Our Team
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Philippe Bayard
President & Co-founder Chairman
Mr. Bayard is an entrepreneur dedicated to preserving Haiti’s natural treasures. As President and Founder of Sunrise Airways, a regional Caribbean carrier, he combines his passion for the environment with business innovation. A lover of ornithology, music and literature, he has published and co-authored several books on these subjects. Mr. Bayard also serves as President and Founding Member of the Audubon Society of Haiti.
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S. Blair Hedges, Ph.D.
Vice-President & Co-founder Chairman
Dr. Hedges, Carnell Professor of Science and Director of the Center for Biodiversity at Temple University, is also a founding member of the NASA Astrobiology Center. With over 300 peer-reviewed publications, including 10 books and monographs, he was elected a Fellow of the AAAS in 2009 for linking biological evolution to Earth history and received Penn State’s Faculty Scholar Medal in 2011. Three species have been named in his honor.
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Francis Mitchell
Treasurer
Mr. Mitchell is a Hydraulic Engineer at Ribbeck Engineering, Inc. and a member of the Haitian-American Association of Engineers and Scientists. Passionate about the environment, he has authored numerous documents on Haiti’s hydropower, contributing to the understanding and development of sustainable energy solutions.
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Wes Sechrest, Ph.D.
Board Member
Dr. Sechrest, CEO and Board Chair of Re:wild, leads efforts to address biodiversity, climate, and human well-being crises through nature-based solutions. A conservation biologist, he specializes in endangered species, ecosystems, and applied conservation science. He has coauthored numerous papers in top journals like Science and Nature. Dr. Sechrest collaborates with Indigenous and local communities, NGOs, and governments to protect wildlife and ecosystems. He also serves on the Global Council of the Amphibian Survival Alliance.
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Theodore E. Achille
Board Member
Mr. Achille is an attorney.
OUR STAFF
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Anne-Isabelle Bonifassi
Executive Director
Ms. Bonifassi holds degrees in biology and agronomy, as well as an MBA, bringing years of management and leadership expertise to her work in conservation. She is currently pursuing an MSc in Conservation at the University of Florida, further enhancing her dedication to biodiversity preservation. Ms. Bonifassi serves as a board member for both the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and the Haiti Biodiversity Fund, contributing her expertise to advancing regional conservation efforts.
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Joel C. Timyan
Conservation Director
Mr. Timyan is an ecologist with a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Duke University and over four decades of experience conserving Haiti’s forests. A renowned expert in botany and Haiti’s plant species, he has authored numerous scientific articles and contributions that have advanced the understanding of the region’s unique flora. He is an active member of the Florida Native Plant Society and the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission’s Global Tree Specialist Group. Mr. Timyan plays a critical role in assessing tree species for their extinction risk and contributing to the IUCN Red List.
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Bernita Sanon
Financial Manager
Mrs. Sanon holds a degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Port-au-Prince and brings over a decade of expertise in the financial sector. Fluent in three languages, she has excelled in diverse roles within leading Haitian companies, showcasing her versatility and leadership skills. Driven by a deep passion for environmental conservation, Mrs. Sanon is committed to protecting Haiti’s natural heritage while leveraging her financial acumen to support impactful initiatives.
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Eladio Fernandez
Director of Photography
Mr. Fernandez is a Conservation Photographer, Naturalist, and Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). He has built one of the largest image banks of the Greater Antilles’ landscapes, flora, and fauna, with work featured in National Geographic, Condor, and Nature Conservancy. A co-founder of the Sociedad Ornitológica Hispaniola (SOH), he co-authored Birds of the Dominican Republic and Haiti and authored Hispaniola: A Photographic Journey. His efforts are dedicated to preserving Hispaniola’s biodiversity.
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Alex Domercant
Project Coordinator
Mr. Domercant holds a degree in Natural Resources from Instituto Universitario Tecnológico de Yaracuy, Venezuela. Passionate about the environment and biodiversity, he combines his expertise with a commitment to restoring Haiti’s ecosystems. Fluent in three languages, Mr. Domercant brings valuable experience and dedication to conservation efforts.
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Wilson Jean
Field Operations Manager
Mr. Wilson Jean is highly knowledgeable in endemic species botany and nursery management, with extensive experience navigating Haiti’s challenging environments. A skilled leader, he excels in engaging local communities and inspiring them to protect and cherish Haiti’s rich biodiversity.