Board of Directors
GINA FERRUS
Gina Ferrus is a strong advocate for children and their country. Born in Petit Goave, Haiti, Gina is currently the Chief Executive Officer and President of Fondation Enfant Jesus (FEJ). Her visionary leadership has led to the creation of a community center in full swing, a medical clinic, school and orphanage and innovative programs that support women, education, health and community development in rural areas of Haiti.
She earned several degrees abroad in nursing, counseling and public health administration. Gina has dedicated her life to humanitarian efforts, offering hope to dozens of abandoned and orphaned children and empowering local communities to build a better and more sustainable future.
HAITI BOARD
Serge Ferrus - Treasurer
Serge Ferrus is deeply respected in Haiti’s business community and government sector. Through his vision and business acumen, the Tim-Bar International Paper Company, where he serves as the General Manager, remains a Haitian-owned and operated manufacturing company.
Maryse Vieux - Secretary
Gerald Reid, MD. - Member
Dr. Gerald Reid is a board certified surgeon, specializing in surgical oncology. Born in Petit-Goave, Haiti, Dr. Reid completed his medical studies at the University of Haiti and his residency at Memorial Hospital in Worchester, Massachusetts.
Other Members:
Gihane D. Mathurin
Vanessa Abdel-Razac
FEJ-USA BOARD
Brooke Lehman - Board President
Brooke Lehmann is a clinical social worker and public interest attorney whose professional expertise is in the areas of children’s health, education, and child welfare. Ms. Lehmann has spent two decades providing direct clinical and advocacy…
Sarah Duncan - Secretary
Bio in progress
Brian Carlson - Dir. of USA Operations
Brian has been helping to recruit and coordinate volunteers for FEJ since early 2012 and began serving as the Operations Director in August 2015. His involvement with FEJ started in 2007 when he and his wife, Dr. Rima Carlson, began the process of adopting their oldest daughter from FEJ’s…
David Westveer - Member
Jennifer Ash M.D. - Member
Jennifer is a vascular surgeon, currently working at Christie Clinic Vein & Vascular Center in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois (home of the University of Illinois). She earned her medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield in 2003.
Lillian Dukes - Member
Andrew Girard - Member
Andrew is the principle shareholder of The Girard Law Group, P.C. a law firm in Chicago, Illinois. His office counsels hundreds of for and not-for-profit companies in Illinois and Colorado.
Sandra Perez - Member
Sandra Carmant-Perez is a Travel Tourism Guru with over 25 years’ experience in launching and managing Special Travel Groups. With proficiency in Marketing, Community Leadership and Diversity…
Himler Francois - Member
Mr. Francois is a Haitian, Veteran of the US Navy and business owner in New York.
Other Members:
Jerry Oetgen – Vice President
Bio in progress
Patrick Ingersoll – Treasurer
Mr. Ingersoll was born in Haiti and was adopted through FEJ. He moved to Minnesota in 2005, where he still currently lives, but he has made several trips to Haiti since his adoption. He has a bachelor of science degree in finance and works in fraud prevention for a fortune 500 company. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, various DIY projects, derivative trading and volunteering.
Lisa Torres – Member
Bio in progress
Marcia Brown – Member
Bio in progress
Jon Robertson
Chantal Moise
Chantal has been helping Lucienne Duncan with her charitable endeavors in Lamardelle since 1975. First it was with the small school (3 of 4 classes for 20 children), then building the Church Enfant Jesus. She left for the USA and served as a member of the FEJ-USA (formerly VVHF) board from 2007-2017.
She is the Administrator of EZtron services in Miami, FL. She is an Executive Assistant for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and also a board member of 4C (Caribbean Canadian Chemical Co), a pharmaceutical manufacturer and retailer in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Barbara Bush
Barbara Bush was a professional Business/Operations Manager with 30 years experience in Fortune 500 companies. In addition to her corporate career, she served in leadership positions in professional and community organizations for many years emphasizing her strong commitment to lifelong education. Ms. Bush was deeply involved with FEJ-USA from 2010 until her passing in 2022.
Other Members:
Henrietta Moore As a founding member of VVHF, Henrietta was a key part of the success of FEJ and FEJ-USA.
Serge Ferrus – Treasurer
Serge Ferrus – Treasurer
Is deeply respected in Haiti’s business community and government sector. Through his vision and business acumen, the Tim-Bar International Paper Company, where he serves as the General Manager, remains a Haitian-owned and operated manufacturing company. He is the former Vice President of Ingenieurs Consultants & Associés, which specializes in water treatment and power production and distribution. With a degree in chemical engineering from City University of New York and further study in manufacturing management, Serge’s business success over the past 30 years is paralleled by his commitment to serving the needs of his country. He is an invaluable member of the FEJ Board of Directors. Serge is known for his practical insights, detailed advice, and excellent listening skills.
Maryse Vieux – Secretary
Maryse Vieux – Secretary
Has over 30 years of experience in education and management. She is passionate about serving the young and the old. In 2010, she retired from her post as the President and General Director of Kindergarten, Petits Bouts de Choux, in Haiti, where she served for 14 years. Prior to that, Maryse served as an administrator in Foyer de Personness Agés in Canada. With a degree in early childhood education and psychology from Syracuse University, her work and studies have spanned the globe: from Brooklyn, New York to Pétion-Ville, Haiti, as well as Canada to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Deeply respected within the Haitian community, Maryse is actively mentoring the next generation of FEJ leaders. She is known for her problem-solving skills and wonderful sense of humor.
Gerald Reid, MD. – Member
Dr. Gerald Reid – Member
Is a board-certified surgeon, specializing in surgical oncology. Born in Petit-Goave, Haiti, Dr. Reid completed his medical studies at the University of Haiti and his residency at Memorial Hospital in Worchester, Massachusetts. He led a thriving private practice for over 30 years in Walpole, Massachusetts. Respected both locally and internationally, Dr. Reid is a past president of the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad and the Neponset Valley Unit of the American Cancer Society. He has also served multiple terms on the Board of Directors for Neponset Valley Health System. He remains an active member of the American College of General Surgeons, Boston Surgical Society, New England Cancer Society, and the Haitian Organization for Health Services. Dr. Reid is passionate about sharing his international experience and medical knowledge with his homeland.
Lilian Dukes – Board President
Lilian Dukes – Board President
Lillian is a highly experienced senior operations leader who is currently Principal and President of LAD Consulting. She has extensive global experience delivering strategic organizational improvements in start-up, turnaround, and mature manufacturing environments. She has spent more than 30 years solving problems; hiring and leading great people; and, most importantly, delivering results. She has driven development and change initiatives from concept through realized growth and profitability in companies such as Spirit AeroSystems, Beechcraft Corporation, American Airlines, American Eagle Airlines, and GE. From her start as an electrical and aeronautical engineer, Lillian rose steadily through operational line management levels to ultimately serve at the Company Officer level in Vice President roles at several different companies. Lillian is an active advisor for the AWESOME organization and is a member of the audit committee for the Kansas Health Foundation.
Brian Carlson – Dir. of USA Operations
Brian Carlson – Dir. of USA Operations
Brian has been helping to recruit and coordinate volunteers for FEJ since early 2012 and began serving as the Operations Director in August 2015. His involvement with FEJ started in 2007 when he and his wife, Dr. Rima Carlson, began the process of adopting their oldest daughter from FEJ’s orphanage. Brian’s professional background is in forest conservation, having worked in Michigan and Vermont to encourage the sustainable use of forest resources.
