Our board
Nancy economou
founder & CEO
Nancy, the founder and president of Watts of Love, established the organization in 2012 after a trip to the Philippines. Witnessing the urgent need for safe and sustainable lighting during her visit, especially for vulnerable families, Nancy, a mother of five boys, was motivated to empower these families and break the cycle of poverty. Her dedication is to provide light and compassion to the most underprivileged communities globally. Before founding Watts of Love, Nancy worked at Cartier Jewelers in Chicago, specializing in high-end jewelry. She is a passionate advocate for uplifting families from poverty on a global scale.
kevin kuster
Founding Member & board member
Kevin, a Founding Member of Watts of Love, is a seasoned professional in photography and directing, boasting over two decades of expertise in creating and editing imaginative content for numerous prestigious clients. Additionally, Kevin oversees the largest photography community on Instagram, with 543,000 followers. Before joining Watts of Love, he held the role as Director of Content and Senior Photo Editor at a prominent national magazine.
Mary Kay kaufmann
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 Division 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 nonprofit 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.
Audrey Elisha
board member
Audrey Elisha currently serves as Global Sales Manager at ADP. She 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 led Client Sales Directors in the Midwest for Bright Horizons, delivering childcare centers and other family solutions to corporations, universities, and health systems.
Doug roselieb
board 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 by his parents and other family members who continue to be actively involved in church, local charities, and public service positions.
CANDICE MISHKIN
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 accomplishments include opening a new mission base for Iris Global in Micronesia and Directing a 501c3 Prison Ministry Organization that focused on 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.
BRIAN WALSH
Board Member
Brian Walsh has 25 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, and FinTech. He is the principal of Warfield & Walsh, Inc., a top boutique direct marketing fundraising agency.
Brian is the Founder of Faith Direct, Inc., the leading online giving program for Catholic parishes and Dioceses. He is a leading authority on eGiving for churches and non-profits. He retired from Faith Direct after it was acquired by Ministry Brands in 2018. Brian is also the Founder of TipYo, an app that allows travelers and guests to electronically tip housekeepers, valets, concierges, and resort staff.
He serves on the Catholic University Busch School of Business Board of Visitors. He is a Member of the Order of Malta and a previous Board Member of the Catholic Volunteer Network. He resides in Alexandria, VA, where he is active in local community sports programs and volunteers weekly for Prison Ministry. He has traveled with Watts of Love to serve the poor of Haiti.
Dr. Maria Hey
board member
Dr. Maria Hey is a semi-retired veterinarian with years of experience as a successful small animal practice owner and hospital manager in San Antonio, Texas. Soon after her first child was born with Down syndrome, she and several other families started the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas. A nonprofit that now serves over 1200 families with children and adults with Down syndrome. Her 25+ years of experience in the nonprofit world includes grassroots, fundraising, marketing, board, and program development.
In addition to her business and nonprofit experience, Dr. Hey offers her photography skills to photo journal our distributions and team while traveling abroad with Watts of Love. Her first adventure was to Haiti in June 2016 and she has since joined us in seven more countries. Back home, Dr. Hey continues to work part-time performing veterinary services for a local nonprofit and as a professional portrait photographer, all while planning time for the next Watts of Love trip!
DALE MANCUSO
Board Member
Dale has more than 30 years of experience in senior leadership positions in banking and consulting. He has worked extensively with SME and middle market clients in providing unique and consultative financial solutions. Currently he is Senior Vice President and a Diversified Services Industry Head at Citi for its US Emerging Corporates business. Prior to this role, he led Citi’s Commercial Banking Emerging Corporates team in the Midwest.
Previously Dale held several key leadership roles at PNC. He was head of US Franchise Banking, a business he launched and managed.
Dale invests time in his community as part of several non-profit organizations. He also serves on the board of global non-profit, DuPage Children’s Museum board of directors and is a former member of the Executive and Governance Committees. He was also an active member for nearly a decade in Choose DuPage, an economic development organization and was the founder and sponsor of a local Blessings in a Backpack program for five years.
matt howard
board member
Matt is an Audit Managing Director at Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte'"), a global audit, tax, consulting, and advisory firm, with over 25 years of experience working with and cultivating long-term relationships with some of Deloitte's most prominent domestic and international clients. With a robust focus on industries like manufacturing, hospitality, distribution, and aerospace and defense, Matt is celebrated for his leadership qualities and a management style distinguished by organization, thoughtfulness, and forward-thinking communication. Furthermore, Matt dedicated five years of his tenure with Deloitte to concentrate on audit quality initiatives in the National Office of Deloitte.
In addition to his professional achievements, Matt is an active member of his community. Having served as the former Chairman of the Board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, he has received recognition for his outstanding contributions, including the Deloitte Community Impact Award and the Tom Hannah Outstanding Service Award from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley.
