In 2015, Rockwell Automation employee Craig Hacche decided to honor his late wife, Makena Marangu, by building a maternity center in Africa near her childhood home.

The two Angelinos had started healthcare charity Answer Africa in 2006 to help eradicate malaria before Marangu, a physician, died from breast cancer.

“The passion came from my wife,” said Hacche, an original equipment manufacturer account manager for Rockwell. “Her life experiences and wisdom made me a better person.”