WASHINGTON – Hardy Vieux has joined Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) as Chief of Staff, working closely with KIND President Wendy Young to lead the organization’s strategic programming and groundbreaking new initiatives. Throughout his career, Vieux has been a fierce advocate for children and will now use his strategic and legal talents to strengthen protections for unaccompanied children on the move.
“We are thrilled to add Hardy to KIND’s leadership team and know that his role will have an immediate impact within our organization,” Young said. “His work to ensure pro bono representation for refugees, experience serving child refugees around the globe, and experience as a non-profit leader make him the perfect choice to fill this position and help KIND write its next chapter. He will help us to keep the protection of unaccompanied children at the center of our vital mission and support our work to make the innovative reforms necessary to achieve long-term, sustainable solutions and support for these kids.”
After years of private practice in Washington, D.C. and service as a criminal appellate defense counsel in the United States Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Vieux moved to work in the human rights space. He comes to KIND after serving as the Senior Vice President of Legal Programs at Human Rights First. Prior to Human Rights First, Vieux worked as a policy fellow with Save the Children International addressing child protection policy issues affecting Syrian refugee children living in Jordan. As Chief of Staff, Hardy will be hands-on with KIND’s leadership, legal, and operations teams.
Vieux serves on the board of visitors of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. He is also the immediate past-president of the national Duke Alumni Association and served on Duke University’s Board of Trustees from 1999 – 2013. He also serves on the board of the National Institute of Military Justice and the D.C. Scholars Public Charter School. Vieux is a 1997 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and Ford School of Public Policy, where he earned his law and Master of Public Policy degrees. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University in 1993.
“We are at a key moment in time with regard to the protection of unaccompanied children on the move, and Hardy brings an important perspective to KIND’s leadership team that will help our organization grow and have a greater impact,” said Young. “We are fortunate to have him on board in this new role.”
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Media Contact: Megan McKenna, mmckenna@supportkind.org, 202-631-9990