Caryl M. Stern

Caryl M. Stern joined the Walton Family Foundation as Executive Director after 14 years as President and CEO of UNICEF USA. Previously, Caryl served as Senior Associate National Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Anti-Defamation League, the founding director of its A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, and the Dean of Students at Polytechnic University. A dynamic change-maker, Caryl has dedicated her career to helping others through education, compassion, advocacy and rolling up her sleeves.

Caryl’s professional responsibilities have taken her to more than 30 countries, representing UNICEF USA’s emergency relief efforts for children affected by disasters, including the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the 2011 East Africa drought, the Ebola and Zika epidemics and the ongoing global refugee and migrant crisis.

A sought-after public speaker on the topics of Kids Helping Kids, children and philanthropy, anti-bullying and international development, Caryl was invited to present at the White House’s inaugural summit on The United State of Women and was named one of “25 Women Changing the World in 2017” by People Magazine, “20 Most Influential Moms of 2017” by Family Circle, “25 Moms We Love” by Working Mother Magazine and “Ten Women to Watch” by Jewish Women International.

She serves on the boards of directors of The Container Store and the We Are Family Foundation, in addition to being a member of the Chime for Change Advisory Board. She was selected as a recipient of the Helenka Pantaleoni Humanitarian Award from UNICEF USA in 2020 and named a Moves Power Women honoree in 2020. The recipient of five honorary Doctoral degrees, Caryl earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art, a Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel Administration and completed her PhD coursework in the same field.

Caryl is an activist, author, executive, public speaker, mother of three and grandmother of two.