Mailing List

Founder + President at Shoreline Strategies LLC | Managing Partner at #Amplified 

Mary Caswell “Cassie” Alsfeld is an award-winning copywriter, digital marketing strategist, and online fundraising specialist. She founded Shoreline Strategies LLC—a digital marketing, messaging, and fundraising firm—in 2015 after spending over a decade working in national politics.

Through Shoreline Strategies, Cassie has worked with presidential, senate, gubernatorial, and congressional campaigns; international political parties; leading non-profits, advocacy groups, and issue organizations; small businesses; and tech start-ups and companies venturing into new markets.

She works with several women’s organizations, including several dedicated to getting more women in office, and is passionate about advocating for issues affecting all women. She won an AAPC Pollie Award for her advocacy work to protect independent contractors, and helped get price transparency in healthcare.

Cassie is also the Managing Partner of #Amplified, an AI-powered, people-driven digital agency that specializes in influencer marketing strategies, combating dis- and misinformation campaigns, identifying and cultivating prospective supporters and advocates, and building education and advocacy campaigns to strengthen democracy and restore civility to politics. She has an exclusive suite of top AI technologies.

Through #Amplified, she is building a partner network of top industry experts and thought leaders, and bringing unique technologies and holistic strategies to the political, political-adjacent, government, association, and corporate spaces to maximize efficiencies and effectiveness. #Amplified works with campaigns, government agencies, political and advocacy organizations, think tanks, trade associations, lobbying and government relations firms, PR and public affairs firms, civic engagement and democracy orgs, startups, and more.

She is also an Advisor for top AI technology startups, including Soar and CitizenPortal.ai, built by the founder of Ancestry.com, and Upstart Factory. Through these businesses, Cassie advises and delivers go-to-market strategies, digital marketing, branding, storytelling, copywriting and editing, market research, business development, public affairs, etc. She identifies and pitches thought leadership opportunities, develops revenue generating models, researches prospective funding sources, builds lists and outreach strategies, creates crowdfunding campaigns, establishes partnership opportunities, and consults on social media, marketing, and list-building campaigns.

Known as "the door opener, a "walking LinkedIn," or a "unicorn" in the world of civic-tech and digital-politics, Cassie connects principals with key influencers, investors, industry leaders, thought leaders, partners, and more.

Through Shoreline Strategies, Cassie specializes in copywriting and editing; strategic planning; message development; email marketing; digital marketing, engagement, and advocacy campaigns; political communication; and online fundraising. She also provides coaching services to organizations and businesses looking to train or support their staff in any of the above.

A copywriter by trade, Cassie believes in the power of words to drive actions and deliver results. She has led dozens of workshops, training sessions, seminars, and webinars, as well as served on and moderated panels at leading industry events and college classes.

Cassie was the first digital copywriter and one of the first digital hires in Republican politics. She helped build the digital fundraising, email marketing, and copywriting programs for the Romney presidential campaign, Republican National Committee, and National Republican Congressional Committee from scratch. Cassie also served as the speechwriter for the NRCC Chairman and directed all of the messaging for the largest fundraiser of the year.

She has a proven track record of setting and smashing fundraising records, crafting award-winning copy, transforming how organizations operate and communicate, increasing engagement and enthusiasm among supporters, and putting organizations on the map. She has a unique approach to communications, fundraising, and marketing, given her background and experiences.

Prior to working in national politics, Cassie spent time on Capitol Hill as a legislative staffer for Congressman Cao of New Orleans, handling everything from Hurricane Katrina and BP oil spill recovery to healthcare issues. She got postal services restored in Gentilly after they sat idle for several years post-Katrina. She also worked as a lobbyist and consultant with Carmen Group, most notably getting Congress to forgive loans for hurricane-affected HBCUs. Cassie got her start in DC working for a top fundraiser, where she fundraised for the Republican National Convention, Gov. Haley Barbour, and others. Prior to DC, she interned with Congressman Steve Scalise and worked in N.O. City Hall before, during, and after Katrina.

