am familiar with and very proud of the achievements of the founder of Orphans International Worldwide and the J. Luce Foundation. My good friend, Bill Bauer has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the J. Luce Foundation, I’m sure he will be a valuable addition to your group.
Global leadership impacts positive social change, which this foundation endeavors to support. The Luce and Dudley families have had a long and historical commitment to youth, education, and social improvement in the United States and around the globe. You and your organization offer grants, awards, and publications all for the betterment of humanity.
It is my pleasure and honor to congratulate you for a combined twenty year anniversary for both of the organizations you founded. The J. Luce Foundation for young global leadership helps to support young global leaders impacting positive social change.
The evening ended with the launch of an on-line auction hosted by the premier non-profit auction house, Charitybuzz. This on-line auction, coordinated by our Global Adviser Sara Herbert Galloway, ends March 17. It features many experiences connected to our organizations, such as lunch with the Hon. Mitzi Perdue, an exclusive Battery Dance Company salon showing, New York Indian Film Festival Opening Night, and a WCBS experience. Bid now here.

Humanitarian Awardee Meera Gandhi. Photo: Annie Watt/Stewardship Report.
Orphans International and the Foundation have raised $1.52 million over the last fifteen years, including having received generous proceeds from five estates. Children have graduated from OIWW homes and gone on to university. Young global Luce Leaders have gone on to Harvard, Yale, and N.Y.U. The Foundation has funded numerous organizations in the U.S. and abroad, often year after year. The Foundation’s Stewardship Report has highlighted over 1,500 organizations and individuals uplifting humanity. Through all of this, we continue to hold our administrative costs below 10%, creating an astonishing return on investment.

Photo: Ashwani Agrawal/Stewardship Report.
Originally published in The Huffington Post, March 5, 2015.
The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation & Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW)
540 Main Street #418, New York, N.Y. 10044 USA | info@lucefoundation.org
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The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) supporting young global leadership is affiliated with Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW), raising global citizens. If supporting youth is important to you, subscribe to J. Luce Foundation updates here.
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