Team Haiti
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Vedres Caries
Before joining Brighten Haiti, I gained 4 years of experience as a manager of a business specializing in the sale of construction materials and food supplies. This experience allowed me to develop expertise in management while actively contributing to the local economic development.
My engagement with Brighten Haiti provided me the opportunity to participate in large-scale projects, including the installation of solar panels in schools, hospitals, and churches, offering a sustainable solution to the energy needs of communities.
One of my most memorable moments was the installation of a solar energy system in a school where teachers and students expressed profound satisfaction and joyfully took photos to share on social media—a moment that strengthened my commitment to improving access to energy in Haiti.
I consider Brighten Haiti a key player in the country's development, contributing to both better learning conditions and access to sustainable energy for the most vulnerable communities.
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Michel Christerline
Michel is a 19-year-old Haitian woman who is passionate about renewable energy, particularly solar energy.
Just graduated last year from High school in Titanyen Haiti, Christerline joins the Brighten Haiti Solar apprenticeship program to continue her dream, she is interested in sustainable solutions to address the energy challenges of her country and the world. Curious and determined, Christerline aspires to contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future through her commitment to this field.
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Chery Danielo
Before joining Brighten Haiti, I worked in an orphanage, focusing on media production. My passion for photography and videography motivated me to find ways to give back to my community.
Joining Brighten Haiti has given me the opportunity to use my skills to make a meaningful impact. It has also connected me with a team that shares the same vision for Haiti’s future.
My favorite memory at Brighten Haiti was at Gonaive when we were completing a project seeing a school’s reaction cause they haven’t solar power since their existence.
I see Brighten Haiti as a driving force for positive change, bringing sustainable energy solutions to communities. By empowering schools and other institutions, Brighten Haiti is creating opportunities for education, growth, and hope for a brighter future.
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Marie Manoucheka Dorcet
Professional in foreign trade and business administration
Before joining brighten Haiti, I was working full time as a foreign trade manager for a B2B, looking to use my free time to contribute to a meaningful cause that would benefit my community.
Joining brighten Haiti means possibilities to learn, grow and contribute in a field that I’ve been interested in for a long time: Using the favorable climate of the tropics to provide renewable energy.
I am pretty new in Brighten Haiti, so I hope there will be a lot of great memories to come. But I already feel very welcome every time I meet with the team.
Considering that Haiti hasn't had reliable access to electricity in decades, and in most rural areas it is practically nonexistent, the work that brighten Haiti is doing is essential to open the way to progress, through technology. But most importantly, improving the quality of life of every child and adult who will benefit from the services that electricity makes possible.
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Jean-Lytes Dorilas
DeBefore joining Brighten Haiti, I grew up in an environment where the desire to help and understand others has always driven me. I often worked in the field of construction, building houses, schools, and more.
Joining Brighten Haiti marked a turning point in my life, allowing me to actively contribute to the social and educational development of the country, particularly by providing solar energy, computer labs in schools, and sustainable solar power in hospitals and orphanages.
I have many favorite memories, but I especially appreciate the team spirit—the way the team is motivated to accomplish great things.
I see Brighten Haiti as a powerful lever for transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged people in the country, offering each person the tools to grow, develop, and reinvent themselves.scription goes here
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Espenide Jean
Before "Brighten Haiti", I was in business selling food products and I took several professional courses, such as cooking, sewing and other trainings. This allowed me to develop my skills in different areas, which prepared me for my current project.
My integration into Brighten Haiti gives me the opportunity to contribute to an essential cause: bringing solar energy to the most disadvantaged communities. This represents for me a concrete chance to participate in the progress of Haiti.
One of the most striking memories of Brighten Haiti is the enthusiasm shared by the team during the installation of solar systems in areas that had long been without electricity. This moment made me realize the tangible impact that a well-organized collective action can have.
I am confident that Brighten Haiti will continue to play an important role in the country's development by providing reliable access to solar energy, which will help strengthen the education system, the economy and the living conditions of residents.