Cassie is a Co-Founder and Board of Directors member of Ellevate Louisiana, International Women’s Forum-Louisiana Chapter Member, Co-Founder and Past President of the St. Mary's Dominican High School Alumnae Association in DC, Board Member of Boy Scouts of Southeast Louisiana, Founder + Member of the Spirit of Scouting Fundraising Committee, Member of the Pillars of Scouting Fundraising Committee, and Alumni Advisory Board member of Louisiana Youth Seminar.

She is an active member of American Association of Political Consultants, Kappa Delta Sorority, LSU Alumni Association, PAC PALS, and Association of Past Presidents of the LSU Student Body. Cassie built the networking, professional development, and alumnae programs for The Madison of DC. And she recently helped craft the strategic plan for St. Mary’s Dominican High School,  serving as the Chair of the Advancement and Marketing Committee on the School Strategic Planning Committee.

An active alumna and supporter of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, LSU, and the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, Cassie spent 13 years in DC before moving home to New Orleans. She is a former Student Body President of LSU and elected Student Board Member of the LSU Board of Supervisors. She also served on the Louisiana Tuition and Trust Authority.

Cassie just moved to Old Metairie, where she resides with her rescue dog Flora. For more information or to connect with Cassie, visit: www.shorelinestrategies.co.

Rachael Averett joined Advantous as a Senior Manager in the Sales and Use Tax practice in 2021. Rachael has practiced in Indirect Tax for the last 22 years in Texas and Louisiana. Rachael previously served as an Associate at a public accounting firm and within industry for a multi-state manufacturer. She also served as Director at an international tax consulting firm for the last eleven years. Rachael specializes in multi-state sales and use tax audit defense and reverse audits, with expansive experience in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia. Rachael received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Louisiana State University. She serves as a member of Council on State Taxation (COST), Southeastern Association of Tax Administrators (SEATA), and Certified Member of Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT). She has also presented for IPT, Tax Executives Institute, Inc. (TEI), and Lorman Education Services.

Valerie Aymond is the CRO (Chief Resource Officer) for Gilchrist Construction Company, a Louisiana-based heavy highway contractor. Her oversight includes the company’s resource divisions, including Human Resources, Information Technology, Organizational Development, Safety & Risk Management, Transportation, and Equipment.

Val is a 1995 graduate of Louisiana State University at Alexandria where she majored in Business Administration.  She is a graduate of the ABA National & Graduate School of Human Resources at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.  Val returned to the classroom and graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2015 from Louisiana Tech University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Project Team Management.

Valerie holds several Human Resource designations; she is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SCP), and is a Certified DDI (Development Dimensions International) Instructor.

Val served on the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2013-2017, and chaired the Chamber Board in 2016.  She is active in the Central Louisiana economic development community and serves as a board member and also on the Executive Committee for (CLEDA) Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.  She began service as a Board of Trustees member for the Rapides Foundation in January of 2020.

Val is also a board member for the Rapides Workforce Investment Board and was appointed by the governor to serve as a member of the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council in 2017.  She is a member of the Central Louisiana Technical and Community College Institutional Advisory Committee, a member of the Alexandria Downtown Rotary Club, and serves as a Secretary of the Rapides Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees.

Dr. Laura Badeaux founded the Louisiana Center for Women in Government and Business in 1990 and served its Board as President and Vice President. In 2008, she became Director of the Center and has increased Center programming from two to ten programs, including Louisiana Girls Leadership Academy, Louisiana Women’s Leadership Summit on Small Business Entrepreneurship, Congress to Campus, and Hall of Fame.

Badeaux serves on the Governor’s Policy and Research Commission on the Status of Women, and previously served as chair under three governors.

Badeaux serves Lafourche Parish as Chair of the Commission on Women, a position she has held for more than 25 years under four parish presidents. She has served  the Bylaws Committee of the National Association of Commissions on Women and trains groups on Robert’s Rules of Order, including Louisiana Municipal Association of Cities.

Badeaux has also served as a Board Member for Louisiana League of Women Voters and as organizing chair of the Lafourche Unit. As a community activist, she organized and served as President for the Volunteers for Juvenile Justice, The Lafourche Cancer Society, The Bayou Junior Women’s Club, Lafourche Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Louisiana Jaycee Jaynes, The Louisiana Federation of Women’s Club District III, and numerous others.

