Christel DeHaan, who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1962, was an accomplished businesswoman, community leader, and philanthropist. As co-founder of Resort Condominiums International (RCI), she was widely known for her contributions to the travel and tourism industry. Under her leadership, RCI grew into a global enterprise with 68 offices in 38 countries, serving 2.2 million members around the world. She sold RCI in 1996 and, subsequently, devoted her time, energy, and financial resources to philanthropy.

Christel's philosophy of life was "to care, to share, to make a difference," and nothing could summarize her life more clearly. Her generosity was legendary. Immediately after the sale of RCI, she began contemplating how to use resources from the sale to create a lasting impact.

Originally created by Christel as the RCI Foundation, she reorganized it after the sale of RCI into the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation and invited family members and “like family” friends to join her on the board as she gave back during her retirement. The Family Foundation evolved to have a primarily local focus in Indianapolis, supporting her lifelong, cherished passion for the arts and a few other important causes. The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation closed in 2023 by expending its corpus to organizations receiving Legacy Grants that together totaled just over $55 million. The Legacy Grants were the culminating gifts of the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation that operated through the years 1997 through 2023 – a total of 27 years of giving. Thanks to Christel’s generosity, with the final Legacy Grants, the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation Board was privileged to oversee more than $133 million in grants over its lifespan to more than 700 organizations.

In 1998, she founded Christel House, a public charity that helps children around the world break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. Children attend Christel House learning centers, where they receive holistic services — which ensure that a child’s basic needs are met – and then provide top-quality education, character development, career planning, and ultimately, job placement. Christel House currently serves over 6,300 students in Mexico, India, South Africa, Jamaica, and Indianapolis. 100% of all donations directly benefit the children as Christel made provisions to cover all general, administrative, and fundraising expenses.

Christel’s wisdom, compassion, common sense, and business judgment are evident in every element of the Christel House model. Dedication to excellence was the expected standard, as was the drive for continuous improvement. Through her careful planning, the work of Christel House will continue with assistance from the Endless Success Foundation, a supporting organization funded through Christel’s estate. It was her wish that all Christel House general and administrative expenses be covered in perpetuity so that donor investments would continue to directly provide programs and services to Christel House students.

During her tenure in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, Christel served on numerous boards, including a 10-year term as board chair for the University of Indianapolis and an 8-year term as a member of the board of OneAmerica Financial Partners. Her leadership and contributions have been widely recognized. She has been a two-time recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash, inducted into the British Hall of Fame in Tourism, recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year and Education Leader of the Year, and honored as an Indiana Historical Society Living Legend. She was awarded three honorary doctorate degrees – from the University of Nottingham, England; Marian University; and the University of Indianapolis.

Christel’s passion for life, for causes, for people, and for the arts, music, and nature was underscored by a deep commitment to excellence in all that she did. She made a difference as an employer, as a community leader, and as a philanthropist.