Recently, Vero Beach-based Haiti Partners’ co-director John Engle flew to Denver, Colorado to participate in the WorldBlu Live 2013 meeting. WorldBlu LIVE 2013 is the world’s premier gathering on freedom in the workplace. It is designed for individuals and organizations who recognize the power of freedom and democracy as a leading tool for boosting the bottom-line, promoting innovation, attracting top talent and inspiring full engagement.

John was invited both to give a main-stage presentation and to demonstrate the Circles of Change program for participants. What he didn’t know in advance was that he had also been selected by WorldBlu to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at their Night of Honor event last Thursday for his accomplishments and commitment to democratic, freedom-centered practice.

Three companies presented checks to Haiti Partners checks for its good work – DaVita and WD-40 CEO, Garry Ridge, each gave $10,000, and Alex Kjerulf, founder of Denmark’s Woohoo, Inc. contributed $5,000.

John Engle, co-director, is a co-founder of Haiti Partners. John also co-founded Beyond Borders and its Haiti-based partner organization, Limyè Lavi Foundation, in 1993. He first moved to Haiti in 1991 to work with Tony Campolo’s organization, EAPE, in support of education. John moved to Vero Beach in 2007 to establish Haiti Partners’ Florida office with Kent Annan. In 2009 he moved back to Haiti with his family. John has been a consultant with organizations including World Bank and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  John and his wife Merline, who is a native of Haiti, have two children and have a residence in Vero Beach and are members of Community Church of Vero Beach.

For more information about Haiti Partners, contact John Engle at john@haitipartners.org or cell phone at 202-236-6532.        The organization’s website is http://www.haitipartners.org.