The 40+ year old Haitian beer adjusts itself to better connect to the reality of today's Haitians while inspiring us all to be bold, stronger, and more united in our actions. An edgy approach that's waking up the business culture. July 2018
Queen Letizia's first visit to Haiti included a sit-down with 12 women leaders. I was humbled by being selected and was further motivated by my fellow Haitian women making an impact in their sector. May 2018
Turning a national insult into an opportunity to reveal what's really happening in Haiti. With 20 minute's notice, we welcomed Team Coco at the brewery and showed another side of Haiti. BRANA & Team Coco made a joint contribution of $100,000 to the Haitian Education Leadership Program. Jan 2018
Kenya invited the world to Nairobi for the first global conference on the sustainable blue economy. Leaders convened to learn how to build a blue economy that:
I was selected to share best practices of sustainable business in Haiti.
In May 2017, I had the honor of addressing President Jovenel Moise on behalf of the private sector in Haiti in front of President of the National Assembly (Parliament), several Ministers, and 300+ members of the private sector. There are many challenges in this market, the current mindset is the biggest weakness. The political and business culture must change. I served 5 years on the board to bring forth this much needed change and promote sustainable business practices.
Foreign aid has not forged a sustainable path in Haiti. With decades in experience of successful breweries in emerging markets, HEINEKEN seems to have it figured out. After they acquired BRANA, I crossed-over into the Haitian private sector to join forces with a company interested in sustainable business development. Representing BRANA in various chambers, the business culture became very clear to me. Here you see Michel and Charlene de Carvalho Heineken visiting us in Haiti to verify a sustainable approach of their investments.
In an economy inundated by non-profit organizations, the dependency paradigm is strong and the economy is weak. You need real game changers, decision makers, and sustainable business development to get things moving. On the Board of AmCham, I was once the only woman and the only under 50. Today there are 5 women and everyone is under 50.
For the first time, we brought the annual AmCham hemispheric conference to Haiti. As the BFA Chairman, I led the efforts which generated the biggest political, financial, and reputation booster for the chamber. Keynote Speaker former President of Bolivia, Gorge Quiroga left us with an important message. In Haiti we have all we need, its up to us to take the right decisions in the right time to seize the opportunities for socio-economic development.
"Ses paroles sont motivantes. Son dynamisme surprenant. Sa foi en l’avenir inébranlable. Elle inspire ! Cette nouvelle artisane de la paix est, à juste titre, un véritable modèle pour les jeunes." Winnie Hugot Gabriel, auteur. YMCA Haiti has been actively engaging with the youth to enable them to positively contribute to social challenges. I continue to support this organization in the heart of PAP.
As a New Orleans native, jazz runs through my soul. It was only natural to fully support the Haiti Jazz Fest team to bring one of our greatest musicians to Haiti: Branford Marsalis! Today the Haiti Jazz Fest has blossomed into the leading festival in Haiti. Gede Fest launched in 2018 to reunite these sister cities divided at birth.
After the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, my career as a U.S. Diplomat took a sharp turn for the better. I competed for my dream job: Cultural Affairs Officer in Haiti. I forged relationships with the countries most influential leaders by promoting mutual understanding of both countries through cultural, educational, and professional development programs like Fulbright, IVLP, UGRAD, etc... I gained key insights into the Haitian business and political culture. 2010 - 2013
To conclude my master's thesis on the Haitian Diaspora's role in Haiti's economic development, in May 2008 I organized the Haitian Embassy's first major public event. I Incorporated the embassy into Passport DC, which paved the way for its current cultural activities and open doors. Today it is the most visited embassy in DC.