‘I’m Tougher Than You Think’
Learn how Wendy Young, the president of Kids in Need of Defense and a longtime defender of immigrant children, stays motivated.
February 6, 2026 | Read Time: 1 minute
Wendy Young, the longtime president of Kids in Need of Defense, is no stranger to urgent, high-stakes work. Her nonprofit offers legal support and other assistance to children who are migrating without an adult. The Chronicle asked Young what keeps her going.
What do you wish more people understood about philanthropy?
That philanthropy is not just about financial support. It’s an act of compassion to help people who are facing adversity overcome those challenges and hopefully thrive.
How do you manage your time?
My work and leadership of KIND is not just a job, it’s my passion. So time — while admittedly the most valuable thing we have — often has no meaning in my day to day.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Find a career that speaks to your soul so that when you wake up each morning, you can’t wait to see what comes next.
What’s a little-known fact about you?
While I tend to come across as soft-spoken and mild mannered, I was an ice hockey goalie in college. I’m tougher than you think!
What keeps you up at night?
Knowing that there are still hundreds of thousands of children who are facing incredible danger as they migrate alone. As the world grows more volatile, we need to remember that, first and foremost, it is children who pay the price.
What trait do you most seek out when hiring?
Someone who is committed to the work, not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them, and continuously asks, “How can we do this better?”
What’s your guilty pleasure?
What else is there but chocolate?
— Edited by Emily Haynes
