Leonie M. Hermantin was born in Haiti and grew up in New York City. Ms. Hermantin’s career reflects her commitment to her community and to her chosen professional path in community development. She has more than 20 years of grassroots community experience in Miami’s Haitian community. From 1996 to 2008, Ms. Hermantin worked in Miami, first as a visiting Professor at Florida International University’s School of Architecture, and later as the Executive Director of Haitian-American Foundation (HAFI), a community agency that addresses the growing needs of Haitians and Haitian Americans living in Miami-Dade County. She went on the become Director of Research and Strategic Planning at the Haitian Neighborhood Center, Sant La. In 2008, Ms. Hermantin’s sights turned to Haiti’s rural communities and, from 2018 to 2011, she served as the Deputy Director of the Lambi Fund of Haiti, a Haitian-led community foundation focused on the needs of Haiti’s rural population. In 2011, Ms. Hermantin launched her own consulting firm, Hermantin Consulting, LLC, working both in Haiti and in the US. One of her most profoundly rewarding experiences has been to work with PRODEV, a Haitian-led foundation whose mission is to provide disadvantaged children access to quality education. Ms. Hermantin currently works with the Children’s Trust, Sant La’s Leadership Fellows Program, FOKAL, and FIU. Ms. Hermantin holds a Juris Doctorate from University of California at Berkeley as well as a Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning. She has served on multiple boards and currently sits on the Center for Haitian Studies’ Board of Directors. She is a proud and engaged member of Coral Gables Congregational Church UCC.