DANITA ESTRELLA-WATTS

President

Danita Estrella Watts is founder and CEO of Danita’s Children Hope for Haiti Children’s Center in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. The feeding of one child in 1999 led to Danita founding an organization that now provides 16,000 meals each month, a pre-K to 12 School that educates almost 400 children, and a children’s Medical Center that provides excellent pediatric care to the northeast region of Haiti.

In addition, her mission is to provide a safe and loving home to almost 70 children, including special needs children who have been abandoned. Danita is a visionary leader, with a gift both to see the need and to envision the solutions to meet that need. As such, under Danita’s leadership, the programs and services of Danita’s Children are continually expanding and breaking ground into new areas, all with the mission to rescue, love and care for orphaned and impoverished children in Haiti.

Through nearly 25 years of devoted and outstanding service to the region of Northern Haiti, Danita has become a highly-respected and well-loved leader in the community of Ouanaminthe, and her ministry is making a lasting impact which will affect the lives of Haitians for generations to come.

She truly exemplifies the power of the Danita’s Children motto:  Changing Haiti, one child at a time.

KARRIS HUDSON

Vice President

Karris Hudson is Secretary and Vice President of Danita’s Children. Growing up in Nashville, she knew early on that God was calling her to the mission field.

In her early twenties, Karris served at Metro World Child in New York City, helping coordinate its Sidewalk Sunday School program for inner-city youth in Brooklyn. After a few years there, in 2002 she followed the call of God to Ouanaminthe, Haiti.

Karris has been with Danita’s Children for 21 years now, where she has the greatest privilege of helping raise the children God has entrusted to their care. In the early years with Danita’s Children, Karris supported Danita and her vision by helping establish, build and spearhead what is seen today as Hope for Haiti Children’s Center. From the build-out of each home, filling administrative roles, raising children, to directing field staff and project management, Karris has seen God’s faithfulness bring this ministry to what is known today.

During her time in Haiti, Karris also graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She enjoys writing, speaking, and investing into the lives of the younger generation – championing them to follow God’s unique call on their lives.

SCOTT NEU

Treasurer

Scott Neu is a Private Wealth Advisor for Goldman Sachs based in Atlanta, where he works closely with individuals, families, and institutions to advise them on investments, intergenerational planning, and philanthropy.

Scott joined Goldman Sachs in 2000 and was named Managing Director in 2017. Scott holds an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University with a concentration in finance.

Early in his career, Scott enlisted for five years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear power operator on the USS Salt Lake City and a staff instructor at a nuclear prototype facility. Scott is an Eagle Scout, currently named the Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 197.

He is married and has three children. In his free time, Scott enjoys working out and alpine skiing.

TAMARAH DUPERVAL-BROWNLEE

Board Member

Tamarah Duperval-Brownlee, MD, MPH, MBA serves as Vice President, Care Excellence for Ascension, the largest non-profit healthcare organization in the U.S.

She is a Board Certified Family Physician, who has practiced medicine for 15 years, and has worked towards the advancement of Health Policy, person-centered care, and quality improvement in healthcare in both academic medical center and community health center settings. She holds a medical degree from the University of Chicago College of Medicine, a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University, and an MBA from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Tamarah is a first-generation Haitian-American and has been married to her husband, Clarence, for 15 years. She enjoys service to her local church and community.

MIKE FISHER

Board Member

Mike has been an NHL professional hockey player for 22 seasons.  He played for the Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Senators in the second round, 44th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Along with his outstanding NHL career, Mike has also been recognized by the NHL  for exemplifying leadership and service off the ice, receiving the 2012 NHL Foundation Award, and nominated by the Predator’s for the 2017 King Clancy Award. 

Mike is also known as an author, philanthropist, husband and father. When Mike is not at the rink or in the community serving, you can find him outdoors – he is an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoys golfing.

ALASTAIR GEDDES

Board Member

Alastair Geddes is the Founder of Impact International, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to orphanages around the world, including Danita’s Children.

Alastair planted his first church, Faith Ministries, in Zimbabwe, Africa, which was a forerunner in the region for breaking down all racial barriers with a message of reconciliation. Alastair also led an initiative of racial reconciliation to Benin in West Africa along with African-American leaders from the United States.

Alastair is a native of Scotland, and as a young man, served in the British South Africa Police in Zimbabwe. He received his first ministerial training from Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas.

Alastair and his wife Carol, have ministered together in Africa and throughout the U.S. in the areas of business and church affairs. Together they lead group travel for corporate leaders to international destinations, as well as mission trips to Africa.

MATT HASSELBECK

Chairman of the Board

Matt is a former NFL quarterback for 18 years and has been an analyst for ESPN since 2016. He appears primarily on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown, and is a contributor to Sports Center, NFL Live and other programs and ESPN platforms.

As an NFL quarterback playing for the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts, Matt was a three-time Pro Bowler and made 6 playoff and 1 Super Bowl appearance. Throughout his NFL career, Matt advocated on behalf of NFL players, specifically in the areas of health and safety, and currently serves as Vice President of the NFLPA Executive Committee.

He is involved in many charitable and philanthropic efforts that enhance the lives of orphaned, impoverished and exploited children throughout the world.

Matt has been married to his college sweetheart, Sarah for 23 years and together they have two daughters and one son.

DR. GRAY KELLER

Board Member

Dr. Gray Keller writes, speaks and consults on philanthropic leadership as he practices philanthropy as a way of living. Gray advises several nonprofit boards, including She’s The First, Urban Hope, NYC and The Memnosyne Institute.

He currently presides over the Leader Foundation while traveling the world on behalf of widows, orphans and the extreme poor. He has published and is a contributing author to a number of books and publications, including his book “Everyone Wants Your Money, Helping You Navigate Through Philanthropy.”

Gray participates in many diverse philanthropic causes from medical missions to constructing homes in the developing world. Dr. Keller has degrees in philosophy, theology and leadership, along with a certificate of professional development from the Wharton School of Business. He speaks on philanthropy, servant leadership, and the relational aspects of wealth dynamics on the soul.

DR. PETER LINDQUIST

Board Member

Dr. Peter Lindquist, DNP, RN, NEA-BC is a Division Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive for HCA Healthcare – the Nation’s largest for-profit health system based in Nashville, TN.

Before HCA, Peter had moved to Haiti for months to successfully oversee the new construction and high standard of care that is delivered at Danita’s Children Medical Center.

Prior to Haiti, Dr. Lindquist was an 11-year leader for Ascension Health, the Nation’s largest not-for-profit health system where he had most recently served as an Executive over St. Thomas West and St. Thomas Midtown Hospitals in Nashville, TN, two of Ascension Health’s flagship facilities.



Dr. Lindquist holds a Doctorate from both The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB). He also received a Bachelors in Nursing and a Masters of Science in Executive Nursing Administration from the University of South Alabama where he was awarded the College’s highest honor. Dr. Lindquist holds an advanced executive board certification and is also a published researcher with a focus on healthcare leadership development.