OUR
APPROACH
OUR
APPROACH
Persistent poverty is rooted in a lack of resources, education, and support. Lack of opportunity persists through generations and results in a lack of vision, self-worth, and self-reliance
Breaking the cycle of generational poverty requires a multi-pronged approach and is unique to each individual and family.
We see solar lighting as one of the strongest tools available to break the cycle of poverty.
Our work helps each light recipient develop a vision of financial self-reliance.
Our commitment to the communities we serve is rooted in making personal connections.
MISSION STATMENT
As a secular nonprofit, Watts of Love seeks to impart light, love and hope. Our staff, volunteers, and the areas we operate in are diverse and we deeply respect local cultures and beliefs. Our mission is simple: Light the world.
WE don't just deliver light
WE don't just deliver light
We first deploy free solar technology that replaces kerosene, increasing household income by as much as 30%.
Then, we teach those we serve how those savings can be reinvested – whether by buying an animal, starting a business, or sending their kids to school.
This jumpstarts dreams about a better future. Recipients decide for themselves how to use their new income.
No two paths look alike because individual and community priorities differ.
Women and girls reinvest 90% of their earnings into their families. [International Women’s Development Agency]
The gift of time is given to people who can now work at night to increase income, to tend to animals, help with family issues, and who no longer have to walk to charge cell phones.
OUR STORY BEGINS
PHILIPPINES 2009
OUR STORY BEGINS
PHILIPPINES 2009
While accompanying her husband on a business trip to the Philippines, Nancy Economou volunteered to help serve at a local feeding program. There she met a young girl severely burned and scarred by a kerosene lamp – the only source of light for so many in the developing world.
As she looked around, she witnessed not only burns and injuries from kerosene lamps, but also children left unattended in complete darkness while their parents worked at night. Nancy could not imagine her own five sons living in such extreme conditions.
At that moment she committed herself to developing safe, sustainable lighting sources for those living without basic access to electricity.
OUR
LEADERSHIP
EXTRORDINARY
PASSIONATE
DEDICATED
RADICAL
AND
COMPASSIONATE
INDIVIDUALS
OUR
LEADERSHIP
EXTRORDINARY
PASSIONATE
DEDICATED
RADICAL
AND
COMPASSIONATE
INDIVIDUALS
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Nancy is the founder and president of Watts of Love, which was founded in 2012 following a business trip to the Philippines. While there she realized the drastic need for safe and renewable lighting. As a mother of five boys, Nancy was compelled to equip vulnerable families to help raise them out of a continuous cycle of poverty. Nancy has made it her mission to deliver light and love to the poorest of the poor worldwide. Prior to forming Watts of Love, Nancy sold high-end jewelry at Cartier Jewelers in Chicago. Nancy is an active member of her church, as well as an advocate for raising families out of poverty around the world.
CO-FOUNDER AND VICE PRESIDENT
John is the co-founder and vice president of Watts of Love. John comes from a development and commercial lighting background and possesses over 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate and lighting industry. He has managed multi-million dollar projects across the U.S and is responsible for all project management, product manufacturing, partnership formation and logistics. John is an active church member at his Lockport congregation.
FOUNDING MEMBER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kevin is a Founding Member and Creative Director at Watts of Love. He is responsible for the artistic direction, vision, brand management and leadership across all media disciplines for the organization. Kevin is a professional photographer and director with more than 20 years of experience producing and editing creative content for a variety of high-profile clients. Kevin also manages and runs the largest photography community on Instagram with 595,000 followers. Kevin is the visual talent behind our compelling images, videos and brand. Prior to his time at Watts of Love, Kevin was the Director of Content and Senior Photo Editor at Playboy Magazine.
CHAIRMAN
Mary Kay is a retired executive after 34 years with Nalco, an Ecolab Company. She held various leadership positions including Chief Marketing Officer and Divison president of the Water Business. Currently she is a part time consultant and a director on several for-profit boards.
Mary Kay previously served on the board of Naperville United Way and 9 year board member of Water For People including Chair- a global non profit providing safe drinking water and toilets in low income countries. She received her BS from the University of Illinois College of Chemistry where she served on the Advisory board and was 2008 commencement speaker. She served on the ETTAC committee to the US Department of Commerce on fair trade issues. She is an active volunteer in her local community.
BOARD MEMBER
Diane is the Director of the Leadership Coaching Program within Starcom MediaVest Group, the world’s largest media company, which is located in Chicago. Diane specializes in advancing individual leadership and team initiatives, as well as consulting, manufacturing and media industries. With more than 25 years of experience in IT, Diane’s expertise in operations and product management is instrumental toward expanding the mission to illuminate lives.
BOARD MEMBER
Tim is the Executive Vice President of Innovation and Customer Advocacy and Chief Operating Officer at Passur. Tim was most recently Senior Vice President, Air Operations for American Airlines Group where he led the effort to combine American’s Integrated Operations Control (IOC) and US Airways Operations Control Center (OCC). Before joining American Airlines, he was Founder and President of Mountain Vista Consulting, LLC.
Tim previously served on the boards of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and Iringa Hope (micro finance in Tanzania), as well as an advisory board member at ACARA Institute- Social Entrepreneurship program at the University of MN.
BOARD MEMBER
Audrey Elisha is a versatile sales leader with extensive client relationship experience in IT Services, Telecommunications and Outsourcing. Her roles have included business development, sales management, and global client management in complex, highly matrixed environments, including 15 years at Verizon where she rose to Area Vice President. Audrey most recently led Client Sales Directors in the Midwest for Bright Horizons, delivering child care centers and other family solutions to corporations, universities and health systems.
BOAD MEMBER
Doug Roselieb is a founding and managing partner of Wells Roselieb & Raia Wealth Management and has over 30 years of experience in retirement, investment and financial planning services. Most of his clients are individuals that are enjoying their retirement years, but Doug also provides investment and planning advice for pensions, charitable foundations and trusts.
Born and raised in Downers Grove, Doug and his wife Cindi along with their four children, still live in and are actively involved in the Downers Grove community. Doug’s passion for serving others was given to him from his parents and other family members who continue to be actively involved in church, local charities and public service positions.
ASSOCIATES
ADVISORS
Kate is the CEO of Werner Consulting, a firm whose mission is to equip and empower entrepreneurs to maximize their social impact.
After graduating from Miami University, Kate joined the Social Entrepreneur Corps to work with “Last-Mile” women, utilizing the groundbreaking micro-consignment model for poverty alleviation in Ecuador. She spent the next ten years in the US nonprofit sector learning, assessing, and perfecting various aspects of that space. She has parlayed that experience into her business where she helps CEOs enhance their business model and expand their impact.
Kate resides in San Diego, California with her husband Eric, where they enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors.
Scott Curran is the CEO of Beyond Advisers, a social impact consultancy that helps simplify professional services for the social sector. Through his work, Scott serves as general and strategic counsel to the social sector, helping leaders of nonprofits, social enterprises, businesses, and law firms design, build, and scale their social impact work.
Scott previously served as General Counsel to the Clinton Foundation, where during his 10 years of service he worked with leading change agents around the world and across sectors to develop social impact strategies, grow organizational capacity, and create projects, programs, and partnerships that achieved groundbreaking results in global philanthropy and social enterprise.