The Friends of HAS Haiti announces the appointment of Edward G. Rawson as ExecutiveDirector. Mr. Rawson will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Friends staff, programs, strategies and execution of its mission.
Friends’ Board President Lucy Rawson said that “Edward will bring to our organization a wealth of experience in management and a familiarity with Haiti and its challenges. He will build on his experience in non-profit business development to design new approaches to improving the life of the Haitian people in the Artibonite Valley”
Mr. Rawson will focus his efforts on the two major areas where the Friends have had the greatest success and impact; ecological restoration and reforestation in Haiti, and raising awareness of the great culture, history, and need of Haiti through art exhibitions and presentations at cultural and educational venues.
In the central part of the Artibonite Valley, a region where 98% of the barren hillsides are deforested, Mr. Rawson will lead the HaitiTimber Re-Introduction program to plant the program’s two-millionth tree. As an agroforestry project, HTRIP will address the needs for greater food production and diversity in order to improve the farmers’ health and welfare.
Prior to joining the Friends, Rawson was the COO of MLK Murals, a youth program that reduces blight and violence through the creation of highly visible public art in cities in the US, Brazil and Haiti. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Rawson led a UN-sponsored project to provide work and income opportunities to thousands of displaced earthquake victims. Later, as Vice President for Development at International Electric Power, Rawson supported the development of a waste-to-energy project in Port au Prince Haiti.
Rawson feels that his current position is the fulfillment of his life experiences to date. “I became exposed to art and Haiti through visits with my mother to Haiti in the early 80’s, and by joining in the work of my grandparents’ hospital in central Haiti. My hometown is Pittsburgh, but my passion is in Haiti.”
Join us on Light Up Night on December 6th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Browse the Friends Haitian Art Gallery during the event of the season!
Reynolds Street - between Hastings and Gettysburg - in Point Breeze will be closed off to traffic. Come dance in the street, sip hot chocolate from Make Your Mark Cafe, down a beer from Point Brugge, eat a slice of pizza from Pinos, and browse the Friends Haitian Art Gallery during the event of the season!
We will have wine and cheese, a tasty Haitian rum punch, and great options for gifts. Come see us!
6739 Reynolds Street | Pittsburgh | PA | 15206