Committee Chairs
Rev. Mr. Lee Ashton KM
Strategic Planning and Human Resources Committee
Holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Purdue University, Indiana Wesleyan University and St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Retired after a 32 year career in Engineering, Human Resources and Strategy. Currently serves as board member and board advisor to multiple organizations. He and his family have had personal roots in Haiti for many decades and believe that one of the best ways to help Haiti and Haitians is to improve literacy. Favorite book and author: The Spirit of Villarosa by Marc Ashton.
Linda Russ
Fundraising Committee
Graduated from Furman University with a major in history and received an MA in history from the University of Oklahoma. Now retired from 42 years as a teacher, mostly of AP and IB classes. So pleased to be able to help raise the literacy levels in Haiti, as all children and adults should be able to read, both for learning and for pleasure. Assisted by retired Pediatric ICU Nurse Elaine Payne. Favorite book is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
Advisors
Dr. Clara M. Chu
Director and Mortenson Distinguished Professor
Clara Chu who leads The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is one of the most widely respected researchers and practitioners in the world of library and Information Science. The Mortenson Center strengthens international ties among libraries and librarians worldwide for the promotion of international education, understanding, and peace; located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University Library, it is the only center of its kind in the world. In 3 years, in numerous conversations, Dr. Chu has become a friend of PILH, advising us on our Strategic Plan and seeking better Haitian library communication.
Michaëlle Saint-Natus
An Extraordinary Haitian Educator
Two lengthy articles are needed to piece together Michaëlle Saint Natus’ history of deep involvement with education. With multiple US master’s degrees in Education from 1970 to 76, she took roles in high-level administrative positions in New York City and New England. Since permanently returning to Haiti in 1985, she has led innumerable projects on important boards and been Dean at University Quisqueya in the mid-1990s. She has directed Kellogg, UNESCO, and USAID grants. She and her husband Clotaire translated PILH’s bilingual storybooks, and in Ravine Sèche village we have collaborated for 3 years to enhance the library. Her work is always directed at marginalized people and emphasizes education that leads to better literacy, work, and pay.
Rev. Patrick Gué
Pastor First Haitian Evangelical Church in Fountain Inn, SC
Since his arrival from Haiti to the Greenville, SC, area in 2007, Patrick Gué has become an important minister in the larger community. His congregation has moved two times to different Greenville suburbs. While tending to its needs, Patrick earned a Masters’ Degree in Theology and Theological Studies and a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies. He now teaches the Bible, Spiritual Formation, Leadership, and Missiology online at three separate universities, one in Europe. He has been an advisor to PILH since 2012, in January 2013, traveling to Cange Library as a translator during a training trip sponsored by the Mauldin Rotary Club. When called upon to attend meetings, Patrick is an excellent counselor to PILH with first-hand expertise on educational, social, and cultural issues.