OURSTORY
Madhatter Knits was founded in 2014 in Los Angeles, California by Christie Huang, Kathryn Huang, Tiffany Chang, and Kimberly Chang.
The inspiration to establish Madhatter Knits sparked when Tiffany Chang's fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Halferty taught Tiffany the art of knitting every recess. Tiffany was so thrilled on acquiring how to knit a hat on her own that the very next day, she proudly demonstrated it to her sister, Kimberly and her two cousins, Christie and Kathryn Huang. Christie Huang, who was volunteering at the San Gabriel Medical Center, had just visited the NICU around the same time Tiffany was learning how to knit. Tiffany's first trial gave them the inspiration for the founding idea of the organization. It was the perfect size for a preemies head! Each of them committed to knit hats from that summer on and made their first donation of 160 knit hats Christmas of 2014 to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. With the mission to give preemies and their families love, warmth, and support, Madhatter Knits was born.
The hats were so well received that the girls decided to make something more out of it. All four of them decided to create Madhatter Knits to invite and train volunteers to knit hats for preemies. The Executive Team was soon established. Each of our inspired individuals from our Executive Team all began to grow a network of devoted volunteers together to help make a difference for premature infants and foster support to their families in feeling their love, warmth and comfort during their difficult times. Madhatter Knits hopes to give the gift of hope for parents, as milestones for growth, or as remembrances of knitting their love to tiny beginnings.
Meet the Team
Westridge School
CHRISTIE HUANG
25
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Since 2014
OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
They are a diverse group of young women who create true momentum by which our organization thrives. Each inspired individual of our Executive team brings unique experiences and resolve to a common vision: to provide a nucleus of support for preemies in the NICU and their families. With dedication, the Executive Team at Madhatter Knits is committed to the preemies in the NICU and their families.
Westridge School
TIFFANY CHANG
20
Stanford University
Since 2014
University of Southern California (USC)
KATHRYN HUANG
23
Since 2014
Westridge School
KIMBERLY CHANG
17
Since 2014
Stanford University
GRACIE SANDMAN
18
Since 2016
New York University
SARA LOWIN
18
Since 2014
Santa Clara University
CARLY PETERSON
18
Since 2019
Westridge School
SARAH HOU
23
Since 2020
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Westridge School
CHARISMA CHEN
18
Harvard University
Since 2017
International Directors
Anna-Marie Wijakumaran
GERMANY
Am Kareem Bukola
ITALY
Carly Welsh
ENGLAND
Charlene Kasiira
UGANDA
Cristina Retana
COSTA RICA
Mimie Mandundu
SOUTH AFRICA
Tegan Siganski
CANADA
Vanica Chhabra
INDIA
Allison Ponce