our staff
Cherie Miot Abbanat CEO
Cherie joined Haiti Projects in June of 2012 and just recently became CEO. Cherie is Haitian/American, is passionate about empowering women throughout the world, especially in Haiti. Cherie brings with her a wealth experience in nonprofit management, project development and management, finance, grant writing, and social medial networking and fundraising. Cherie believes in setting goals, building teams and getting things done on the ground.
Cherie also lecturers on her work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) and in the Department of Architecture. She has been teaching MIT for over fifteen years. At MIT where she is lecturing on Haiti and the need for Haitian-led initiatives at MIT and as part of the rebuilding process and post-disaster planning in New Orleans and Haiti. Cherie has her undergraduate degree in Economics and French from Simmons College and her Masters Degree in City Planning with a concentration in Environmental Policy and Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Renee Ryan Director of Sales/Production/Office Manager
Renee joined Haiti Projects in January 2011. Renee has a strong background in customer service and sales which helps in her dual role at Haiti Projects. Her main responsibilities include maintaining customer relations with vendors, filling orders and assisting the Director of US Operations with sales and pricing. She also maintains office finances and is the quality assurance manager on all of our products shipped from Haiti to the United States.
Jean Rene Leseau Co-Director of the Cooperative, Haiti
Jean Rene was educated in Port – Au Prince in 2000. Since then he received a certificate in Voluntary by the Association for the development and growth of Carrefour (ADEC) in 2002. He then moved on to graduate with a degree in Fine Arts at Ecole National des Arts (ENARTS) in 2004. Once Jean Rene graduated he became a computer operator. After two years Jean Rene decided to go back into the arts and taught drawing and painting at Macedonia Child Development Center from 2006-10. Jean Rene joined Haiti Projects in 2010 and has brought a new outlook for design, and production. He currently lives in Sainton with his wife and two children.
Yonel surin Director of Library Community,Haiti
My name is Yonel Surin, born on February 23, 1980 in Fond des Blancs. I finished my secondary school in 2006 in Port-Au- Prince. In 1999 during my high school in Fond des Blancs, I was teacher in an elementary school in Buissereth, at the same time, I worked as a librarian at the Library Community of Fond des Blancs. In 2003, I was hired as vice –principal in a primary shool in Murier ( Christophe Colomb) for 3 years. I went to port-Au-Prince in 2005 to finish my secondary school and in the same time I went to computer school. In 2007, I returned to Fond des Blancs and I worked as assistant director of the library. In summer 2009, I attended to a seminar on management at the Professional School Hearts United. In 2010 to date, I am working as Director of the Library Community of Fond des Blancs and substitute teachers in the philosophy class in Fond des Blancs St Francis Xavier College.
Joselyne Louis Clinic Manager, Haiti
Joselyne was born and raised in the south of Haiti. She began working as the manager of the Haiti Projects Family Health Clinic in July, 2007. Before that she was a practicing nurse in Pont Matheux, responsible for childbirth and pre and post-natal care. Joselyne holds a graduate degree in nursing with a specialty in midwifery.
Melanie J. Debrosse Operations, Sales, and Communications Coordinator, Haiti
Melanie Debrosse is an attorney and international women's rights advocate. She is based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Melanie graduated from American University, Washington College of Law with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Human Rights Law and Gender, where her focus was on gender-based violence in Haiti post-earthquake. She has done research in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on the effect of gender discrimination and gender-based violence on internally displaced communities by visiting the J/P HRO IDP camp. She also worked as a legal assistant to the Latin America and Caribbean Division General Counsel at USAID. She earned her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and her B.A. from Brandeis University. Melanie is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is fluent in French and proficient in Haitian Creole and in Spanish.
