Our Mission

Gina A. Ferrus is a nonprofit executive, public health leader, and registered nurse with more than 35 years of experience in community building, healthcare, and organizational leadership across Canada and Haiti. She is recognized for her work in business development, nonprofit management, grant writing, program coordination, and capacity building, with a career dedicated to strengthening services for vulnerable communities and advancing mission-driven organizations.

Since 2001, Gina has served as Chief Executive Officer of Fondation Enfant Jeuneses in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she has led the organization’s health prevention programs, community clinic, school, and fundraising efforts. In this role, she has overseen medical and nursing personnel, chaired and coordinated the Foundation’s Board of Directors, managed donor and partner relationships, and developed data collection frameworks to support quality improvement and long-term fundraising strategies.

In addition to her longstanding leadership at Fondation Enfant Jeuneses, Gina currently contributes through Global Advancement Consulting, where she provides strategic support to social enterprises and nonprofit organizations in areas such as talent recruitment, coaching, grant writing, organizational assessment, and entity development. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Director of Healing Hands for Haiti, where she led rehabilitation services and multidisciplinary teams.

Gina’s clinical and leadership background also includes service as a registered nurse, head nurse, nurse supervisor, and counselor in both Haiti and Quebec. She holds a Public Health Management Certificate from Boston University, is a certified counselor, and trained as a registered nurse at Dawson College. Her contributions have been recognized through several honors, including the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership Award, the Hope for Haiti Foundation Community Service Award, and the FNUAP “Image Positive de la Femme Haïtienne” Award.

Franckeline (Franckie) Francin is Chair of the Board of Directors of FEJ Canada.

For many years, Franckie has devoted her energy, creativity and leadership to serving the most vulnerable communities. Guided by a deep conviction that everyone deserves an equal chance to succeed, she is passionately engaged in initiatives that promote education, health, social inclusion and the empowerment of families.

As Board Chair of FEJ Canada, Franckie ensures that the organization remains firmly aligned with its mission: to offer hope and concrete opportunities to children, youth and women in both Canada and Haiti. Her commitment is rooted in the belief that lasting change is built through solidarity, compassion and collective action.

A seasoned professional in organizational development and philanthropic fundraising, Franckie also supports community organizations in bringing their projects to life and strengthening their impact. She believes strongly in the power of partnerships and in the importance of mobilizing the resources needed to respond to the growing needs of communities.

Deeply connected to her roots and to the richness of intercultural exchange, Franckie is especially attuned to the realities faced by immigrants, women and young people from diverse backgrounds. Throughout her career, she has been driven by a desire to build bridges between individuals, organizations and cultures, in order to create more inclusive and caring environments.

For Franckie, leading FEJ Canada is far more than a governance role; it is a responsibility she carries with both heart and determination. She draws daily inspiration from the resilience of the families the organization serves, and from the dedication of volunteers, partners and donors who make this mission possible.

Danielle Colas brings 25 years of experience as a senior manager in the Canadian public service, where she has built a strong track record in program leadership, public administration, and service delivery. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the development, coordination, and management of strategic initiatives designed to strengthen communities and improve access to essential supports.

Over the years, Danielle has managed important public programs, including the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and complementary training programs. Her work reflects a deep understanding of complex social issues and a sustained commitment to building responsive programs that support vulnerable populations, foster inclusion, and promote long-term community well-being.

Known for her leadership, professionalism, and results-oriented approach, Danielle has developed expertise in program oversight, stakeholder collaboration, and the implementation of initiatives that respond to evolving social and community needs. Her experience in the public sector has equipped her with the ability to navigate complex systems while maintaining a strong focus on impact, accountability, and meaningful service to others.

A multidisciplinary artist of Haitian origin, Clifford Jean-Félix expresses his creativity through several forms of artistic expression. With more than 25 years of experience as an interior designer, he has supported many clients in renovating their homes and creating living spaces tailored to the needs of growing families.

In 2000, answering a true calling of the heart, he also embarked on his passion for painting. His rapidly growing success allowed him to present several solo exhibitions and to be permanently represented in various galleries across Quebec and Canada, notably at Galerie Saint-Dizier in Montreal, now known as Galerie Le Royer. His works are part of numerous private and public collections.

Photography is now at the core of his artistic approach, offering him a new field of exploration to capture the beauty that surrounds us and to bring an engaged perspective to causes that are deeply important to him.

Maggy Richmond is a certified human resource professional (CHRP) and an international business coach with more than 20 years of experience in change management, diversity and AI integration, strategy development, and digital transformation. She has held senior roles as an executive, management consultant, and coach, guiding leaders and organizations through complex transformations.

Throughout her career, Maggy has designed and led individual and group coaching programs for senior executives, supported managers and team leaders during mergers and organizational change, and facilitated multicultural team development in diverse workplaces. She is widely recognized for her ability to create dynamic spaces for problem-solving and innovation, including “Safe Room” sessions on harassment, culture, and diversity.

Maggy holds an EMBA and a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in administration, along with leadership training from Harvard University. She also holds certificates in governance and boards of directors and in college-level teaching, and has completed extensive training in strategy, diversity and inclusion, change management, coaching, ethics, and AI.

An active member of the Order of Certified Human Resources Consultants and a Google partner in digital transformation, Maggy is also involved in ACMP and CMC. She has completed Prosci and Green Belt (Rolls-Royce) certifications and advanced trainings on culture, diversity, and anti-racism.