A New Year Message from Our CEO

As we welcome 2026, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible work accomplished this past year and a renewed sense of urgency for the challenges ahead. Thanks to our dedicated staff, partners, and supporters, NCMEC made meaningful progress for children and families across the country and around the globe. We strengthened our programs, expanded key services, and deepened support for those who turn to us during their most difficult moments.

This past year reminded us what is possible when we innovate and stand together. We advanced our recovery work, provided more mental health and family support resources, and expanded training for professionals who protect children every day. Our digital safety and prevention efforts reached wider audiences than ever, empowering families and communities with the tools they need in an increasingly complex online world.

But 2025 also brought a clear warning: technology-driven threats are accelerating at a pace we can’t ignore. The rise of generative AI and deepfakes is creating new avenues for exploitation, and our children are being targeted in new ways. Heading into 2026, we are fortifying our programs, sharpening our technological expertise, and strengthening partnerships across tech, law enforcement, and government. Our goal is simple: stay ahead of emerging threats so children remain safer.

At the same time, we remain deeply committed to the heart of our mission, supporting children and families. Whether it’s a parent searching for a missing child, a survivor seeking emotional support, or a community working to understand online dangers, NCMEC will continue to show up with compassion, expertise, and hope.

As we step into this new year, I invite every member of our community to join us. Stay alert. Share resources. Use your voice to champion child safety. Together, we can ensure that innovation works for children, not against them.

With gratitude,
Michelle DeLaune
President & CEO, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children