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.
Explore the remarkable 25-year journey of Christel House
from the launch of our first school in 1998 to our
global impact today.
A world where poverty does not limit potential.
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.
The Christel House team is dedicated to empowering children to achieve their dreams.
Director,
Development Data & Finance,
Indianapolis Grants
Director,
Corporate Partnerships
Director,
Foundations
Development and Database Associate
Director,
Marketing
Director,
Expansion
Vice President,
Information Technology
IT Support Analyst
Director of Data, Research, and Reporting
Vice President & Controller
Senior Accountant
Staff Accountant
Vice President,
Programs and Services
Director,
Academics
Director,
Student Support
College & Careers Collaboration Coordinator
Executive Assistant of
CEO and Executive Vice President
Administrative Assistant of
CoS/ VP of Expansion and CTO
Executive Administrative Assistant of P&S
Maine
Chair, Christel House International
Chair, Endless Success Foundation
Former Chair, Christel House South Africa
Chair, Fortuna Investment Holdings, Cape Town
Group CEO (retired), Edcon Pty Ltd., South Africa
Florida
Former Senior Vice President, KBC Financial Products
Indiana
Operating Partner, EW Healthcare Partners
Florida
Human Development Economist
Indiana
Retired President & CEO, Lumina Foundation for Education, Inc.
Indiana
Retired, Christel House International
Former Mayor of Indianapolis
Florida
Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Hilton Grand Vacations
Illinois
Retired Principal, Shiel Design Company
Florida
Vice Chairman of the Board, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Inc.
Indiana
Chief Financial Officer, Eli Lilly and Company
Washington, DC
Managing Director, Yield Creative
Indiana
Co-Founder & President, Emboss Partners, LLC
Indiana
Director of External Relations, Associate Professor of Finance, University of Indianapolis
Indiana
Partner, The City Fund
Mexico
Managing Director, RCI International & Global Business Development
Indiana
President & CEO, Christel House International
Indiana
Of Counsel, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
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.