Dr. Badeaux holds a Ph. D. in Management, Business Communications and Marketing from Louisiana State University and is a full professor in the Department of Petroleum Services at Nicholls State University. She has served Nicholls as President of the Faculty Senate and founded PRO-NSU, a community support organization. Badeaux is a well known speaker on leadership, communication, public relations, power and politics and has authored some 20 publications. She has been honored as one of the 10 Outstanding Young Women in America, as an inductee in the Louisiana Center for Women and Government Hall of Fame, and as one of only three women named as the Outstanding Citizen of Thibodaux by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Diane T. Baum is CEO and Environmental Director of Baum Environmental Group based in Baton Rouge. After leaving the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in 1995 she founded Baum Environmental Group to assist clients with the maze of new and often changing environmental regulations with lowered costs and better procedures.

Diane is a licensed commercial and residential contractor and provides contracting services with environmental management and compliance to clients throughout the state. Baum is one the first woman to operate and run a future waste tire processing facility in Baton Rouge. This tire processing facility will provide strong end-market uses for problematic scrap tires throughout the state. The company also provides construction and installation of pioneering sewer treatment plants that clean wastewater to meet the strictest state standards.  Baum also focuses on ways to ease the burden of environmental procedures required in the residential and commercial construction industry through the consistent implementation of new ideas. Diane’s continuous passion has been inventing unique innovative methods and products that can make methods better and less expensive for the construction sector.

Diane is the 2020 Chairman for the Greater Baton Rouge Home Builders Association (HBA GBR) and was the Chair for Professional Women in Building (PWB) in New Orleans (HBA GNO).  Diane also serves on the state and national boards for the Home Builders Association. She is an active member in the Louisiana Associated General Contractors (AGC), Concrete and Aggregate Association of Louisiana (CAAL) and the Louisiana Asphalt and Pavement Association (LAPA). Diane studied Forestry/Wildlife at Louisiana Tech University and has credentials in LEED AP, Green Verifier, Certified Professional in Municipal Stormwater Management (CPMSM) and a Third-Party Building Code Inspector.

As the leader of DDA and DLU, Anita works with Downtown stakeholders, developers, government representatives, and community leaders to create a stronger and more dynamic Downtown for Lafayette. Before joining Downtown Lafayette, Anita worked as the Senior Vice President of Communications and Governmental Affairs with One Acadiana, and she has been actively involved in Lafayette leadership organizations like Leadership Institute of Acadiana and the 705. She currently serves as a board member of South Louisiana Community College Foundation and CASA of SoLA. Anita understands the regional importance of a vibrant urban core and she works to provide a strategic vision for leaders in Lafayette to utilize and grow Downtown as a flagship district for culture and commerce in Acadiana.

Fun fact: Anita is originally from Church Point, Louisiana and has lived her entire life within a 20 mile radius of the heart of our city. As Herman Fuselier likes to say, “It takes a girl from Church Point to run Downtown Lafayette!”

Linda opened her own firm, Fire Tech Systems, Inc. in September of 1990. Fire Tech Systems, Inc. provides a valuable service offering life safety needs through fire protection to commercial businesses as well as residential homes. Her involvement in fire protection extends nationally in numerous associations. She serves on the Technical Committee with the National Fire Protection Association for the NFPA 232 Code for Record Protection, President of the Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association, Building Owners and Managers Association Board, Sci-Port Discovery Center Board, the LSUS Foundation Board, American Fire Sprinkler Association Board Secretary and the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council Board. Professional involvement also includes Associated General Contractors and National Association of Women in Construction.

Community service evokes a strong commitment from Linda. She was appointed by the first commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, Lt. General Frank Klotz, to serve as a charter member of the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program 2010-2013. Air Force Global Strike Command is one of Nine Major Commands in the US Air Force. In 2013, Linda was inducted into the Junior Achievement of N. LA’s Business Hall of Fame which celebrates exceptional business leaders who have demonstrated a lifetime of achievement and investment in our community.