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Valac Jean-Francois
Warehouse-Inventory manager & Solar Apprentice
Civil Engineer - Cabaret, Haiti.
Before joining Brighten Haiti, access to electricity was not easy for me because the area where I lived, Titanyen, had no electricity. During the time I was preparing for the final exams when I was in high school, it was a major challenge due to the lack of electricity in the area. My fellow students and I used to walk to a police station far from our homes every evening to study and work because that was the only place with a lighted projector at night. Sometimes, when we returned home late, we would continue studying and working under a kerosene lamp to prepare for our exams.
A few years later, I became part of Brighten Haiti, and it brought a complete change in the reality I used to experience in the absence of electricity. Now, I have access to electricity and uninterrupted internet, which allow me to continue learning over time in various fields.
Being part of Brighten Haiti is one of the greatest joys of my life because I can see that children today no longer have to face the same problems I endured. Brighten Haiti provides children with access to electricity and internet connectivity, enabling them to have better learning opportunities and become more productive in their education.
I remember a school we helped electrify, the students’ parents were truly overjoyed. They described it as deliverance because the heat used to make it nearly impossible for students to stay in class. The youngest children were especially affected, as the extreme heat often left them nearly suffocating. But thanks to the lights and ventilators we installed in every classroom, the students now enjoy cool air, and the parents were very happy. Seeing their joy made me happy as well because we brought a lasting solution to that pressing problem.
The work Brighten Haiti is doing in various localities across the country is a significant support for the Haitian education system. It helps improve conditions within the system and brings about positive change to ensure a better future for our country because the children of today are the adults of tomorrow.
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Dodet Jean Baptiste
Before joining Brighten Haiti, I worked as the Administrative Director at the Institution Mixte de Formation Classique and as a Supervisor at Lux Assurance. These experiences allowed me to develop strong skills in management and leadership, reinforcing my desire to engage in projects that have a lasting impact.
My integration into Brighten Haiti has given me the opportunity to contribute to an essential mission: providing solar energy to the most vulnerable communities. For me, this is a concrete way to participate in the development of Haiti.
One of my memorable moments at Brighten Haiti was the installation of a solar system in an area without electricity. The joy of the students, grateful to see their living conditions improve, deeply touched me. This experience demonstrated the tangible impact of effective teamwork.
I am convinced that Brighten Haiti will continue to play a central role in the country's development by providing reliable access to solar energy. This work will have positive effects on education, the economy, and the improvement of living conditions for the population.
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Merline Joachim
Merline is a 20-year-old Haitian woman who is passionate about renewable energy, particularly solar energy. Just graduated last year from High school in Titanyen Haiti, Merline joined the Brighten Haiti Solar apprenticeship program in Titanyen Haiti where we firstly had a training Center. Merline rejoins Brighten Haiti in Cap-Hatian to continue her dream, she is interested in sustainable solutions to address the energy challenges of her country and the world. Curious and determined, Merline aspires to contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future through her commitment to this field.
Merline is happy to keep on learning to help herself and her country in the future through Brighten Haïti.
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Rolguens Meristil
(aka “The Smiling Engineer”)
Solar Apprentice Instructor, Installation Manager & Board Member – Brighten Haiti
Civil Engineer – Cap-Haitien, HaitiAs Brighten Haiti’s Solar Apprentice Instructor & Installation Manager, Rolguens Meristil plays a pivotal role in training the next generation of solar professionals in Haiti. He leads Brighten Haiti’s Solar Apprenticeship Program, equipping young women and men with the technical and safety skills needed to install solar energy systems for schools, clinics, orphanages, and homes without electricity. His dedication to empowering others through education and hands-on training is helping to expand clean energy access while creating economic opportunities in Haitian communities.
A passionate advocate for sustainable development, Rolguens oversees the design, proposal, and execution of solar projects across Haiti. He works closely with Brighten Haiti’s volunteers and leadership team to ensure that every project is completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.
