S5 E8: Telling the Story of a Global Non-profit with Leeza Hoyt and Christine Deschaine

Bringing Hope to the Family, a nonprofit organization founded in Uganda, has successfully expanded its mission to the United States, focusing on supporting vulnerable children and communities.

Christine Deschaine, Executive Director and Founder of the USA division, shares her journey of introducing the organization to American audiences, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in effective communication and engagement.

With the help of the Hoyt Organization, Christine emphasizes the importance of storytelling through various channels, including social media, to showcase the positive impact of their work. The conversation also delves into the emotional connections created through their initiatives, such as providing clean water and medical care to underserved communities.

About the Guest

Leeza Hoyt, APR, is president of The Hoyt Organization, Inc., the Los Angeles area partner agency of PRGN. As a 25+ year veteran of the communications industry, she is passionate about helping clients navigate the new world of today's communications landscape. Her team has developed awarding winning campaigns for regional companies and national organizations in a wide variety of industries. She has been recognized by many organizations including being named as a "woman to watch" by Globest.com, and named as one of the top Marketing & Communications CRE Influencers by Real Estate Forum. In addition, she is a member of the Forbes Council, and the agency was named one of the top 200 PR firms in the country in 2021.

Christine Deschaine is a Senior Vice President in Kennedy Wilson’s brokerage division and specializes in the leasing and sale of retail property. She has more than 25 years of experience in tenant and landlord representation and has worked extensively in urban redevelopment with some of the area’s most prominent retail developers. Since joining Bringing Hope to the Family in 2019, Christine has visited Bringing Hope in Uganda eighteen times and helped to develop the Building Women and Crisis Pregnancy Center program. She is also the Founder and Board Member of ThinSpace, a nonprofit that works to bring vital resources and opportunities to the people of Kaihura, Uganda.

Additionally, Christine works with City of Hope as an agent at Kennedy Wilson and the Commercial Real Estate, where she received the Spirit of Life® Award for her professional and humanitarian accomplishments. For 20 years, she has volunteered with Harvest Home and helped in programs including fundraising and hands-on programs including Bible studies, baby and mother baskets, sorting baby clothing and landscaping projects. Her work continues at Ann Douglas Women Center DTLA, supporting women with life recovery services. Christine’s passion for non-profit work is extensive as she has dedicated her life to serving the needs of others.

About the Host

Abbie Fink is president of HMA Public Relations in Phoenix, Arizona and a founding member of PRGN. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications, social media strategies, special event management, crisis communications, community relations, issues management, and marketing promotions for both the private and public sectors, including such industries as healthcare, financial services, professional services,...