Doug Pitt: Businessman and Humanitarian

Doug Pitt has forged a legacy centered on service and entrepreneurship. A businessman and philanthropist, he chose to stay in Missouri, balancing local commitments with global humanitarian work.

In 2008, Doug founded Care to Learn, a nonprofit addressing children’s urgent health, hunger, and hygiene needs. The idea sparked after he learned about local poverty at a Springfield Chamber of Commerce meeting. Shocked by stories of children sharing a single toothbrush or arriving at school hungry, Doug acted immediately.

“The kid didn’t ask to be there, and he sure as heck doesn’t deserve to be there,” Doug explained.

Since its launch, Care to Learn has handled over 3 million service requests, grown to 46 chapters across Missouri, and now supports 135,000 children.

Doug’s impact extends internationally as a board member of WorldServe International and longtime Goodwill Ambassador for Tanzania, overseeing clean water projects across East Africa.

Despite global ventures, Doug keeps his family close to home. He raises his three children in Springfield, Missouri, cherishing memories of his own childhood.

“I chose to raise my kids here. I had the luxury of being able to do that anywhere, and I chose Springfield,” he reflected in 2017.

Julie Neal: Faith, Family, and Compassion

Brad’s sister, Julie Neal, has built a quieter but equally impactful life. A devoted wife and mother of five, Julie’s life centers on faith, family, and philanthropy. She and her husband, Rob Neal, expanded their family through adoption, welcoming children from Ethiopia and forming a deep bond with the country.

“I just fell in love with the country, with the people. By our standards, they have nothing, but they are the happiest people,” Julie said.

Julie and Rob also helped bring clean water to the region they adopted from, reflecting gratitude and a commitment to giving back.

Philanthropy runs in the Pitt family. In 2009, Brad, Doug, and Julie, with their spouses, donated $1 million to open the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center in Springfield, Missouri. Named after their late mother, it became the region’s only center with a pediatric oncologist and hematologist.

A Family Defined by Purpose

Though Brad Pitt remains the most visible, Doug and Julie have quietly shaped lives of meaning. Their work in business, humanitarianism, and family life offers a fuller picture of the Pitt family beyond the Hollywood spotlight.