Our Story
On March 25, 2015, five young professionals created EducNation Foundation in Brooklyn, New York with the mission of contributing to the social and educational development of Haiti especially the children in needs.
Haiti is rich with resources, but has been marred by natural disasters and political instability added to the under-education of the masses.The foundation believes education is the key to Haiti's future and as a means to create sustainable development.
In its mission to educate for a better tomorrow, the foundation pursues the following objectives:
A- Build schools
B- Ensure the academic training of children in needs
C- Train the Haitian population through seminars and conferences
D- Sponsor the youth in their academic and professional training
Founders: Fatton S. Francis, Alexa Zevallos, Francois Wilson, Elie Jerome, Angie Francis
Fatton Steve Francis
Co-founder and General Coordinator
Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Haiti for the first 12 years of his life, he developed a close tie with his heritage. Before joining EducNation, he’s been partnering with Institute Samarie in Haiti since 2006 on helping less fortunate kids to go to school.
Fatton was brought up in a household where education was very important and taught to be powerful; after graduating from Pine Bush High School, Fatton obtained his associate degree in Industrial Technology from Ulster Community College (UCC) in 2008 and completed his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from New York Institute of Technology in 2012.
Alexa Zevallos
Co-founder and Head of Human Resources
She spent most of her life in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Alexa graduated from the university of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in geology and currently works for an engineering firm in New York City.
Apart from raising awareness on environmental issues she has also been organizing various activities for the benefit of marginalized and under privileged kids in her hometown (POZ Haiti). She has always believed in a system where the voices of the marginalized are amplified, defended and protected.
Elie Jerome
Co-founder and Head of Finance
Born and raised in Haiti, he completed his high school at Petit Seminaire College Saint Martial. In 2007, he obtained his Bachelor in Accounting at Universite Americaine des Sciences Modernes D’Haiti (Unasmoh). In 2008, he created a local organization called Joindre Ensemble at Carrefour to promote youth awareness.
In 2010, Elie moved to New York to complete his Master in Public Administration at the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). Passionate of reading and writing, in 2015, he published his first novel, I Dare You To Try It, followed by Unplanned Destination, published in 2017.
Elie has worked for many prestigious companies such Sogebank, Cabinet hazel& Associates, The salvation Army, New York and New Jersey Port Authority, Maimonides Medical Center, Norton Rose Fulbright, and Davies.
Angie D. Francis
Co-Founder / Head of Marketing and Public Relations
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Angie spent her early years in Haiti, returning to the United States at 9 years old. Angie received her associates of Science in nursing from SUNY DELHI and shortly thereafter became a Registered Nurse. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Chamberlain College of Nursing. After pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing, she became a Family Nurse Practitioner licensed by the state of New York State.
Recognizing the importance of education at a young age created access and platform for success in her life. With that understanding she wanted to give back to her country by providing the same opportunities for the next generation in Haiti. She believes the power of knowledge will overcome poverty and by investing in Haiti’s education system.
Maureen Boyer
Fundraiser Assistant Manager
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, she grew up among musicians, painters, sculptors, writers, and philosophers. At the age of 12, Maureen moved to New York City where she completed middle school and high school.
Maureen received a full tuition scholarship with the Posse Program to attend Dickson College in Carlisle, PA, where she majored in International Studies and minored in Francophone Studies. In December 2009, she moved back to Haiti to reconnect with her birth land and contribute to its growth. In 2013, she wrote the children’s book “Where Is Lola?” After living in Haiti for almost seven years, Maureen has moved back to New York.
Pierre Georges
IT Manager/ Coding Trainer
Born and raised in Haiti, Pierre is a College Canado Alunmi. He studied Computer Science at the University of Central Florida.
Pierre served 10 years in the US Navy as a Medic. He currently works as a Supply Chain Manager for a manufacturing company in Orlando, FL. He is passionate about empowering others by sharing his knowledge, always paying it forward.
Carl-Henry Volcy
Project Manager
Carl-Henry is a professional Realtor born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He attended Petit Seminaire College Saint Martial for primary school and part of secondary school, which he completed at College Lucien Hibbert. At the age of 18 he moved to Brooklyn, NY where he attended Medgar Evers College of CUNY for Accounting and Finance.
At Medgar Evers Carl-Henry became the Vice President of the Haitian Social Club. From 2004 and 2006 he hosted his own radio show on BCAT radio. Since 2010, he has been a prominent realtor in New York City and now in 2020 has become a certified life coach. Even though he now lives in the United States, Carl-Henry never forgot where he came from.
Naika Colas
Design Strategist/ Web
Naika is a Sustainable Designer and founder of the Eco-Friendly Fashion brand; Jacques Louis, which focuses on creating innovative clothing for consumers using natural fibers, dead-stock fabrics, rPET materials, and recycled textiles. She seeks to change the way disadvantaged communities perceive environmental sustainability to adopt lifestyles of health and sustainability.
She is a PT Professor at Parsons School of Design, and Sustainability Director at a retail merchandising company. Naika earned her master's degree in Design Management from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry and Marine Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her teachings focus on empathic modeling, environmentally conscious production, and inclusive design.
Reginald Pierre-Louis
Project Manager/ Haitian Creole Translator
Reginald Pierre-Louis was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and attended school there until he migrated to the United States. But he has not stopped calling Ayiti Cheri “home.”
Reginald has worked in education for over twenty years. He has also been involved in the field of personal finance for over fifteen years.
Reginald’s many passions include soccer, cars, music, and philanthropy. He believes that each and every one of us has something to offer to Haiti.
Taïna Mayard
Public Relations / Consultant
Born and raised in Haiti, Taina studied Architecture, Construction, and Urban Management abroad in an attempt to contribute and bring innovation to her homeland.
Her love of architecture and urban planning enables her to use both engineering and sociological skills to study the interaction between how communities and neighborhoods in Haiti are designed and the subsequent impact on the world around them.
Although the trials in the country have made her initiative complex, she has found an outlet here at the EducNation Foundation to continue to contribute to the growth of her home country.