Rolguens holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He has been working in the solar energy sector since 2017 and is fluent in English, French, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. His technical expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Haiti’s future make him an invaluable asset to Brighten Haiti’s mission.
Despite the difficulties facing Haiti, In 2024, Rolguens and his students helped more than 7000 students get solar energy at their schools for the first time ever. Brighten Haiti Embarks on the largest solar deployment in Haiti and Rolguens is more determined than ever to help his country through Brighten Haiti.
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Zacharie Pierre
Computer Teacher and Solar Apprentice -Brighten Haiti
I was born in the Ouest department, Haiti.
Before joining Brighten Haiti, I was always trying to find a way to overcome the electricity problems in the surrounding area. By joining Brighten Haiti, this leading organization in renewable energy, I feel that I am supporting a vital mission: that is changing lives. And it's been like a dream come true, giving me the opportunity to touch more lives and sow seeds of hope on a much larger scale.
Being in Brighten Haiti goes beyond a simple commitment, it symbolizes my dedication to a sustainable future for my country. My greatest memory is linked to a student, explaining to me how the electrification of her school changed her life and the quality of her education. Brighten Haiti is a community of passionate and dedicated people, united by the vision of a brighter future. I see Brighten Haiti as a rising star in our country's sky, ready to light our path to a more prosperous future through its commitment to renewable energy and education.
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Kathie Venord
Before joining Brighten Haiti I worked in a school as a teacher.
Joining Brighten Haiti was a unique opportunity for me to develop technical skills in solar energy.
My favorite memory with Brighten Haiti is the first installation of solar panels in our first room, and the team atmosphere.
I believe that Brighten Haiti can transform our country by making renewable energy accessible and inspiring young people to commit to a better and sustainable future.
Brighten Haiti Board and Volunteers
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Nick Alex
Board Member – Brighten Haiti
Vice President of Residential Sales – SolarEdge TechnologiesA 15-year solar veteran. Nick is an experienced Sales Director with a demonstrated history of working in the renewables and environment industry. Skilled in Sales, Management, Renewable Energy, Business Development. Strong sales professional with an MPP focused in Solar Energy Policy from Brandeis University, Heller – The Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
Nick volunteered for 3 years with Peace Corps and has gardened on 4 different continents and loves getting his hands and feet dirty alongside local farmers.
When asked what he wants to see from Brighten Haiti, he said “Sustainability pure and simple. I want to see change that lasts, that they can own and want to own.”
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Roxie Brown
Board Member — Brighten Haiti
Regional Sales Manager, NorCal at REC
14-Year Solar Veteran - Freelance PhotographerRoxie has worked in the solar industry since 2011, working for manufacturers, nonprofits, energy education organizations, and think tanks. Her passion is woven into her career and resume – solar schools and energy education are present in nearly every position she’s held. This passion sprung form an early childhood experience in the 5th grade. Roxie’s class was visited by a renewable energy guest speaker. The speaker offered alternatives to the stinky gas and polluting power plants she had previously thought of as the sole options for energy. This talk opened her eyes to a whole world of alternative energy sources, and she was hooked. The inspiration carried forward and manifested into a career working in exclusively in energy. While in High School, Roxie successfully led a campaign to convert her school district’s school busses to Biodiesel. She was awarded student leader of the year that following summer in Washington DC and joined the staff of the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project. This organization helped her land speaking gigs around the country about renewable energy education; at one of these speaking engagements, she met and was hired by the US Solar Manufacturer SolarWorld. Now, Roxie is a Sr. Sales Manager for another solar panel manufacturer. Her passion for solar schools and energy education has never faded, and it was a big part of what inspired her to join the board of Brighten Haiti in 2020.
In her spare time, Roxie is a professional freelance photographer, and has volunteered her services as the staff photographer for Brighten Haiti.
