Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
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DATE: JANUARY 13 TO JANUARY 19
PLACE: Southern University Law Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana At The Nelson Mandela Center For Public Policy
Invited Groups: Montana Accord, The Pen Accord, Cesco, Akor Lari A, And Ariel Henry Accord
To receive an Invitation, click here to register To Donate (Click here) #HaitiUnitySummit, #SupportHaitiUnitySummit, #HDPAC.
Sponsored by: HDPAC & GIPHRADREC
Jean D. Vernet, II is a long-time community activist and organizer who played a very visible and crucial role in mobilizing the Haitian American community in participating in the historic march of April 20, 1990 against the unscientific designation of Haitians as particularly susceptible to the HIV virus. Subsequently, Jean worked on issues of voter participation, civic education and was successful enough to be solicited to run for the city council of New York in 2001.
His unsuccessful campaign was a high-water mark in the political participation of Haitian Americans in New York City.
He has a B.A. in Comparative Literature with a focus on the evolution of cultural Identity in both the diaspora and African literatures and a Master’s of Science in Community Economic Development from the Southern New Hampshire University.
Jean has an abiding interest in economic empowerment as key to community resiliency. He has worked in that field in New York City and Haiti, providing training in business skills, money management and assets acquisition to marginalized communities.
He has also worked as a consultant to the Central Bank of Haiti, the Office of the President of Haiti and the Deputy Speaker Assembly of the State of New York.
Jean’s commitment to community empowerment has recently been focused exclusively on financial education which is a natural outgrow of his education. He is currently responsible for a Financial Literacy program in Brooklyn, New Yorkwhile continuing to work as a consultant in the private sector.
Mr. Carey J. Kriz has had an extensive career in the technology, healthcare and general development industries. Starting with his graduation from the Officers Candidates School in the United States Marine Corp (Platoon Leaders Class), Carey launched a career within IBM as software engineer working on systems spanning MVS/VM mainframes to the emerging IBM PC.
His leadership covered various areas of advanced technologies, including the development of speech recognition, general knowledge-based algorithms (with IBM Research), and extensions to the IBM PS/2 operating system. From IBM Carey became the CEO of one of the first medical AI companies, CAMDAT, with a base in Tokyo, Japan and a US HQ in Pittsburgh, PA.
Later acquired by the Hearst Corporation Carey then joined the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as the executive director of the Center for Biomedical Visualization, which he co-founded with the National University of Singapore. His Asian experience expanded from his IBM/Hopkins work in the late 1980s to the build of the Johns Medicine International Corporation and country relationships across Asia (including Singapore, Malaysia, China and India), through the Middle East and Central Europe. Carey’s current focus is on the development of national infrastructures, with a specific focus on technology and manpower-based security systems and sustainable energy networks. He has been involved in multiple capital offerings, most recently as a director of Kingdem Capital in Beijing and through an alliance with Method Investment and Advisory of London.
Andrew is a physician, strategist and security expert, with a special focus on infrastructure planning, energy and technology. His career has spanned a number of areas in both the public and the private sectors and across a variety of countries. After a decade in clinical practice, he joined the Australia Federal health system where he rose in the ranks to General Manager, responsible for strategy, information management and data analytics, as well as innovations in electronic claiming and security. He was instrumental in designing and implementing the national secure transaction infrastructure for electronic communications throughout the national healthcare system. He then embarked on a consulting career initially in the US and then internationally for various funding organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and German Development Bank, as well as a number of international government departments and agencies. He has led teams and provided advice in over 20 countries including Jordan, Iraq, Sudan, Serbia and Kosovo, on various national infrastructure issues, such as construction, information systems and security. Andrew is a British and Australian citizen and currently resides in Ukraine
Renee Ballantyne is the current President and a founding member of HDPAC, where she leads the government communications team and engages daily with stakeholders at the White House, internationally, in Haiti, and beyond. Committed to supporting a Haitian-led solution that addresses the needs of the Diaspora, she advocates the wishes of the Diaspora for a safe and secure homeland, the fulfillment of humanitarian needs for the residents of Haiti, an economic structure free from corruption, and a sustainable bureaucracy with a fairly elected government.
