Our Team | Missionhaiti

Meet the Team

Meet The Team

Field Director

Lophane Laurent

Prior to joining Mission: Haiti in 2011, Lophane was the National Director for Trinity/Hope Feeding Program and also worked with The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on special projects after the 2010 earthquake. He and his wife Darline, a teacher supervisor have two children. They are active members of Bon Berger Lutheran Church in PAP.

Security Director

Noel Duffalt

Noel has been a police officer for many years. His regular assignment is to guard national officials including the President of Haiti. He is married and has 5 children. Noel and Lophane have been friends since primary school. Noel and his family are members of Bon Berger Lutheran Church.

President

David Vangsness

Dave has made many trips to Haiti and is passionate about our mission work there.

Vice President

Mission Haiti Board of Directors

Dr. Nancy Swisher

Dr. Swisher is a Family Practice physician from Wisconsin. She has served in medical missions in the Middle East and South America as well as Haiti. She has served with Mission: Haiti since 2012, traveling 3 times a year to bring medical education and help to many different areas of Haiti. Her compassion, expertise, skill and concern for helping Haitians learn how to take the best possible care of their families has alleviated a great deal of suffering and illness. As of 2024, Nancy serves as Vice President on Mission Haiti's Board of Directors.

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Director of Finance

Donna Croup

Donna serves as the Director of Finance for Mission Haiti and has been the bookkeeper since 2010. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1998 from FIU. Donna's work experience includes 11 years with a CPA firm and 30 years as a controller for a large import company in Miami.

Donna and her husband, Sam, have two adult children, Sean and Valerie, who have blessed them with four grandsons. They recently moved to Minneola, FL.

Director of Administration

Anne Dobbins

Anne serves as the Director of Administration for Mission Haiti and is currently the Early Childhood Director at Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool in Orlando, FL. She earned her degree in Education, specializing in English for Grades 7-12, in 2002. Anne and her husband, Shawn, have raised four children, most of whom are grown with families of their own: Brandon, 27; Adelle, 23; Cassidy, 23; and Riley, 16.

Anne’s professional experience includes two years as a public high school teacher, nine years in a leadership role with the Department of Homeland Security (TSA), and eleven years as a Lutheran Preschool Director. Her volunteer experience includes teaching Sunday School, volunteering at a local animal shelter, and supporting Mission Haiti.

Anne first visited Haiti in 2017 and returned in 2019. She is grateful for the opportunity to share the Gospel with the people of Haiti and to contribute to Mission Haiti’s impactful work in the country. She looks forward to the day she can return to Haiti to reconnect with the many friends she has made there.

Communication Specialist

Katie Henze

Katie serves as the Communication Specialist for Mission Haiti. She graduated in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Mississippi State University. In addition to her work with Mission Haiti, Katie is the personnel Site Director for a Christian non-profit organization that works with at-risk youth in East Tennessee.

Katie has served in this role for the past year and is eager to visit Haiti to connect with the community Mission Haiti serves and to support their impactful mission firsthand.

Valentin Francique & Izmey Francique

Security Associate & Registered Nurse

Married to Izmey Francique, Valentin has been a police officer for 11 years. They live in Port au Prince (PAP) and have 1 child. Izmey works with Mission Haiti's Community Health Outreach, teaching expectant and new mothers safe delivery and infant care. Izmey also follows up with patients in PAP if there is a need. Both have been very valuable additions to our team.

Rony Laurent

Translator and Mission Assistant

Rony is married with two children. Besides being an excellent translator, he often helps us with goat and chicken purchases and follow-ups. Rony is always happy, and it is a joy working with him.

Richard Saint Juste

Driver

Richard lives in Jacmel, but drives a van for hire from Jacmel to PAP, or other places as hired. Richard has driven for Mission: Haiti since 2011. He and his wife have four children.

Benjamin Jean Hector

Driver, Mechanic

Benjamin is married with a daughter. When he started working with Mission: HAITI, 7 years ago, it was obvious that he had a mechanical aptitude, so Mission: HAITI sent him to a trade school to get a certification for engine repair. So besides driving and working with Mission: HAITI, he is able to work independently to earn money to support his family.

Dorothy Medard

Children's Clinic Assistant

Dorothy is the mother of a little boy. Her family has struggled since her father was killed shortly after the 2010 earthquake. Then her sister, Nahima, who was the family support the past 5 years, died of leukemia in 2018 leaving Dorothy and her mother to manage and raise Dorothy's son. Mission: HAITI is helping Dorothy pay to attend a teacher's college in PAP, since she has a natural aptitude for working with children.

Wislande Jean

Registered Nurse, Certified Midwife

Mission: HAITI has had the joy of working with Wislande in several different capacities since 2009. A hard working single woman, she supports her mother and younger sister. After mission: HAITI assisted her in completing nursing school, Wislande became a Certified Midwife and helps at the Community Health Outreach with the training for expectant and new mothers. She often also helps in the pharmacy.

The Mission Haiti Board of Directors is committed to see Mission Haiti's work thrive in the coming years as we meet the challenges that our brothers and sisters in Haiti face with wisdom and compassion.

Board Members:

Mark Brink