{"id":3595,"date":"2015-04-07T15:34:19","date_gmt":"2015-04-07T19:34:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/test.sterr-bros.com\/ises\/?page_id=3595"},"modified":"2015-05-18T13:15:37","modified_gmt":"2015-05-18T17:15:37","slug":"keynote-speakers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/naahpusa.org\/conferences\/2015\/speakers\/2014-speakers\/keynote-speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Keynote Speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ambassador<\/div>

Ambassador Paul Altidor<\/h1>

Embassy of Haiti in Washington DC<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

Ambassador Altidor spent his early years where he was born in J\u00e9r\u00e9mie, Haiti. He attended primary school in J\u00e9r\u00e9mie then studied at the Centre d\u2019Etudes Secondaire in Port au Prince. His family later moved to Boston where he completed his secondary education. Ambassador Altidor received his undergraduate degree from Boston College. He earned an advanced degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and also pursued graduate studies in law and economics at the University of Paris X, in France. Before taking office, Ambassador Altidor was Vice President at the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Altidor has an extensive private sector background. As a management consultant, he counseled firms in many countries on corporate governance and responsibility. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake Ambassador Altidor led a team of professors and researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u2019s Community Innovators Lab down to Haiti. At the request of Haitian authorities, the team provided guidance to reconstruction officials on housing policy and financing. Prior to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Ambassador Altidor worked at the International Finance Corporation where he advised governments on infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships. He has also worked for the World Bank. Ambassador Altidor has taught at Ecole Sup\u00e9rieure Catholique de Droit de J\u00e9r\u00e9mie, a law school in his native town of J\u00e9r\u00e9mie, and he is a frequent speaker at universities in Haiti and the U.S. <\/p><\/div>

\"Francois<\/div>

Minister Francois Guillaume II<\/h1>

Minister, Minist\u00e8re des Ha\u00eftiens Vivant \u00e0 l\u2019Etranger (MHAVE)<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

