Board of Directors

Cécile Accilien was raised in Haiti and pursued her higher education in the U.S., earning a Ph.D. from Tulane University. As a professor of French and Francophone Studies at the University of Maryland, she specializes in Francophone African and Caribbean Literatures and Cultures, as well as Film & Media Studies. Dr. Accilien is the co-editor of “Teaching Haiti: Strategies for Creating New Narratives” and the co-author of “The Antiracism World Language Classroom.” She has also published a monograph titled “Bay lodyans: Haitian Popular Film Culture.” As the 2023 and 2024 president of the Haitian Studies Association, she is a prominent voice in Haitian academic and cultural discourse. Her long dedication to advancing greater understanding of Haiti’s rich culture makes her a true gift to the Beyond Borders board.

Nancy Armand, based in New Jersey, is a seasoned marketing and banking professional currently serving as Head of Diverse Segments at HSBC. With a robust background that includes her role as Executive Vice President for Marketing Consumer Strategy and Retail Proposition for HSBC in the UK, Nancy brings a wealth of experience in financial services. She is deeply connected with African-American professionals through her Vice Chair position on the Board of The Executive Leadership Council and her active membership in the Metro Manhattan chapter of The Links Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Nancy leverages these connections to promote support for Beyond Borders’ Family Graduation program. Her extensive network and professional expertise make her a valuable asset to the Beyond Borders board.

Tony Brunswick brings over two decades of non-profit leadership experience to the Beyond Borders board. Tony currently works as a mental health therapist in private practice supporting individuals and couples. Prior to his work as a therapist, Tony served as the Executive Director at Art Enables in Washington DC, a nonprofit supporting the careers are artists with disabilities, and as COO of LIFT, a national anti-poverty organization. Tony has demonstrated exceptional leadership, management, and fundraising skills. His dedication to social justice is evidenced by his service in Haiti with Beyond Borders as an Apprentice in Shared Living. Tony holds an M.S. in Counseling from Loyola University Maryland and resides in DC with his wife and two children. His extensive experience in nonprofit management and his commitment to economic justice and creating a more equitable and compassionate world make him an invaluable member of the board.

Caitlin Cadet is a social movement leader who first connected with Beyond Borders as a board member and events lead for DC Stop Modern Slavery. She played a pivotal role in organizing the Women’s March in 2017 and has been recognized by Glamour Magazine and EMILY’s List for her contributions. Caitlin brings over twelve years of experience in strategic planning, project management, and facilitation. She served as Chief Strategy Officer for Rise, a civil rights innovation lab, and currently works in public policy at Uber. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School and studied international politics as an undergraduate at Georgetown University. Caitlin’s dedication to social justice and her strategic leadership skills make her a valuable asset to the Beyond Borders board.

Yasmine Cajuste is Haitian with extensive international experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from DePaul University and Bachelor’s degrees in Religious Studies and Education. Yasmine has taught French, Literature and Religion and developed comprehensive school improvement programs. Her leadership roles include serving as the International President of the Vincentian Marian Youth and Project Development Manager for the Famvin Homeless Alliance. Yasmine’s contributions as Education Program Coordinator for the Vincentian Family Haiti Initiative and her involvement with other international organizations working in Haiti underscore her dedication to education and community development. Yasmine brings a wealth of experience and commitment to the Beyond Borders board.

Leigh Carter has a distinguished career in nonprofit leadership, having held key positions at Witness for Peace and The Washington Office on Haiti. Inspired by the vision of Father Joseph Philippe, Leigh helped establish Fondasyon Kole Zepòl (Fonkoze), which has grown to be Haiti’s largest financial inclusion and poverty alleviation institution, and founded and directed their U.S. affiliate, Fonkoze USA. Now semi-retired, Leigh provides consulting services to nonprofits focused on Haiti. Her clients include the University of Fondwa, uFondwa USA, The Father Joseph Network, and Asosyasyon Peyizan Fondwa. Leigh also serves as the Coordinator of the Care Team at Foundry United Methodist Church in DC. Her extensive experience in nonprofit management and her commitment to Haiti make her a vital member of the Beyond Borders board.

Isabelle Clerie is a Haitian anthropologist who lives and works in Haiti. She holds multiple academic degrees including a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and a Master’s in Applied Anthropology. She serves as Executive Director at Haiti Impact Group, focusing on narrative building and community approaches. Her governance experience began with her role as a board member and chair of various committees at her former high school. Isabelle’s dedication to asset-based community development in Haiti, combined with her academic and professional accomplishments, contribute to her value as a member of the Beyond Borders board.

