About Us
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
PSALMS 33:5
“Loving Our Neighbor” is the founding principle for the work of the Dovetail Impact Foundation.
OUR HISTORY
Dovetail Impact Foundation (formerly David Weekley Family Foundation) was established in 1990 with profits from David Weekley Homes, a U.S. homebuilding company started by David Weekley in 1976.
We initially philanthropically engaged in our local community of Houston, Texas, USA. But since then, our work has expanded across the globe as our partners confront challenges that require the very best of our hearts, minds, and spirits.
We now celebrate 30 years of partnership with 115 organizations working in 35 countries.
OUR TEAM
The Dovetail Impact Foundation comprises a small but mighty team of talented entrepreneurs, teachers,
researchers, lawyers, and international development experts. From Texas to Kenya, our team is honored to come
alongside passionate leaders and organizations creating meaningful impact in the world.
Amit Antony Alex
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR
Based in Bengaluru, India
Amit Antony Alex serves as an Investment Director with Dovetail Impact Foundation where he supports an international portfolio of partner organizations and is based out of Bengaluru, India. Prior to joining Dovetail Impact, Amit worked as the Country Director for Upaya Social Ventures where he led investments and portfolio management in early stage enterprises, creating livelihood opportunities for people in extreme poverty. Prior to Upaya, he was the Enterprise Development Manager at the United Nations Foundation’s Clean Cooking Alliance, heading grants and capacity building support to enterprises globally.
He has diverse experience working in startup social enterprises, helping them scale to implementing development programs with non-profit organizations to supporting early stage social enterprises. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Hult International Business School. Amit is passionate about cooking up innovative dishes from around the world and playing or following various sports.
Samuel Battistoli
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR
Based in Dakar, Senegal
Sam supports a diverse set of innovative organizations in and beyond West Africa within the International Portfolio. Prior to joining Dovetail, he spent six years as an independent consultant, working with innovative secular and faith-based social enterprises and not-for-profits in West Africa and the Caribbean. He brought a focus on operational systems strengthening and best-practice sharing to companies working in health care, livelihoods, emergency response, and renewable energy.
During the West African Ebola outbreak, Sam worked with Last Mile Health in Liberia, helping set up its first field office outside its pilot site and co-implementing its first USAID grant. He joined LMH from Dimagi, an information and communication technology for development company that was then expanding and formalizing its West African operations. Sam helped launch a pair of national-scale programs in the Sahel before backstopping the setup of Dimagi’s regional hub in Dakar.
Eliguard Dawson
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR
Based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Eliguard joins Dovetail Impact Foundation from Crossroads International, where he managed a diverse portfolio of partners in East and Southern Africa. In this capacity, he supported a diversity of partners delivering impact in livelihoods, health, access to justice, and leadership and participation. Prior to his work with Crossroads International, Eliguard served as the Mainland Tanzania Director at D-tree International, a Country Director at Digital Opportunity Trust, an Advisor at KPMG International Development Advisory, and an Associate Director at Peace Corps.
He also supported philanthropic foundations in building partnerships and partner capacity development. Eliguard's passion lies in leadership and organizational development. He possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management from Sokoine University and a Master of Science Degree in Education for Sustainability from London South Bank University. In addition to his professional pursuits, Eliguard is an avid reader, a dedicated marathon runner, and actively engages in small-holder farming.
Joy Gikandi
PROGRAM MANAGER, ACCELERATION PORTFOLIO
Based in Nairobi, Kenya
Joy serves as a Program Manager, leading Dovetail's Acceleration Portfolio, focused on strategic capacity building & investment in locally-led organizations who are earlier in their scale journey. Prior to joining Dovetail, Joy led a leadership training program in East Africa and was responsible for strategy, partner engagement, training, coaching, as well as providing oversight on recruitment & selection, community engagement and program administration.
In other previous roles, she has co-led a venture to build affordable housing in Nairobi; and managed operations for an energy fund aiming to catalyse an emerging high growth potential solar energy ecosystem in East Africa. Come to Joy for conversations on music & travel.