Linda is a community partner with the Cyber Innovation Center, I-49 North Coalition, Sheriff’s Safety Town and the Minority Supplier Institute. In 2010, she served as the first woman President of the Committee of One Hundred and currently serves on the Board. In 2013, Linda was appointed to the Ambassador Program for Louisiana Economic Development. In 2011, Mayor Cedric Glover appointed her to the City of Shreveport Architects and Engineers Selection Committee, on which she still serves. She aspires to help the local community so she established the Fire Tech Systems Scholarship Program for ambitious and aspiring young ladies whose studies involve the construction industry. Linda also partners with the National Association of Women in Construction to offer a scholarship through the Caddo Career & Technology Center.

National Fire Protection Association — Appointed to serve on Technical Committee for Record Protection, NFPA 232 Code Book
American Fire Sprinkler Association ~ Currently serves as Board Member and Secretary
Associated General Contractors Shreveport Chapter — Past Co-Chair on the Membership Committee; Committee Member in the Development and Implementation of the First Annual AGC Owner Recognition Awards Luncheon
Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association — Currently serves as President, first woman president
Building Owners and Managers Association — Currently serves as Board Member
Licenses & Certifications
Arkansas RME License # 1326
Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Designer License # E2997
Texas RME License #RME-0165-G
Oklahoma Commercial Sprinker Manager License # 9813
Mississippi Certificate of Responsibility License # 15159
NICET Level IV Fire Protection Engineering Technology Water Based System Layout
Graduate of Shreveport-Bossier Vocational Technical Institute – Drafing and Design Technology
Graduate of North Caddo High School

Born and raised in Natchitoches, I am a graduate of Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University/Baton Rouge (B.S. Business/Marketing), as well as real estate courses including residential appraisal courses. Married to Kevin Bolton, we have three children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.  I am a former employee of NSU, Louisiana Department of Urban and Community Affairs in Baton Rouge, Twin Valley RC&D (USDA/NRCS eight parish program), and the City of Natchitoches Community Development Department.

Many will remember me as co-owner of Manning Mini-Storage on Keyser Avenue for ten years. However, selling real estate had been my goal for many years. With my children raised, I established Bolton Realty in 2006. In 2017, I was able to purchase Collins and Stamey Real Estate, a long-standing leader in the Natchitoches market, which allowed us to continue growing. 

I believe that we all have a role in building strong communities. In addition to serving as the City Planning Commissioner, I have served as President of Cane River Children Services; LA School for Math, Science & the Arts Parents Organization; Keep Natchitoches Beautiful, and am a member of Natchitoches/NSU Symphony Society, Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches and PEO Chapter AP.  Recently became a founding member of Ellevate LA, a statewide group working to empower the voice of the women of Louisiana.

Serving as 2016 Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors was part of seven years on the BOD.  Worked for the creation of annual luncheon for members comparable to the State of the Union, reporting on local economic conditions and trends.  Worked on Task Force then first Chairman of the Natchitoches Community Alliance.  Worked to re-establish the Education Committee which grew into the A+ Coalition.  The transition from Christmas Festival to a functioning Chamber focusing on member services was a challenge but I believe it was worth the effort. 

For my professional organizations, I served as LA Realtors PAC Trustee 2012-2014 and the 2013-2014 President of Natchitoches Board of Realtors. In 2015, served as LA Realtors (LR) Assn Regional Vice President. Voted Member-At-Large by LR Assn Board for 2016-2019.  Served on Task Force to merge Central LA and Natchitoches local Boards into Greater Central LA Realtor Assn (GCLRA).  Voted 2018 GCLRA Realtor of the Year (9 parishes) and 2019 Louisiana Realtor of the Year.  Served as LR Association Member Services and Marketing Director in 2019. Also served 2017-2018 on GCLRA MLS Committee and 2018 Chair of Governance Committee. Member of LR Mandatory Forms and Bill Review Committees. Previously served on LR Appraisal, Legislative and Strategic Planning committee.  Completed LR Leadership in 2015. 

I am proud to provide full service to buyers and sellers in and around historic Natchitoches. Being able to do what I am so passionate about for a living is such a blessing.

Rebecca F. Boniol, Esq. is Vice President and partner in Mark Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Lake Charles, LA. Mark Dodge is the largest volume Ram dealership in the world and the largest volume automotive dealership in Louisiana.

