Leadership
Serving Suffering Children Through the Local Church
Dave Phillips
Founder and President
The devastating poverty Dave witnessed at a children’s hospital in Honduras changed him forever. With a united passion to impact the next generation and help local churches build relationships with poor children in their communities, Dave and his wife Lynn founded Children’s Hunger Fund, first distributing food and aid from their garage.
Dave’s family tree includes the founders of several well-known charities, so the non-profit world was a natural fit for him. In fact, Dave’s first job after graduating from Westmont College was at a relief organization, World Opportunities International. Dave and Lynn live in Simi Valley, California and have four grown sons. Dave often travels overseas with his sons hoping to inspire them to service through their own personal poverty encounter.
Michael Richards
Senior Vice President
“My first trip to Indonesia broke my heart, turned my world upside down, and opened my eyes to the needs in the world. Working for CHF has taught me that nothing is impossible for God Who does astounding things!”
After faithfully serving CHF for nine years, Michael took a huge leap of faith, packed up his family, and moved to Texas to launch and expand CHF’s ministry in the Southwest. Michael married his high school sweetheart, Carrie, and they have three sons. Today, they call Prosper, Texas, home.
Jason Hartung
Vice President of Finance (CFO)
Before coming to CHF, Jason spent nearly 23 years working in administrative roles in Christian higher education. Through the struggles and joys of raising four children, including one with special needs, he and his wife, Mary, experience first-hand the impact of timely demonstrations of kindness and care by God’s people. Jason is thrilled to support CHF’s efforts to help local churches love those in need in their communities. The Hartungs live in Santa Clarita, California.
Buddy Brewer
Executive Director, Operations
Buddy brings to Children’s Hunger Fund diverse experience from both corporate business and international missions work. Buddy spent 15 years working for Fortune 500 companies in the areas of sales, sales planning, sales strategy, and business analytics. Before coming to CHF, Buddy—along with his wife and two children—spent 10 years in Germany, where he worked as a pastor and church planter and even created a German-based non-profit organization. Buddy has a passion for pastors, the local church, and seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
Mario Aguilar
Executive Director, Ministry Development
Mario was born in El Salvador and moved to the US in 1998. His greatest desire is to see impoverished communities treasure Jesus as the only one Who could satisfy the deepest need of their hearts. The Lord directed Mario’s vocational efforts to join the ministry of CHF in 2012. Combining his business training with his passion for the gospel, God has allowed Mario to equip churches worldwide towards a gospel-centered mercy ministry. Mario lives in Santa Clarita, CA with his beautiful wife, Maria, and their two children.
Savannah Nix
Executive Director, Administration and Communications
With experience working at various non-profit organizations, Savannah joined the Children’s Hunger Fund team in 2018. After moving to California from Oregon, she was drawn to CHF’s mission and vision. She served as the executive assistant for the Office of the President and led CHF’s admin team for several years before joining the executive team. Savannah understands that there are no insignificant roles in any organization and is passionate about encouraging others around her to grow.
Board of Directors
Dana Scannell
Chairman of the Board
Scannell | Wight
Organizational Psychologist/President
Steve McCormick
Vice-Chair
McCormick Construction
General Building & Consulting Contractor
Jim Wicker
Secretary
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Mike Trujillo
Treasurer
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Investor
Chris Lesner
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Kevin Walkup
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CEO
Léonce B. Crump Jr.
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Rick Dempsey
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Rick Parkinson
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CEO
Dave Phillips
Children’s Hunger Fund
Founder and President
