Our Team
Keri Neel, Executive Director
Keri was born in New York and raised in Jensen Beach, Florida. In 2008, she moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences in 2012. During her time at UF, Keri felt a strong calling from God to serve in the slums of Kenya, which led to the co-founding of Grant Abundant Life. With over a decade of leadership experience in the non-profit sector, Keri now serves as the Executive Director of Grant Abundant Life. She is deeply passionate about helping children discover their worth in Christ and empowering both them and their communities.
Eric Leightman, President
Eric was born and raised in Hollywood, FL. He came to Gainesville in 2001 to attend the University of Florida where he received his Bachelor's degree in Finance. Eric has been going to Kenya since his first trip in 2004, and also founded Gleanings of the Harvest, a non-profit that partners with Grant Abundant Life to help children in Nairobi grow in education and discipleship. Eric and his wife Rachel have 3 children, and he runs a local real estate brokerage in Gainesville called University Realty.
Brooke Bauzon, Vice President
Brooke was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. She came to Gainesville in 2006 to attend the University of Florida where she received her Bachelor's degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. During her senior year at UF, she rediscovered and encountered the love and grace of Jesus Christ. She has a deep passion for children and families. She loves watching people encounter God and seeing them discover their gifts. She has watched this passion come to life through Grant Abundant Life. Brooke longs to see people transformed by Jesus and wants to spend herself in behalf of others.
Michele Quiros, Secretary
Michele was born in New York but grew up in Jensen Beach, Florida. She moved to Gainesville, FL in 2008 to attend the University of Florida and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Michele began to develop a relationship with Jesus in high school, and grew deeper in her faith throughout college. Michele has a God-given passion for kids, specifically those who are abandoned and neglected, and feels called to be in relationships with kids that point them to Jesus. Michele deeply desires for orphaned and vulnerable children in Kenya to experience the love of Christ.
Emma Mwangi, Grant Abundant Life Centre Director
Emma was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. Emma graduated with a diploma in Early Childhood Development at Ummul Qura College in Ngara, Kenya. After graduating, Emma taught preschool for 5 years in the Kibera slums. She then worked full time in ministry and attended Bible School in Nairobi. Emma is very passionate about the long-term development of children and has dedicated her life to developing children into strong leaders who will make a long term impact and change in their communities, and ultimately the world.
Brandon Bowlin, Treasurer
Brandon is originally from Sarasota, Florida, but moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida in 2010. Having felt a calling from the Lord to work with youth and children, Brandon earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Family, Youth, and Community Science. After graduating in 2013, Brandon spent some time working for a Christian summer camp ministry before returning to Gainesville and eventually started a teaching career. After meeting his wife, Chelsea, Brandon met Keri, Michele, and Brooke and got involved with the Grant Abundant Life team where he was able to visit Kenya with them in the summer of 2019.
Brad Neel, Board Member
Brad grew up in Cottondale, Florida, and moved to Gainesville in 2008 to pursue his college education. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Saint Leo University and began his career as a school teacher in Gainesville after graduating. Brad enjoys traveling, hiking, disc golf, and spending time with his family.
Robbie Johnson, Board Member
Robbie was born and raised in Mayo, FL. He came to Gainesvville in 1996 to the University of Florida where he received his bachelor's degree in Economics. In 2019 Robbie graduated from Southeastern University with a MA in Christian Leadership. Robbie served as a pastor at Greenhouse Church for 20 years and is now the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Director at the University of Florida. Robbie joined our board in 2022 and took his first trip there in 2022 also.
Donna Kolb, Board Member
Donna was born and raised in Cottondale, FL, then relocated to Gainesville in 2000. She has worked in higher education for over 30 years at three different types of institutions in the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid programs, student enrollment services and records. Her experience as a first generation, non-traditional college student, instilled a passion for helping all students have access to higher education and to provide them with the experience, tools and preparation they need to lead successful, fulfilling lives in pursuit of higher education and after graduation. She holds a master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from St Leo University and a Bachelor's of Science in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Troy University. Donna and her husband, Tom, enjoy spending time with their 5 children, 2 daughters-in-love, 1 son-in-love and 5 grandchildren.
Angelica Suarez, Board Member
Angelica is on a mission to help organizations develop high-performance learning environments that produce healthy, sustainable, and effective rhythms in the workplace. She spends her days collaborating with social entrepreneurs developing teams eager to make a difference in the world. Angelica has helped local and international organizations build strategies that drive their mission, vision, and values.
Her entrepreneurial spirit has led her to start multiple ventures. By developing an educational and management coaching program from the inception of an idea to its fruition, she has had the opportunity to gain a depth understanding of how to identify setbacks and create potential solutions.
She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Florida and pursued a Master's Degree in Public Administration and Conflict Resolution at Syracuse University. She is a certified OKR coach, Psychological Safety Practitioner, and an IDEO certified leader for Business Innovation.
Angelica is married to her wonderful husband, Oscar, and they have two beautiful children, Luna and Lucas
Reggie Gichanga, Board Member
Reggie was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. He moved to the USA in 2009. He attended Indiana University in South Bend, Indiana where he graduated with Bachelors of Science in Accounting, and later earned a Master’s degree in Personal Finance from Indiana Wesleyan University. He is married to Purity and they have two boys. Reggie is a disciple of Jesus Christ from a young age and has a heart for servant leadership.