
Keynote Speaker
Stella Jean
Fashion Designer
2024 Brunch Keynote Speaker
Stella Jean is not only a fashion icon—she’s a trailblazer, an advocate for social change, and a champion of cultural representation. Known for her vibrant designs that celebrate her Haitian-Italian heritage, Stella uses her platform to empower others and bring visibility to global artisans.
Stella was recently tasked with designing the official uniforms for the Haiti team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The uniforms have been hailed as some of the most beautiful in the world by major international outlets, including The New York Times, which awarded Team Haiti the gold medal for their design.
Special Remarks
Garcelle Beauvais
Actor, Producer, Best Selling Author
2024 Brunch Featured Speaker
Garcelle Beauvais, a Haitian-born actress and cultural icon, has made a lasting impact in Hollywood over her three-decade-long career. Known for her dynamic roles on TV and film, she became the first Black cast member on Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and recently published her memoir Love Me as I Am, which became an instant bestseller. She has also expanded into producing with Lifetime films like "Black Girl Missing" and its sequel, "Abducted at an HBCU." Beyond her acting career, Garcelle is a dedicated mother, children’s book author, and passionate advocate for organizations like UNICEF, CORE, and Cybersmile.
Balancing her career with her role as a mother to three sons, Garcelle continues to inspire others through her work, both on-screen and off, advocating for digital wellbeing, women's empowerment, and Haitian communities.


H.E. Dominique Dupuy
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Haitians Living Abroad to the Government of Haiti
Born in Cap-Haïtien, in the northern region of Haiti, Dominique Dupuy studied at McGill University in Montreal. She conducted research on education in Haiti for the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and developed an innovative psychosocial support program for marginalized mothers for the Global Center for the Development of the Whole Child in 2020. A member of the Board of Directors of the Management Organization for the Northern Haiti Destination, she is committed to the preservation and promotion of the heritage and culture of her city, her region, and her country. Appointed as Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Haiti to UNESCO, she serves on the Executive Board of the Organization and was elected in 2023 as Vice-President of the Council for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
U.S. House of Representative
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the first Black woman to represent Florida’s 20th congressional district, was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024 to serve a third term.
Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick is honored to serve on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. She is also the Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force for the Democratic Women's Caucus, a Co-Chair of the Haiti Caucus, and serves as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Howard University. In further pursuit of education, the Congresswoman also earned a Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University.
While in office, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick remains committed to tackling the growing housing crisis, inadequate access to quality health care, and lack of equitable opportunities throughout our district and country.

Creative Collaboration
Philippe Dodard
Artist & Painter
The Haitian Ladies Network® is proud to showcase the extraordinary talents of Haitian artists, and this year, we were honored to collaborate with the renowned Philippe Dodard. Dodard is a multidisciplinary artist, celebrated as a painter, sculptor, and designer, whose work draws from Haiti’s rich cultural heritage, blending traditional Haitian themes with modern abstraction.
His art has been featured in galleries and exhibitions worldwide, earning him critical acclaim for his contributions to both Haitian and global art scenes. Most recently, his artwork was incorporated by Stella Jean in the design of the Haitian Olympic team’s uniforms, a partnership that garnered widespread accolades.
This Dodard ink was adapted by our talented creative designer, William Mc Intosh. Through his artistic vision, Mc Intosh infused the original piece with a fresh, vibrant perspective while honoring the essence of Dodard’s work.

2024 Speakers & Performers

Karen André
Senior Advisor at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Dr. Suzie Richardson Armas
COO, New Health Community Centers

Mélodie Benjamin
Psychologist and Agent for Peace, Ti Souf and Fondation IDEO

Daphné Valmond Bourgoin
Executive Director, Tisaksuk/ Atelier Tisaksuk

Danielle Cadet
Media Executive, Host & Producer

Vélina Élysée Charlier
Member / Empress, Nou Pap Dòmi / Lakou Souvnans

Christine Cherestal
NextGen Moderator

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
U.S. House of Representative

Monique Clesca
International Consultant

Arielle Dominique
Haitian Ladies Network Co-Founder, Executive Director, HAFFD

Simbi Duplan
Healer / Spiritual Practitioner

Dr. Charlene Désir
Director/Professor, T.E.N. Global, Nova Southeastern University

Dr. Sabine Elisée
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, CEO and Founder of Cornerstone Medical Group

Mary Estimé-Irvin
Chairwoman of NHAEON, Vice Mayor of North Miami

Thamar Harrigan
International Trade Attorney

Madjeen Isaac
Visual Artist

Lovely Jean Louis
Lawyer and a member of the Commission of Women Lawyers of the Bar of Port-au-Prince

Christ Maika Joachim
Dancer, X-pressionayiti

Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson
Vice President and Executive Producer, Paramount Global

Wynnie Lamour-Quansah
Founder & Managing Director, The Haitian Creole Language Institute of New York

Liliane Nerette Louis
President, Just the Way it Was, Inc.

