Jean Robert Estime

A 20-year veteran of government service in Haiti, Jean-Robert Estimé served in a number of top-level positions, including as a cabinet member of the Ministry of Planning, as Deputy Minister of Finances and Economic Affairs, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also acted as the nation’s Ambassador to France. The distinguished former civil servant has written or contributed to several publications and studies, including “The Haitian Market of Cotton-Fiber” and “Elaboration of an Agricultural Policy in Haiti.” Jean-Robert Estimé, who speaks French, Creole, and English fluently, earned two Master of Science degrees, on in Rural Economics and one in Agricultural Engineering from the School of Agronomy in Gembloux, Belgium.In the private sector, the distinguished leader joined AMEX International, Inc., in Burundi as a team leader in 1990 and acted as an international consultant for a United Nations Development Programme in Guinea in 1991. That same year, Jean-Robert Estimé began working for Chemonics International Inc., and USAID. In increasingly responsible roles with these entities over the next 18 years, he served in Burundi; Madagascar; South Africa and Washington, D.C., developing and implementing plans for export expansion, private sector development, sustainable agriculture, SME financing, goverment policy and capacity building, and other systemic changes. In 2009, Jean-Robert Estimé became Chief of Party of USAID WINNER project. Based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he leads a skilled team endeavoring to increase food production and livelihood opportunities, providing technical and financial assistance to modernize Haitian agriculture and improve smal farmers'income.Recognized for his government service and devotion to global improvements, Jean-Robert Estimé has received multiple awards, including the National Order, Honor and Merit, Great Cross; and the National Order, Pétion and Bolivar, Great Cross, from Haiti. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Korea, the Republic of China, and the Vatican also have honored him with major awards. In addition, Jean-Robert Estimé garnered the Kim Kennedy Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Development and the Excellence in Leadership award from Chemonics International.