Honoring a Legacy of Leadership, Service, and Purpose

Christel DeHaan built more than a company—she shaped an industry and redefined what leadership could mean when success is paired with responsibility. Her vision helped establish the foundation of vacation ownership, and her belief in education as a force for change led to the creation of Christel House, an organization that has transformed lives across the globe.

That legacy continues to resonate across the industry today, not as a static tribute, but as a living set of values carried forward through sustained partnerships, thoughtful action, and a shared belief that doing well and doing good are inseparable.

At Grand Pacific Resorts, the relationship with Christel House has evolved over decades, grounded in respect for Christel DeHaan’s example and a commitment to stewarding her vision in ways that are consistent, meaningful, and enduring.

Guided by a Mentor’s Example

Reflecting on Christel DeHaan’s influence, David Brown shared how her leadership shaped his own understanding of service and stewardship.

“Christel was a mentor and friend,” he said. “I first met her in the 1980s when I was Vistana’s lawyer. Later, when we built the Coronado Beach Resort, she offered guidance that stayed with me: choose your path, commit to it, and don’t get distracted. Focus on excellence, ethics, and consistency. She believed in building a company, not just a resort.”

That philosophy—clarity of purpose, long-term thinking, and integrity—became a throughline, influencing not just business decisions, but how success could be leveraged in service of others.

A Relationship Built Into Everyday Operations

One of the most enduring expressions of that philosophy is how support for Christel House has been integrated into daily operations. Through participation in the Christel House coffee program, Christel House coffee is offered as an in-room amenity across Grand Pacific Resorts properties, quietly connecting thousands of guests each year to the organization’s mission.

The program generates meaningful annual support for Christel House while reinforcing the idea that philanthropy does not have to exist apart from business—it can be thoughtfully embedded within it.

Commitment Strengthened Through Experience

Beyond daily integration, engagement with Christel House has been reinforced through long-standing participation in broader initiatives, including the Christel House Golf Tournament. For many years, the tournament brought industry leaders together to raise critical support—on average the Grand Pacific hosted tournament generated approximately $100,000 annually—while reinforcing a shared responsibility to the communities the hospitality industry serves.

When the tournament did not return following the pandemic, Grand Pacific Resorts worked collaboratively with Christel House to help ensure that the spirit and momentum of industry-wide fundraising continued. The intent was not to replace a tradition, but to carry forward its legacy and encourage continued industry participation.

That commitment has also been shaped through firsthand experience. David has visited Christel House in Mexico City regularly over many years, attending graduation ceremonies and participating in donor trips alongside colleagues and friends.

“We begin by visiting a couple of students’ homes—often a single room shared by an entire family,” he shared. “Then we visit the Christel House campus, where 700 bright-eyed children arrive in clean uniforms, with books, computers, artwork, and teachers and administrators who know every child by name. The contrast is unbelievable. It tears your heart out, but it also gives you hope—Christel’s vision was to give these children a true seat at the table of life.”

Those visits transformed support into stewardship, grounding philanthropy in lived experience rather than distance.

Investing in What Comes Next

That belief in education as a pathway to opportunity has also taken a more personal form. In partnership with Christel House Mexico City, Grand Pacific Resorts supports a high school graduate each year through a college scholarship—providing $1,000 annually for four years to help a student continue their education beyond secondary school.

The scholarship reflects a belief central to Christel DeHaan’s vision: that impact is measured not only by reach, but by follow-through—by walking alongside students as they take the next step forward.

When Legacy Meets Culture: Cleaning for a Cause

In 2025, these commitments converged through Cleaning for a Cause, when the annual Housekeeping Olympics formally aligned with Christel House Mexico City. What began as an associate engagement tradition evolved into a purpose-driven event that connected culture, celebration, and community impact.

For many housekeeping associates, the cause resonated deeply. Supporting an organization that invests in education and opportunity in Mexico reflected personal stories, family connections, and shared values. The charitable mission was intentionally woven throughout the event—not only through fundraising, but through creative expression, including towel origami designs that incorporated themes connected to Christel House itself.

Through support from industry partners and local businesses aligned with these values, the event raised $50,000—fully funding a year of support for 20 students.

Reflecting on the partnership, Tal Gilad, Senior Vice President of Development for Christel House International, shared:

“Embedding philanthropy into a company’s culture and operations builds sustained support and a lasting legacy of giving. For Christel House, partnerships like the one we have with Grand Pacific, are especially meaningful because they reflect long-term commitment rooted in shared values and action—not just fundraising.”

A Legacy in Motion

Taken together—the coffee program, industry fundraising efforts, school visits, scholarship support, and Cleaning for a Cause—these initiatives reflect a leadership approach rooted in humility, continuity, and purpose. They demonstrate how Christel DeHaan’s legacy continues to influence not only philanthropy, but how organizations integrate service into culture and everyday decision-making.

Reflecting on that influence, David shared:

“Christel built RCI, which became the backbone of our industry. And after she sold it, she invested everything she had into Christel House. She applied the same discipline, excellence, and accountability to philanthropy that she brought to business. That example matters.”

He added, “At Grand Pacific Resorts, we try to do the right thing. Each year, more than 100,000 families vacation with us, and I believe that matters. Parents reconnect with their children, couples rediscover one another, grandparents build memories with their grandchildren. Creating those moments is meaningful work. It’s a good way to spend a career. And I miss Christel.”

Christel DeHaan’s legacy is not static. Through partnerships that integrate daily operations, culture, and community impact—and through leaders and organizations willing to carry her vision forward—it continues to grow, quietly changing lives one cup of coffee, one classroom, and one opportunity at a time. To learn more about Christel House and partnerships that integrate philanthropy into culture and operations, visit christelhouse.org. For partnership-related inquiries, contact Esther Grisham at [email protected].