French version here<\/a>
\n
\nFran\u00e7ois Guillaume II is the current Minister of Haitian Living Abroad, he was appointed to his present post in the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) in April 2014.
\n
\nAs an economist, his decade long experience in senior finance and accounting positions, led Mr. Guillaume in 2006 to open his own consulting firm GuiLac that specializes in business\/economic development and financial consulting services, where his firm has consulted and managed multi-million dollar organizations in the areas of finance, accounting, marketing and international business. GuiLac has also been involved in drafting CEDS (Community Economic Development Strategies) for municipalities in South Florida. Additionally, GuiLac provides business solutions through private-public partnership pairing models, and through the leveraging of debt and equity capital.
\n
\nMr. Guillaume has also, from 2007 to 2012, served as the Executive Director of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF), which strives to promote and protect Haitian-American business interests, as well as promote investment in Haiti.
\n
\nSince 2002 Mr. Guillaume has been involved in shaping US policy towards Haiti in matters of governance and economic development, having collaborated with such organizations as the United Nations and the U.S.A.I.D, as well as various members of the US Congress.
\n
\nMr. Guillaume has served as an economic development consultant to the council of Florida Governor Bush\u2019s Haiti Advisory Group. He served on the Board of Miami-Dade County\u2019s Community Action Agency from 2008 to 2011 (CAA is an agency that is committed to providing services that assist low-income individuals and families to gain self-sufficiency and economic independence, through a comprehensive list of programs that address a number of needs) and in 2009 he was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to be one of the state\u2019s Census 2010 Complete Count Committee members.
\n
\nMr. Guillaume was also nominated in February 2010 to serve on the board of the Florida Black Business Support Corporation (FBBSC) (d\/b\/a Access Florida Finance Corporation), which is a statewide black business investment corporation and provides several services to Black owned businesses in the State of Florida under the Black Business Loan Program (BBLP).
\n
\nIn December 2011, Mr. Guillaume was appointed by his Excellency President Michel Joseph Martelly and his Excellency Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Lamothe, as the new Consul General of the Republic of Haiti in Miami.
\n
\nMr. Guillaume has received numerous recognitions and holds Bachelor\u2019s degrees in both International Relations and Economics as well as a Master\u2019s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in economic policy from Florida International University.
\n
\nGuiLac accomplishments:
\n
\n- Represented several Haitian firms in US in areas of promoting Haitian products in the US through sector-specific marketing strategies.
\n- Provided business development and fiscal consulting to several firms in South Florida.
\n- Was awarded an IDB sponsored sub-grant to do a feasibility study on the growing, picking, transformation and commercialization of the Jatropha plant for an investor wishing to produce jatropha-based biodiesel in the Dominican Republic.
\n- Business consultant to a Haitian hotel investor where we created a new hotel feasibility study, negotiated with various hotel chains and presented business plan to potential investors \u2013 all of which resulted in client signing preliminary franchise agreement with Hilton.
\n
\nHACCOF accomplishments:
\n
\n- As its first Executive Director, established a presence as a business development and trade promotion entity for Haitian and Haitian-American businesses both in Florida and in Haiti. - Defended the interests of Haitian-American businesses both at the governmental local and state levels as well as the trade and investment interests of Haitian businesses in Haiti at the federal level (Dept of Commerce, US Chamber of Commerce, State Dept, USAID, BID\u2026)
\n- Keynote speaker at the Haiti Private Sector Economic Forum in March 2010 championing the need for more Diaspora investment partnership both in Haiti and US.
\n- Promoted the creation or reactivation of Haitian-American Chambers of Commerce in Atlanta, New York and Boston.
\n- Devised a plan that would establish a business incubator in Miami for Haitian-American businesses in key sectors
\n- Devised a strategic plan on how to integrate Haiti earthquake survivors who moved to Miami into the Miami job and entrepreneurial markets.
\n
\nCGHM accomplishments:
\n
\n- Established a three-fold strategic plan that would: 1) revamp Haiti\u2019s image abroad through various types of tourism and investment forums, 2) establish the Consulate\u2019s presence into its communities as a service-oriented governmental entity, 3) activate business diplomacy.
\n- Revamped the Consulate\u2019s organizational structure making its commercial and cultural\/tourism and communication sectors functional and engaging.
\n- Established partnerships with community organizations that enabled us to organize quasi-monthly commercial or cultural events in the community.
\n- Unfolded our Haiti Invest series of investment forums with presentations by CFI and several other gvt entities.
\n- Organized for the President of the Senate to give a speech at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce who gave a testimony of how parliament is working with executive to establish an investor-friendly environment.
\n- Unfolded the first of its kind billboard promotion campaign on major highways of Miami.
\n- Laid out initial plans and protocol requirements to open a Consulate in Puerto Rico.
\n- Revamped the aesthetic and structural aspect of the building, making it more business friendly and appealing both for clients and employees.
\n- Met with Alabama governor and other Alabama stakeholders opening trade, commercial and investment opportunities between Haiti and Alabama.
\n- Established relationships and good rapport with media community enabling us to promote Haiti gvt initiatives and programs.
\n- Established a presence in other heavily Haitian inhabited Florida communities by providing mobile consular services (West Palm Beach, West Florida\u2026).<\/p><\/div>

\"Linda<\/div>

Senator Linda Dorcena Forry<\/h1>

State Senator, Massachussetts<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

In April 2013, after a highly competitive special election, Linda Dorcena Forry was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate. Senator Forry, a native Bostonian, is the first woman and person of color to represent the Commonwealth's 1st Suffolk District, a diverse and thriving cross-section of Boston which includes Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan and South Boston.
\n
\nFor almost two decades, Senator Forry has dedicated her professional life to a career in public service, working in various capacities in both state and local government. As a first generation Haitian-American, Senator Forry gained from her parents a strong work ethic and an understanding of the transformational power of education, and recognized the value of civic engagement from an early age.
\n
\nElected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2005 for the Commonwealth\u2019s 12th Suffolk District, Senator Forry chaired the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business, where she quickly became an authority on the concerns facing small businesses. During her tenure as a State Representative, Senator Forry was also the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service, as well as a member of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
\n
\nCurrently, Senator Forry chairs the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, and is a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; Joint Committee on Education; Joint Committee on Housing; Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse; and Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Senator Forry continues to play a leadership role on immigration issues at both state and federal level. As the only Haitian American elected official in Massachusetts, Senator Forry remains committed to rallying her colleagues, advocates and immigrant groups across the state relative to issues significant to ethnic communities.
\n
\nIn June 2013, Senator Forry was honored by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce as one of Greater Boston\u2019s 2013 Ten Outstanding Young Leaders. In May 2012, she received an Honorary Law Degree from Pine Manor College. Senator Forry serves on several boards, including: the National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NAEHON), Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester, College Bound Dorchester, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Board of Overseers, and the Boston Foundation Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Fund Advisory Council.
\n
\nSenator Forry holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston College Carroll School of Management and has received her Master\u2019s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Senator Forry and her husband, Bill, are the proud parents of four children and live in the Lower Mills neighborhood of Dorchester.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Dr. Ludovic Comeau, Jr.<\/h1>

