Ena Williams Koschel (3rd from left), Children International board member, with staff and volunteers on her recent visit to the Philippines
What happens to young people after they turn 18?
For Ena Williams Koschel, Chief Operating Officer of a major U.S. retail chain, that question isn’t theoretical – it’s central to how she cares for youth and young adults.
It’s also a query she has carried into her role as a board member and major donor of Children International, a global nonprofit that aims to end generational poverty by empowering young people in 10 countries. Ena focuses on expanding opportunity through the organization’s signature workforce development program, Into Employment®.
As COO of Casey’s, a convenience store brand with nearly 3,000 sites across the Midwest and the South, Ena leads store operations, real estate, technology and operations support. Because of this expertise, she brings a unique perspective to supporting Children International’s mission, particularly when it comes to preparing youth for the workforce.
She sees a growing global need for skilled workers and a widening gap in young people’s readiness to meet that demand.
“There are so many opportunities out there, but not enough people with the skills to fill them,” she explains.
That’s why she is a strong advocate for one particular aspect of Into Employment offerings – TVET – the Technical and Vocational Education and Training program, which provides youth with job-ready skills in fields such as construction, transportation and technology, often in less than a year.
“You don’t have to follow a traditional path to be successful,” Ena says. “Vocational skills can open doors just as powerfully, if not more.”
Her perspective is grounded in having seen firsthand how businesses are investing in training pipelines to address workforce shortages.
While Ena understood Children International’s work at a high level, it wasn’t until she experienced it in person that its full impact became clear.
During a recent donor trip to the Philippines, she witnessed the organization’s programs at work – from education and employment training to community health initiatives.
“You see how everything connects,” she says. “It’s not just about supporting one child. It’s about strengthening entire communities.”
That holistic, community-based approach is what sets Children International apart, she adds.
Ena is using her voice to champion Children International with potential supporters and foster even more support among her fellow donors. She believes one of the most powerful ways to garner their commitment is by allowing them to see the work firsthand.
“If more people could experience it on the ground, they would be blown away,” she says.
Ena’s commitment is also deeply personal. Since 2023 she has sponsored Angel, a young woman in the Philippines – an experience she considers transformative.
From supporting Angel's education to helping provide essential resources like transportation and school supplies, Ena and her husband have invested in her future. Ena has also visited her twice, strengthening a bond that extends beyond sponsorship.
“It’s almost like we’ve known each other for a long time,” she says.
Through letters, visits and shared milestones, Ena has seen what’s possible when young people are given the tools to succeed.
Ena with her sponsored child, Angel
For Ena, the future of Children International’s work, especially through Into Employment, holds tremendous promise. From the boardroom to the field, her commitment reflects a broader vision: one where young people are not only supported –but equipped to thrive.
“The biggest thing that gives me hope is that it’s working,” she says. “I’ve seen it.”
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