REBUILD HAITI: Creating a Sustainable Future 

TWO DAY TRACK

Thursday, September 22^nd 1:00PM – 5:00PM and Friday, September 23^rd 9AM – 12PM

Nearly two years after the catastrophic earthquake of 2010, hundreds of thousands of Haitians still live under tarps and tents. They continue to be ravaged by the effects of extreme poverty lacking the basic necessities of life.

         Participants:

This track is designed for non-profit, church, business and government leaders who desire to  work together to implement strategic solutions that will empower Haitians to become self-sufficient and self-sustaining.

 

Objectives:

• Develop practical strategies to cultivate greater unity between business, church, government and non-profit leaders working in Haiti.
• Highlight best practice concepts that maximize a cohesive long-term rebuilding plan for Haiti.
• Engage a team of strategic organizational leaders willing and able to work together on specific empowerment projects.
• Design an actionable rebuilding plan with committed partners.

Opening Remarks:

Felix Augustin, Consul General, Republic of Haiti (New York) 

Felix Augustin, a native of Haiti who is now a permanent resident of the United States, has served as Consul General of Haiti since April 2004. His passion is to see a better Haiti with an improved political system under a true democratic government. Formerly a columnist for the Haiti Observateur, a Haitian weekly with conservative leanings, his writings were prized by the Haitian community who see him as a fierce advocate of human rights and democracy. He also served as a radio commentator for Radio Tropical International on the talk show, Haiti Focus. Mr. Augustin has held numerous positions including Project Director for a Methodist Church in Southern Haiti, member of the Political Party RDNP (“Rassemblement des Democrates Nationnaux Progressistes”) and served the Manigat’s Government on a pro bono basis in 1999. He is a former student of anthropology at “Faculte d’Ethnologie, Haiti’s State University, and obtained a BA degree in Political Science at the City University of New York.

Track Speakers:

Ralph Edmond, Co-Founder and CEO, Les Laboratoires Farmatrix 

Ralph Edmond grew up as the son of a pharmacist. After studying at the State School of Medicine and Pharmacy in Port-au-Prince, he accomplished a second degree in Business and Marketing Management at the Bernard Baruch College in New York City. Upon returning to Haiti in 1989, Ralph took an entrepreneurial step in the field of pharmaceuticals—a step toward Haitian production targeted toward the Haitian market. He and his business partner soon founded a pharmaceutical production company in Port-au-Prince, Haiti that today employs over 90 people. Ralph believes businesspeople and entrepreneurs can break the barriers of social and economic class through mentoring. Over the years, Ralph has mentored numerous entrepreneurs within a growing business network committed to job creation in Haiti, and continues to mentor gang members as they together work toward reconciliation in communities surrounding his business. Ralph and his wife, Chantal, have three children.

Doug Seebeck, President, Partners Worldwide

Doug Seebeck serves as the President of Partners Worldwide in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Seebeck has provided strategic leadership that has helped to fuel the growth of Partners Worldwide into 20 countries. Partners Worldwide’s mission is to encourage, equip and connect business and professional people in global partnerships that grow enterprises, create sustainable jobs and transform the lives of all involved. Over the past 10 years these partnerships have helped to create and strengthen over 100,000 sustainable jobs. Mr. Seebeck co-founded and currently serves as the general manager of PW Entrepreneurs (PWE), an L3C company with the specific intent of expanding the Partners Worldwide business as ministry model to medium and large ventures around the world. With its capital and network of business professionals, PWE seeks to grow businesses in the developing world that create new jobs, bring a return to its investors, and use profits to benefit marginalized communities. PWE supports a quadruple bottom line approach, where profit, people, planet and purpose are equally respected and addressed.

Frank Williams, Corporate Partnership Director, World Vision (Haiti)

Frank Williams is Corporate Partnership Director for World Vision with a focus innovation and corporate engagements in Haiti. Prior to this he served as National Director for World Vision Haiti (2009-10), Operations Director (2002-04), Senior Director of the Enterprise Engagement Group (seeking innovative business solutions to World Vision's infrastructure and capital investment needs), and Provincial Director and National Finance/Administration Director for World Vision Democratic Republic of Congo (1994-97).He’s also held positions as CFO-Christian Herald Association/Bowery Mission, Controller-Fairfax Publications, Public Finance Attorney-Hunton & Williams, Business Manager-Haitian American Friendship Foundation (Haiti) and Auditor- KPMG. Frank has a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington & Lee University, and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. Frank brings a passion for organizational effectiveness and efficiency in stewarding God's resources, providing insights in strategy, governance, change management and innovation.

Panelists:

Ralph Edmond

Jean-Ronel Noel

Mullery Jean-Pierre

Evelien de Gier

Group Facilitator:

Terry Butler, Vermeer Manufacturing

Joe Anfuso, President, Forward Edge 

Scott Hoffman, Chief Administrative Officer, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association 

Dru Dodson, Director of Integrated Ministries, Go2 Ministries 

Additional Track Speaker:

Daniel Jean-Louis, Partnership Manager, Partners Worldwide 

 Sponsored by: