New Life for Haiti operates primarily through volunteers and our incredible Haitian staff team to ensure that the majority of our resources can be put to work directly in Haiti. Right now, we support over thirty Haitian staff members and two American staff members.
Our Board of Directors oversees all New Life for Haiti activities and is made up of twelve members from various backgrounds and church affiliations.
-
Vilex Plaisir—Haiti Field Director
Vilex is New Life for Haiti’s Haitian field director. Newly married in December 2021 to his beautiful wife, Lovelie, Vilex is responsible for the huge task of overseeing day-to-day operations in Haiti. From coordinating purchase and delivery of materials for all programs to acting as a liaison between the Haitian people we serve and employ and the American operations team to representing New Life for Haiti in all aspects of Haitian operations, Vilex has been a loyal employee and friend for over fifteen years. His specialties are navigating tricky negotiations and successfully troubleshooting almost any situation with his “it can be done” attitude.
-
David Larson—Executive Director
David Larson serves as New Life for Haiti’s Executive Director. David brings his experience leading in public safety, emergency management, and operations to guide New Life for Haiti’s mission to share our love for Christ and His message while guiding self-sufficiency and sustainability efforts in rural Haiti. David has served in many roles with New Life for Haiti: on a Haiti medical mission, volunteering in stateside logistics, two years as Board Secretary and Chair of the Operations & Logistics Committee until joining staff as Operations Manager in January of 2022. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife and has two adult children. You can contact David at david.larson@newlifeforhaiti.org.
-
Alison Green - Development Manager
As New Life for Haiti’s Development Manager, Alison offers her love for Christ and His message to spread New Life for Haiti’s mission. Through her passion for creating hope, love, and joy she has supported causes mitigating child endangerment, created agricultural sustainability, and facilitated educational empowerment. These experiences have led her combine her efforts and dedicate her work to support our brothers and sisters in Haiti. She currently lives in the Chicago area and is engaged to be married. You can contact Alison at alison@newlifeforhaiti.org.
-
Wesh “Pachou” Ezechiel—Architect/Construction Lead
Pachou, an architect by trade, leads New Life for Haiti’s construction team. Whether it’s constructing a school or a cistern or repairing buildings after a hurricane or earthquake, Pachou coordinates with volunteer engineers in the US to ensure that all New Life for Haiti structures are built to US specifications to keep the children and staff we serve safe and secure. Pachou is married with a wife and two children and resides in Jeremie.
-
Daphterlande Michel—Nursing Coordinator
Daptherlande is a trained nurse who has transitioned from her prior role as Village of Hope Administrator to become New Life for Haiti's Nursing Coordinator. She coordinates medical care for VOH orphans, builds and maintains relationships with local clinic doctors and nurses, and New Life for Haiti's community health education efforts.
-
Junior Thelisma—Village of Hope Social Worker
Junior is a trained social worker serving New Life for Haiti's Village of Hope. His caring presence provides guidance and instruction to the Mamas who, in turn, care for the children residing at VOH. He is an integral part in preparing orphans for their life after VOH.
-
Mike Hoffman—Board President
Mike Hoffman serves as New Life for Haiti’s Board President. As a vice president at Teska Associates, he strives to help people, places, and communities thrive through creative planning and design. That work is focused on listening to the needs of residents, learning about unique local history and culture, and leading the community in solutions to address those needs. Mike is an active member at Crosswinds Church in Plainfield, Illinois, where he serves as treasurer, worship team member, and gardener. You can contact Mike at newlifeforhaiti@newlifeforhaiti.org.
-
Jerry Frump—Board Treasurer
Jerry Frump serves as New Life for Haiti’s Board Treasurer. Jerry is a financial professional. He is currently Manager of Bank Operations for Metropolitan Capital and one of its co-founders. Before helping to found Metropolitan Capital, Jerry served as president of two banks in Chicago’s western suburbs. You can contact Jerry at newlifeforhaiti@newlifeforhaiti.org.
-
Erin Smith—Board Secretary
Erin Smith serves as New Life for Haiti’s Board Secretary. As an editor for Tyndale House Publishers, Erin works closely with authors and teammates in evaluating, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading fiction manuscripts. You can contact Erin at newlifeforhaiti@newlifeforhaiti.org.
-
Fran Leeman—Founder/Board Director
Fran Leeman is the founder of New Life for Haiti and serves on the New Life for Haiti board of directors. He and his wife, Linda, live in the Chicago area and have two grown children and multiple grandchildren. Fran has played an instrumental role in building New Life for Haiti's relationships in the United States and the Grand Anse River valley. Fluent in Kreyol and a regular visitor to Haiti, he is known for his authenticity and Christ-centered engagement wherever he goes.