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 the Creative Director at Watts of Love and 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 620,000 followers. Kevin is the photographic talent behind our compelling images and videos. Prior to his time at Watts of Love, Kevin was the Senior Photo Editor and Managing Content Director at Playboy Magazine

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

Channing is a partner-shareholder of a boutique litigation firm, Garelli, Grogan, Hesse & Hauert, P.C. She possesses 20 years of experience advising and representing publicly-traded and closely-held companies and has a diverse commercial litigation practice that represents businesses in complex contractual disputes, such as securities, employment, and intellectual property matters. At Watts of Love, Channing contributes her expertise in legal matters relating to tax, banking, government regulations, real estate, insurance and employment and labor-related issues.

BOARD MEMBER

Jeff is a certified public accountant and is currently a manager at Catalano, Caboor & Co. Jeff brings over 15 years of public accounting experiencing. He has extensive experience in providing audit and consulting services to a wide variety of not-for-profit organizations. At Watts of Love, Jeff contributes expertise in accounting, financial reporting and tax related matters.

BOARD MEMBER

Susan brings more than 20 years of professional experience in marketing, sales and business management. Currently a Senior Account Manager at Zorch International, Susan has garnered extensive experience in marketing several Fortune 200 companies located in Chicago. At Watts of Love, Susan spearheads the development initiative of an effective promotional plan to increase international awareness about the endless need for light around the world.

BOARD MEMBER

Candice has over 15 years of global NGO management experience.  She brings her expertise in grant writing and field logistics.  She has been to mission school where she received training in emotional crisis relief and cross cultural strategies.  Some of her particular accomplishments include opening a new mission base for Iris Global in Micronesia and Directing a 501c3 Prison Ministry Organization that focused on serving raising vulnerable women out of poverty through education, discipleship and reintegration strategies. She has applied her Degree in Ministry and Counseling to helping victims of sex trafficking and women in distress.

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.

BOARD MEMBER

BOARD MEMBER

Mary Kay was a board member of the Naperville United Way and the Chicagoland United Way Leadership Giving Women’s Initiative. She serves as Vice Chair of the University of Illinois, College of Chemistry Advisory Board, and is an active volunteer in her community. She was on the ETTAC committee to the US Department of Commerce on fair trade issues.

Mary Kay received a BS degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She was the 2008 commencement speaker for University of Illinois College of Chemistry and is a frequent speaker at water scarcity conferences. Mary Kay is a 6 year board member and admires Water For People and supports the mission, vision, and differentiated approach of the organization.