Who We Are
Protect Us Kids Foundation works to protect children and youth from online exploitation and cyber-enabled harm, with particular focus on communities that are too often overlooked or excluded from digital-safety resources.
We work alongside young people, families, schools, community organizations, public agencies and trusted partners to strengthen awareness, build practical digital-safety skills and connect communities with resources that can help protect children online.
Youth Engagement
We create spaces where young people can learn, lead and participate in digital life with greater confidence, awareness and safety.
School & Community Education
We work with schools and community organizations to make practical digital-safety education accessible to children and youth, including communities with limited access to these resources.
Families & Caregivers
We equip parents, caregivers and trusted adults with the knowledge and tools to recognize online risks, support healthy digital habits and respond when something does not feel right.
Partnerships
We bring together public, private, nonprofit and community partners to extend resources, expertise and support to rural and under-resourced communities around the world.
Board of Directors
Our Board provides governance, oversight and strategic direction across the Foundation’s global mission.
Veda T. Woods
Founder & Chair
Elena Muehlenbeck
VP, Treasurer
Janice Lambert
VP, Board Secretary & CFO Advisor
Julie Crimmins
VP, Global Communications &
Social Engagement
Dr. Michele Cole, Ph.D., LCSW
VP, Health Affairs
Jimish J. Kadakia
VP, Innovation & Technology
Korey Bowlby
VP, Collaboration & Intelligence
Executive Team
Our Executive Team supports the coordination and delivery of PUK’s programs, partnerships and operations.
Edwin Canizalez
Executive Director, Partnerships
Research Leadership
Our Research Leadership helps advance PUK's youth-centered research agenda, connecting emerging risks and evidence with practical approaches that strengthen online child protection, digital safety and community resilience.
Ankita Chatterjee
Lead Researcher
Advisory Council
Our advisors contribute specialized expertise that strengthens our programs, partnerships and ability to respond to evolving risks affecting children and communities.
Danyetta Magana
Cybersecurity Risk & Technology Advisor
Kathryn McKay Turman
Collaboration & Intelligence Advisor
Coach Niki
Mental Health Advisor
Brianna G. Rodriguez, Esq.
Cybersecurity Compliance &
External Affairs Advisor
Mark Sheppard
Law Enforcement Partnerships Advisor
Jessica Puchala
Global Communications Advisor
Michael Fasere
Cloud Security Architecture Advisor
Our work is global, but it begins locally.
Country Representatives and community partners help us understand how online risks, access to resources and protective capacity differ from one community to another. That local knowledge allows PUK to adapt education, outreach and partnerships to the realities young people and families face where they live.
