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
KIMBERLY CHANG
Since 2014
Westridge School
17
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.
TIFFANY CHANG
Since 2014
Stanford University
20
CHRISTIE HUANG
Since 2014
California Institute of Technology
26
KATHRYN HUANG
Since 2014
University of Southern California
25
GRACIE SANDMAN
Since 2017
Stanford University
20
SARAH LOWIN
Since 2016
New York University
20
SARAH HOU
Since 2018
California Institute of Technology
25
CHARISMA CHEN
Since 2019
Harvard University
2o
CARLY PETERSON
Since 2016
Santa Clara University
20
International Directors
GERMANY
Anna-Marie Wijakumaran
GERMANY
ITALY
Am Kareem Bukola
ITALY
ENGLAND
Carly Welsh
ENGLAND
UGANDA
Charlene Kasiira
UGANDA
COSTA RICA
Cristina Retana
COSTA RICA
SOUTH AFRICA
Mimie Mandundu
SOUTH AFRICA
IRELAND
Nicole Maxwell
IRELAND
ENGLAND
Sheliya Grace
ENGLAND
SOUTH AFRICA
CANADA
Tegan Siganski
CANADA
INDIA
Vanica Chhabra
INDIA
ECUADOR
Allison Ponce
ECUADOR
SRI LANKA
Imesha Prasadini
SRI LANKA
TAIWAN
Harris Chen