Danielle Saint-Lot Haiti Women’s Foundation & National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP)THEME: Catherine Flon Symposium: Cultivating Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
DATE: May 18th, 2016, New York City
Watch LIVE »Haitian women are the pillars “poto mitan!” of the Haitian society, however, although this is widely believed and accepted as fact, based on economic analysis, one can conclude that Haitian women’s roles as entrepreneurs is greatly under recognized. Women generate income, provide employment and improve their own conditions as well as that of their families, communities and countries. While recognized for their strong presence in the informal economy and the poor population, no value/importance is placed on Haitian women’s economic activities as a strategy for economic development. Haitian women continue to be driven by the desire to overcome their conditions and set out to fulfil this desire by establishing businesses primarily in the agricultural sector and in trade.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, there are about 8 to 10 million formal Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with at least one woman owner in developing countries1. Women make significant contributions to household incomes and to economic growth. Women’s economic participation has become a benchmark for economic progress in developing countries; and Haiti’s private sector is the key to unlocking the country’s economic potential as well as driving economic growth.
First Panel: Bridging the Gap- How to Fill the Missing Middle
Since economic growth worldwide is driven by the development of SMEs, The Danielle Saint-Lot Haiti Women’s Foundation (DSLF) seeks to bridge the gap to fill the ‘missing middle’ and grow the creative economy by empowering Haitian women, whether in Haiti or abroad, through the promotion of social entrepreneurship, leadership, social skills and professional development.
The New York State Assembly passed several pieces of legislations during the 2015 Legislative Session. The intent was to promote minority and women-owned businesses, as well as other small businesses, and assist these businesses to grow and thrive. How can Haitian American women entrepreneurs or professionals seize these opportunities to create businesses in the US and/or partner with Haitian women entrepreneurs in their homeland?
Second Panel: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and How to Contribute and Help Promote Women’s Economic Empowerment
We tend to think of entrepreneurship as a one way street, the innovative way of developing and managing a start-up, whereas there are many facets to entrepreneurship. A lawyer who has his/her own practice or a doctor who operates his/her own clinic is an entrepreneur. An employee who develops a new and innovative management plan within his/her company is also an entrepreneur.
During this section of the symposium, we seek to engage in a conversation that discusses the various challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. These include the issue of why, whether in the US, Canada or Haiti, there are fewer women owned businesses than those of their male counterparts, and what we, as individuals, can do, through the various avenues that exist, to contribute and promote Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment for women.
About the Danielle Saint-Lot Haiti Women’s Foundation (DSLF):
The Danielle Saint-Lot Haiti Women’s Foundation, a U.S. based non-profit, advances programs to empower Haitian women through the promotion of social entrepreneurship, leadership skills, and professional development. The foundation’s activities include trainings, forums, networking, coaching, and mentoring. Among the topics explored are gender equality and conflict resolution to advocate for greater equal social and economic rights for women. The goal is to give women the necessary tools to help them improve the quality of life of their families and communities. The Foundation’s initiatives are implemented in Haiti. For more information visit the foundation’s website at www.haitiwomensfoundation.org/foundation/
About the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP):
Founded in 2011, the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established by a diverse group of forward-thinking industry experts, youth leaders, faculty, public and nonprofit sector professionals from Haiti and its global diaspora. NAAHP is focused on connecting a global community of peers with career advancement resources, as well as, fostering transformative relationships between NAAHP members and committed stakeholders to rebuild Haiti through philanthropy and social entrepreneurship. For more information about NAAHP visit it’s website at www.naahpusa.org.
