Our Team

Jean Phélix Joseph, president & co-founder

Born in La Hatte, Île à Vache, Phélix is the Co-founder and President of The Good Samaritan Foundation of Haiti, Inc. Married, and the father of five children, Phélix finished his studies in Haitian law at École de Droit et des Sciences Économiques des Cayes. He is also Secretary of the Committee General for the Development of Île à Vache. Phélix lovingly pours his life into the community of Île à Vache for the betterment of the people for whom he cares. He is the day-to-day manager of Good Samaritan Foundation in Haiti, and responsible for all reports and banking, overseeing the running of the school and other programs. Phélix and Michael Gardner joined hands to create The Good Samaritan Foundation of Haiti, Inc. and make it a positive force in troubled times.

Michael Gardner, co-founder

Michael began his journey from the Great Lakes of Michigan to the Caribbean as an apprentice treasure hunter, turning the wooden hulls of shipwrecked vessels into beautiful handmade furniture for re-sale to the nautical collectors market.  He later discovered that the sheen on the shipwrecked furniture shone more brightly when hope entered the craftsmanship, and the working hands of the beautiful people of Haiti poured their love into the project.  When he recognized that it wasn't the tattered wood but a shattered people, still managing to smile, that was making his adventure so rich, Michael felt a calling to give back.  Michael has been recognized several times by Rotary Clubs for his humanitarian endeavors over many years in the establishment and operation of The Good Samaritan Foundation of Haiti. He is a Paul Harris Rotary Fellow.

Mandy Thody, administrative director

Mandy grew up in England and South Africa, and has spent 30 years sailing and living in the Caribbean. After gaining experience working for several different organizations all over Haiti, before and after the earthquake, she adopted a ruined school (IMECT), rebuilt it and has run it since 2010 with donations from friends and fellow artists in the Virgin Islands. In 2014 she took on the task of expanding and streamlining GSF, now combined with her former group, '100% for Haiti'. Mandy speaks French and Creole, and has made many trips to visit our projects, start new initiatives and develop programs. Under her leadership, GSF has become one of the most respected and fastest-growing development groups working in the areas where we operate.

David Hensley, agricultural advisor and administrative assistant

David Hensley, PhD, is an assistant professor of agronomic research at the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture, based in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. His research and extension career focuses on soil and water science, and he applies this expertise as an agricultural advisor for GSF and Anousse Paul. He also supports GSF projects remotely by managing administrative affairs in St. Croix where GSF is headquartered.

Anousse Paul, head of agriculture programs

Anousse was born in northwest Haiti and raised in Gonaïves. He later attended college in the Dominican Republic to learn Spanish, and then won a scholarship to study Agronomy in Benin, for 5 years after the earthquake. Since returning to Haiti in 2015, he has overseen the start and growth of the GSF agriculture programs which feed the La Hatte school, and provide jobs and agricultural and veterinary services to Île à Vache. Under his supervision, the agriculture programs of GSF have become an important part of the food security of the children at La Hatte school and Île à Vache as a whole.

Fachèle Cadet, principal, La Hatte school

Fachèle Cadet, director of the Le Bon Samaritain School in La Hatte, was born in Bois-Bouton, on the island of Île-à-Vache. She completed her secondary education in Les Cayes and her university studies at the École Normale Publique des Cayes (ENC). She has five years of experience in the field of education, and has been a member of the Association of Volunteer Inhabitants of Île-à-Vache (AHVI) for two years. She works in close collaboration with the Foundation's leadership to ensure the La Hatte school continues to grow and remains a truly high-quality place of education.

Board Members

Michael ‘Beans’ Gardner, president • Tristam MacDonald • Dr. Stuart Weiss • Shelly Scripps • Susan Zaluski