Joanne Maislin spent a decade in Haiti to help create meaningful impact
When Montreal-born, Joanne Maislin began working in March, 2010, it was only two months after a devastating earthquake tore apart the small Caribbean country. She felt instantly connected to the land and its people.
“From the moment I arrived, I did not want to leave. I knew that Haiti was a magical place where my skills and passion for giving back could be met,” she says from the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.
Maislin is the founder and president of C432, a boutique consulting and development firm with a mission “to create meaningful impact through sustainable development.” The small but diversified team at C432 works with for-profit organizations interested in investing in Haiti; C432 gives these clients the reasons and tools to do so. From manufacturing and tourism to aquaculture, Maislin and her colleagues focus on job creation, capacity building, and community engagement in Haiti. She has collaborated with leading brands including TOMS, Lululemon and Donna Karan.
This past March marks Maslin’s 10th year operating in Haiti – she has been actively involved in raising over $100 million in foreign investment resulting in the creation of 10,000 jobs for Haitians.
According to Maislin, ending up in Haiti was not such a stretch – prior to C432, she had been hoping over the years to create more “balance” in her life by giving back to different communities. She has served on many boards including ONEXONE, Kids for Kids, and the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. She has also served as president of the Montreal chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
After practicing for several years as a Chartered Account in Montreal (she received a master’s degree in chartered accountancy from McGill University) Maislin joined Intrawest, a resort company, and served as its director of master planning and business development in the early 2000’s. She credits Intrawest for having provided training that promoted “respect and the preservation of local communities.”
She went on to establish her own consulting firm based in Montreal, but was still looking to be more impactful in her professional life.
“I wanted to apply my skills every day for something more meaningful,” she recalls.
After the catastrophic earthquake hit the already struggling country of over 12 million people, Maislin was invited by the Clinton Foundation delegation to join it in Haiti and was introduced to the numerous and diverse opportunities offered there.
Haiti was the perfect place where Maislin could combine both her professional expertise and desire to help. Her clients who choose to invest in Haiti’s economy “understand they are not only investing in a business-they are transforming a community.”
Joanne Maislin (third from left) on the ground in Haiti.
Maislin and her team helped open two manufacturing facilities for TOMS, a shoe company known its casual chic canvas loafers. One of TOMS facility was dedicated to producing one-of-a-kind hand painted shoes created by local Haitian artisans. TOMS has been giving away thousands of shoes to Haitians since 2010. Maislin also has worked with Lululemon, helping their team explore opportunities to set up a manufacturing facility there.
With Haiti’s close proximity to the United States, Maislin and her C432 advisors have been promoting the country as a lucrative and promising place with easy access to the marketplace. Part of their strategy also includes partnering with local non-profit organizations.
“No matter what I am or what do, I am not Haitian. There is a lot of opportunity here but access to information is hard unless you know whom speak with,” Maislin explains.
She acknowledges that her ability to be successful is a result of the connections she has been able to nurture in Haiti with her expertise and guidance of individuals who are involved in all sectors of Haitian life: government, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
Some of C432’s team and network include an impressive line-up of experts. One of the company’s advisers, also an integral part of the team, Elizabeth Blake, is well known for her impactful work in advocacy and government affairs, and for being general counsel for Habitat for Humanity International.
“Liz has taught me about the importance ensuring that our clients understand that in addition to investing in a company they are also investing in the people and this place,” Maislin says.
(L-R) Joanne Maislin, Elizabeth Blake and Anaika Theordore.
Haitian-born, Maryse Pennette Kedar – a recipient of the Grand Croix – the highest honor given by the Haitian government – is another advisor at C432. She is a consultant for Royal Caribbean International, as well as the founder and president of the board of directors of the Progress and Development fund (PRODEV) a non-profit Haitian-led foundation that aims to empower youth through education.
“In addition to giving people jobs, we also help people gain access to healthcare and quality education for their children,” says Maislin.” Things that most of us on this side of the world believe to be our right are actually privileges in most other places in the world.”
She and her staff have worked with nonprofits such as Partners In Health, a healthcare organization founded by American physician and anthropologist, Paul Farmer. In Haiti, Maislin sits on the Executive Board for the Ayiti Community Trust (ACT), which is the country’s first endowment fund. It provides sustainable support to Haitian organizations in the realm of the environment, civic education, and entrepreneurship.
Maislin is very proud to be part of an organization that helps create jobs for the Haitian people. “I believe in capitalism, and I believe that for-profit companies should play a more impactful role to play in communities, both socially and environmentally,” she remarks.
Maislin hopes that in her way, creating more jobs for Haitians is a “meaningful beginning” to working towards closing the gap.
Looking ahead to the future, Maislin aspires to contribute more to society but on a larger, global scale. She’s working with Guy Laliberte, the founder of Cirque du Soleil, on a new and exciting initiative aimed at impact and innovation and with the mission to “bring people together” across the globe.
“With everything that’s going on in today’s world, we are trying to figure out ways to bring more love and connect people on a human level,” she says.
A decade ago, Maislin fell in love with the beauty of Haiti and the kindness of its people. She is continuously learning from them and is grateful for their warmth and guidance.
“When you sit down and listen to someone’s story you are signaling to them that you respect them and you want to understand what matters to them.”
This article by Rena Godfrey appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of Lifestyles Magazine.
Photos courtesy of Joanne Maislin / C432