Régine Chassagne – KANPE Co-Founder
Régine Chassagne was born in Montreal to Haitian parents who fled the dictatorship of François Duvalier in the 1960s. Deeply connected to her roots, she co-founded KANPE with Dominique Anglade with two goals: to unite the diaspora and those committed to the Haitian cause in developing locally tailored solutions, and to establish a sustainable model to fight poverty by empowering the most vulnerable communities.
Régine is also the co-founder and co-leader of Arcade Fire, one of the most acclaimed indie bands of the 2000s. In 2011, Arcade Fire won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for The Suburbs.
From the start, Régine has used her voice to echo the challenges and beauty of her Haitian heritage. The song Haïti, featured on Arcade Fire’s debut album Funeral (2004), is a vivid reflection of this connection.
Since 2005, Arcade Fire has actively supported Haiti, donating $1 from every concert ticket sold to Partners In Health or KANPE, raising over $4 million for the country’s benefit. This commitment has mobilized thousands of volunteers and engaged fans around the world.
