As a performer, photographer and filmmaker, I have experienced places in the world that most people have only dreamed to see. I have trekked through the rain forest, traveled through natural disasters, interacted with world leaders and the soulful people of indigenous villages, have been in the middle of international riots capturing the human spirit on film, while trying to understand what makes people think the way they do and feel the way they feel.
Once I found my voice, you couldn’t shut me up. I have had the extreme pleasure of speaking globally at several conferences and symposiums, also including several appearances at the United Nations on behalf of children, while also interfacing, interviewing, photographing and filming various world leaders including: His Holiness Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, King Goodwill (King of the Zulus), Dr. Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson, Presidents and dignitaries from various countries, and more.
I have dedicated my life to this vision of bringing the youth of the world together; to see how we can make the world a better place to live. I invite each and every one of you to look back to those days when you were a child dreaming of what life would be like as an adult, and remember what it was like during those awkward adolescent times too. Join me on this path of empowering youth to be everything they can be, while giving them tools to have respect and honor for those around them, and most importantly, respect and honor for themselves.
Tess Cacciatore is the Founder and Executive Director of the World Trust Foundation, whose mission is to mentor the future leaders, and give youth of the world a voice, to create a sustainable future.
Through the past decade Tess has traveled globally to connect a collaboration of non-profit groups to empower youth around the world to work locally and internationally, to learn, think and take action to make an impact for positive changes in their lives, in their local communities and in the global community as a whole.
The World Trust Foundation’s activities include Earth Heroes, an environmental social network for 9-17 year-olds; the Young Leaders Network, a mentoring program and environmental social network for 18-26 year-old youth.
For over a decade, Tess has been media-accredited to attend and film such events as the “World Conference Against Racism” and the “World Summit on Sustainability” in South Africa. Tess has spoken regularly at the United Nations (Geneva and New York) and other international platforms on behalf of children and the important use of media and technology to bridge the cultures of the world. Tess addresses audiences of several thousand people through numerous conferences, workshops and festivals, and reaches millions through radio and TV appearances. Her media appearances have included: The Today Show, Prime Time with John Stossel, Waking Up in America, The Lisa Garr Show and several cable talk shows. Her appearances in print media have included Family Circle, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Des Moines Register, XL International Entrepreneurs, Parenting Magazine, Dance Teacher and Dance Spirit and Nick Jr. (a magazine published by the Nickelodeon Television Network). She has also hosted a weekly, radio show called Live Feed to raise awareness of the FEED 333 program under the World Trust umbrella that spanned each holiday season from 2005-2008. Tess has recently appeared in three feature films about her work (The Millionaire Mind, The Peace Project, Voices of Women).
Tess's career as a Producer in the entertainment and technology industries has spanned over twenty years, and has helped drive the global productions through World Trust. Productions and events include: Earth Day LA, Human Rights Symposiums for Youth, Live-Streamed broadcasts connecting world leaders, empowerment camps, workshops and mentorship curriculum, to name a few.
Tess is also the Vice President of Women National Book Association (WNBA) Los Angeles Chapter.
In 2003 the Fete d' Excellence within the Sub-Commission for Human Rights at the United Nations (Geneva Switzerland) awarded Tess the Medal of Excellence for her work in educational entertainment.