Associate Professor, DePaul University<\/h2>

Vice President, GRAHN-World<\/h2>

President, GRAHN-USA<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

DePaul University and GRAHN-World Ludovic Comeau Jr is an Associate Professor at DePaul University, where he\u2019s taught economics since 2001. As a Fulbright scholar in the 1990s, he earned a PhD in business economics, an MBA in fi-nance and an MA in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also holds an MA in French Literature from the University of Chicago, and a BS in business administration and a Law de-gree from the State University of Haiti. Prior to the 1990s, he amassed a vast managerial experience in Haiti\u2019s private and public sectors, while being involved in humanitarian work. In the late 1990s, following graduate school in the U.S., he worked at Haiti\u2019s central bank as chief economist. His re-search focuses on the politics and institutional dimensions of economic growth.
\r\n
\r\nSince the 12 January 2010 earthquake, Dr. Comeau has intensified his focus on matters related to his country. He\u2019s spo-ken and lectured extensively on Haiti. He\u2019s participated in several symposiums and forums organized by groups in Haiti\u2019s vast Diaspora. He joined GRAHN-World, (Group for Reflection and Action for a New Haiti, or GRAHN-Monde in French; http:\/\/www.grahn-monde.org\/), an unprecedented Haitian think-tank that emerged in Canada one week after the earthquake, and is present in seven countries on three continents. He is currently vice-president at GRAHN-World and president of GRAHN-USA. He is a founding editor of Ha\u00efti Perspectives, GRAHN\u2019s scientific journal, and president of the Interna-tional Jury for GRAHN\u2019s Excellence Awards. He is professor and trustee at the Institute for Science, Technology, and Advanced Studies of Haiti (ISTEAH, http:\/\/www.isteah.edu.ht\/), GRAHN\u2019s accredit-ed graduate program, in Haiti. He is a consultant for the central bank of Haiti.<\/p><\/div>

\"Michael<\/div>

Michael Cummings<\/h1>

Assistant Professor of Business Law University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV<\/h2>

PhD Candidate at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

Michael Cummings is an Assistant Professor of Business Law at University of Nevada Las Vegas and a PhD Candidate at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. Michael studies entrepreneurship with a special interest in the legal and policy dimension of new business creation. He is a co-author of an International Migration Institute working paper on the origins of Diaspora Engagement Institutions and has several additional papers currently undergoing peer review. His dissertation focuses on the economic and political impacts of diaspora engagement policies in developing countries. Michael received his B.S. in English Literature from Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah), his M.P.A. in Public Management and J.D. from Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah), and expects to defend his Ph.D. dissertation later this year.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Minister Wilson Laleau<\/h1>

Ministry of Economy and Finance<\/h2>

Ministry of Commerce and Industry<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

