Meet Our Founders
Jan Helson is an entrepreneur and strategic philanthropist who believes business can be a force for good. Alongside her husband, Tim, she helped build Golden Foods & Golden Brands (now part of AAK) into a multimillion-dollar global leader in specialty fats and oils. After selling the business in 2011 at age 51, she continued to co-lead their real estate investment and development company.
In 2013, Jan co-founded Global Game Changers (GGC) with her niece, Anne Walker, and daughter, Rachel Annette Helson. Inspired by their award-winning children’s books, Philanthropy: A Big Word for Big Hearted People and The Global Game Changers, and the lessons about giving back she taught her own children, Jan set out to tackle a workforce challenge: the need for early leadership and life-ready skills.
GGC has grown into an evidence-based in-school and afterschool program offered free to educators, reaching more than 450,000 students across all 50 states and 17 countries. In 2026, Jan led the launch of Everyday Heroes, GGC’s gift and lifestyle brand designed to generate sustainable revenue and keep its educational programs free for teachers and schools.
Rachel Annette Helson is a film director in New York City.
Her latest short film GOOD DAUGHTER starring Samantha Sloyan (MIDNIGHT MASS, GREY’S ANATOMY) and written by Jesse Harris (JESSICA JONES) is currently on the festival circuit where it has been an Official Selection of HollyShorts, Spokane International FF, Centre FF and Catalina FF (Best Actress Nomination, Samantha Sloyan.) The short is currently being developed into a feature.
Other feature film directing credits include THE ENGAGEMENT DRESS (2023,) HOW TO LIVE YOUR BEST DEATH (2022) and THE GIRL IN THE WINDOW (2021.) Her 2019 short film HATCHED (starring Melissa Ponzio) played at festivals across the US, and in recognition of her work, she was named a New Director to Watch by Shoot Online Magazine.
As a character-driven director, Rachel is heavily influenced by her acting background. Select credits include: FULL CIRCLE (directed by Steven Soderbergh – Tribeca 2023 Premiere), THE KNICK, LAW & ORDER: SVU, POWER and the Netflix film THE POLKA KING (Sundance Premiere).
Rachel is a proud member of Film Fatales, the Alliance of Women Directors and SAG-AFTRA – as well as an alumna of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She holds the distinction of being the Youngest Producer in Broadway history to be Nominated for a Tony Award for her work on Neil LaBute’s REASONS TO BE PRETTY – and has been featured in publications like the New York Times, Backstage and Forbes.
Anne Walker
Co-Founder and
chief program & Curriculum Officer
Anne Walker is the Chief Program and Curriculum Officer and co-founder of Global Game Changers® (GGC). Since helping launch the organization in 2013 with Jan Helson and Rachel Annette Helson, Anne has played a central role in developing GGC’s curriculum and educational programming. Built around the Superpower Equation, MY TALENT + MY HEART = MY SUPERPOWER!®, her work helps children discover their strengths, connect with causes they care about, and build the confidence and leadership skills to make a difference. Anne has developed dozens of lessons and resources, secured and managed private and government grants, presented at education conferences, and trained hundreds of educators. Today, GGC reaches educators in all 50 states and 17 countries and has impacted more than 350,000 students.
A longtime writer and researcher, Anne’s career has spanned the nonprofit, academic, political, and business sectors. Before Global Game Changers, she served on the staff of former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a master’s degree from George Washington University.
Board of Directors
- Ashley Novak Butler, Novak Family Foundation
- Jan Helson, Helson Development
- Rachel Annette Helson, Jora Creative
- Jay Saling, Saling Wealth Advisors
- Justin Walker, U.S. Circuit Judge
- Deborah Walker, Civic Volunteer
Advisory Board &
National Ambassadors
- Dr. Judi Vanderhaar, Program Consultant
Kentucky Department of Education - Lisa Middelton, Regional Director
YMCA School Age Child Care - Hannah Harvey, 4th Grade Teacher, North Carolina
- Amber Nichols, Kindergarten Teacher, West Virginia
- Lexe Hudson, Dance Educator, Arizona