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Jordan Cupach
Administrative Support
Social Media Ambassador
Board MemberJordan brings extensive experience in the solar industry, specializing in contractor network management and onboarding, project management, and hands-on training. Her work includes a focus on the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) for low-income, disadvantaged, and tribal communities.
She is currently employed with Grid Alternatives, a leading voice in low-income solar policy and the nation’s largest nonprofi t solar installer, serving families throughout California, Colorado, the Mid-Atlantic region, and tribal communities nationwide. GRID Alternatives envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefi ts everyone.
Beyond her professional work, Jordan serves on the board of directors for Brighten Haiti, a nonprofi t dedicated to fostering sustainable communities across Haiti. She is also deeply committed to animal welfare and advocates for justice and cruelty-free initiatives.
Jordan joined Brighten Haiti in hopes of advancing an equity agenda within the solar industry and to promote environmental justice. Jordan oversees post-installation quality control, ensuring Brighten Haiti installations meet the highest achievable standards while remaining practical for the unique challenges in Haiti.
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Stephane Emmanuel
Finance, Board Member
Haitian American Cultural Liaison to the Board - Brighten HaitiStephane is a finance and technology professional with extensive experience in financial analysis, healthcare systems, and nonprofit leadership. As the Founder and President of EdTech Solutions, he is dedicated to leveraging technology to improve educational opportunities for students in Haiti. With a background in finance, he has worked with major healthcare organizations, optimizing financial processes and implementing strategic solutions. Passionate about education and community impact, Stephane serves on the board of Brighten Haiti, contributing his expertise to advance its mission.
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Anne Faire
Volunteer Social Media Manager
Anne Faire brings over a decade of experience in social media strategy, content creation, and digital storytelling to Brighten Haiti. With a background in mass media communication, she specializes in crafting engaging content that connects organizations with their audiences in meaningful ways.
At Brighten Haiti, Anne uses social media to showcase the real-world outcomes of the organization’s programs, ensuring Brighten Haiti’s message reaches a global audience while staying anchored in the stories of Haitian partners and beneficiaries. She is inspired by Brighten Haiti’s focus on practical, community-driven initiatives that create lasting impact.
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Peter Greenberg
Volunteer, Board Member Brighten Haiti
Owner and founder Energy Wise Services (EWS) and Energy Wise Lighting (EWL) Saved over 110,000,000 kwh/yr cumulatively with EWL and installed over 14 MW of solar installed since 2001.
Peter has worked on volunteer solar projects with Twende in Peru, Oregon and Haiti; Nepal and Nicaragua with Grid Alternatives and has helped out with Brighten Haiti for a few years.
As an innovative entrepreneur in the solar industry we have installed over 20 products where we were the first customer in Oregon or anywhere.
As owners of 160 solar systems and installers of many others we understand what works and what doesn’t.
We have probably installed more solar systems on non profits than anyone in Oregon from schools, churches, a tiny house village for homeless folks, Boys and Girls Clubs…
Before solar, Peter designed and installed energy efficient lighting with installs all over Oregon, New York State, Washington DC and in 14 countries in US Embassies.
Before solar and lighting, Peter designed and built solar water heaters and before that worked as a Paramedic/Firefighter for the Albany, Oregon Fire Department.
Currently, Peter is #23 to get an Aptera (ww.aptera.us) solar electric vehicle, probably by in the late fall of 2025.
Peter and Kevin Keene were part of a Twende Solar project in Haiti which started Kevin on his path to start Brighten Haiti.
