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Régine René Labrousse, a 1st generation Haitian-American from New Orleans, LA, an Intercultural Relations Specialist with sustainable development experience working with the largest foreign direct investors and foreign missions in Haiti since 2010.  She began working in Haiti to lead post-earthquake US Public Diplomacy programs from 2010 to 2013 as the Cultural Affairs Officer. As an integral part of the inter-agency relief efforts, she saw how complicated it was to get external support to land successfully with local partners.   

In 2014, she transitioned into the private sector with the HEINEKEN Company to further her experience from a different angle. For 5 years, she built and led BRANA-HEINEKEN’s Corporate Affairs Department in Haiti (which includes Public and Government relations, Communication, and Sustainability). As the main advocate for the joint USAID-IDB-BRANA local sourcing project for sorghum (Pitimi Lokal), she managed multiple high-level stakeholders to ensure a smooth collaboration. 

She was soon elected to the board of the American Chamber of Commerce of Haiti, initially as Vice-President and then President, re-elected every year for 5 years. She was able to break the glass ceiling and enable a more diverse and inclusive leadership of AmCham. As the only woman and member below the age of 50, she led the team through many undemocratic situations. By the end of her tenure, the board included 50% women and 80% below age 50. The chamber shifted to include economic development and business support services, as well as more transparent business practices. 

She's engaged with prominent leaders that are able to make serious contributions in communities throughout Haiti, but they lack the strategic commitment to make impactful contributions. Through her smart strategies, carefully selected networks and by utilizing her extensive experience, she has had success in creating a positive social impact in a variety of communities throughout Haiti, creating ripple effects. She remains engaged to enable projects to have desperately needed social impact.