Anna Koons
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING MANAGER
Based in Austin, TX
Anna serves as Dovetail’s Knowledge & Learning Manager, focused on strategic insights and connections across the breadth & depth of Dovetail's international Scale and Acceleration Portfolios. Prior to this role, Anna managed research studies & evaluations at a center in the Duke University Global Health Institute. She has also worked with the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network in Washington, D.C., the Eleanor Crook Foundation, and the UT Innovations for Peace & Development Lab.
Anna holds a Master’s in Global Policy and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas, and a B.A. from Wheaton College (IL). Raised in Colorado, she now lives in Austin with her husband, son, and two dogs. Anna is passionate about wellbeing for all, teaching children through play, effective M&E , and long bike rides. Come to Anna for conversations about the Beatles, history, and how to see all the sides of an issue.
Philip Langford
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Based in Washington, DC
Philip Langford serves as Chief Operating Officer for Dovetail Impact Foundation, providing leadership to the whole of the Dovetail’s operations that promote and catalyze human flourishing. Prior to joining Dovetail, Philip served as President of International Justice Mission’s US operations.
Over his 16 year tenure, Philip led IJM’s frontlines operations in 19 countries on 5 continents on a wide array of social justice and human rights challenges, including gender-based violence, human trafficking, police brutality, and online sexual exploitation of children. Philip was a partner in a full service law firm prior to joining IJM. Come to Philip for conversations about bass fishing, his Great Dane and his love of team.
Hillary Omala
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR
Based in Nairobi, Kenya
Hillary serves as an Investment Director with Dovetail Impact Foundation where he supports an international portfolio of partner organizations and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Prior to joining Dovetail Impact, Hillary served as the Executive Director for CFK Africa where he led the development of an ambitious investment framework that accelerated the scale-up of health, education and livelihoods services in informal and peri-urban settlements across Kenya.
Prior to CFK Africa, he was the Policy and Partnerships Director at Lwala Community Alliance, the Executive Director for Kakenya’s Dream, and a Clinic Services Manager for the CDC in Kenya. He holds a bachelor’s degree Social Sciences from the University of Nairobi and is an MSc. Health Economics Candidate at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Come to Hillary for conversations about DIY and restoration projects.
Jason Pittman
INVESTMENT DIRECTOR
Based in Austin, TX
Jason serves as Investment Director, providing strategic leadership to Dovetail’s United States portfolio. Prior to joining Dovetail in 2022, Jason worked for twenty-seven years in faith-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving under-resourced communities, most recently as the CEO of Touching Miami with Love.
Jason holds a Master of Social Work from Baylor University, a Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from Florida International University. Jason and his wife, Angel, have spent much of the last 25 years working alongside one another in nonprofit work and have three grown sons and one grandson. Come to Jason to find your next great recipe or discuss the best fishing spots.
Robin Bruce
PRESIDENT
Based in Austin, TX
Robin Bruce serves as President of the Dovetail Impact Foundation where she’s honored to partner with exemplary entrepreneurs confronting the greatest challenges of our day. Prior to joining Dovetail in 2017, Robin spent four years as the CEO of the Acton School of Business, an award-winning entrepreneurial MBA in Austin, Texas. In her role, Robin had the privilege of walking alongside extraordinary individuals in their journey to become principled entrepreneurs.
Robin holds an MBA from The Acton School of Business and a B.A. from Vanderbilt University. She received Texas Business Hall of Fame's 2010 Award for entrepreneurial achievement. Robin and her husband Taylor live in Austin, Texas with their three children and a giant goldendoodle named Cooper. Come to Robin for conversations about neighborhoods, the best hiking trails, and heroes like Fred Rogers!
David Weekley
FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN
Based in Houston, TX
In 1976, 23-year-old David Weekley started his own home-building company. Now, more than 40 years later, the company has sold more than 100,000 homes and expanded to 19 cities across the nation. As a result of his progressive management methodologies, where people are the primary focus of the organization, the company has been named to FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For®" list 16 times.
David earned degrees in Economics and Geology from San Antonio’s Trinity University. He and his wife Bonnie have three children and eight grandchildren. David is passionate about helping entrepreneurial leaders develop high-performing organizations, delighting team members, and looking for ways to move from incremental to exponential!
ANNUAL REPORT