Rebecca’s community and philanthropic focus centers on education. She has been appointed to the LSU Board of Supervisors by Governor Jeff Landry. She is Vice President of the Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation which owns three schools.  She and her husband, Mark, provide hundreds of scholarships to students in the Lake Charles area.  She is a trustee of the SOWELA Technical Community College Foundation.  She serves on the Business Advisory Counsel for McNeese State University.  She is Chair of the Women’s Health Counsel for CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana.  Rebecca was co-chair of Governor Elect Jeff Landry’s K-12 Transitional Council. She is a member of the Republican Women of SWLA and Ellevate.

Rebecca graduated from McNeese State University in 1995 and from LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1998. Upon graduation, she served as a law clerk at the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  As an attorney, Rebecca handled asbestos litigation class action and mass tort litigation including drug, medical devices, and automotive litigation. 

Andrea Renee Brinkley is a resident of Lafourche Parish (Thibodaux). She has committed not only her professional career to serving her community but also in her personal life she is dedicated to serving others. She currently serves as Vice-President of the Lafourche Parish Commission for Women.

Her past and current careers span multi levels of top administration and leadership roles. She has been employed by a nationally recognized and accredited agency for 22 years. Her assignments have covered multiple fields to include areas of the Criminal and Corrections Departments. As a member of the Executive Staff, she currently serves as the Major/ Head of the Civil Department.

Major Brinkley is committed to education and skills development for success and fulfillment of life goals. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from Nicholls State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans.  

She is a proud graduate of Leadership Lafourche and Leadership Louisiana.

Using her passion and heart for helping others, she serves on the ministry team at her church. She dedicates time in leadership to small groups with a focus on processing the past and transitioning into a life of purpose.

Some of her past and current civic contributions have been to the Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity, Lafourche ARC, The American Cancer Society, Lafourche Parish Women’s Commission on Government and Leadership Council. Through her membership role and activities, she assists with the Louisiana Girls Leadership Academy which is held annually.

Ms. Bronfin has spent the past 25 years as one of Louisiana’s preeminent advocates for young children. She founded the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children and served as its Executive Director for five years before implementing a successful succession plan and becoming its Policy Advisor. She established the organization as the leading independent source of data, research, and policy proposals on issues related to young children in Louisiana, earning more than 250 media stories about the organization and its work. Her efforts played a key role in the comprehensive reform of Louisiana’s early care and education system, and in approximately 10,000 more low-income Louisiana children gaining access to publicly funded, high  quality early care and education. Before founding the Policy Institute, she spent eight years with the Tulane University Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health as a Policy Analyst and Assistant Director of BrightStart, where she helped design Louisiana’s early childhood Quality Rating and Improvement System and the nationally-recognized package of School Readiness Tax Credits. She is a former attorney with Jones Walker Law Firm in New Orleans and has served on numerous non-profit and state boards focused on improving outcomes for children and engaging women as leaders in our democracy. She is a recipient of the BGR’s 2020 Excellence in Government Award for Citizenship, AVODAH’s 2019 Partner in Justice Award, Kingsley House’s Champion for Children Award, and Agenda for Children’s Voice for Louisiana’s Children Award. A lifelong Louisiana resident, she graduated summa cum laude with a BA from Yale University, and magna cum laude with a J.D. from Tulane University School of Law.

Kristen is President and majority owner of Brown Builders, Inc., a Louisiana general contractor and design builder with more than fifty years of fulfilling client dreams of a place to do their work using a painless construction process.  She has a passion for her home community and the communities she is privileged to provide places to live, work and play. 

She has worn many Brown Builders hats throughout her career.  Today, her responsibilities include overall strategic planning and business development as well as oversight of construction of a variety of projects which include hospitality, retail, multi-family residential, healthcare, and commercial and residential land development. 