Monsieur Wilson Laleau est n\u00e9 \u00e0 Saint-Louis-du-Nord le 7 juin 1963 dans une famille chr\u00e9tienne. Il fit ses \u00e9tudes classiques \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9cole des Fr\u00e8res de l\u2019Instruction de Chr\u00e9tienne de sa ville natale, au Lyc\u00e9e Tertulien Guilbaud de Port-de-Paix puis au Coll\u00e8ge Les Normaliens R\u00e9unis \u00e0 Port-au-Prince.
\n
\nDipl\u00f4m\u00e9 du Centre des Techniques de Planification et d\u2019Economie Appliqu\u00e9e (CTPEA, Ha\u00efti), il a poursuivi des \u00e9tudes post-gradu\u00e9es en France (Paris I, en Sciences Politiques), \u00e0 l\u2019Institut International d\u2019Administration Publique (IIAP) en Politique Economique et en Hollande \u00e0 l\u2019Institute of Social Studies (ISS), \u00e0 la Haye. Il d\u00e9tient deux dipl\u00f4mes d\u2019\u00e9tudes sup\u00e9rieures sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9es (DESS) en Coop\u00e9ration et D\u00e9veloppement et Politique \u00c9conomique, et un Master of Arts (MA) en \u00c9conomie du d\u00e9veloppement.
\n
\nIl est mari\u00e9 et p\u00e8re de 4 enfants et a toujours v\u00e9cu en Ha\u00efti en dehors de ses p\u00e9riodes de formation \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9tranger. Comme \u00e9conomiste, il a fait carri\u00e8re en tant que professeur au Centre des Techniques de Planification et d\u2019Economie Appliqu\u00e9e (CTPEA), \u00e0 l\u2019Universit\u00e9 Quisqueya (UNIQ) et \u00e0 l\u2019Universit\u00e9 d\u2019Etat d\u2019Ha\u00efti (UEH.
\n
\nM. Laleau a \u00e9galement travaill\u00e9 comme consultant pour les principales institutions internationales \u00e9tablies en Ha\u00efti comme le PNUD, la BID, la Banque Mondiale, l\u2019UNICEF ainsi que pour le gouvernement ha\u00eftien.
\n
\nDe 1997 \u00e0 2001, M. Laleau a travaill\u00e9 comme charg\u00e9 de mission \u00e0 la Commission Nationale \u00e0 la R\u00e9forme Administrative (CNRA). A ce titre, en plus de travailler \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9laboration d\u2019une politique de restructuration g\u00e9n\u00e9rale de l\u2019administration publique ha\u00eftienne, il a eu la charge du Centre de Formation et de Perfectionnement des Agents de la Fonction Publique qui devait d\u00e9finir des programmes de formation en support aux r\u00e9formes \u00e0 mettre en \u0153uvre.
\n
\nDe Mars 2000 \u00e0 Novembre 2001, il a \u00e9t\u00e9 nomm\u00e9 coordonnateur national du programme d\u2019assistance pr\u00e9paratoire \u00e0 la modernisation de l\u2019Etat (PNUD\/Gouvernement Ha\u00eftien).
\n
\nApr\u00e8s des ann\u00e9es de service dans la fonction publique et la coop\u00e9ration internationale avec une intense pr\u00e9sence parall\u00e8le dans l\u2019enseignement universitaire, il d\u00e9cide en 2003 de relever le d\u00e9fi de contribuer \u00e0 la r\u00e9forme de l\u2019Universit\u00e9 en se portant candidat au poste de vice-recteur aux affaires acad\u00e9miques de l\u2019UEH. Il a \u00e9t\u00e9 \u00e9lu \u00e0 ce poste, puis r\u00e9\u00e9lu en 2008.
\n
\nAu cours de ses 8 ann\u00e9es pass\u00e9es comme vice-recteur aux affaires acad\u00e9miques de l\u2019UEH, M. Laleau a lanc\u00e9 et conduit des chantiers majeurs qui ont modifi\u00e9 durablement l\u2019Universit\u00e9 d\u2019\u00c9tat d\u2019Ha\u00efti. Il a notamment introduit la refonte des curricula, les programmes de maitrise, le service du registraire, l\u2019implantation et le renforcement des facult\u00e9s de d\u00e9partements et de nombreux programmes d\u2019\u00e9changes avec des universit\u00e9s du monde entier et en particulier du monde francophone.
\n
\nIl a laiss\u00e9 en 2011 le poste de vice-recteur pour rejoindre l\u2019\u00e9quipe du Pr\u00e9sident Martelly. Il a notamment contribu\u00e9 \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9laboration du programme \u00e9conomique du Pr\u00e9sident Martelly. Depuis octobre 2011, il est Ministre du Commerce et de l\u2019Industrie. Dans ce Minist\u00e8re qu\u2019il a trouv\u00e9 particuli\u00e8rement affaibli, le Ministre Laleau s\u2019affirme comme un b\u00e2tisseur qui veut transformer ce minist\u00e8re en profondeur, convaincu que seul le d\u00e9veloppement des entreprises permettra de cr\u00e9er les emplois massifs inscrits au programme du Pr\u00e9sident et du Gouvernement. Travailleur infatigable et g\u00e9n\u00e9reux il lance des chantiers ambitieux comme notamment le renforcement institutionnel du Minist\u00e8re, l\u2019am\u00e9lioration du cadre l\u00e9gal des affaires et l\u2019am\u00e9lioration des services \u00e0 la client\u00e8le et le d\u00e9veloppement du partenariat avec les acteurs des diff\u00e9rents secteurs et avec la coop\u00e9ration internationale.
