Staff Bios

Naples Team

Elizabeth Davison, Executive Director
Elizabeth Davison is Hope for Haiti's Executive Director. After an extensive career in nursing, in 1992 Elizabeth returned to school at Montclair State University in New Jersey where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Speech, Theater and Broadcasting. She produced TV shows with NJN- New Jersey's Public Broadcasting Station and Comcast. Switching gears in 1996 and indulging her love of theater, she began a five year stint with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) as their Director of the Women's Board Association where responsibilities included production the largest annual fundraiser in New Jersey- NJPAC's Spotlight Gala- which would net over $2 million each year. In 2002, she returned to human services when she took a position as Executive Director of Gilda's Club of Northern New Jersey, a cancer support network named after Gilda Radner. Upon moving to Naples in 2004 she spent four years with Avow Hospice as their Volunteer Services Manager prior to taking her current position with Hope for Haiti.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be Diana Ross but would have settled on being one of the Supremes.

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
No one would guess that I had drinks with Paul Newman, my idol.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
I didn't realize how much I missed nursing. I enjoy going on medical mission trips to Haiti and the tremendous satisfaction I receive every day, in both Haiti and the Naples office supporting our programs, from helping people in need.

Who inspires you?
Two People - JoAnne Kuehner, Hope for Haiti's Founder. Her selfless love for the people of Haiti is contagious. I also am blessed to have Ann Thompson in my life. Ann is a 90 year old retired WWII Army Nurse who has boundless wisdom that she shares with me.

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
I would be a beach bum- and volunteer at Hope for Haiti.

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Stephanie Jepsen, Director of Development
Stephanie graduated cum laude with a B.A. in International Studies from American University in Washington, D.C. and went on to complete a Masters Degree in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland in 2003. She began her career as the Communications Manager for St. Martin de Porres High School in Waukegan, IL ( a school modeled after Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago) where she executed a communications plan around the school's grand opening in 2004. Next, she worked for three years as the Development Officer for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, the largest provider of civil legal aid in Cook County. In 2009, Stephanie and her husband, Matt, relocated to Naples, FL where she serendipitously found Hope for Haiti. As fate would have it, 12 years ago, Stephanie traveled to Haiti to volunteer with both the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee in a small rural community and with the Missionaries of Charity at Delmas 31 (one of Hope for Haiti's supported Nutrition clinics). As Hope for Haiti's first Director of Development, Stephanie is charged with garnering financial support for the organization and bringing awareness to its important mission, through service and partnership with the Haitian people.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A travel agent so that I could help others experience the world.

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
I was a costumed historic interpreter on Mackinac Island, MI for four years and cooked on an open hearth.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
That time flies... I'm never bored in this job. I'm eternally grateful for the opportunity to work among some great minds who keep my days very interesting.

Who inspires you?
My family. They taught me to put others first, and that is why I gravitate toward development in my professional career using my academic background in international relations and skills in development every step of the way.

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
In addition to traveling and learning languages, I would cultivate my own vineyard and sell the wine for charity!

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Cathy Grassi, Operations Director-Naples
Cathy was born in The Bronx to the best parents on the planet. After graduating St. Barnabas HS, she attended Berkeley Secretarial/Finishing School in NYC. After honing stenography, typing and charm skills, Cathy began her career as a secretary at Compton Advertising.

Next up, Cathy worked as Personal Assistant to Estee Lauder. Later, she moved on to Della Femina Advertising, working with the "real" Mad Men. After years of coordinating Meow-Off Contests and other insane projects, Cathy switched gears and moved on to Office Manager of the Psychiatric Clinic at Lenox Hill Hospital. Later, she hooked up with a plastic surgeon and helped him build his practice.

Cathy relocated to Naples and was Office Manager at Waterside Shops for 15 years. She then tried semi-retirement. When the earthquake struck Haiti, Cathy began volunteering at Hope for Haiti. As you can see from her bio being included on the website, she says, "I'm now on staff and loving every minute of it!"

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Surfer Girl (loved the Beach Boys).

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
I was a hippie at Woodstock, Peace & Love

What is the most surprising part of your job?
That I've learned how to use a pallet jack!

Who inspires you?
My parents & Grandparents

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
Fly off to Big Sur & bask in its beauty

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Katherine Sullivan, Donor Services Manager
Born in Turin, Italy, Katherine grew up in Darien, Connecticut. While working full-time at a utilities company, she earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. After ten years in the corporate world, she decided to switch careers and become a teacher. She earned her master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport and has taught first grade, fourth grade, and most recently, sixth through eighth grade FCAT math at Marco Island Charter Middle School.

After leaving the teaching profession, Katherine started out as a volunteer at Hope for Haiti following the devastating earthquake in January 2010. Her computer skills were immediately put to use and she was soon hired as the Development Assistant.

Katherine and her husband, John, have lived in Naples since 2004. They enjoy bike-riding, boating, and swimming with their water-loving Labrador retrievers, Lucy and Ellie.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Ballerina, florist, cruise director, teacher...

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
I kissed a dolphin.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
The generosity I see every day, as well as the passion shown by our staff and volunteers, is just amazing.

Who inspires you?
My parents.

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
I would travel around the world, starting with Italy, because I haven't been there since I was 5 years old.

