This year marked the steepest retreat to foreign assistance in recent memory, and the human cost is staggering. Global needs are growing more complex under the weight of today’s crises, while the aid system—built for a different era—is facing unprecedented disruption. 

Yet, this moment of upheaval may be the catalyst needed for meaningful humanitarian reform. Innovation is no longer optional; it’s the driving force behind resilience, adaptability, and unlocking new pathways to progress. Our speaker says that from reimagining delivery models to forging unconventional partnerships, the future of aid demands transformation the world cannot afford to miss and one that brings glimmers of hope. 

Named to the 2025 Forbes 50 Over 50, Save the Children U.S. President & CEO Janti Soeripto is navigating the funding crisis with a bold philosophy: respond, rebound, reform. In this exclusive Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California discussion, Soeripto joins fellow leaders tackling this urgent question: Where do we go from here, and how do we build something better? 

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, it does whatever it takes—every day and in times of crisis—so children can fulfill their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. With more than 100 years of expertise, it is the world’s first and leading independent children’s organization—transforming lives and our shared future.