Team
MEET OUR TEAM
Loving Haiti is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public charity. We work relationally alongside Haitians in their country, striving to empower them to a sustainable, independent lifestyle. Loving Haiti currently supports a children’s home, widow’s program, schools and vocational sewing center. Here is our team:
Mark Bell
PRESIDENT
Mark has been married for forty-six years to his wife Jill and they live in Fort Collins, CO. They are blessed with three amazing children and ten wonderful grandchildren.
Whether Mark is serving in the capacity of a board member, mentor, consultant, parent, friend or grandparent, he always serves with an emphasis on God’s Story – The Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Commandment (love God, & love others as self …) and His Commissioning (go and make disciples …).
Mark holds an M.A. from Antioch University in Whole Systems Design, with an emphasis in Organizations Systems Renewal. His Undergraduate is a B.S. in Business Administrations from Colorado State University with an emphasis in Management.
Mark brings his unique perspective of organizations into his position of president, emphasizing the creative fusion of leadership and teamwork. Here he draws on his experiences from his personal commitments, interpersonal relationships, and professional competencies gained from the arena of high performance sports, for-profit management, and not-for-profit governance and stewardship.
Mark first went to Haiti in 2012. He is known as “Papi Mark” to the children and can be found planning and overseeing projects and finances, tickling and making kids smile, jumping rope or making rooster calls. He currently serves as president/treasurer on Loving Haiti’s board and has been instrumental in the organization’s development – helping it grow and run with greater effectiveness & efficiency in service to its purposes, principles and priorities.
Caroline Yonker
Vice President/secretary
Caroline lives in Fort Collins, CO with her husband, Rich. Married in 1978, they have a son who lives in Portland, OR and a son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons who live in Tel Aviv, Israel.
With undergraduate and graduate degrees in soil science, Caroline was a research associate at Colorado State University for 30 years. Since her retirement in 2008, she has been privileged to participate in short-term missions in South and Central America. She has served on the boards of a church, private school and prayer ministry. She is actively involved with Royal Family KIDS, a national ministry that supports kids in the foster care system. Caroline currently serves as a Loving Haiti Vice President, Secretary and Board Member.
Abby Bain
founder/Member
Abby’s heart beats for unrecognized and underprivileged communities. Both her international and local work with diverse and developing communities has emphasized to her the importance of walking through life with our “brothers and sisters”, listening to each other’s stories, and the healing effect of empathy and compassion in unifying communities.
Abby currently works as a Nurse supporting Urgent Care and the Emergency Department in Fort Collins, CO. She loves learning and caring for others as a R.N. working with patients in a diverse and dynamic environment, requiring high levels of competence and compassion.
Abby first traveled to Haiti in 2011 and together with her husband co-founded Loving Haiti. She is thrilled at the partnership and relationships that have developed over the years as well as the relief, rehabilitation, and development work that has and continues to take place.
Abby and Denny live in Fort Collins with their five daughters; two of whom are adopted from Haiti. She is grateful to live next to the majestic Rocky Mountains where she often escapes for adventure, rest, and contemplation.
Denny Bain
founder/Member
Denny first traveled to Haiti in 2011 with his wife Abby. They immediately felt called to help support the work Francois and Madam were doing and officially founded Loving Haiti as a 501(c)(3) in 2012. Denny and Abby have been married since 2005 and have five daughters, two of which are from Haiti. Denny works full time as a high school social studies teacher in Colorado and uses much of his ‘free time’ to work for Loving Haiti. He has taken multiple trips to Haiti both solo and leading groups. When in Haiti, “Papi Denny” is often found surrounded by and playing with children, initiating micro loans, or working and learning alongside Pastor Francois.
Lauren Thompson
Member
Lauren Thompson is a French educator holding an M.A in Romance Linguistics from the University of New Orleans and a B.A in French Language, Literature, and Culture from Colorado State University. She was born and raised in Denver and now lives in Aurora with her partner and pets. Through her education, Lauren learned about the unique culture and history of Haiti, drawing her to become involved with Loving Haiti in 2018. Since then, she has been translating, aiding in the Women’s Business Program, and learning more about Haitian culture and life. Lauren is so proud to say that she has joined the Loving Haiti Board of Directors as of 2024.
Destini Hall
Member
Destini is deeply rooted in the power of community and how we can support, encourage, expand, educate, inspire, and nourish one another in reciprocal relationship. She serves as a community builder, educator, and wellness advocate as a part of the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment – to create more equitable, accessible, and representative spaces where communities can thrive and live long and healthy lives. She is a champion for deep healing through the elements of nature and strives to build more sacred spaces for historically marginalized communities in Colorado and California. Destini first learned about the organization Loving Haiti from her High School teacher, Denny Bain, who spoke to the organization in a Social Studies class in 2012. She instantly was pulled by the notion of grassroots community care through an international lens and wanted to be a part of it. She later travelled to Pignon, Haiti in 2016 with Loving Haiti and was changed for the better. Spending time with the kids, Pastor Francois, Madam, the Loving Haiti family, and the beautiful country opened her eyes to what reciprocal partnership could look like. Building partnerships with the purpose of authentic friendship first, and moving forward from a space of continued trust and consistency was a beautiful site to see. The relationships that were built are unforgettable and irreplaceable memories were made.
Destini is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board and contribute to an organization that is so close to her heart.