Guy Baron - Advisor
For Guy, joining the Board of FPDI is just another opportunity to have a small part in helping Haiti. Despite his many years of separation from his place of birth, Guy has always been involved in activities concerning Haiti and Haitians. He is a founding member of HAUP (Haitian American United for Progress) a Haitian Community center in Queens, NY and has served on the board of Friends of Montfort, an organization that supports a school for deaf-mute children in Haiti. Read More . . .
Katia Abinader - Co-Treasurer
Katia, currently resides in Belgium, and is vital to FPDI’s progress in Europe. She currently works as an International Civil Servant at NATO HQ, in Brussels. She has worked as a specialist in the office of the Defense Attaché at the US Embassy in Paris, France, US Embassy in Brussels, Belgium and as a Red Cross volunteer at the US Military hospital in Vicenza, Italy. Her vast international experience and reach provide access to an incredible bounty of funding opportunities to support the work of Paradis des Indiens. She has been involved with Fondation Paradis des Indiens for the last 20 years.
Diane Domond - Secretary
Unlike most of our Board members, Diane’s story does not begin in Haiti. In fact, she is a Norwegian- American. 25 years ago, she met and married Haitian born Leslie Domond. She was immediately welcomed into the family and Leslie’s sisters took on the responsibility of making Diane a good Haitian wife! Instantly, she wholly embraced the rich culture of Haiti. She dedicates her time to the foundation because she believes that education is the one way to offer true hope in a world so deeply influenced by radicals who preach false hope. Diane brings some heavy experience to bear in her role as a board member. She brings to the group 30 years’ experience in Merchandising and Sales, first in the garment industry and then in the luxury home decorative accessories business. Today, Diane lives in Florida, runs a decorative bedding catalogue business and has a passion for cooking Haitian food.
Mireille Lebrun Jeannopoulos - Advisor
In 1975, right after Mica opened her first school, Mireille, her husband, and their five year old son traveled to Abricots. They were welcomed as the first "American" family visit the village. Upon seeing Mica’s first school - 4 sticks with a thatched roof - and meeting a few of those first students, she was hooked! Impressed by Mica’s dedication and the clear need for education in the village and surrounding area, she entered into a lifetime of working for the goodwill of all people. She has worked for the Institute of International Education, UNICEF, the United Nations in Cambodia and has volunteered her time to several foundations, “Forgotten Children of Haiti” and “Children of Bel Air.” In 2010, immediately following the earthquake that devastated Haiti, she joined as a Red Cross Volunteer working aboard the hospital ship USS Comfort, as a translator. Mireille is one of the founding members of Friends of Paradis des Indiens. Read more...