Danièle Magloire
Spokesperson of Kay Fanm (Women’s House)

Ama Makeda
Yoga instructor/Artist, MAFLOW LLC

Coralie Nader
Kòmsi Like Founder, NextGen Moderator
Linda Isabelle Francois Obas
La Grande Danse, Choreographer/ Sociocultural Activist, XPression Ayiti

Pascale Oriol
Founder and President of Vox Evolution

Sophia Pierrelus
Owner and Chief Executive Director, Faveur and Company. And NACC

Riva Nyri Précil
La Grande Danse, Artist, Tout Se Pa

Tamara Béliard Rodriguez
Senior Vice President of IslandTV / VP and CFO of Fatima Group

Dr. Chloé Roumain
OBGYN Fertility specialist, Tripod Fertility Clinic, Fertility Friends Foundation

Sandra Hollant Russo
CEO of Sandilou Textile

Clyfane Saintil
Feminist Activist

Martine St-Victor
General Manager at Edelman

Corinne Joachim Sanon Symietz
Co-Founder and CEO, Askanya Chocolates

Donaldzie Theodore
Artist/Pianist-Singer Independant

Kemissa Trécile
DJ / CEO of Au Top Kemissa Entertainment
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
11
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
National Gallery of Art
Kanitra Fletcher
Associate curator of African American and Afro-Diasporic art at the National Gallery of Art
"Spirit & Strength: Modern Art from Haiti" – Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of contemporary Haitian art.
If you are attending the National Gallery of Art event on Friday and would like to reserve transportation, click here to Register For Bus Ride From Capital Hilton to Gallery.
Registration Open
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cocktail Reception & Cultural Showcase (Offsite)
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Organization of American States (OAS)
Experience the warmth of Haitian hospitality with an evening of art, music, and culture.
Ambassador Louis Harold Joseph
Chargé d'Affaires a.i. - Embassy of the Republic of Haiti to the United States of America
Mistress of Ceremony:
Thamar Harrigan
Catered by
Chef Natacha Gomez
Music by
DJ Steezy (Stanley Bertrand)
Dinner On Your Own & Cocktail at the OAS
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
12
6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Coat Room
Morning Wellness Yoga
7:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Senate
Instructor:
Ama Makeda
Yoga instructor & Artist, MAFLOW LLC
Coffee and Tea Service & Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Presidential Ballroom Foyer
Haitian Ladies Marketplace Curated by Bien Abyé
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
South American AB
Explore a curated selection of Haitian artisanal products, fashion, and unique creations.
Symposium - Main Ballroom Opens
8:45 AM - 9:15 AM
Presidential Ballroom
HLN Welcome by Board of Directors
Presidential Ballroom
Mistress of Ceremony:
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson
Vice President and Executive Producer Paramount Global
National Anthem Singer:
Donaldzie Théodore
Singer & Pianist
Kreyòl Essence Wellness Lounge - Open
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
New York
Simbi Duplan
Healer/Spiritual Practitioner at SIMBI
AMB Mobile Massage & Wellness Center
Special Remarks
Presidential Ballroom
Speakers:
Her Excellency, Mrs. Dominique Dupuy
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Haitians Living Abroad to the Government of Haiti
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Sophia Pierrelus
Haitian Community Activist in Ohio, Founder of the New American Cultural Center (NACC)
Engaging with Haiti Panel
Empire Ballroom
Facilitator of Conversation:
Monique Clesca
International Consultant, and Pro-Democracy Feminist Activist
Speakers:
Vélina Élysée Charlier
Member of Nou Pap Domi, Empress of Lakou Souvenans
Pascale Oriol
Founder and President of Vox Evolution
Danièle Magloire
Spokesperson for Kay Fanm (Women's House)
Explore strategies for civic engagement and strengthening democratic processes.
Networking Lunch & Marketplace
11:50 AM - 1:00 PM
Congressional
HerStory
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Presidential Ballroom
Moderator:
Martine St-Victor
General Manager at Edelman
Speaker:
Danielle Cadet
Media Executive, Host & Producer
Our Bodies, Our Selves
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Presidential Ballroom
Moderator:
Dr. Sabine Elisée
Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, CEO and Founder of Cornerstone Medical Group
Speakers:
Mélodie Benjamin
Psychologist and Agent for Peace at Ti Souf and Fondation IDEO
Liliane Nerette-Louis
Folk Storyteller, President of Just the Way it Was, Inc.
Haitian Ventures: From Local Roots to Global Reach
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Congressional
Moderator:
Tamara Béliard Rodriguez
Senior Vice President of IslandTV, Senior VP and CFO of Fatima Group
Speakers:
Daphné Valmond Bourgoin
Executive Director, Tisaksuk/ Atelier Tisaksuk
Corinne Joachim Sanon Symietz
Co-Founder and CEO of Askanya Chocolates
Sandra Hollant Russo
CEO of Sandilou Textile, Femmes en Democratie, Chambre des Metiers et de l'Artisanat, PROFAMIL
Preserving Haitian Identity Across Borders (NextGen Panel)
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Federal A
