Marie Marthe Saint Cyr was born in Haiti, speaks fluent Haitian Kreyol and has a long history of working hand-in-hand with grassroots organizations. Ms. Saint Cyr was the founding Executive Director of Iris House, a center for women with HIV/AIDS in Harlem, has served as the Deputy Commissioner of Human Rights for the city of New York and headed the New York AIDS Coalition. Throughout the years, Ms. Saint Cyr has participated in the governance of many organizations as a member of the board of directors for the National Minority AIDS Council, MADRE and the Lambi Fund of Haiti. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs, a Master's Degree in Social Work, and Middle and Executive Management certificates from Columbia University's Non-Profit Management programs.