01
Agriculture & food security
Support sustainable farming, livestock, aquaculture, agroecology and stronger local food systems.
Utah • Haiti • Shared possibility
A bridge built through partnership.
Utah Haiti Initiative brings people, knowledge and resources together to support Haitian-led solutions and lasting opportunity.
Our approachConnect local leadership with knowledge, resources and opportunity.
Why UHI
Goodwill becomes stronger when we work together.
Haiti has deep human, agricultural and entrepreneurial strengths. UHI connects them with Utah’s expertise, institutions and community resources—while keeping Haitian leadership at the center.
02
Education & capacity
Build skills through training, youth education, professional development and knowledge exchange.
03
Entrepreneurship & livelihoods
Encourage small businesses, cooperatives, youth enterprise, mentoring and access to markets.
04
Health & humanitarian support
Develop community health and humanitarian partnerships that serve people with dignity.
05
Research & innovation
Connect practical challenges with universities, researchers, technology and locally useful ideas.
06
Environment & resilience
Advance climate-smart agriculture, environmental learning and community preparedness.
A two-way bridge
Different strengths. Shared progress.
UHI is a connector. We aim to bring complementary strengths together in practical, locally led partnerships.
Utah can contribute
Knowledge, relationships and resources that can support lasting solutions.
- Technical expertise
- University connections
- Philanthropic support
- Professional volunteers
Haiti leads
Local partners shape priorities and guide implementation in their communities.
- Community knowledge
- Local leadership
- Entrepreneurial energy
- Practical solutions
01 · Connect
Find common purpose
Bring communities, institutions and people together around shared goals.
02 · Partner
Design with local leaders
Shape programs with Haitian partners, local knowledge and clear responsibilities.
03 · Learn
Measure what changes
Track meaningful results, share learning and strengthen what works.
How we work
Trust grows through responsible action.
UHI is building its organization around clear governance and respect for the communities and partners it serves.
Local leadership
Communities help define priorities and solutions.
Transparency
Communicate openly about decisions, resources and results.
Accountability
Use appropriate oversight, documentation and program learning.
Sustainability
Support solutions designed for lasting community benefit.
Leadership
Board Advisors
Our advisors bring experience from Haiti, Utah and international development to support UHI’s mission and locally led work.
Board Advisors provide guidance and expertise. The Board of Directors retains formal governance responsibilities.
UHI Board Advisor
Nikel Austelly CASIMIR, MBA
Expertise: Clinical practice and public health
Nikel Austelly Casimir is a physician assistant with more than 15 years of clinical and public health experience. He holds an MBA in healthcare management and is licensed in Arizona, Florida and Puerto Rico.
UHI Board Advisor
Kesler BIEN-AIME, Ph.D
Expertise: Culture, heritage and social sciences
Kesler Bien-Aimé is a socio-ethnologist and researcher whose work focuses on cultural governance and heritage. He teaches at the State University of Haiti and has served in UNESCO-related cultural leadership roles.
UHI Board Advisor
John Kelly ARGANT, MS
Expertise: Information technology and cybersecurity
John Kelly Argant has more than 15 years of IT experience, specializing in information security, risk management and system optimization. He holds a master’s degree in informatics from Northeastern University.
UHI Board Advisor
Ambroise GUILLAUME, Ph.D
Expertise: Sociology, democracy and governance
Ambroise Guillaume holds a PhD in sociology from the Université du Québec à Montréal. His academic training also includes sociology, political science and anthropology at UQAM and the State University of Haiti.
UHI Board Advisor
Collins ZAMOR
Expertise: Agriculture, rural development and monitoring
Collins Zamor is an agricultural engineer with rural development experience dating to 2006. He has coordinated agricultural projects and worked in monitoring and evaluation, project management and procurement.
UHI Board Advisor
Jean Evalcin ODNEY
Expertise: Program design and project development
Jean Evalcin Odney holds a master’s degree in sociology and has more than 15 years of experience in programming, project development and logical frameworks. His work also includes research, logistics and communication.
UHI Board Advisor
Mendell HARRYFORD
Expertise: Digital communications and web development
Mendell Harryford has more than 15 years of experience in web development, graphic design, search optimization and online advertising. He brings expertise in digital strategy and audience engagement.
UHI Board Advisor
Hunter PRUETT, Ph.D
Expertise: Engineering and community service
Hunter Pruett holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University. He has also volunteered in English teaching and community support for immigrants, including people from Haiti.
UHI Board Advisor
Kenel CADET
Expertise: Agriculture, livestock and rural development
Kenel Cadet has more than 10 years of experience in agricultural and livestock development in Haiti. He has held technical and management roles on USAID-funded programs, including initiatives supporting resilience and shelter.
UHI Board Advisor
Judicaël Fomekong LONTCHI, Ph.D
Expertise: Biodiversity, entomology and conservation
Judicaël Fomekong Lontchi holds a PhD and is a researcher at Brigham Young University, where he studies dragonflies and damselflies. His work explores tropical insect diversity and stronger representation of invertebrates in conservation policy.
UHI Board Advisor
Jean Garry LORCY, MS
Expertise: Human resources, leadership and entrepreneurship
Jean Garry Lorcy holds a master’s degree in management and leadership development and has a career in health insurance. He is also co-founder of Breez Gourmet & Co., which promotes Caribbean culture in the United States.
UHI Board Advisor
Rose Nora ZAMOR-LORCY
Expertise: Finance, banking and audit
Rose Nora Zamor-Lorcy has more than 25 years of financial-sector experience, including banking, auditing and project coordination at SOGEBANK and Bank of America. She holds diplomas in small-business and banking-systems management.
UHI Board Advisor
Craig PALSSON, Ph.D
Expertise: Economics, institutions and Haiti development
Craig Palsson is an associate professor of economics at Utah State University and holds a PhD from Yale. His research examines economic history and development, with a particular focus on Haiti.
UHI Board Advisor
Karla VICTOR
Expertise: Project management, procurement and women’s empowerment
Karla Victor has more than 15 years of experience in administration, reporting, analysis and procurement, especially in USAID-funded programs and NGOs. Her work spans agriculture, health, governance, women’s empowerment and youth development.
UHI Board Advisor
Roosevelt THOMAS
Expertise: Labor relations, collective bargaining and human rights
Roosevelt Thomas has more than 10 years of experience in labor relations, collective bargaining and dispute resolution. He has also supported election monitoring and human rights work in Haiti.
UHI Board Advisor
Ritzamarum ZETRENNE
Expertise: Media, strategic communication and digital content
Ritzamarum Zétrenne is a media and communications professional with about a decade of experience. He specializes in digital audio content, communication strategies, writing and event communications.
Be part of the bridge
Your experience can help create opportunity.
UHI welcomes people and organizations interested in sharing expertise, building partnerships and supporting locally led initiatives.
Interested in serving as an advisor, volunteering, partnering or supporting a program? Reach out and tell us how you would like to help.
Contact UHIShare professional expertise
Build a university partnership
Support a pilot program
Help mobilize resources
Organization status · Utah nonprofit corporation; seeking federal 501(c)(3) recognition.