IFSI Staff, Board of Directors and Advisory Committee reflect the many groups served by the organization coming from a broad mix of backgrounds, professions, and skills with broad connections to the immigrant community. Lead staff are immigrant leaders with years of experience working with families and service providers.
Barbara Boone was born and raised in Switzerland where she earned a federal certificate in Business Administration from the Business School Zurich in 1987. She immigrated to the United States in 1992 where she pursued an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Massasoit Community College and also earned a B.S. in Health Education and Promotion from Bridgewater State University. In addition to working in Health Education and Office/Business Administration, Barbara has also served on the Advisory Board of CASE, the Center for the Advancement of Science Education at Bridgewater State University from 2008 to 2011 and on the Board of Directors if the H J Henry Dream Fund as Secretary from 2011 to 2016. Barbara loves conversing in English, German, French and Spanish and enjoys learning about different cultures and adores tasting food from around the world.
Sophia Boyer taught middle and high school for fifteen years before venturing into instructional coaching. As an instructional coach Sophia works in a variety of schools whose administrators have requested coaching services or professional development supports for teachers.
Sophia is experienced in humanities instruction, ESL teaching, program administration, teacher training,curriculum development, professional development and program planning and evaluation. Sophia was born in Haiti, educated in the U.S. and currently resides in Cambridge. She earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology/History from Regis College and postgraduate degrees in Human Development and Urban Education from Wheelock College.
Jeff Guillaume has 11 years of management experience, including eight years in banking. He is currently the Store Manager of the newly opened TD BANK-Roslindale Branch where he is responsible for new business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel and overseeing the day-to-day operations at the new store serving customers throughout the area. Jeff serves on the YMCA Board of Advisors in Brighton. He is also a member of the Brighton Board of Trade.
"As a kid born in Haiti with parents who immigrated into the U.S , it really hits home when I encounter an organization that provides services not only to help the parents but provides after school programs to help structure their kids, giving them access to a better chance in education. I myself had the opportunity to take advantage of such programs when first moved to Massachusetts, I know firsthand that it help shape me as a man and also put me in the right path to be successful, I would like to share my knowledge and services to further help this cause, as this is truly a great opportunity to make a difference in our communities."
Jeff lives in Wakefield. He is originally from Waltham and graduated from Waltham High School in 2002.
Rhodes Pierre is an actor, comedian, entrepreneur and writer who currently works with New York Life as an Insurance agent. After graduating from Rhode Island College, he taught English, Current Affairs, Women's Studies and instructed students in computer literacy for an after-school programs. He later toured the continental U.S. as a performer and educational consultant with Poetry Alive! He is a board member of the Mediator Stage of Providence where he hosts meditation sessions and is the featured comedic host of the Young Jurks on WEMFRadio.com. He performs improv, sketch comedy ,stand up, voice over, acting, and weddings as an Ordained Minister of the ULC.
Born to Haitian immigrants Marie and Andre Pierre, Rhodes developed his stand-up from life experiences and observations. Rhodes has lived in Haiti, Montreal, Boston, New York's historic Harlem Section where he performed on a regular basis at many local and tourist venues.
Shannon Watson is dedicated to developing human resource processes that include an inclusive and intersectional perspectives. She is currently working at tech startup, Starry Inc, as an HR Generalist. Previously she was worked as a Human Resource Business Partner at marketing-analytics company, Localytics. Shannon received her BS in Urban Policy with a concentration in Public and Nonprofit Human Resource Policy from Georgia State University. She is currently attending Northeastern University for her MS in Organizational Communication.
Gregory Xavier is the Assistant Store Manager at the new TD Bank in Roslindale. He has worked in banking for the last seven year most recently with Citizens Bank and Santander Bank winning numerous awards and recognition for his achievements.
Gregory was born in Florida and his parents immigrated to the U.S from Haiti. Growing up in a family of eight, Gregory's mom always taught him to share and be kind and that has struck with him ever since.Gregory is an active volunteer at a number of financial literacy classes, charity events and elderly abuse classes.
Gregory quotes Coretta Scott King, " The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassion of its members, and he believes that there's nothing more rewarding than helping others. Gregory lives in Brighton.