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Kevin Keene
Founder and President of Brighten Haiti
A 17-year veteran of the solar industry, as a sales manager for US solar panel manufacturers, Kevin first got a glimpse of how solar could change the lives of people in developing countries in 2008 when he had the opportunity to help with his company’s “Solar2World” program, which donated solar panels to developing countries like Haiti. In 2009, Kevin met Walt Ratterman, a true hero, who installed solar in the poorest and war-torn countries like Haiti. After meeting Walt, Kevin knew that someday he would follow in his footsteps. In 2019 Kevin had the opportunity to go to Haiti with a nonprofit and 13 other volunteers to install solar at the Durissy School, giving them solar for the first time ever. Kevin was hooked. In getting to know the community, he knew that there was so much more to do. Kevin immediately began to work on the creation of Brighten Haiti. Although Kevin has sold 100’s of MW of solar in his career, his greatest achievement will be bringing solar electricity to schools and communities who have never had electricity, while teaching solar to our Apprentices and creating jobs and industry for the community.
Mr. Keene has committed the next 20 years of his life to bringing solar energy to Haiti.
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Megan Ponder
Administrative Volunteer and Solar Enthusiast
Megan Ponder has been a dedicated advocate for renewable energy since she began her career in solar in 1995. With a deep passion for sustainable solutions and extensive industry experience, she is committed to advancing the mission of Brighten Haiti. Megan currently serves as the Manager of Channel Marketing at Enphase Energy, where she drives growth initiatives. Her previous role as Director of Marketing at Phocos involved leading global marketing efforts for off-grid and edge-of-grid solar markets. Megan’s work included creating inspirational blogs and project stories from remote parts of the world, providing firsthand accounts of communities living without access to light and power.
Inspired by the mission of Brighten Haiti, Megan has witnessed the organization's remarkable impact in elevating opportunities for underserved communities. Her expertise in marketing, customer relations, program management, and partner advocacy, paired with her strong leadership skills, will be invaluable in supporting Brighten Haiti's mission.
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Tim Ramage
Treasurer – Brighten Haiti
EVP of Sales Operations at SubcontractorHubSenior Sales executive with a 17 year accomplished career track known throughout the solar industry for delivering and sustaining revenue and profit gains within the highly competitive U.S. Consumer markets. Exceptional communicator with a consultative sales style, strong negotiation skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a keen client needs assessment aptitude. Aggressively identify opportunities, develop focus, build implementation teams, and provide tactical business solutions.
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Aimee Tuck
Volunteer
Brand and marketing consultantAimee Tuck, volunteer and renewable energy advocate, has over 20 years of experience in renewable energy, including solar and energy storage. Combining her expertise in renewables with design and marketing communications, Aimee helps clean energy brands thrive through her consulting practice, Corbae Creative. As a strong proponent of the life-changing power of both education and clean energy, she began volunteering with Brighten Haiti on learning of their efforts to bring both to underserved areas of Haiti.
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Nichole Tomasin
Board Member - Brighten Haiti
Head of Sales, US – SolaX PowerWith over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, I have dedicated my career to expanding access to clean, sustainable power solutions. As a Board Member for Brighten Haiti, I am honored to contribute my expertise in sales, strategic partnerships, and market development to help bring solar-powered solutions to communities in need. My mission is to support Brighten Haiti’s efforts in providing affordable and reliable energy access, transforming lives, and fostering economic growth in underserved areas.
Throughout my career, I have worked with some of the leading companies in the solar industry, including Sunnova, NRG, Conergy, and SolaX Power. My expertise lies in developing sustainable energy programs, building strong industry partnerships, and implementing high-impact solutions that drive long-term energy security. Having witnessed firsthand the power of solar energy to uplift communities and create opportunities, I am deeply committed to Brighten Haiti’s mission of delivering energy independence to those who need it most.
Currently, I serve as the Head of Sales, US for SolaX Power, where I focus on expanding the adoption of solar and storage solutions for all. By integrating energy storage with solar, I help drive greater resilience, efficiency, and energy independence across residential and commercial markets.
My experience in sales leadership, business development, and renewable energy advocacy has shaped my approach to making a tangible impact through collaborative, mission-driven work. Whether supporting fundraising efforts, engaging with key stakeholders, or driving awareness, I am passionate about ensuring that Brighten Haiti’s initiatives continue to empower communities, improve education, and foster a cleaner, brighter future.