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Yvette Ebb, Office Manager
Hope for Haiti is Yvette's first foray into the non-profit world, and she's loving it! Born and bred in Baltimore, MD, Yvette moved to Miami to attend the University of Miami, where she earned her BA in theater and communications. Surprisingly (because she doesn't like the cold at all), she went to Minnesota for a few years and recently moved to Naples (which is much warmer). Yvette was very happy when she joined the Hope for Haiti family because of the passion everyone exudes and she genuinely enjoys coming to work every day.

When she's not working, Yvette loves to read, watch BBC America and most recently, train for her first 8K. She lives in Naples with her bossy cat, Lexi.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an actress. I was always putting on shows for my family and when I was in kindergarten, my teacher let me act out the entire Wizard of Oz for the class.

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
That I went to an arts high school and it was one of the best times in my life. I got to meet wonderful people and express my creativity.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
I'm always surprised by how much people care. I love seeing how all the pieces fit together and how such small things really mean so much and can make a difference in someone's life.

Who inspires you?
The women I work with because they're all very passionate about the work they do.

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
I would travel around the world. There's so much to see and learn about people, and I would love to have that opportunity.

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Haiti Team

Sarah Dutcher, Country Director
Sarah Dutcher joined the Hope for Haiti team after completing a Master of International Affairs at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Sarah also served as a Community Health Volunteer in Peace Corps Mali, where she learned to appreciate the many varieties of fish sauce that exist in West Africa. Her domestic experience includes work with the afterschool programs Girl Inc and the East Harlem Tutorial Program. Sarah received her BA in theatre from the University of Northern Colorado, and integrates art as a method for social change into all her program development. She also enjoys torturing her colleagues by bursting into song.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I came out of the womb singing! I always wanted to be an actress.

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
Well, maybe you would know this by looking at me . . . but I have been to Timbuktu.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
Every single day I am surprised by the power and passion of people who continue to strive for change.

Who inspires you?
My mother and father.

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
Travel everywhere! Read, sing, volunteer! Get a Masters in Theatre and Peacebuilding, English Literature, History, and on and on and on ...

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Paula Prince, Program Manager
Paula Prince joined Hope for Haiti after attaining a Master in International Relations and Diplomacy from the American Graduate School in Paris. Born and raised in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, Paula was first introduced to international travel when she decided to study in Spain. It was then that she caught the travel bug. While finishing her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville, Paula worked at an afterschool program that catered to immigrant and refugee youth, primarily of Somali Bantu origin. Spending a month in India and interning at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), helped Paula solidify her interest in international development. Luckily, she found the position of Program Manager at Hope for Haiti, which provides the perfect combination of international exposure and humanitarian service.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An Olympic gymnast, a WNBA player, the first female President...

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
In 2007, I spent a month staying in a Maharaja's palace in Western India.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
It's always exciting to meet the wide range of School Directors, Doctors, Religious leaders and Community Health Workers (among others) that work with Hope for Haiti to produce positive change.

Who inspires you?
My Mom and Dad (Mamaw & Papaw)

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
Travel all over the world! Also, stay in school forever obtaining multiple degrees ranging from Economics and Environmental Biology to Astrophysics.

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Jessica Jean-Francois, Program Manager
Jessica Jean-Francois was born in Boston, MA but spent 7 years living in Haiti as a child. After obtaining a B.S. in Economics at the George Washington University, she moved to New York and served as a public school teacher for 2 years. During that time she earned a Masters degree in Education. After spending some time as a college advisor and mathematics tutor for the Harlem Children's Zone, she decided to return to Haiti and join Hope for Haiti as a Program Manager. Her experience in curriculum building and interest in prevention methods and sustainable solutions to problems have drawn her to the public health program but she works in many different fields.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A fashion designer, a lawyer and a psychologist. I was very ambitious.

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
Last summer I took Bartending classes and became a NYC certified bartender. I wanted assurance that I would have a job in any economy.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
How much I love it. It's the perfect combination of everything I want in a job environment. I constantly get to go out and meet new people and learn new things while still getting opportunities to do nerdy things stuff as analyzing spreadsheets and documents.

Who inspires you?
My mother and my sister. My mother because she is the kindest person I know and my sister because she has always been my right-hand woman.

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
I would invest more time in the people I love, travel and start a business.

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Jennifer Lang, Program Manager
Jennifer Lang joined the Hope for Haiti team after graduating cum laude from Georgetown University in May 2011. With a double major in French and Government, Hope for Haiti's mission matched her passion for social justice in international development. Her undergraduate work included interning in the Ministry of Microfinance of Dakar, Senegal, tutoring sixth-graders in D.C. public schools, and working as a teaching assistant for an Introductory Theology course. Outside of her work, Jennifer enjoys cooking and plans to master the Haitian art of frying plantains.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A dressage equestrian rider - I wanted to jump horses.

What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, just by looking at you?
I can speak fairly strong introductory Wolof - the most used language in Senegal, West Africa.

What is the most surprising part of your job?
The physical nature of it - our team literally crosses rivers and carries boxes to get the job done!

Who inspires you?
My parents, first and foremost. They always taught me to act with compassion and confidence. Also, the fictional character Josh Lyman, Deputy Chief of Staff, on The West Wing.

What would you do if you didn't have to work?
I would try to recreate the Parisian salons of the Enlightenment - basically open a room, invite all of the world's great artists, philosophers, scientists, and politicians, and facilitate the conversation.

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