Emmanuela Douyon is a social justice advocate, feminist, and social impact consultant. She is the founder of Apwoch, a boutique social impact agency based in the US, and also serves as the founder and head of advocacy and strategy of POLICITÉ, a Haiti-based think-and-do thank specializing in development policy. Emmanuela is widely recognized for her leadership in the anti-corruption movement, Petrochallenge, which mobilized hundreds of thousands of Haitians calling for accountability in Haiti’s largest corruption scandal. Her professional expertise includes strategic leadership, grants writing, project management, monitoring & evaluation, communication, and research for organizations in Haiti and the United States. Emmanuela’s insights have been featured in local and international media, including appearances on CNN, Al Jazeera, and BBC. She has also briefed organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, and US Congress. Emmanuela holds a Master’s in Development Studies from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and currently serves on the boards of Beyond Borders, the ethics and consultative board of Flowminder Haiti, and the Ad-hoc board of the feminist organization MARIJÀN.

Ancito Etienne is a Haitian international development professional with a focus on data-driven economic development and citizen empowerment. Professionally, he has worked with both private and nonprofit organizations, specializing in strategy, analytics, organizational effectiveness, and project implementation. With a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, Ancito has been recognized for his commitment to transformative leadership in advancing social justice. His long-standing engagement as a board member of Partners in Health and the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI), along with his dedication to public service, underscores the valuable contributions he makes to the Beyond Borders board.

Mary Gunning is the former Director of Catholic Charities Head Start of Baltimore City, where she served for 40 years. She holds a B.A. in Theology and Sociology from Fordham University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Mary has served on numerous boards and councils, including the National Head Start Association and Maryland Family Network. She is a lay Associate member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and co-chairs their Haiti Collaboration Committee. Mary’s extensive experience in early childhood education and her commitment to social justice make her a vital member of the Beyond Borders board.

Carolyn Heinrich is a University Distinguished Professor and the Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy, Education, and Economics at Vanderbilt University. Her research focuses on education, workforce development, social welfare policy, poverty reduction, and public management. Carolyn holds secondary appointments at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Department of Economics. In the 2022-23 academic year, she was appointed as the George Eastman Professor at the University of Oxford. Carolyn’s extensive academic and research experience make her a valuable addition to the Beyond Borders board.

Carine Jocelyn is a nonprofit executive with over 25 years of experience in human services. She established a community health center in Port-au-Prince and serves as the executive director of Profamil, the leading provider of sexual and reproductive health care in Haiti. Carine founded the Haitian Women’s Collective and serves as the CEO of Diaspora Community Services in Brooklyn. She previously chaired the board of the Haiti Adolescent Girls Network. Carine’s extensive experience in non-profit management and her commitment to advancing the rights of women and girls make her a prized member of the Beyond Borders board.

Lu Johnston, a long-time supporter of Beyond Borders, has traveled to Haiti on multiple occasions. She holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Kenyon College and a Master’s in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College. Lu worked as a social worker for over 30 years, serving in various leadership roles. She currently volunteers for UrbanPromise Wilmington and is involved in her church. Lu’s extensive experience in social work and her commitment to Beyond Borders make her a valuable member of the board.

Francois Pierre-Louis is a professor of political science at Queens College, CUNY, with research interests in immigration, transnationalism, Haitian and Caribbean politics. He has served in the private cabinet of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide (1991) and on the senior staff of Prime Minister Jacques-Édouard Alexis (2007). Dr. Pierre-Louis is the author of “Haitians in New York City: Transnationalism and Hometown Association” and co-editor of “Migrant Crossroads: Globalization, Incorporation, and Placemaking in Queens, New York.” He is the Haiti director of Faith in Action International, a network of grassroots community organizations in the US and abroad. His extensive academic background and commitment to empowering Haiti’s marginalized population make him a valuable member of the Beyond Borders board.

Jonathan Scoonover is the senior vice president of strategic practice for Tennesseans for Quality Early Education and director of the Bright Start Tennessee Network. He has led efforts to build data-driven early childhood education systems and has a background in preventing and alleviating child domestic servitude in Haiti. Jonathan’s extensive experience in education and child protection, combined with his leadership in innovative solutions, make him a key member of the Beyond Borders board.

Jeff Singleton has been a pivotal figure in Beyond Borders since its founding in 1993, advising the co-founders and actively serving on the board in his first term. As a retired middle school teacher with extensive experience in mentoring and grant writing, Jeff has a long history of engaging both youth and adults in the global struggle for social justice. He continues to support Beyond Borders as a volunteer on the Sustainability Team, where he has introduced over 200 people to the organization through Virtual Tours. Known for his ability to inspire and bring out the best in others, Jeff is a dedicated servant leader whose passion for the mission of Beyond Borders is evident in his ongoing commitment and contributions.

Sister Sharon Slear, a celebrated education professional, has significantly influenced the academic landscape in Maryland. Since joining the Notre Dame of Maryland University faculty in 1988, she has been instrumental in developing the university’s graduate programs in education. As the founding dean of the School of Education, she led it to become the largest teacher training program in the state. Sister Sharon has traveled with Beyond Borders to Haiti twice, leveraging her expertise to strengthen the MCLC teacher training institute in Haiti. Her extensive governance experience includes service on several boards and councils, and she has received numerous awards for her leadership and service. Sister Sharon’s dedication to education and her commitment to Beyond Borders’ mission make her an invaluable member of the board.