Renee has engaged with the Haitian government, from Ariel Henry to current President Leslie Voltaire, as well as key stakeholders in the private sector and civil society, to gain understanding and express the desires of the Diaspora. She has also presented on engaging the Diaspora in Haiti’s elections at the Organization of American States (OAS). Additionally, she serves as an assistant to Retired General Russel Honoré, and her project management and leadership skills have been instrumental to HDPAC’s success. By day, Renee is a dedicated nurse and healthcare executive, and as a passionate advocate for the Haitian Diaspora, she remains an unapologetic friend of Haiti.
Firmin Backer is a distinguished strategist, intellectual property, and global development expert. With a robust educational background encompassing multiple degrees in engineering, education, material science, and a doctoral study in physics, his expertise spans across various domains of science and technology. As the President of HRA, a global development consulting firm, Mr. Backer has demonstrated visionary leadership, steering the organization towards pioneering initiatives that address complex challenges facing societies worldwide.
Under his guidance, HRA has become a driving force in fostering sustainable development, empowering communities, and promoting innovation on a global scale. Mr. Backer’s strategic insights is deeply committed to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among diverse stakeholders. He actively engages with governments, NGOs, academia, and industry leaders to forge strategic partnerships and cultivate innovative ecosystems that foster inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Mr. Backer’s leadership philosophy is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, a commitment to ethical principles, and a passion for making a meaningful difference in the world. Through his visionary leadership at HRA and his contributions to the broader development community, he continues to inspire positive change and shape a brighter future for generations to come.
Florida State University, College of Law, Juris Doctor
State University of New York, Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Rutgers, State University of NJ, Bachelor of Arts, History
Licensed Attorney and Registered Nurse with both legal and clinical
experience. As an attorney, worked for over a decade as a legal
consultant assisting corporate law firms in large and complex litigations
and internal investigations. These legal matters included but not limited to banking compliance,
commercial litigation, U.S Securities Exchange inquiries, Department of Justice 2nd request in
mergers and acquisitions. All the while maintaining a private practice that mainly caters to
immigration matters. Also assist clients desiring to invest in Haiti with research, planning and
facilitating access to funds and personnel. In the healthcare arena, a fierce patient advocate with
interest in risk management as well as quality and safety. Also, involved in several non-profit
groups that are advocating for a safe, secure, and economic independent Haiti.
EMMANUEL ROY
Emmauuel Roy s a graduate of Hunter College in NY and Florida Costal School of Law. Mr. Roy spent his early career at the World Bank doing feasibility analysis for multibillion dollar projects. He also worked as a Prosecutor in the Brooklyn DA’s office and in private practice focusing in criminal defense, civil rights and business law.
Mr. Roy has been actively involved in local, state, federal and international political campaigns.
Additionally, Mr. Roy is a published author and journalist and his works have been noted in the Miami-Herald, New York Times and Wall Street Journal and more. His opinions are frequently expressed on radio and television and on TrueNewsBlog.com.
Georgemay Figaro is a seasoned lawyer with over 20 years of experience, recognized for her extensive involvement in political consultancy and government advisory roles. She has notably served as Chargée de Mission to Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Haitians Living Abroad, showcasing her leadership in high-level government operations. Georgemay’s career also includes her role as General Counsel to the National Society of Industrial Parks of Haiti, where she provided strategic legal oversight and contributed to industrial development policies. In her various roles, she has advised on major programs, driving compliance, regulatory oversight, and humanitarian projects aimed at public sector and community development.
Georgemay Figaro’s career trajectory reflects a strong commitment to both legal excellence and impactful public service, heavily focusing on diaspora engagement initiatives. Her diverse experience and easy-going personality have positioned her as a leader and allowed her to bridge the gap between the diaspora and domestic policies, fostering collaboration for national development.
Georgemay holds a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University, solidifying her legal expertise in corporate, program management, and consulting sectors. She currently serves on the Board of Haitian Renewal Alliance as Government Liaison Director and is Of Counsel to the Law Office of Vincent Bianco in New York.
