Gigi Pomerantz, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, founder and Chair, is a retired Family Nurse Practitioner after 38 years of practice in Milwaukee, WI. She also practiced in Israel for three years, where she lived with her family. She served as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and as the chair of the Quality Improvement Committee and a prior board member of Managed Health Services, a Medicaid HMO. Gigi has been involved in non-profit and social justice work for many years and has served as Vice-President of Intergroup Relations of the Milwaukee chapter of the American Jewish Committee and as previous President of Congregation Shir Hadash and Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee, a Milwaukee-based social justice non-profit. She first traveled to Haiti in 2006 and fell in love with the people and the country. Her nursing background drew her to look at prevention as the first priority for health work. Gigi believes that nothing is more basic than the human need and right for sanitation with dignity!
Susan Maiers Azor, Vice-chair and member since 2011, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1993 with a double major in political science and English. She later received her Masters in Nonprofit Management & Leadership in 2008. Throughout her career, she has worked with nonprofits, governmental organizations and private corporations. Azor lived and worked in Wisconsin, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco before moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2016. She now serves as the CFO for Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, and lives in South Carolina with her husband and two young children.
Jim Hagen, Treasurer and member since 2018 – has worked as a janitor, painter, carpenter, drawer and now engineer for the City of Milwaukee. Passion, compassion and justice are his driving forces. Strives to understand the world by taking things apart and putting them back together again, although better at the former. Celebrates life with his wife and life partner, Shelly, and enjoys his 3 children and grandson, Charlie.
Michaela Molter, Secretary and member since 2018, grew up in Northern Wisconsin. On completing her degree in Horticultural Landscape Design from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, she moved to New Zealand as a Horticulture apprentice for two years. After returning to the States, Michaela began her career as a Horticulturist/Retail Landscape Designer. As her passions for natural areas preservation and ecology grew, Michaela transitioned into land management and is currently a Land Steward with the Urban Ecology Center where she manages 10-acres of terrestrial lands and 8-acres of aquatic lands in the heart of Milwaukee at Washington Park. She also teaches students at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Horticulture program as a part-time instructor.
Nancy Bohrman, BSN, RN, founding member since March 2007, is currently the nursing home administrator (NHA) at Ministry Door County Medical Center (MDCMC). Nancy is a strong proponent of animal rights. She lives on a farm dedicated to providing a home for animals who have previously been discarded or neglected.
Alicia Jarrett, member since 2018 – born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to the United States during her teenage years. She holds a baccalaureate degree from Alverno College in Community Leadership and Development and a Masters in Public Policy from Loyola University-Chicago. She resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two active children.
Honore Jean Luijuin – member since 2019 – born in Jeremie, Haiti, is an English teacher and translator working in Grande’Anse, Haiti. Honore has served as a translator for multiple medical missions in Duchity, and has been a friend of Youthaiti since 2009. In 2012 he helped coordinate the construction of a large public ‘dry’ toilet in the town of Leon, a collaboration between Caritas and Youthaiti.
Fordieu “Freddy” Francois – member since 2021 – born in Port-de-Paix, Haiti served as translator and manager of feeding programs for Northwest Christian Haiti Missions. Moved to Wisconsin after earthquake of 2010, getting Associates degree in Accounting and Supply Side Management. Currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Supply Side Management at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Continues to volunteer at local health centers to serve underserved members of community
Samy Exael – member since 2021 – born in Petion- Ville, Haiti, moved to the USA in 2005 for school. Completed his Masters in Business Administration at Grantham University. Samy lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife Sagine and 2 children Sammy ( Jojo) and Sayannah. He loves hanging out with friends and family when he is not behind a computer screen working . Samy currently serves as chairman of Haiti Education Support Group, and is also a board member for the Milwaukee Seventh Day Adventist school.