\n
\nIl a d\u00e9j\u00e0 \u00e0 son actif la r\u00e9alisation des \u00c9tats g\u00e9n\u00e9raux sur l\u2019investissement, la modernisation du processus de cr\u00e9ation des soci\u00e9t\u00e9s anonymes dont le d\u00e9lai d\u2019enregistrement est d\u00e9j\u00e0 pass\u00e9 de 105 jours \u00e0 moins 10 jours, le recensement g\u00e9n\u00e9ral des entreprises. Il a d\u00e9j\u00e0 \u00e9galement r\u00e9alis\u00e9 4 projets-phares : 1) la mise en place du Centre de d\u00e9veloppement de l\u2019entreprise et de l\u2019Entreprenariat (CDEE), 2) le lancement du projet des micro-parcs industriels, 3) le concours de l\u2019Innovation, 4) la mise en place du Bureau ha\u00eftien de normalisation et du laboratoire de m\u00e9trologie. Dans le m\u00eame temps, il a lanc\u00e9 des dossiers strat\u00e9giques pour Ha\u00efti (r\u00e9forme du secteur GPL, augmentation des r\u00e9serves strat\u00e9giques de produits p\u00e9troliers, r\u00e9vision des tarifs douaniers) et pour la r\u00e9gion Cara\u00efbes (projet \u00ab produits champion \u00bb avec les pays l\u2019Association des \u00c9tats de la Cara\u00efbe, projet de marine marchande carib\u00e9enne). Il met aussi beaucoup l\u2019accent sur la promotion du commerce ext\u00e9rieur comme principal vecteur pour attirer les investissements directs \u00e9trangers et favoriser la cr\u00e9ation massive d\u2019emplois dans l\u2019\u00e9conomie ha\u00eftienne.
\n
\nEn avril 2012, il est nomm\u00e9 Ministre de l\u2019\u00c9conomie et des Finances, tout en restant charg\u00e9 d\u2019assurer l\u2019int\u00e9rim comme Ministre du Commerce et de l\u2019Industrie. L\u2019une de ses r\u00e9alisations embl\u00e9matiques au Minist\u00e8re de l\u2019\u00c9conomie et des Finances a \u00e9t\u00e9 la pr\u00e9paration du budget de l\u2019ann\u00e9e 2013-2014, dans lequel il a introduit 50 mesures appel\u00e9es \u00e0 transformer durablement le r\u00f4le de l\u2019\u00c9tat dans le financement des entreprises et le d\u00e9veloppement de l\u2019\u00e9conomie. Il faut aussi noter \u00e0 son actif au MEF la r\u00e9alisation de l\u2019atelier sur les strat\u00e9gies de croissance et le lancement du plan de valorisation de la r\u00e9gion du M\u00f4le Saint-Nicolas.
\n
\nM. Laleau a assum\u00e9 pendant plus d\u2019une ann\u00e9e cette double fonction minist\u00e9rielle, montrant clairement les bienfaits pour le pays d\u2019une vraie synergie entre ces deux minist\u00e8res, le premier qui pense le d\u00e9veloppement commercial et industriel, le second qui met de fait les moyens au service des options et strat\u00e9gies de d\u00e9veloppement retenues. Avec le dernier changement du Cabinet minist\u00e9riel de mars 2014, M. Laleau quitte le Minist\u00e8re de l\u2019\u00c9conomie pour se consacrer enti\u00e8rement au portefeuille du Commerce et de l\u2019Industrie.
\n
\nAu cours de ses diff\u00e9rents mandats aux Minist\u00e8res du Commerce et de l\u2019Industrie et de l\u2019\u00c9conomie et des Finances, il a marqu\u00e9 de son empreinte les organismes de coop\u00e9ration r\u00e9gionale et multilat\u00e9rale. Il a \u00e9t\u00e9 notamment un des principaux acteurs de la Pr\u00e9sidence tournante exerc\u00e9e par Haiti sur la Caricom entre 2012 et 2013. Il a marqu\u00e9 les deux sommets organis\u00e9s en Haiti en 2013 par la Caricom et l\u2019Association des \u00c9tats de la Caraibe. Il a \u00e9galement am\u00e9lior\u00e9 de mani\u00e8re significative l\u2019implication et l\u2019Image d\u2019Haiti dans les instances internationales sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9es dans le Commerce (OMC, CNUCED, ITC).
\n
\nParall\u00e8lement, M. Laleau garde, comme depuis toujours, une forte implication dans des initiatives \u00e0 caract\u00e8re \u00e9ducatif et social au b\u00e9n\u00e9fice de la Jeunesse. Il est pr\u00e9sident depuis plus dizaine d\u2019ann\u00e9es d\u2019une \u00e9quipe de football \u00e9voluant en premi\u00e8re et en deuxi\u00e8me division nationale. Il est \u00e9galement fondateur depuis 2007 d\u2019un mouvement d\u00e9nomm\u00e9 Initiatives Nord-Ouest, regroupant et encadrant des jeunes de son d\u00e9partement d\u2019origine par la promotion de l\u2019\u00e9ducation, de la culture et des sports.
\n
\nMonsieur Laleau a publi\u00e9 plusieurs articles scientifiques et particip\u00e9 \u00e0 la r\u00e9daction d\u2019un ouvrage collectif. Il enseigne depuis des ann\u00e9es sur l\u2019\u00e9conomie ha\u00eftienne \u00e0 l\u2019Universit\u00e9 et publiera bient\u00f4t un livre ayant pour titre : Haiti : L\u2019\u00e9conomie politique de la pauvret\u00e9.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Ambassador Danielle Saint-Lot<\/h1>