Sindy Barreau previously worked as Senior Auditor in the accounting firm Consulting Experts and Associates, a member firm of Grant Thornton International, in Haiti for over 10 years, where he led the team in developing overall strategy, led systems analysis and control evaluation, and realization of the control of the accounts. Sindy recently completed the Bank Career Training Program at JVS Boston. This training has helped him improve customer service skills and professionalism while also exposing him to the differences between the U.S. and Haitian banking systems. In addition, Sindy is currently pursuing his MBA in Accounting online from the University of the People in California.
As the Staff Accountant at Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI), Sindy establishes and monitors internal financial controls, performs monthly bank reconciliations and quick QuickBooks updates and prepares monthly financial reports. He wants to bring his experience and insights to make each families feel welcome and able to access the services at IFSI.
Alex Carroll has been working since October 2018 as a Project Assistant for IFSI, helping to plan symposiums and other events, providing technical support, and participating in the youth after-school and Saturday programs. He is currently a PhD student in the Agriculture, Food, and Environment program at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Previously, he spent three years working in Haiti, first as the Agriculture Program Coordinator of the nonprofit organization Meds & Food for Kids in North Haiti, then as the Director of the Centre d'Agriculture Saint Barnabas, an Episcopal agricultural technical college in Northeast Haiti. Alex earned his Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees in environmental science from Brigham Young University. He was born in Utah and grew up in North Carolina.
Alex loves learning languages and is fluent in Haitian Creole, Antillean Creole, and French, having also worked for several years as an adjunct Haitian Creole instructor at Brigham Young University. He strongly believes in supporting immigrant communities and advocating for increased visibility and rights for immigrant groups, promoting a greater level of integration and enabling immigrants to take full advantage of the resources available to them so they can flourish and grow in their new homes. He enjoys working on any and all IFSI projects, especially community advocacy and tutoring and mentoring youth.
Edner J. Cayemite is a long time affiliate of Boston Public Schools (26 years). Currently, he is teaching Math, Engineering and Science at West Roxbury Academy and serves as the Chief Academic Officer of Ethnicity at the Disease Research Center. Previously, Edner was a Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Pine Minor College and the University of Massachusetts as well as the Director of thePEngineering program at Dorchester High School. Over the last fourteen years, Professor Cayemite helped to shape structurally many organizations in the greater Boston area.
Edner J. Cayemite earned a Doctorate in Leadership Management and Policy from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, Doctorate in Applied Theology from Talbot, a Masters in Data Communication (Engineering) and a Masters in Education. Professor Cayemite gives lectures to empower academically his surrounding community. He is constantly at the forefront of strategic development in education and research. Dr. Cayemite has presented over 40 papers and posters in areas such as literacy , education, cultural diversity, health care disparity, active empowerment, integrative technology /science/math /decentralization, interaction and full participation of people in system of development, the real meaning of equality in our humanity.
Edner J. Cayemite is a strong advocate for youth inclusion in decision making at Church, local grassroots organizations, schools and the community at large. He is a fervent believer of inclusion and participation in a democratic society. The dream of Dr. Cayemite is to ensure that the younger generation will be included in all aspects of the development of our society. He has been with IFSI since its inception and has been instrumental in developing the weekend academy program as a way to give access to academic skills development and quality test preparation techniques to minority students.
Sara Charles has been working for IFSI since 2015, returning every year for the Summer Leadership Program. She has served as a lead teacher for 4 Summers with the Lower Academy and will now be serving during the school year. As our After School Program Coordinator, she is in charge of running a smooth operating program that serves our students with homework help, tutoring, Test Prep services and extra curricular activities such as Chess, Coding, and Music.
Sara graduated from Bridgewater State University with a B.S in Mathematics. She will be pursuing a career in Education. She has served as a CityYear at the Charles H. Taylor Elementary where she worked in a 5th grade ELL classroom where she tutored and mentored her students.
Dr. Geralde Gabeau, IFSI-USA founder and Executive Director, has extensive experience working in public health initiatives, particularly those addressing women and children’s health both in the United States and in Haiti. Her talent for team-building helps bring people together to address the needs of children and families in local communities. Since 2003, she has played various leadership roles in the Haitian community where she developed and directed various programs, supervised staff, ensured effective partnerships, maintained program and fiscal accountability, and managed many federal grants.
