Meet The Team of Odeka Haiti
Board Members
Join Us In Making A Difference
Shielyn Kousnsky
Founder & President
Shielyn, a native of Haiti, is the Founder and President of ODEKA. She completed her secondary education at Collège Bird in Port‑au‑Prince before emigrating to the United States, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Florida Gulf Coast University. After the 2010 earthquake, she returned to the village of Kaskou to assess community needs and made the personal decision to sell her car to build the village’s first bakery—providing daily nourishment, economic stability, and a self‑sustaining resource for local families.
With the support of friends, family, and private donors, Shielyn has expanded ODEKA’s mission by helping build health clinics, establish potable water systems, launch agricultural projects, create women’s cooperatives, and support the construction of a K–12 school serving about 150 children. She has represented ODEKA at numerous events and fundraising initiatives, strengthening its network of supporters. Her work reflects a deep commitment to community empowerment, sustainable development, and creating opportunities for underserved families in rural Haiti.s.
Larose Saint Jean,MBA
Vice President
Larose Saint Jean, a native of Haiti, serves as the Chairman of ODEKA Haiti. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, he has held key roles in facilities management at three prestigious universities—Notre Dame University, Dartmouth College, and currently Emory University. His extensive background in civil engineering, business administration, and organizational leadership equips him with the strategic insight needed to guide ODEKA’s long‑term vision and operational growth.
Fluent in Spanish, French, English, and Haitian Creole, Larose plays a vital role in expanding ODEKA’s network and cultivating strong partnerships across sectors. He holds a law degree from Haiti State University and an MBA, further strengthening his ability to support ODEKA’s mission of delivering meaningful and sustainable impact in rural communities.
Myriam Saint Jean, MBA Treasurer
Myriam, a native of Lyon, France, has a diverse background in financial management and development. She previously served as the Assistant Director of Development for Research and Cultivation at Holy Cross College. Myriam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Florida Gulf Coast University and an MBA. She has a solid track record in financial operations, having worked as the Financial Coordinator for the South Bend Education Foundation. Myriam is also a current board member at La Casa de Amistad. As Financial Advisor for ODEKA, she is responsible for securing financial support to advance the organization’s mission. Most recently, Myriam served as the Senior Manager of Financial Operations at The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where she played a key role in overseeing financial strategies to support the organization’s conservation initiatives.
Rev. James A. Bracke C.S.C - Advisory Board
Rev. James Bracke, C.S.C., is the Staff Chaplain at the University of Notre Dame where he serves the staff of nearly 5,000. He entered the Congregation of Holy Cross at Notre Dame in the fall of 1970 as a collegiate freshman seminarian. He received a B.A. in Sociology in 1974 and an M.Div. in 1978. Following a transfer to the Diocese of Peoria he was ordained in 1980 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. He served in 2 parishes and at the Newman Center at the University of Illinois for 9 years. In September 1988, Fr. Bracke re-incorporated into the Congregation and has since served in parochial ministry, as a chaplain to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and as a campus minister at Notre Dame Prep in Niles, Illinois. Prior to this assignment he also served in prison ministry at Westville Correctional in Northwest Indiana. He recently joined Odeka Haiti and serve an advisory board member.
Dr. Karen Richman-Advisory Board
Dr. Karen is a cultural anthropologist and Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs at the Institute for Latino Studies at Notre Dame University. She teaches courses in Latino Studies, Romance Languages and Literatures and Anthropology. Richman is the author of Migration and Vodou (2005), of numerous articles and book chapters on Haitian and Mexican migration, religion, savings, work, language and music. Richman’s scholarship and teaching have been recognized with awards for Open Course Ware Excellence, the Heizer award for the best journal article in ethnohistory and Newberry Library and Social Science Research Council fellowships. She co-edited a special journal volume on Haitian religion in 2012 and was the hosting chair of the annual Haitian Studies Association conference at University of Notre Dame. Her current research project is an interdisciplinary study of Mexican immigrants’ social wealth, savings and retirement supported by the National Endowment for Financial Education.