Ambassador - at - Large of the Republic of Haiti for Women's Empowerment<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

Born in P\u00e9tion-Ville, Haiti, Ambassador at Large Danielle Saint-Lot has spent much of her career focused on promoting women\u2019s rights and business development in Haiti. She has been Haiti\u2019s first female Minister of Commerce and Industry and has held several other key positions in Haiti\u2019s government including Minister of Tourism. She is an associate at Caribbean Business Consulting (CBC) and co founder of Femmes en D\u00e9mocratie, the Haiti Chapter of Vital Voices Global Partnership. She also served as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Haiti. She has worked as program coordinator or consultant for different international organizations. Her main areas of expertise are business and private sector development, politics and local governance, women political and economic empowerment, public and government affairs.
\n
\nAmbassador Saint-L\u00f4t sees herself as a \u201cConnector\u201d. She brings her strong private and public experience and her personal convictions about local economic development through business opportunities, education and women empowerment. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from the Haiti National Institute for Management and International Relations. She also earned a degree in International Economic Relations from the Institute for International Public Administration of Paris, France.
\n
\nShe is a member of Vital Voices Global Advisory Council. She also serves as member of the Steering Committee of the Haiti Hope Project of The Coca Cola Company supporting mango farmers. She is a Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards honoree. She has been one of the four recipients of the First Annual DVF Awards to honor women for Exceptional Leadership. She is the only Haitian from Haiti who had the privilege to ring the NYSE bell, in March 2010. In 2012, she has been appointed by President Martelly Ambassador at Large of the Republic of Haiti for Women\u2019s Empowerment.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages<\/h1>

22nd Assembly District<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

A lifelong resident of Elmont, Michaelle Solages was elected to represent the 22nd Assembly District in November 2012. The 22nd Assembly District includes North Valley Stream, Valley Stream, South Valley Stream, South Floral Park, Floral Park, Bellerose Terrace, North Woodmere, Elmont, Stewart Manor, and parts of Franklin Square. Assemblywoman Solages is the highest ranking Haitian-American elected official in New York State and the first Haitian-American elected to a New York State office.
\n
\nAt an early age, Michaelle learned the value of hard work and the importance of a quality education. Michaelle earned a Bachelor's Degree from Hofstra University's School of Education, Health and Human Services. After graduation, Michaelle remained at Hofstra as a supervisor of access services at the University's Axinn Library. Michaelle has helped to empower students through printed material and educational technology. Michaelle has also played a role in the modernization of the library's resources.
\n
\nMichaelle believes in giving back to the community. As a result, Michaelle has volunteered as a legislative aide and served as an organizer for various civic and nonprofit organizations.
\n
\nOne of Michaelle\u2019s top priorities is fighting for Nassau\u2019s middle class. Michaelle recognizes that a livable wage and safe working conditions are fundamental rights. Michaelle also seeks to be an advocate for environmental conservation, education, and small businesses.
\n
\nMichaelle currently resides in Elmont with her husband, Nick.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Ambassador Patrick H. Gaspard<\/h1>

