the team
Middle Ground is made up of individuals that are passionate about children’s health, orphan prevention, long-term sustainability, and this beautiful country we call home. We are all committed to working together to fight against malnutrition and for the families we serve.
Want to join our team? Check if we're hiring!
Rhyan Buettner-Desmaret
Founder and Executive Director
Minnesota, USA/Haiti
Minnesota, USA/Haiti
Rhyan is the Founder and Executive Director of Middle Ground. She first came to Haiti in April of 2008 on a short-term trip and - after several more visits over the next 18 months - finally made Haiti home for good in October 2009. Rhyan soon set into motion her dreams of making a small difference in the lives of the Haitian people: in 2011 she founded Espwa Berlancia as a way to continue her work. In 2018 Espwa Berlancia became Middle Ground, as you know it today! Rhyan and her husband Peterson live in Haiti and are the parents of 5 beautiful children.
administrative team
KEELY BROOKES
Associate Director
ALMATHE JEAN
Director of Haitian Operations
medical team
DR. SELMOUR
Pediatrician
PHEDELINE
Head Nurse
JULOVENEY
Nursing Support
MARTH FEDIA
Nursing Support
FARAH
Nursing Assistant
family support services
MAKENDY
Social Worker
GENDY
Psychologist (in partnership with Children's Truth Foundation)
BERNADETTE
Family Advocate
FABIOLA S
Family Advocate
housekeeping team
GERTRUDE
Housekeeping Support
SURIN
Housekeeping Support
CHRISTINE
Housekeeping Support
NARLINE
Housekeeping Support
support team
MARIE-MAUDE
Nutritional Director
GILENE
Nutritional Support
TITINE
Nutritional Support
STEVE
Chaplin
SIMON
Transportation Coordinator
DOIRIN
Transportation Coordinator
ERNSO
Grounds Maintenance
EDMOND
Grounds Maintenance
child care team
FABIOLA A
Childcare Support
CARLINE
Childcare Support
ALEXANDRA
Childcare Support
MIMOSE
Childcare Support