Our Staff
David Belle | CEO
David Belle first travelled to Haiti in 1993 as a young filmmaker, helping to bring to light the nation’s struggle for democracy and has been working there ever since. Concerned by the unjust treatment of Haitian refugees, his film work later turned to the plight of immigrants in the US for which he was awarded the Alfred I. DuPont Award, the Pulitzer Prize for broadcast journalism. In 2004 David co-founded Haiti’s International Film Festival in the coastal town of Jacmel as a way of supporting the country’s creative and tourism industries. David then founded Haiti’s national film school, Ciné Institute, to educate and support young local filmmakers. David has been involved with APJ from its inception in 2009 sharing his expertise and experience in Haiti as a board member. He signed on as CEO of APJ in 2012.
Kathryn Everett | COO
Kathryn has been managing the progress of APJ’s programs since 2011 and oversees all aspects the organization’s work. Before joining the team, Kathryn worked to empower voters as a community organizer and fundraiser for progressive candidates, and traveled throughout Southern Africa and Southeast Asia with different organizations. Kathryn holds a BA in International Relations from Colgate University. She’s fond of birds, cold pressed juice, and one-upping her co workers on Instagram.
Dana Maksimovich | Events and Communications
A film industry veteran, Dana has been working with APJ Founder Paul Haggis since 1996, most notably as one of the producers on the Academy Award-winning film “Crash,” “In the Valley of Elah,” and the TV series “The Black Donnellys.” After the earthquake in Haiti, Dana helped produce the “We Are The World 25th Anniversary” video, directed by Haggis, to raise money for the devastated region. She has been at APJ since the very beginning and worked closely with the board of directors and staff to devise the founding principles as well as the long-term strategies of the organization. Dana manages all of APJ’s fundraising events around the world.
Vivienne Crye | Financial Controller
Vivienne Crye has over 20 years experience in financial controlling and advising. She has served as advisor for non-profit 501c3’s and as CFO for social impact enterprises. Currently Viv serves as an advisor to and financial controller for APJ. Vivienne has an MBA from Northeastern University and a BA from Michigan State University.
Matthew Cherchio | Operations Manager
Matt began with APJ in 2012 seeking to get involved in international development and finding great alignment with the organization’s focus on creating opportunity through education and the arts. He holds a BA in International Studies from Middlebury College and has traveled widely in Latin America and the Caribbean. During his time at APJ Matt has grown with the organization and now oversees the operations of our office, the production of our events, and provides assistance on special projects as they arise.
Sonal Gadre-Shintre | Graphic Designer
With over nine years of experience in the creative sector, Sonal has a long track record of managing successful advertising campaigns, developing branding, creating graphic design solutions, and designing event graphics. For the past two years she has been designing for APJ and its programs. Sonal’s biggest inspiration comes from nature and she is very interested in typography.
Erlantz Hyppolite | Country Director
Erlantz is a Haitian physician that has been working in the public health sector for the past 10 years in Haiti’s Artibonite Valley, Léogâne, and Port-au-Prince. Over the course of his career he has undertaken many projects focused in underprivileged communities. At the core of his work is the belief that providing dignity through education and economic opportunities is the core intervention that will change lives for the better in the long-term. Erlantz has sought ways to work with the youth of his country ever since coming to this conclusion, and for him working with Artists for Peace and Justice is a concretization of this vision.
Terra Mackintosh | Special Projects
Terra joined APJ in 2015 to help manage online communications as well as the demands of our CEO’s daily schedule. She now supports the team on a project to project basis. Terra has experience as a theatrical producer, a field organizer for presidential campaigns, and has traveled extensively through Africa and Asia. She holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Ball State University. When not at the office, you can find her on stage, traveling, or singing to herself as she walks down the street.