• BA/BS Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia
• JD, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Affiliations:
  • Louisiana State Licensing Board For Contractors
  • Board of Directors, Ellevate Louisiana
  • Chair of Economic Development Subcommittee, Committee of One Hundred Shreveport
  • Louisiana Associated General Contractors, first female President of AGC Shreveport
  • AGC America
  • Board Member, General Contractors Insurance Captive
  • Rotary Club of Shreveport, Paul Harris Fellow
  • First Baptist Church, Shreveport

Charmaine serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana and oversees United Way’s Governmental Relations department. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the government relations strategies related to United Way’s three goal areas, including education, income and health, through the development of relationships with key internal and external constituents.

From 2005 to 2013, Mrs. Caccioppi served as the first President of the Louisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW). During her tenure as President of LAUW, she partnered with the Louisiana Association of Non-Profits to publish “Community Solutions” which provided evidence-based policy research on how to combat long-term systemic poverty. She established a relationship with The George Rodrigue Foundation allowing $1 million in funding to be secured for United Ways statewide. She also assisted with securing funding for The George RodrigueFoundation of the Arts (GRFA), an Art Emerging Therapy for Children A+ School Education Curriculum to help children in trauma after Hurricane Isaac. Her many other accomplishments, include, but are not limited to, securing a $90,000 United Way Worldwide grant for the purpose of establishing a United Ways of the Gulf Coast and championing state legislation that ensured High Quality Childcare Standards, School Readiness Tax Credits, the establishment of the Child Poverty Prevention Council and the first refundable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in the South.

In 2014, Charmaine advocated for the successful historical passage of Domestic Violence bills signed into Louisiana law aimed at stopping domestic abuse and in 2016 is featured in the award winning Five Awake –Domestic Violence documentary film. Historical passage of domestic violence bills was made again in 2017 and in 2018 including gun divesture!

Charmaine was inducted into the Louisiana Center for Women in Government and Business Hall of Fame in 2014. She received the Libby Milton Champion for Children Award in 2016 and Crimestoppers’ George Loker Community Service Award in 2017. She was a founding member of the Ready Louisiana Coalition in 2018. Charmaine established the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice in 2018, between United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Loyola University College of Law.  In 2020, she was recognized as one of CityBusiness Women of the Year.  She is currently serving a second term as Chair of the Louisiana Women’s Policy & Research Commission, and serves as a board member for the New Orleans Family Justice Center, and Ellevate Louisiana.  

In 2022, Charmaine was instrumental in the successful passage of a New Orleans Early Childhood proposition, YES for NOLA Kids.  The revenue from this tax, which will begin on January 1, 2023, will go towards providing funding for an additional 1,000 seats for New Orleans students through the City Seats program, which serves economically disadvantaged children ages 0 to 3. In this same year, as a founding member of the Ready Louisiana Coalition, she also helped secure $84 million for early care and education during the Louisiana Regular Legislative session.  These funds will help low-income families afford quality child care, provide a match on local early childhood education investments, and more.

During her 20 years of service with the United States Senate, Mrs. Caccioppi served Senators J. Bennett Johnston then Mary Landrieu, working on major economic development projects throughout Louisiana and Nationwide, including: transportation infrastructure development for ports, airport, highways and railroads; defense and university research projects; flood control and hurricane protection projects; natural resources research; major federal procurement for several federal agencies.

Jaye Calhoun, is a partner in the New Orleans office of Kean Miller. She provides clients with full-service tax representation covering federal, state, and local tax challenges and business opportunities. She has more than 30 years of experience assisting clients with tax compliance and planning, the use of tax and business incentives, and tax audits and controversies.  Jaye represents multistate and global clients on federal, state, and local taxation, business planning and formation, credits and incentives, and federal, state, and local tax collection matters.  She regularly represents clients in audits and administrative and judicial appeals before the IRS, the State of Louisiana Department of Revenue, and numerous local taxing authorities. Jaye is board certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization in both Taxation and in Estate Planning.
 
Jaye has extensive experience representing businesses in industries including energy, oil and natural gas, insurance, health care, gaming, equipment leasing and others.  Representative matters include state and local income, franchise and sales tax audits and controversies and advice regarding transfer pricing, interest expense challenges, Louisiana’s labyrinthine state and local rules and and special income and franchise tax rules that apply to companies doing business in the state. 
 
