A New Chapter in Our Leadership
June 2025 Dear Friends -- I don’t really have words to say all that I’m feeling now as I write – gratitude, excitement, curiosity, and, if I’m honest, a little grief. After co-founding Beyond Borders and serving in leadership for 32 years, I will be stepping down from my role as Co-Executive Director. I will begin a six-month leave next month to discern with our board and staff what, if any, formal role I may play in the future. I am excited to see how this transition will create space for even stronger leadership to emerge within Beyond Borders and will also offer me space to discover what’s next. Last October, Smith Maximé stepped into the role of Co-Executive Director, and since then, we’ve been leading Beyond Borders together. Smith will continue in this role, providing strong strategic leadership for our Haitian affiliate and our teams across Haiti. I am so very happy to share that my dear former colleague, Coleen Hedglin, will be stepping into my role to serve alongside Co-Executive Director Smith Maximé. Coleen returns to Beyond Borders after being recruited away in 2021. Coleen first joined Beyond Borders in 1999, when we were still a small, emerging organization. Over 22 years—including 16 spent living and working in Haiti—she made lasting contributions to our mission: shaping impactful programs, helping define our organizational culture, and strengthening our grant fundraising efforts. I am so happy that Coleen agreed to return to Beyond Borders. Her decision gives me enormous confidence that our organization will continue to grow and thrive, advancing our mission and vision. She and Smith have many years of experience working together productively and harmoniously. Both are gifted leaders with complementary skills, experience, and a deep commitment to the work. I want to thank our amazing Board of Directors and the members of the Succession Planning Committee who guided us through this process. You may not know this, but Beyond...
The Lancet: Beyond Borders Approach Reduces Violence Against Women Even as Gangs Grow
The British medical journal The Lancet took note of the work of our Rethinking Power Team in its November issue, explaining that the approach we use...
Impact Report: Fall 2024
Print this report 🖨 PREVENTING ABUSE Juna and Her Daughter Are Reunited "She is blossoming at home." More than 800 children have been freed from...
More Articles
The secret power you have to free children like Sonia from slavery
Before I tell you about the secret power you have to free children from slavery, I want to tell you what led to this discovery. Just over 30 years ago I unwittingly watched a Haitian girl become enslaved. At the time I thought I was witnessing an act of...
What they’re saying about us
Have you heard what they are saying about us? “Exceptional,” “apart from its peers,” and “financially responsible” are just some of the words used by Charity Navigator’s President & CEO Michael Thatcher, earlier this year when announcing our 4-star...
Jesus at the Gas Station
In September, two Beyond Borders supporters and I travelled to Lagonav Island, where we met a boy named Mano. Several people asked me to share the story of our encounter with him, and I wanted to share it with you too. Thank you so much for your open heart for Haiti's...
Where in the world is Silveli?!
On any given day, you would have a hard time finding Silveli. She is rarely home and always on the go. In a meeting here, or a training there, or working with families to make a plan to reunite their family. Now at 52-years-old, Silveli is a survivor of child slavery....
Nazarèt School
February 2020 Update We visited Nazarèt School and asked Louisa to tell us how the school year is going. Louisa is a fourth grader at the Nazarèt School and her favorite subject is geography. She told us that she wants to become a teacher when she grows up. Since...
You can do twice the good for kids in Haiti today
Today -- Giving Tuesday -- is the day that you can do twice the good for children in Haiti. That's because a generous supporter will match your gift to Beyond Borders' No Child a Slave campaign -- until 11:59 p.m. tonight. www.NoChildASlave.org Your gift made right...
The Unexpected Experts in Gratitude
They don’t celebrate Thanksgiving Day in Haiti. I’m reminded, though, as I prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family here in the U.S. tomorrow, that the people who I consider to be real thanksgiving experts are predominantly people I’ve gotten to know over my...
Lekol La Florezon
February 2020 Update We visited Lekol La Florezon and asked Joulika and her teacher to tell us how the school year is going. Joulika is a second grader at Lekol La Florezon. Joulika loves mathematics. She told us that she wants to become a doctor when she grows up....
The National School of Pwentarakèt
February 2020 Update We visited the National School of Pwentarakèt and asked Alexis to tell us how the school year is going. Alexis is a seventh grader at the National School of Pwentarakèt. Her favorite subjects are Haitian Creole and mathematics. She told us that...
Growing the Movement to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls
I'm so grateful for your care and concern for the rights of women and girls in Haiti. The support and solidarity of people like you means that more communities in Haiti are organized to ensure that every girl grows up free, educated, and empowered and every woman...
St. Cyril
February 2020 Update We visited St. Cyril and asked Elda to tell us how the school year is going. Elda is a seventh grader at St. Cyril. Elda said she doesn't have a favorite subject -- she loves all of her classes! She told us that she isn't quite sure what she wants...
Kolèj Nouvèl Vizyon
February 2020 Update We visited Kolèj Nouvèl Vizyon and asked Joseph and his teacher to tell us how the school year is going. Joseph is a third grader at Kolèj Nouvèl Vizyon. Joseph told us that his favorite subject is mathematics and that he wants to become a pastor...






