CHRISTEL HOUSE WELCOMES BART PETERSON TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Christel House International (CHI) is pleased to welcome Bart Peterson to its Board of Directors. He joins a dedicated group of professionals which guides the strategies of learning centers in Mexico, South Africa, India and the United States.

Mr. Peterson recently retired as senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications for Eli Lilly and Company. Prior to joining Lilly, he served two terms as Mayor of Indianapolis. In 2007, he served as President of the National League of Cities.

At Lilly, Peterson was responsible for government affairs globally; pricing, reimbursement and access for medicines outside the United States; communications globally; corporate social responsibility; and Lilly’s global health work. In 2012, he was appointed by the U.S. State Department to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council and served through 2016.

In his second year in office, Peterson became the only mayor in America with the power to authorize charter schools. He used this authority to grant charters to seventeen schools.

Before becoming mayor, Peterson worked as a lawyer, was Chief of Staff to then-Indiana Governor Evan Bayh, and was president of his family’s real estate development and financial services business.

Peterson received a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1980 and earned his law degree at the University of Michigan Law School in 1983.

“Christel House will be opening our ninth school, Christel House Jamaica next year,” says Christel DeHaan, Founder and CEO of Christel House. “As our organization continues to grow, we are delighted to welcome Bart Peterson. With his experience, he offers a unique local and global perspective that will make a valuable contribution to our board.”  

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About Christel House International

The mission of Christel House is to transform the lives of impoverished children around the world—breaking the cycle of poverty and building self-sufficient, contributing members of society. A focus on academic excellence through a robust K–12 curriculum is combined with a strong character development program to give students the skills and competencies necessary to compete successfully in complex 21st Century society.

Much more than a school, Christel House was established in 1998 by Founder and CEO Christel DeHaan, and currently serves over 4,550 impoverished students through eight learning centers—located in India, Mexico, South Africa and the U.S.A. Christel House students maintain a 98% graduation exam pass rate, and the majority of its graduates go on to pursue higher education. They become productive citizens, and many secure employment with top multinational corporations. Christel House graduates are confident, hardworking, responsible and ethical, with a passion for giving back to their communities and caring for their families.

For more information, please visit www.christelhouse.org and follow us on social media: www.facebook.com/christelhouse; www.twitter.com/christelhouse