Geralde earned a Doctoral Degree in Strategic Foresight from Regent University, a Masters Degree in Public Health from Boston University and a Masters Degree in Management from Cambridge College. Her research portfolio includes “Leading from the Future for Leaders” which is a new approach to understanding the present through a futurist lens.
Geralde is originally from Haiti, a country that continues to suffer extreme poverty. She came from a very large, very joyous, and very generous family. At her house, there was always had an extra plate, an extra seat for someone from the neighborhood who would otherwise go to bed hungry. She knew at a very young age that she could and should do something meaningful to help improve the lives of less fortunate people. At the age of 12, Geralde was tutoring children who in their teens were not being schooled. Later, at the age of 18, she formed an organization called the Association for the Development of Brotherly Love (ADAF). With help from high school and college students, she continued teaching children who lacked formal schooling. This program now serves over 500 children every year.
When Geralde moved to the USA, she continued to follow her passion to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. While studying for her Masters Degree in Public Health at Boston University, she began to formulate in her mind the idea of a non profit for Haitian Immigrant families. Geralde knew that Immigrant families need a place that they could call home, a place that would help them navigate their way as new residents. This seed of an idea is now called the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI). IFSI is a warm and welcoming home where children come to learn and grow and become all they can be. Here they feel a part of an extended family. Here, they feel comfortable sharing their ups and downs because they know their voice is being heard. IFSI provides a sense of hope and connection, and Geralde's dream is that each child who comes in contact with IFSI will become wonderful citizens contributing to the social and economic fabric of their communities.
Dr. Gabeau is well know in the Boston area and has received many awards for her work with children and youth. She lives in Hyde Park with her husband, Evans, and three teen-aged children.
Jennifer Pamphile is the Academic Coordinator with Immigrant Family Services Institute(IFSI). In this role, Jennifer manages and supports the IFSI team in initiatives which promote both the academic, as well as, the socio-emotional development and growth of the youth we serve. Jennifer has over five years of experience in youth development through out of school time programming and a significant background in community engagement. In the past she has worked with stakeholders to deliver community based trainings around community-engaged research and communication. Jennifer is the co-author of Connecting Community to Research, a training program designed to encourage community members to become advocates in research. In addition, Jennifer has also co-created trainings around communication using improvisational Theatre techniques. As of May 2019, she received her Masters of Public Health in Urban Health at Northeastern University where she also received her Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience.
Clara Raymond has been at IFSI since 2017 interfacing with parents and making everyone feel at home. She enjoys playing games with the children as well as making sure they are well fed with nourishing snacks each day, Most importantly Clara embodies the "IFSI Family" motto by making each child feel special and loved.
A native Haitian, Clara has been in the US since 1987 attending high school here and receiving a Liberal Arts Degree from North Shore Community College. She lives in Dorchester with her sons Olivier (25) and Isaac (18).
Morisset has over 35 years of experience in education. He served for 20 years as an assistant dean in the Mass community college system and has extensive experience in adult continuing education and workforce development training. In addition, Morisset has developed training programs for the healthcare, solar, and construction industries. He the founder of the Institut Technique de la Cote-Sud (ITCS) in southern Haiti, a sustainability training center with the goal of incubating a new breed of workers in the emerging industries and technologies for the 21st century marketplac
Morisset is currently working in helping develop the adult education and skills training infrastructures at the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI)as a part of the IFSI Navigator Immigrant Integration Program.
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Maeva Veillard is a recent graduate of DePauw University where she received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Global Heath and French. As an immigrant living in the inner-city of Boston, Maeva embraced the rich cultural backgrounds that made up her neighborhood, but she could not help but identify the various disparities that plagued her community. In high school, during her morning commute from Hyde park to Lexington, she noticed stark differences in both communities. This experience led to her dedicating herself to addressing and dismantling systemic racism within Boston communities.
Maeva served as a 5th grade math teacher at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School with the Uncommon Schools network. She also served as a youth advocate leader at IFSI where she led workshops on race and immigration in Aearica. She currently works as the Administrative Coordinator where she has the pleasure to work alongside Dr. Gabeau while also forging relationships with parents and students. She loves coming up with systems and practices that continue to propel the work IFSI is doing within the Boston community.
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