Changing Humanity

Alumni Changemakers: Jackie Ko '99

 

Since her days as a student at Newark Academy, Jacqueline “Jackie” Ko ’99 has felt driven to be a force of change. She was a leader as Senior Class President, captain of the varsity swimming team and lead violinist in the orchestra. It comes as no surprise that one of her senior superlatives in the 1999 yearbook was “Most Likely to Be President” because, even then, she was on a path to make a difference in the world. 

“It wasn’t a single defining moment, but a series of opportunities, from student leadership to the guidance of Ms. Galvin, to my years in orchestra with Mrs. Emelianoff … that shaped who I am today,” Jackie says. “What made [NA] so formative was its culture of encouragement. The faculty and staff consistently challenged me to step into leadership, trust my voice and think independently. That support gave me the confidence to embrace authenticity and commit to ongoing personal growth — lessons I only fully appreciate now as foundational.” 

What made [NA] so formative was its culture of encouragement. The faculty and staff consistently challenged me to step into leadershipi, trust my voice and think independently.”Jackie Ko '99, Nonprofit Founder

In 2023, Jackie founded Changing Humanity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on teen mental wellness. The organization helps young people navigate the pressures of social media, technology and comparison culture, while building self-awareness, confidence and resilience. Her commitment to this mission was shaped through personal loss — losing her mother to suicide — and she channeled her grief into a sense of purpose. “This combination of personal loss and awareness of the challenges facing the next generation became a turning point,” she shares. “I felt compelled to act, to provide young people with the tools, self-awareness and resilience they need to navigate life more confidently. What began as a search for meaning evolved into a mission to create lasting impact. That mission became the foundation for Changing Humanity.” 

Changing Humanity brings together neuroscientists, psychologists, musicians, mental wellness experts and doctors — all volunteers united by a shared belief that young people deserve better tools for navigating the world. Through neuroscience, music and mindfulness, the program helps teens recognize and shift their own internal patterns of thinking. As Jackie puts it, “Equipping teens with these tools early doesn’t just help them survive; it gives them the power to thrive deliberately, make conscious choices, and approach life with intention in a world that’s constantly pulling them in every direction.” 

Jackie credits her parents and Newark Academy with nurturing the curiosity, character and sense of purpose that have guided her path. “The mentors and experiences I had there shaped not just my path, but how I approach life, challenges and relationships,” she says and invites the NA community to join in her mission to change humanity.