Mercure Homere, PE
He’s a native of Haiti, holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a BA in Economic Sciences from the Faculté de Droit et des Sciences Économiques in Haiti. With over 20 years of experience as a structural engineer, he’s currently working with the South Florida Water Management District. Mr. Homere leads design and construction efforts for ODEKA Haiti, overseeing projects such as school renovations, health clinics, and road development in Grand Goave. He is also pursuing an MBA at Florida Atlantic University. ODEKA is proud to have his expertise on our Board, benefiting greatly from his knowledge and dedication.
Vincent Balinda, MBA Advisory Board
Vincent Balinda, a native of Rwanda, is a newly appointed Board member of Odeka Haiti. With extensive experience in operational management and strategic leadership, Vincent brings a wealth of expertise to the organization. His professional background in optimizing business functions and streamlining processes will be invaluable in advancing Odeka Haiti’s mission of creating meaningful change for rural communities in Haiti.
Vincent has a proven track record of enhancing operational efficiency and driving impactful results. His experience in managing complex systems and developing sustainable solutions aligns perfectly with Odeka Haiti’s focus on improving the livelihoods of rural Haitians. As a Board member, Vincent is committed to applying his skills in operational strategy and leadership to help the organization expand its reach, strengthen its programs, and create lasting positive change in Haiti’s rural areas.
Jacky Decilien
Advisory Board
Jacky, an education specialist with over 15 years of experience in international training and seminar development, brings a wealth of expertise in education and government affairs. He holds a License and Bac + 5 from Ecole Normale Supérieure in Haiti and has served as a consultant for the Ministry of Education in Haiti. Additionally, Jacky has worked as an advisor and consultant for numerous NGOs in Haiti, providing valuable insights into educational strategies and government policies. As a Professor Emeritus at Haiti State University in Port-au-Prince, he has contributed significantly to the academic community. Jacky’s leadership ensures that our educational programs are both impactful and forward-thinking, leveraging his deep knowledge of the Haitian educational landscape and government affairs.
Gisele Barrau- Freeman
Executive Director
Gisele Barrau‑Freeman is the Executive Director of ODEKA Haiti, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience in digital strategy, global marketing, and organizational management. With a background spanning luxury e‑commerce, design, and international business development, she now applies her expertise to advancing ODEKA’s mission in rural Haiti.
At ODEKA, Gisele oversees operations, IT, marketing, grants, donations, and fundraising, strengthening the organization’s infrastructure and expanding its visibility. Her work supports programs in health, education, agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment. Before joining ODEKA, she held senior roles at global brands, including Chief Marketing Officer at Ruby Lane and Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales at 1stDibs.com. Gisele holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and a Doctorat/Maîtrise from the Université de Tours. Originally from France, she now lives in Naples, Florida, and is bilingual in French and English, with working knowledge of Spanish.
How Odeka Haiti is Making a Difference
Our mission is to provide structural responses to Haiti’s food crisis by focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions.
- Expanding Crop Cultivation: We plan to plant 2,000 banana trees, 1,200 lemon trees, and large sugar cane fields to provide food, economic support, and environmental benefits.
- Livestock & Poultry Farming: Raising pigs and chickens provides food security and income opportunities for families in rural Haiti.
- Empowering Small Farmers: We provide training, tools, and microfinance opportunities to help Haitian farmers expand their operations and increase their earnings.
The Future of Agriculture in Haiti
Investing in a Self-Sufficient Haiti
By empowering farmers, strengthening food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture, we are laying the foundation for a self-sustaining Haiti.
Be Part of the Solution
— Your Support Can Make a Lasting Impact
Agriculture is the backbone of any thriving nation. By investing in farming, sustainability, and education, you are helping Haiti build a stable, food-secure future.
Together, we can transform communities, uplift farmers, and create a Haiti that no longer relies on food imports. Join us in this mission today.