U.S. Ambassador<\/h2>

Republic of South Africa<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

Prior to being appointed U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Patrick Gaspard served as the Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee, a position he held since 2011. Previously, he served as an Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Political Affairs from 2009 to 2011. Prior to that, he was the National Political Director for Obama for America. He served as the Executive Vice President and Political Director for the Service Employees International Union. In 2004, he served as the National Field Director for America Coming Together, and from 2003 to 2004, he was the National Deputy Field Director for Dean for America. From 1998 to 1999, he was the Chief of Staff for the New York City Council.
\n
\nEarlier in his career, Mr. Gaspard held a number of positions with the City of New York, including Special Assistant in the Office of the Manhattan Borough President and Special Assistant in the Office of Mayor Dinkins.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Raju Singh<\/h1>

Lead Economist and Program Leader<\/h2>

Haiti, Latin America and Caribbean<\/h2>

World Bank Group<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

Raju Singh is the Lead Economist and Program Leader at the World Bank, overseeing the work on economic policy for Haiti. Prior to that, he was Lead Economist on Central African states at the World Bank and senior economist at the International Monetary Fund where he held positions in the Fiscal Affairs, Asian, and African Departments, working on a wide range of countries and leading missions to China, Cyprus, and Tonga. He was also advisor in the Swiss Executive Director Office, and held positions at the Swiss Finance Administration in Bern and at Lombard Odier & Cie (private banking) in Geneva. He was also a consultant for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, working with the central banks of Rwanda and Tanzania, and taught at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. He has widely published on public finance, intergovernmental relations, and remittances. Mr. Singh holds an MA and a PhD in economics from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Marjorie Alexandre Brunache<\/h1>

Consul General<\/h2>

Haitian Consulate of Boston<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

Marjorie Alexandre Brunache , Ministre Conseiller was a private practice attorney for ten years in Haiti before she joined the diplomacy.
\n
\nEducation
\nGraduated from Institution Sainte Rose de Lima
\nLaw, Facult\u00e9 de Droit et des Sciences Economique Port-au-Prince
\nMaster in Conflict Resolution et Global Governance UMASS Boston
\n<\/p><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>

Ambassador Bocchit Edmond<\/h1>

New Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS)<\/h2>
<\/div><\/div>

On August 8, 2014, Ambassador Bocchit Edmond presented his credentials to the Secretary General of OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza. In attendance at the ceremony were the Assistant Secretary General, Albert Ramdin; the Chair of the Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia, Sonia Johnny; Haiti\u2019s Ambassador to the U.S., Paul Altidor and several Permanent Representatives accredited to the OAS and the Diplomatic Corps.
\n
\nThe Secretary General praised the exemplary performance of the Haiti\u2019s Mission to the OAS and remembered the outstanding work done by the former Permanent Representative and current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, Duly Brutus.
\n
\nAmbassador Bocchit Edmond boasts a 23-year career in diplomacy. Ambassador Edmond graduated from the Law Faculty of Port-au-Prince and became a litigating Lawyer until he joined the Haitian diplomatic service.
\n
\nPrior to his assignment in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Edmond served in Panama, Jamaica, with the Mission to the United Nations in New York City, NY, and in Haiti at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
\n
\nThroughout his diplomatic career Ambassador Edmond proudly represented his country in various international meetings and was one of the negotiators of Haiti\u2019s bids to become a full member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He has honed his diplomatic skills by participating in various trainings internationally, including in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he attended a Seminar on National Security and Negotiation, and in Great Britain at Oxford University within a program targeting foreign diplomats where he studied International Relations.
\n
\nSince January 2012, Ambassador Edmond has been the Deputy Permanent Representative of Haiti to the OAS a position which he held until his current appointment as Permanent Representative on June 25, 2014, by the President of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency Michel Joseph Martelly.<\/p><\/div>
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