Moderators:
Coralie Nader
Founder of Kòmsi Like, HLN NextGen Committee
Christine Cherestal
High School student, HLN NextGen Committee
Speakers:
Dr. Charlene Désir
Director of The Empowerment Network Global, Professor at Nova Southeastern University
Wynnie Lamour-Quansah
Founder & Managing Director, The Haitian Creole Language Institute of New York
Madjeen Isaac
Visual Artist
Building Political Power
2:15 PM - 3:35 PM
Federal B
Speakers:
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Arielle Dominique
Haitian Ladies Network, Co-Founder and
Haitian American Foundation For Democracy, Executive Director
Moderator:
Karen André
CEO, People First Strategies
Networking & Marketplace
3:35 PM - 4:00 PM
South American AB
Closing Plenary
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Presidential Ballroom
Networking Break
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Capital Terrace
Grounded in Heritage, Rooted in Rhythm
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Congressional
Speakers:
Arielle Dominique
Co-founder at HLN, Executive Director of Haitian American Foundation for Democracy
Dr. Charlene Désir
Director of The Empowerment Network Global, Professor at Nova Southeastern University
Vélina Elysée Charlier
Member / Empress, Nou Pap Dòmi / Lakou Souvnans
Linda Isabelle François Obas
Choreographer/ Sociocultural Activist, Founder of XPression Ayiti
Riva Nyri Précil
Artist, Founder of Tout Se Pa
Join a conversation that sets the stage and provides historical context for La Grande Danse, exploring Haitian heritage and African traditions. This experience will help ground us in our roots, leaving Haitian ladies renewed and deeply connected to their cultural identity.
La Grande Danse
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Congressional
Speakers:
Riva Nyri Précil
Artist, Founder of Tout Se Pa
Linda Isabelle François Obas
Choreographer/ Sociocultural Activist , Founder of XPression Ayiti
Experience the rhythm and beauty of Haitian traditional dance in this lively class.
Haitian Ladies After Dark
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Federal A
Speaker:
Dr. Suzie Richardson Armas
COO, New Health Community Centers
A safe space for conversations on relationships and intimacy.
Dinner On Your Own
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Dinner not covered by the Haitian Ladies Network.
13
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Coat Room
Coffee & Tea Service
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Capital Terrace
Rabòday Fit
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Senate
Instructor:
Christ Maïka Joachim
Dancer, Xpressionayiti
Groove to the fast-paced rhythms of Haitian compas and hip-hop as you get energized for the day ahead.
Advocacy Workshop with the Haitian American Foundation for Democracy (HAFFD) in collaboration with the Haitian Neighborhood Center, Haitian Bridge Alliance, and Haiti Response Coalition
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Federal A
Guerline Jozef
Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Haitian Bridge Alliance
Sophia Pierrelus
Haitian Community Activist in Ohio, Founder of the New American Cultural Center (NACC)
Gepsie Morisset-Metellus
Co-founder and Executive Director of the Haitian Neighborhood Center Sant La
Corinne Paul
Senior Policy Advisor for Civil and Political Rights at American Jewish World Service
Tamara Béliard Rodriguez
Senior Vice President of IslandTV, Senior VP and CFO of Fatima Group
Explore strategies for civic engagement and strengthening democratic processes.
Haitian Ladies Marketplace Curated by Bien Abyé
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
South American AB
Last chance to shop and explore unique Haitian goods, fashion, and artisanal products.
Kreyòl Essence Wellness Lounge
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
New York
Simbi Duplan
Healer/Spiritual Practitioner at SIMBI
AMB Mobile Massage & Wellness Center
Shaping the Future: Vice Mayor Estime-Irvin on Leadership and Progress for Haitian American Women
10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Federal AB
Speaker:
Mary Estimé-Irvin
Chairwoman of National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON)
Esther Charlestin
Women Can Shape Haiti’s Tomorrow: a Talk with Women Activists
Speakers:
Danièle Magloire
Spokesperson for Kay Fanm (Women's House)
Lovely Jean Louis
Lawyer and Member of the Commission of Women Lawyers of the Bar of Port-au-Prince
Nikette Lormeus
A civic engagement focused discussion with leaders shaping the future of the Haitian American community.
19th Annual Haitian Ladies Brunch
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Presidential Ballroom
Mistress of Ceremony:
Martine St-Victor
General Manager at Edelman
Keynote Speaker:
Stella Jean
Fashion Designer & Activist
Special Remarks:
Garcelle Beauvais
Actress, Producer, Best-Selling Author
DJ Kemissa
CEO CARICOM office in Haiti/Au Top Kemissa Entertainment / Université of Versailles France
Join us for the 19th annual Haitian Ladies Brunch celebrating sisterhood, culture, and empowerment, with inspiring conversations and special guests.