1: US Department of Commerce (2010) “Women-Owned Businesses in the 21st Century”, prepared by the US Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration for the White House Council on Women and Girls
Ambassador Danielle Saint-Lot
Founder, Danielle Saint-Lôt Haiti Women's Foundation
Ambassador at large for Women’s Empowerment, Republic of Haiti
Dr. Marjorie Pierre Brennan, MD
Physician specializing in pediatric anesthesiology at Children National Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, George Washington University
Honorable Rodneyse Bichotte
Assembly Member and State Committee Woman / District Leader for New York State’s 42nd Assembly District
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 Catherine Flon Symposium —
Cultivating Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Women Economic EmpowermentTime Event Room 8:30 am Registration Check-In Begins 9:30 am to 9:50 am Speakers / Panelists Gathering 10:00 am to 10:10 am Haiti National Anthem - Barbara Guillaume – Artist and Women’s Rights Activist
Welcoming Remarks
- Ambassador Danielle Saint-Lôt
- Serge Renaud – President of the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP)
Trusteeship Council Chamber 10:10 pm to 10:30 am Opening Statement - His Excellency Ambassador Denis Régis – Haiti Permanent Representative to the United Nations
- Special “1st Catherine Flon Award”
One Woman – Nou Tout Se Fanm: A Song for UN Women
- Barbara Guillaume – Artist and Women’s Rights Activist
- Ms. Anna Falth – Manager of EmpowerWomen, UN Women Economic Empowerment Section
Trusteeship Council Chamber 10:30 am to 11:30 am Bridging the Gap – How to Fill the Missing Middle - Ambassador Danielle Saint-Lôt
- Honorable Rodneyse Bichotte – New York State Assemblymember, Chair of the Subcommittee on the Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises
Moderator
- Cleve Mésidor – Global Solutions Consultant, The Raben Group
Trusteeship Council Chamber 11:30 am to 11:40 am Break 11:40 am to 12:40 pm Innovation, Entrepreneurship and How to Contribute and Help Promote Women’s Economic Empowerment - Leanna Archer – Founder & CEO, Leanna’s Essentials
- Laurence Sarah Bigio – Marketing President GB Group,Publisher of Challenges Magazine
- Yve-Car Momperousse – Co- Founder & CEO Kreyol Essence
- Gabrielle Vincent – Co-Founder & CEO Société Agricole et de Production et d’Élevage du Nord S.A. (SAPEN S.A.)
Moderator
- Ambassador Danielle Saint-Lôt
Trusteeship Council Chamber 12:40 pm to 1:00 pm Nap Vanse! - Barbara Guillaume – Artist and Women’s Rights Activist
Women Entrepreneurs LEADing the Way – Inclusive Economic Growth in Haiti and the Diaspora:
- Nadia Cherrouk – County Director PADF Haiti, Chief of Party of Leveraging Effective Application of Direct Investments (LEAD) program funded by USAID
Live Streamed Statement
- The Honorable Marie Denise Claude – Haiti Minister of Women Affairs
Closing Remark
- Dr. Marjorie Pierre Brennan, MD – NAAHP Advisory Board Chair and Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee
Trusteeship Council Chamber Symposium Reception
After the symposium, there will be a follow-up reception which is free to attend and appetizers will be served. We look forward to you taking this opportunity to network and meet dynamic individuals that will be in the room. Remember to bring your business cards!
The location to the follow-up reception is:
Overlook
225 East 44th street
NYC, NY 100172016 Symposium Sponsorship Package
Symposium Sponsors
Join the Danielle Saint-Lot’s Women’s Foundation and the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals as we head to the United Nations headquarter in New York to discuss women entrepreneurship. This event will bring together successful women entrepreneurs from various sectors to speak about their journey of finding success as a business woman. If you are thinking about starting a business this event is for you! If you are wanting to grow your business this event is for you! You don’t want to miss it! Register today.
United Nations, New York City –
Room: UN Trusteeship Council Chamber
New UN Access – Security pass needed to enter UNHQ. First go across the street from the UN to the Visitors Check-in Office at 801 First Avenue (Corner of 45th Street) before going through UN Security Screening and entering the UN.
The United Nations Visitors Entrance is at 46th Street and 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
The United Nations Headquarters is located in the heart of New York City on 1st Avenue between 42nd and 48th Street. This 18-acre site has been declared international territory and belongs to the 193 Member States of the United Nations.
Getting here
We recommend the use of public transportation as the United Nations Headquarters does not offer parking facilities.
- By subway:
Numbers 4, 5, 6, 7, or S trains to Grand Central Station; walk east on 42nd Street to 1st Avenue
Learn more
- By bus:
M15, M42.
Learn more
- By car:
Private parking garages are available from East 45th Street to East 49th Streets, between 1st and 2nd Avenues
- By subway: