On Oct. 25 and 26, the authors took part in an unprecedented convening of higher education leaders in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Led by the University of Massachusetts Boston, representatives from 40 colleges and universities from across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean gathered with representatives from the Haitian Higher Education community, including the minister of education and the chancellor of the University of Haiti, to discuss the establishment of a higher education consortium aimed at advancing the higher education sector in Haiti. The goal of the consortium will be to partner international institutions with Haitian institutions to create synergies, reduce duplication, and expand educational opportunities for Haitians in Haiti. One desired outcome will be to reduce the "brain drain" of highly educated and skilled professionals who are leaving Haiti at alarming rates. Like the conditions in Haiti, the conversation was at times painfully difficult, as participants addressed issues of control, process and establishing a shared vision. At the end of two days, there was optimism and high expectations that this consortium will be established and will be successful. Follow-up steps have already been taken which will provide the foundation and path to the formal establishment of the consortium. Driving through the streets of Port-au-Prince and surrounding environs, the authors were shocked and disturbed by the devastation and apparent lack of progress since the massive earthquake of Jan. 12, 2010. The authors point out that the pace of progress must be accelerated, and the time is now.