In order to achieve it's primary objectives, the JDT Foundation offers a scholarship program for young Haitian men and women interested in a career in agriculture, forestry, engineering, heath and clean energy. 

Read more about our current scholars.

Scholarship applicants must be Haitian nationals with strong ties to their community and the desire to work in Haiti.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to receive an application.

Executive Committee:

Marjorie P. Brennan, Founder and Executive Director, JDT Foundation

Marjorie is a physician specializing in pediatric anesthesiology at Children’s National Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at George Washington University.  Marjorie was born in Haiti, and moved to New York at a very young age.   She has a strong interest in medical missionary work, volunteering for multiple trips to Vilnius University Children’s Hospital in Lithuania, and more recently, to Sacre Coeur Hospital in Milot, Haiti.  Her time in Haiti has been transformative and  she believes the potential of Haiti's amazing people, though education, to bring about meaningful change to their communities and lead productive lives.

She received her Bachelor of Science and her MD degree from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  She has published book chapters as well as medical journal articles, particularly related to muscle diseases of children. She serves as a trustee on the Board of the Potomac School, in independent K-12 school in Virginia.  She has been a Sunday School teacher at her local parish and is an avid traveler, runner, and cook.  She resides in the Washington D.C area.

Marie Denise Pierre, Secretary, JDT Foundation

Marie Denise was born in  Haiti to Joseph Denis Thomas and his wife Felicite.   She grew up on her father's farm in Hinche.  She  immigrated to the United States in 1967, and subsequently received a  Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University.    She worked for the Michigan Department of Health for 20 years, primarily in the testing and development of vaccines.  She received the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Public Service for the production of essential vaccines for the medical biological defense of our troops during the Iraq Gulf War in 1991.  Marie is also an avid traveler, receiving great enjoyment from meeting those from many cultures.  She believes, though, that she has seen no place as beautiful as Haiti.   She lives now in Weston, Florida with her husband Eric.

Marie Evelyne Valbrun, Treasurer, JDT Foundation

Marie Evelyne  was born in Haiit and came to the United States in 1970.  She is a registered nurse, and worked for more than 30 years on Med/Surg at the same hospital in Fort Lauderdale.  She is very active in her local community, assisting Haitians with access to health care, mentoring of newly arrived families, and providing meals.   She lives in Fort Lauderdale with her husband, Jean.

Board of Directors:

Professor Myrtha (Jesse) Benoit

Myrtha is architect in Haiti.  Originally residing in Plaine, her home was reduced to rubble in the earthquake in January.  She currently resides in Port-au-Prince, with her husband Victor Benoit, the founder and director of the College Price Mars.

Jeanne Fils MD, RNP

Jeanne Fils was initially a Family Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner and went to pursue a medical degree.   Currently, she is a Medical Doctor and CEO and Owner of WORLD FIRST CLASS HOME HEALTH, INC., a Medicare/ Medicaid certified and Joint Commission Organization accredited home health care in the state of Florida. She resides in Weston Florida.

Marjorie Josaphat

Marjorie Josaphat is of Haitian descent, living in southern California. She has one son, a recent graduate from Pepperdine University. Her parents were born and raised in Haiti. Ms. Josaphat has over 20 years experience in the field of Education including administration and teaching. Ms. Josaphat currently serves as Human Resources, Director for the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the second largest school district in the country. Ms. Josaphat holds a California Teaching Credential in the field of English and Social Science. In addition, she holds a masters degree in Education and Administrative Credential. She resides in  Southern California.

Olivier Pierre, Director of  Communications, JDT  Foundation

Olivier Pierre is a Haitian-American, currently residing in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr.  Pierre graduated from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in 2007 with a MA in International Relations. Mr.  Pierre has about 5 years of combined experience in communication and marketing in both public and private sectors mainly acquired through private companies such as DuPont and NGOs such as UNICEF and UNITAR. Mr. Pierre currently holds Project Manager position in Marketing for a luxury watch brand in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr Pierre has been involved for many years in activities that promote the Haitian culture and numerous humanitarian projects in Switzerland.

© 2011 The Joseph Denis Thomas Foundation. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Our tax ID number is 27-3332063.

      Joseph Denis Thomas was born in Ville Bonheur Haiti, on September 9, 1909.  He was trained as an agronomist and agriculturalist at the Damien School for Agronomy (agricultural school of Haiti near Port-au-Prince).  He started his career in rural education and managed and directed many rural farm schools in the central plateau and Artibonite region of Haiti. These rural farm schools, while maintaining elements of classical curriculum focused on vocational education and agronomy. There he introduced to the rural children and young adults the love of the land and how to preserve it.  

Later he became the director of the Elevage farm of Marmont in the central plateau--one of most important government farms in the country. He engaged in livestock breeding with the aim to provide progressive genetic improvement of the indigenous cattle. He was involved in soil conservation, watershed management, reforestation and land use improvement. He also provided training and necessary technical support to the local farmers to improve agricultural production. During the troubled times in Haiti under Jean-Claude “Papa Doc” Duvalier he was unable to continue his efforts to help the rural farmers.  He unwillingly left Haiti for the United States after 35 years of service at the Ministry of agriculture. Soon after arrival in the US, he developed complete blindness as a complication of glaucoma.  He died at the age of 94, and instilled in his children, grandchildren and friends a love of Haiti’s unique beauty.