About CHI The House that Christel Built
  • CHRISTEL’S STORY
  • OUR JOURNEY
  • VISION
  • MISSION
  • MEET OUR TEAM
  • ACCOUNTABILITY
  • Christel House Model

    THE HOUSE
    THAT CHRISTEL
    BUILT

    Our Founder, Christel DeHaan, built a remarkable
    business empire. Then she built something even more incredible.

    Christel DeHaan co-founded Resort Condominiums International (RCI), and under her leadership, RCI grew into a global enterprise with offices in 38 countries. Then she had a profoundly transformative experience that changed the course of her own life and the lives of thousands of children around the world.

    “After she sold RCI, I introduced her to a nun in charge of orphans and abandoned kids in Mexico City,” remembers Gabriel Oropeza, former President of RCI Latin America and now Board Chair at Christel House Mexico. “I asked Christel for a check to help these kids. Christel came back not only with a check but with a new mission in her life.”

    Christel DeHaan quickly realized that for children to break the cycle of poverty, they needed access to a strong education along with all the necessary supports to succeed — nutrition, healthcare, character education, family assistance, career support, and more. From that moment on, she devoted her time, energy, and financial resources to this cause.

    In 1998, she founded Christel House International and developed a holistic school model designed to move children and their families out of poverty.

    “The obstacles facing Christel House students are daunting. But every day our students come to school, learn, and set their sights on a better tomorrow. They are breaking through the barriers of poverty to build a new and better life for themselves and a future for their families. They are our heroes, and role models for others to follow.”

    – Christel DeHaan (1942-2020)

    OUR JOURNEY

    Explore the remarkable 25-year journey of Christel House
    from the launch of our first school in 1998 to our
    global impact today.

    OUR VISION

    A world where poverty does not limit potential.

    FULFILLING OUR MISSION

    Our Mission: Christel House prepares graduates to achieve upward economic mobility, demonstrate good citizenship, and become empowered to identify and realize their goals, dreams, and human potential.

    Our model is focused on the holistic development of the child; it’s deliberately crafted so that thousands of children globally will realize this mission. Graduates of Christel House are proactive, empowered individuals who surmount adversity, make positive contributions to society, and pave the way for future generations.

    MEET
    OUR TEAM

    The Christel House team is dedicated to empowering children to achieve their dreams.

    DEVELOPMENT
    Jeremy Wesley

    Jeremy Wesley

    Director,
    Development Data & Finance,
    Indianapolis Grants

    Francois Louw

    Francois Louw

    Director,
    Corporate Partnerships

    Stephanie Lamarca

    Stephanie LaMarca

    Director,
    Foundations

    Brandi Burns

    Brandi Burns

    Development and Database Associate

    MARKETING & EXPANSION

    Evan Hendon

    Vice President,
    Expansion

    Paul Montgomery

    Paul Montgomery

    Director,
    Marketing

    Vignesh

    Vignesh Krishnan

    Director,
    Expansion

    OPERATIONS TEAM
    Joe Kunkel

    Joe Kunkel

    Vice President,
    Information Technology

    Lynx Swa

    Lynson Swa

    IT Support Analyst

    Carolyn Haythorn

    Carolyn Haythorn

    Director of Data, Research, and Reporting

    FINANCE TEAM
    Becky Hawkins

    Becky Hawkins

    Vice President & Controller

    Joseph Weingartner

    Joseph Weingartner

    Senior Accountant

    Diana Woodworth

    Diana Woodworth

    Staff Accountant

    PROGRAMS & SERVICES
    Caitlin Teague

    Caitlin Teague

    Vice President,
    Programs and Services

    Annabelle Hardy

    Annabelle Hardy

    Director,
    Academics

    janine Welby Solomon

    Janine Welby-Solomon

    Director,
    Student Support

    Luis Serrano

    Luis Serrano

    College & Careers Collaboration Coordinator

    SUPPORT TEAM
    Oren Cooley

    Oren Cooley

    Executive Assistant to David Harris

    Magda Hernandez Calleros

    Magdalena Hernandez

    Administrative Assistant of
    CoS/ VP of Expansion and CTO

    Kailah Jones

    Kailah Jones

    Executive Administrative Assistant of P&S

    Martha Lamkin

    Indiana

    Retired President & CEO, Lumina Foundation for Education, Inc.

    Nancy Gillespie

    Florida

    Human Development Economist

    Bart Peterson

    Indiana

    Retired, Christel House International
    Former Mayor of Indianapolis

    Gordon Gurnik

    Florida

    Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Hilton Grand Vacations

    Gail Shiel Mahoney

    Illinois

    Retired Principal, Shiel Design Company

    Donald Harrill

    Florida

    Vice Chairman of the Board, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Inc.

    Lucas Montarce

    Indiana

    Chief Financial Officer, Eli Lilly and Company

    Awais Sufi

    Washington, DC

    Managing Director, Yield Creative

    Matthew B. Murphy III

    Indiana

    Co-Founder & President, Emboss Partners, LLC

    Kameelah Shaheed-Diallo

    Indiana

    Partner, The City Fund

    Juan Ignacio Rodriguez

    Mexico

    Managing Director, RCI International & Global Business Development

    David Harris

    Indiana

    President & CEO, Christel House International

    Donald E. Knebel

    Indiana

    Of Counsel, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

    OUR
    ACCOUNTABILITY

    Christel House is fully committed to accountability and
    transparency.

    We uphold rigorous business practices and robust governance, with every financial operation subject to meticulous audits. Christel House’s overhead and fundraising costs are funded annually through a charitable grant from Endless Success Foundation, a private foundation established by our Founder. This means that 100% of donations will be used to directly support programs and services for Christel House students.

    We deeply respect our donors’ privacy; personal information is strictly protected and never shared. We recognize donor contributions publicly unless anonymity is requested.

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