Sant La Fellows Class I

Danelle Bernten, Esq

Danelle Bernten, Esq has been an Assistant State Attorney at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office since 2009. She is a graduate of Princeton University, Louisiana State University, and the University of Miami School of Law. Prior to her work at the state, she worked for the Smithsonian Institution and private law firms in Washington, DC.

Dannie Augustin

Miami native Dannie Augustin is a Quality Project Manager at Florida Power & Light. In this role, Dannie leads teams in key business improvement projects. She is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. Prior to working for FPL Dannie worked for Boeing for over 4 years at various locations. Dannie is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers and the African American Professional Group at NextEra Energy. Dannie is committed to volunteering and education. She promotes STEM (science technology, engineering, and math) professions by speaking at schools and judging the Miami Dade STEM Expo competitions. This year, Dannie won the Vice President Cup for a quality project she led for the business unit. She looks forward to building strong and lasting relationships in the Haitian community through the Sant La Fellows program.

Jessica Laguerre

With a personality as vivacious and vibrant as her love and passion for community, Jessica Laguerre, a dual degree senior at Florida International University majoring in English and Public Administration, stands out in a crowd. The 26-year-old business owner has a vision for the Haitian-American community and for the city of Miami. With her first book and first play debut scheduled for the end of spring 2016, Jessica is determined to make history one community and one city at a time. She plans to help lead the efforts of change here in Miami Dade county and in other cities. Her faith in God and faith in what a united people can do is an unstoppable combination.

Katia M. Philippeaux

Katia M. Philippeaux is an aspiring young leader in the Haitian-American community. After discovering her curiosity for policy making and international law in high school, Katia decided to study Political Science and International Relations at St. Thomas University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2011. After the sudden loss of her younger and only brother in 2009, Katia began several volunteerism efforts. In his memory, she leads an annual fundraising campaign for the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida as part of their Walk the Talk initiative. Since her participation in 2010, Katia and her family have helped raise over $15,000 in efforts to find a cure and fund several programs that assist those with epilepsy. Katia was recognized in March 2015 in honor of Women’s History Month for her tireless work in the North Miami community by former Councilwoman Marie Erlande Steril and again in May 2015 by the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist for her dedication and support of their initiatives. She is currently the Constituent Services Coordinator at the Office of the Mayor and Council of the City of North Miami and is studying to complete her Master’s degree in Public Administration at Barry University.

Ketia Pierre

Ketia Pierre was born on May 21, 1992. She is currently the Office Administrator for the nonprofit mortgage organization, NACA. She also serves as an Executive Assistant for South Florida Realtor Linda Julien, MPA. She organizes and participates in charitable work for the homeless, which includes providing meals and clothing donations. She studied Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree.

Ruth Regis

My name is Ruth Regis, and I currently work as an AmeriCorps member with the American Red Cross as the Client Caseworker. I am a graduate of Florida International University, with degrees in Public Administration (Masters) and Health Service Administration (Bachelors). My passion in life is to serve others and that is why I volunteer with Children of Inmates at Trinity Church within the Peacemakers Department. I love reading, writing and planning events. I am currently working on starting my very own event planning business. My future goal is to be an entrepreneur in the party and event planning industry and continue to volunteer with the American Red Cross and FEMA in the area of disaster services.

Santra Denis

A native of South Florida, Santra Denis graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Health Science, and she graduated from Florida International University with a Masters of Public Health in Policy and Management. Ms. Denis currently serves as the Community Health Director at Catalyst Miami, a civic engagement/social services non-profit organization in Miami, FL. In her role, Ms. Denis oversees the health component of Catalyst Miami’s Prosperity Campaign. Additionally, Ms. Denis serves as a Board Member and Youth Director at her church, Sinai Seventh Day Adventist Church, where she mentors youth and young adults in their personal and professional development. Ms. Denis is a lover of all people and her life’s mission is to aide in the provision of quality and accessible resources and services to people who are underrepresented.

Wendy Francois

My name is Wendy Francois, and I am an attorney. My desire to become a lawyer was a direct result of being the daughter of Haitian refugees and a first generation American. I have fashioned a perspective that is the amalgamation of the incessant dependence on justice and consuming belief in freedom that my parents and family members have always exhibited. I want my membership in the Haitian community to be marked by professional and social contributions that have a lasting impact on our engagement in the broader Miami and American community. I would describe myself as daring, hard-working, spiritual, family and community-oriented, and disciplined. My interests include politics, fashion, law, and philanthropy.

Hudelaine Deus

My name is Hudelaine Deus, and I am very passionate about education and individual development. My ultimate goal is to educate individuals and assist them in acquiring new skills as well as developing their talents in order to be the best that they can be. I also enjoy developing processes that lead to individual/organizational/program improvement. I have a burning desire to invest in the Haitian Community. My experiences consist of health care/social services systems, program coordination, community service, case management, capacity building, non-profit development and management, program assessment and evaluation, cultural diversity, children's health issues and extensive health navigation processes. Specialty areas include: budget and statistic management, strategic planning, training, community advocacy, data collection, community outreach and advocacy. I hold 2 Bachelor’s degrees, one in Community Health Promotion and the other in Business Management, and I hold a Master’s degree in Public Health. I’ve completed graduate-level courses in Mental Health and International business. 

Hobbies: I love to explore, travel, friend and family gatherings, learning about cultures, writing, and going the beach.

Sonless D. Martin Jr.

Sonless D. Martin Jr. is the former Development Manager at Collaborative Consulting Group with over seven years of experience. He has broad knowledge in all phases of business development, both domestic and international. As a Development Manager for Strategic Alliances and New Business Development, his focus is primarily finance, policy, banking, corporate and business transactions. Mr. Martin unites business, community, and political leaders together for the betterment of the community. Sonless has taken the charge in establishing a Tri-county workshop hosted by Collaborative Consulting group and presented by Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Sonless enjoys traveling, basketball, golf, and making a huge difference in the lives of others. He is an active member of the Fountain Ministries located in Miami Gardens, Florida and is an active Member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Incorporated.