Board of Directors

Nadine Gedeon
PresidentBorn and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Mrs. Gedeon obtained her first law degree from Université Quisqueya in Haiti. Mrs. Gedeon worked for the Haitian Red Cross for six years, where she developed valuable leadership and managerial skills. She then went on to work as a legal officer at the Haitian Red Cross before she came to the United States.
Mrs. Gedeon earned a Master’s degree in Intercultural Human Rights from St. Thomas University School of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2012. In May 2014, she earned her Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University ...

Geralda David
Vice PresidentGeralda David developed a passion for law at a very young age. After earning her B.A. degree with honors at Florida International University (FIU), she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an attorney. She received her Juris Doctorate from FIU Law in 2013. While attending FIU Law, Geralda spent a summer studying abroad in Seville, Spain.
Geralda worked for the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at FIU as a Certified Legal Intern (CLI), representing low income immigrant clients in cases involving, but not limited to, political asylum, citizenship, cancellation of removal, and deportation. She also ...

Veronique Malebranche
President ElectVeronique Malebranche was born and raised in Haiti. Ms. Malebranche moved to Miami with her family after 15 years. She is a graduate of Florida International University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business, followed by a Juris Doctor from St. Thomas
University School of Law.
While in law school, Ms. Malebranche served on the board of the Public Interest Law Society as the Liaison between her law school and the several organizations on campus. She served as a Student Attorney with the Public Interest Law Society to receive a favorable decision on behalf of her client ...

Vladimir ST. Louis
Immediate Past PresidentVladimir St. Louis is an Agent with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Prior to joining the IRS, he practiced real estate law for six years. Vladimir graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, Dean’s List designation, with an Executive Master of Laws in Taxation and Certificate of Study in State and Local Taxation; Florida International University (FIU) with a Juris Doctor; and Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. While at FIU College of Law, Vladimir was on the Trial Team and had the privilege of interning for a Judge at the Third ...

Loune-Djenia Askew
SecretaryLoune-Djenia Askew is an Associate Attorney at Panza Maurer, P.A. Loune-Djenia’s work primarily focuses on administrative and regulatory matters and academic law. Prior to joining Panza Maurer, Loune-Djenia graduated in the top 15% of the FIU Law May, 2020 class and completed over 250 pro-bono hours.
Throughout her law school career, Loune-Djenia demonstrated a commitment to public service by serving in leadership positions of organizations dedicated to minority communities. As the President of the Caribbean Student Bar Association (CSBA) at FIU Law, she partnered with the career office to host a “How to Interview” event for the students. ...

Deborah Saint-Vil
TreasurerMy name is Michael’s Deborah Saint-Vil I am a staff attorney at Catholic Legal Services (CLS). I attended Oakwood University in Huntsville AL. where I received my bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law a concentration in Political Science and minor in History. I received my Juris Doctor from Saint Thomas University School of Law during which time i was the 2014 recipient of the Haitian Lawyers Association Scholarship. My legal training prior to working at CLS includes volunteering at Nadine Gedeon, P.A.
While in law school I volunteered at VIDA Legal Assistant, Inc. where we handle primarily U-VISA cases dealing ...

Juana Cetoute
DirectorJuana Cetoute is an Attorney at Kelley Kronenberg where she assists in handling matters related to all aspects of liability and casualty defense with a focus on Third Party Insurance Defense. Prior to working as an Attorney, Juana worked as a Law clerk with Kelley Kronenberg.
Juana received her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida. She then went on to receive her Juris Doctor degree from Florida International University College of Law.
While attending law school, Juana served as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Judge Florence T. Barner of the 17th Judicial ...

Edna Pierre
DirectorEdna Pierre is a Managing Partner and Attorney at The Pierre Law Group, P.A., where she focuses her practice on Personal Injury and Immigration law. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Criminology and Minor in Child Development, as well as her joint Master's degrees in Social Work and Public Administration from Florida State University, she completed her education by obtaining her Juris Doctor at Stetson University College of Law.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Edna served for several years as a Guardian Ad Litem, and subsequently as a Social Worker and Case Manager for the Department of Children ...

Dorothie Laguerre Smith
DirectorDorothie Laguerre Smith is a managing partner at IPS Legal Group, Orlando Patent Attorneys, P.A. She is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a Registered Patent Attorney. Dorothie worked at the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Examiner, where she determined eligibility for patent applications in several areas. Dorothie examined applications for broadcast engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic surgical devices, video conferencing, packet switching, real-time multimedia communications, multiplexing, and generally software patents.
Along with that, Dorothie has experience as an Electrical Engineer, as she worked at Siemens Gamesa as part ...

Emmanuella Petion
DirectorEmmanuella Annette Petion was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She is the youngest of four siblings, and the daughter of two loving and hard-working parents.
Emmanuella attended Florida Atlantic University (FAU). While at FAU, she was an Orientation and Welcome Leader and a member of Konbit Kreyol. At the core of her heart, she has long demonstrated a love for the Haitian community’s rich culture. This is evident in her active membership in Konbit Kreyol throughout her college journey. As a member, she was dedicated to the mission of promoting cultural awareness about the country of Haiti. Present ...

William Saintilus
DirectorWilliam Saintilus, Esq. is a Senior Associate at Luks, Santaniello, Petrillo and Cohen in their Miami office. There he handles general liability, premises liability, automobile liability and occasionally products liability matters. While in law School, Mr. Saintilus had an opportunity to intern with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C. In the nation’s capital, he also interned with the U.S. Department of Justice. Upon admission to the Florida Bar, William worked as an Assistant Public Defender for the Broward County Public Defender’s Office. There he vigorously advocated for the rights of the indigent youth and ...