2025 Changes to Gazelle Foundation Board of Directors

With this new year, we are pleased to share changes to our board of directors. Welcome new board members Suellen Carson and Ashish Patel.

For over a decade, our board of directors has committed wholeheartedly to providing access to clean water for the people of Burundi. United in our mission, the board works each day to provide access to this basic and crucial resource.

We extend our deepest thanks to exiting board members, Andi Gillentine and Paula McCaul whose efforts have made a profound impact on thousands of lives in Burundi. Families are healthier, sanitation and hygiene are boosted, and the risk of water-borne infectious diseases is reduced. Rather than spending hours collecting water, children are healthy and able to attend school. Both Andi and Paula have generously agreed to serve on our Advisory Committee. Paula also generously agreed to serve as co-chair of 2025 Spring For The Water Gala.

Welcome New Gazelle Foundation Board Members

Suellen Carson is the founder and administrator of Benevolent Care Home Health Care Services provider of home health, physical therapy, and nursing services in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.  Suellen learned about the Gazelle Foundation and Gilbert when a friend shared, “This Voice in My Heart. She has played an active role in fundraising and community awareness for several international philanthropic organizations including Caring For Cambodia and the Gazelle Foundation.

“Years ago, I was part of a project that funded clean water for a community in a third-world country and have learned how important clean water is to children and their families. Every morning when I start my tea, brush my teeth, or wash my dishes, I try and remember to be grateful for clean water. It's not always easy so I have a couple of little "Gratitude Cactuses" that sit in my bathroom and in front of my kitchen faucet. They serve as a reminder to pause and be grateful.

My interest in clean water started one time when I was in a third-world country at a five-star hotel and went to run a bath. The water switched to a rust color and then to a dark cola color. I realized in that moment that not any fancy marble, plush towels, or bottles of water that laid around the decadent bathroom could conceal the truth.” — Suellen Carson

Ashish Patel a highly experienced software developer and entrepreneur, is the CEO and Founder of Simpat Tech, a software consulting company based in Austin, TX. Ashish met and became friends with Gilbert through his love for running and developed a deep interest in learning about and supporting the Gazelle Foundation. Ashish recently visited Burundi with Gilbert to get a firsthand look at the progress the foundation has made and to establish an understanding of where the Gazelle Foundation can go in the future. 


"My biggest takeaway was how fortunate and lucky we are to live in a country like the U.S. where we have so many paths for opportunity. I am more grateful for this country then I have ever been.

On the other hand, while the ceiling is low, it did not deter children from using education as a path to opportunity. Watching children's dedication to go to school  every morning for a better opportunity gives me hope for the country." — Ashish Patel