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Donor Spotlight: Chris Ward

In a world where action speaks louder than words, Chris Ward emerges as a beacon of hope and a relentless fighter against human trafficking. Residing in the picturesque town of Golden, Colorado, Chris serves as the Regional Vice President of Colorado for LegalShield and he served as the Title Sponsor for the 2021 and 2022 Northstar 2 Freedom Gala.

His journey with Compass Rose International (previously known as Global Orphan Prevention) began at a social gathering where he met the organization’s founder, Katie Hilborn. The encounter was serendipitous, as Katie was seeking security support for operations in India—a country Chris was deeply familiar with, thanks to his military background and extensive work as a bodyguard there since 2006.

Upon overhearing her request for a mercenary, Chris answered the call. Feeling an immediate connection to the cause, Chris was moved by Katie’s fervent dedication to combating human trafficking and thus decided to support her mission.

His commitment took him to the Girls INpowerment Center & Dormitory in Nepal in August 2021, alongside Katie and videographer Eric Heiland. What he witnessed there was a harsh reality—a stark lack of financial opportunities and the disturbing truth that girls were being trafficked by their own friends and family. The glimmer of hope in the eyes of these girls only deepened Chris’s resolve to aid Compass Rose International in their mission.

Beyond his fight against human trafficking, Chris is also dedicated to supporting unhoused individuals, particularly military veterans, and other marginalized communities. We asked Chris what drives him for the vision of a better life and how he gives back.

What made you decide to give your first gift? Why did you choose to sponsor the Northstar 2 Freedom Gala?

Recognizing the dire need to stop human trafficking in the region, I felt that Katie’s mission was vital to this effort and I could feel how passionate Katie is about this mission.

You recently visited our Girls INpowerment Center & Dormitory in Nepal. Please share about your experience; why did you go? What were the takeaways? Why are you choosing to help the students?

I went with Katie and the videographer, Eric Heiland to Nepal in August of 2021. The experience was unforgettable. For one, just being in the environment and seeing the lack of financial opportunities is eye opening. One of the biggest suprises came when I discovered that friends and even family members were trafficking the girls and that on the back end, young men would marry these girls knowing that they had acquired new clothes, jewelry, and money.

Why do you enjoy giving to Compass Rose International?

Having spoken with the girls and seeing some twinkling of hope in their eyes, I couldn’t imagine that any given day, all those hopes and dreams could be taken away from them.

What is your favorite program or service to donate to?

I particularly like to support our unhoused brothers and sisters and in particular, the military veterans among them. I also support marginalized communities.

What are you most passionate about? Why?

I know that there is a better life for all humans outside of the current
systems. We know the answer to poverty, but lack the will to put new systems into place.

What do you hope to accomplish through your philanthropy?

That one other person has a better life because of an action I took.

If you were talking to someone else about giving to Compass Rose International, what would you tell them?

If your heart calls you to help make a better life for these girls, then any amount can make a significant impact. Sometimes your donation means getting a meal or new clothes, or an education. Nothing is too trivial in a world where they are fighting for their survival.  

What do you wish everyone knew about this cause?

I wish that everyone knew that these girls have the same hopes and dreams as little girls around the world. They just started at a severe disadvantage and there are monsters that prey on the downtrodden.

Anything else you want to tell us?

Go to Nepal, see the impact that Compass Rose is making in that region of the world and imagine what it would look like if these efforts reached every corner of the globe.