Top Leadership Transition Announced for One More Child

Top Leadership Transition Announced for One More Child
Stephen Robert named new president and CEO while Dr. Jerry Haag will serve as chief executive officer for One More Child Foundation

LAKELAND, FL – One More Child announced today that Chief Operations Officer Stephen Robert has been appointed by the organization’s board of directors to the role of president and CEO, while former president and CEO, Dr. Jerry Haag, will serve as the CEO of One More Child Foundation.

Haag served as the organization’s president and CEO for the past 18 years. Under his leadership, One More Child went from serving 3,351 children and individuals in 2007 to 250,259 in 2023. While One More Child’s global headquarters is based in Lakeland, FL, its services have expanded nationally and globally, serving foster children, hungry children, single moms, struggling families and survivors of human trafficking.

Robert has held leadership roles at One More Child over a 15-year span, serving as COO for the past four years. He was instrumental in developing the organization’s strategic vision and carrying out its national expansion efforts in North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Texas.

As CEO, Robert will continue to lead One More Child’s growth and expansion while overseeing capital projects underway in Lakeland, Tampa, Jacksonville and Sarasota.

“I’m incredibly honored by the confidence the board has placed in me to lead this organization I love so dearly,” said Robert. “Our mission is in our name. It’s about one more. One more child that doesn’t have a home. One more single mom who feels alone and doesn’t know how she will support her children. One more family wondering if food will be on the table that night. And one more teenager waking up every morning to face the horrors of human trafficking. We are firmly committed to bringing hope and healing to those who are vulnerable and in need.”

One More Child currently operates in 26 states and 19 countries with plans to expand into other parts of the country and beyond.

Haag will primarily focus on expanding the organization’s Foundation, which was established in 2011, to directly support the mission of One More Child. He has been appointed by three governors to Florida’s Faith and Community Council and served as chair for three years under the appointment of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Haag is active on the American Enterprise Institute’s Child Welfare Innovation Work Group in Washington D.C. and serves on the board of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO).

Last year, Haag and One More Child were presented with a Florida Cabinet Resolution by then Attorney General Ashley Moody for leading the fight in helping survivors of human trafficking.

During his tenure, Haag oversaw the launch of anti-trafficking programs and has been invited to share the organization’s expertise with national and world leaders including the United States Health and Human Services, the White House and presidents of multiple countries. Haag’s wife, Christi, will continue serving in her role as One More Child ambassador and international speaker.

“Stephen is an outstanding visionary leader, and I have full confidence in his ability to lead this organization with the highest level of excellence,” said Haag. “Christi and I are not retiring. We’re not stepping back. In fact, we are leaning into the work that awaits us as we continue to fight for one more child.”

“One More Child has undergone tremendous growth under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Haag,” said One More Child Board Chair Spike Hogan. “When I joined the board, we were just a Florida focused ministry. Today, we are worldwide – serving in 26 states and 19 countries. Millions of vulnerable children and struggling families have received life-changing services because of his passion and innovative approach to helping people in their greatest time of need. With Dr. Haag continuing to build the Foundation and Stephen taking the helm as the organization’s new CEO, we will grow stronger and expand wider to reach those who are suffering and hurting in our communities and across the globe.”

About One More Child:

One More Child operates in 26 states and 19 countries around the world, meeting the needs of foster children, hungry children, single moms, struggling families and sex-trafficked children and teens. In 2023, One More Child provided direct services to 250,259 children and individuals while impacting an additional 143,334 individuals through advocacy, trainings, awareness and volunteering. One More Child provided more than 19 million meals nationally and globally. For more information visit onemorechild.org.

###

Media Contact:

Joe McLeod
(863) 687-8811
joe.mcleod@onemorechild.org
onemorechild.org

Images:

#1: One More Child President/CEO Stephen Robert (left) with One More Child Foundation CEO Dr. Jerry Haag.

#2: One More Child President/CEO Stephen Robert and wife, Laura, meet with their One More Child sponsored child, Paola, in Costa Rica.

#3: One More Child President/CEO Stephen Robert speaks at Traffick Stop press conference at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee addressing the need to work together in the fight against human trafficking.

#4: One More Child Foundation CEO Dr. Jerry Haag and (wife) One More Child Ambassador Christi Haag, work with children and families in Costa Rica.

Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,

For more than 120 years, One More Child has been a refuge where the eternal hope of Christ meets the deepest needs of vulnerable children and struggling families. For the past two decades, Dr. Jerry Haag has been a faithful steward of this calling, leading this organization to unprecedented growth and impact.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the leadership of One More Child, I want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jerry and Christi Haag for their faithful “yes”—for answering God’s call to lead this ministry with excellence, integrity, and biblical stewardship. Because of their selflessness, One More Child has grown into a worldwide leader for Christ-centered care, reaching hundreds of thousands of lives each year.

Now, as One More Child boldly steps into a new season of impact, I am honored to share that Dr. Haag will transition from his current role as president to now serve as Chief Executive Officer of One More Child Foundation, while Stephen Robert steps into the role of President & CEO of One More Child.

(L-R) Dr. Jerry Haag, CEO of One More Child Foundation; Stephen Robert, President/CEO of One More Child; and Spike Hogan, chair of the One More Child Board.

Last year, Dr. Haag recognized an opportunity to position One More Child for even greater impact. He saw that advancing our sacred mission would continually require enlarging the ground beneath it. One More Child Foundation exists solely to secure the resources and partnerships that will sustain and expand the ministry of One More Child for generations to come. Along with his wife, Christi, they will continue to serve as global ambassadors through speaking and advocacy, resource development, thought leadership, and the creation of policy and legislation for the benefit of One More Child and those we serve. 

In every season, God has been faithful to provide the right leaders who possess the right vision to carry this mission forward. Stephen Robert is no exception to this precedent. For the past 15 years, Stephen Robert has walked closely alongside Dr. Haag, serving in key roles including Executive Vice President, Vice President of Church Engagement and Strategic Operations, and Chief Operating Officer. His leadership has been pivotal in enabling our ministry to serve more children and families worldwide. 

But more than his accomplishments, Stephen is a man of faith—ordained into ministry by First Baptist Church of Plant City, holding degrees from Florida State University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership. He and his wife, Laura, along with their four children, have dedicated their lives to serving the vulnerable. Just as Paul entrusted Timothy and others to continue the work of ministry, this transition reminds us that leadership changes, but the mission continues, and it is God who ultimately brings true growth and transformation (2 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:6). 

I ask you to join us in prayer and celebration, thanking God for Dr. Haag’s continued visionary leadership and lifting up Stephen Robert as he takes on this new role. May we all remain faithful stewards of this mission God has given us. May we always strive to reach one more child.

In His Service,
Pastor Spike Hogan
Board Chair, One More Child