Board of Directors

David Smith - President

David is from Davisburg, Michigan. He went to Haiti in 1999 with Pierre Balthazar to participate in the consultation that launched EfP’s initiative there. His career included social work, association management, and educational administration. He retired in 2009 from the Michigan Department of Education. He has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Michigan University and nearly completed a Masters in Public Administration at Roosevelt University. He is the father of three children.

Pierre Balthazar - Vice President

Pierre, who is originally from Belle-Anse, Haiti, was one of the initiators of EfP's work in Haiti. He works as a counselor at Lansing Eastern High School and also teaches mathematics at Lansing Community College. He has a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, with an endorsement in Guidance Counseling, from Michigan State University. He is the father of four children.

Heather Simon - Secretary

Heather is a mid-Michigan native. She teaches sixth grade Social Studies and Language Arts classes for the Holt School District. Her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction is from Michigan State University. Heather has studied the history and economic issues of Haiti in depth. In 2009, she traveled to Uganda to work with AIDS orphans schools, grandmothers, and the local community. She has one daughter.

Alan Kinnersley - Treasurer

Alan is originally from England. He came to the U.S. many years ago and got his Ph.D. in plant physiology from Cornell University. He has directed research at CPC International (IL), Phyton Technologies (TN) and Emerald BioAgriculture (MI). He is currently collaborating with a retired scientist on a research project. Alan visited Haiti in 2004 and has been an ardent supporter of EfP since 2002. He has one daughter who is studying in Europe.

Victoria Croasdell Siegel

Victoria was born in Oceanside, California and grew up in Michigan. She is Vice President and co-creator of MRISAR, Institute of Science, Art & Robotics—a family-owned business that creates innovative exhibits for science centers and museums around the world. She is also a writer, poet and artist who works in a variety of media. She and her family recently moved from Owosso, MI to New Leipzig, ND to take advantage of business and service opportunities there. Victoria has five children.

Cindy Goren

Cindy grew up in Cadillac, Michigan. She has visited Haiti three times since joining the EfP board in 2009. She taught mathematics at Alpena High School and chemistry at Alpena Community College. She has a Masters in Chemistry from Central Michigan University and also taught chemistry at Mid-Michigan Community College. She is also a co-founder of BUCOSEH, a non-profit dedicated to supporting a orphanage/school near Port-au-Prince that was organized by local Haitian and which serves children who survived the January 2010 earthquake. Cindy is the mother of five children.

Lisa McGiveron

Lisa is from Williamston, Michigan. She is an Environmental Health Specialist with the Ingham County Health Department, inspecting restaurants, water wells, and septic systems. She has a Master's in Crop and Soil Science and is working on a Ph.D. in Soil Science at Michigan State University. She has been to Haiti 10 times. Lisa has three children.

John Siegel

John is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He is co-owner and co-founder MRISAR, Institute of Science, Art & Robotics—a family-owned business that creates innovative exhibits for science centers and museums around the world. He and his family recently moved from Owosso, MI to New Leipzig, ND to take advantage of business and service opportunities there. John is the father of two children and stepfather of three children.