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
Operations Director

ALMATHE JEAN
Director of Haitian Operations

TERI-ANN ROSS
Recreation Therapist / Volunteer Coordinator

FLO JEAN-LOUIS
Staff Advocate & Business Program Coordinator
medical team

DR. MARIA FERNANDA
Pediatrician & Medical Director

PHEDELINE
Nursing Support

JULOVENEY
Nursing Support

MARTH FEDIA
Nursing Support
family support services

MAKENDY
Social Worker

BERNADETTE
Family Advocate

RACHELLE
Psychologist (in partnership with Children's Truth Foundation)

FABIOLA S
Family Advocate

GENDY
Psychologist (in partnership with Children's Truth Foundation)
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

SIMON
Transportation Coordinator

JOHNNY
Community Ambassador & Pastor

PHRAÏMA
Daycare Support

ROSE
Daycare Support

ERNSO
Grounds Maintenance

DORVIL
Guardian

FORMIL
Guardian

EDMOND
Guardian
child care team

FABIOLA A
Childcare Support

CARLINE
Childcare Support

ALEXANDRA
Childcare Support

FARAH
Childcare Support