Jaye is also well-respected nationally for her tax expertise and was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel (ACTC) and then elected to the board of that organization as a regent.  As an ACTC member, she is active in that prestigious organization’s amicus committee which files briefs in important tax cases around the country.  She is also a former council director and former chair of the American Bar Association Tax Section State and Local Tax Committee, the Tax Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association, and the National Association of State Bar Tax Sections.  She currently serves on the Editorial Board for American Bar Association publication, The Tax Lawyer, and is a co-author of both the Bloomberg Corporate Income Tax Navigator, Louisiana, and the Bloomberg Pass-Through Entities Navigator, Louisiana.  
 
Jaye is frequently quoted in tax publications, has a long list of tax publications, and is a sought-after speaker at tax conferences.  She is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Tulane University Law School, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, and Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business in Boston (online program) and serves on Georgetown Law’s SALT Institute Advisory Board.  Further, she has been listed for many years in Louisiana Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, is AV-rated preeminent by Martindale-Hubble, and has been recognized in 1999 as a YWCA Role Model and by New Orleans City Business as a 2005 Woman of the Year and as a 2014 recipient of a Leadership in Law award.  
 
Jaye is a Louisiana native, a member of the Krewe of Muses and a Sustainer in the Junior League of New Orleans.  She is married, with four children and teaches Jazzercise in New Orleans and Metairie.

Kim Callaway serves as the Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs at Louisiana REALTORS®. Her responsibilities include leading the association’s lobbying efforts to represent its 15,000+ members and advising its board of directors and staff on legal and regulatory matters. Additionally, she manages two real estate political action committees, the Louisiana REALTORS® Political Action Committee and Friends of Louisiana Real Estate.

Prior to her current position with Louisiana REALTORS®, Callaway dedicated over a decade of service in both the executive and legislative branches of state government. Her experience with both writing and implementing laws and regulations in her previous roles at the Louisiana House of Representatives the Office of Motor Vehicles, and the Louisiana Department of Justice makes her uniquely qualified in developing and analyzing policy.  While with the House of Representatives, Callaway crafted legislation pertaining to a range of matters from tolls on the Crescent City Connection to the adoption of the International Plumbing Code.  While with the Office of Motor Vehicles, Callaway oversaw the approval of the state’s REAL ID plan by the United States Department of Homeland Security and drafted key documents implementing payment plans for debt owed to the Office of Motor Vehicles.

Callaway grew up in Shreveport, La, but is proud to have been able to call Baton Rouge home for several years. Callaway holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Louisiana State University and a J.D. from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center. An active member of her community, Callaway has been involved in the Kenilworth Civic Association, Big Buddy mentorship program and Kappa Alpha Theta’s House Corporation.

Rachel is the Director of Development at the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. Rachel previously served as an attorney within a federal agency, where she received numerous awards, trained thousands of employees, and was named a Rising Star.

Rachel received her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. While in law school, she interned for the Judge Lance Africk, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Judge Fredericka Wicker, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal, State of Louisiana. She also served on the editorial board of the Loyola Maritime Law Journal. Rachel graduated with honors from Loyola University New Orleans, where she majored in Political Science. She is also a proud graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA).

Rachel lives in Metairie, Louisiana, with her husband, two toddlers, and rescue dog. She serves as a lector at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.

Dianne Clark was hired as the Executive Director for Sci-Port Discovery Center in August of 2018.  She joined Sci-Port after retiring with 30 years of service for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, where she served in a variety of positions including a two-year assignment as Interim Director for Northwest Louisiana Technical and Community College.

When hired as the Executive Director for the newly reorganized Sci-Port Discovery Center two years ago, Dianne faced the challenges of re-establishing the Center as a premiere educational experience. Focused on the Center’s mission to provide relevant, hands-on, STEM-based learning experiences to learners of all ages, Dianne has realigned staff and resources resulting in the celebration of several milestones including the reopening and renovation of exhibit spaces, the addition of the Gallery of Intrigue and the development and offering of the 2019 and 2020 winter-themed Sno-Port exhibitions.

In addition to these accomplishments within the Center, Dianne and her team have re-established Sci-Port as a highly respected provider of community outreach initiatives and services.  The highly acclaimed “Bars Without Barriers” initiative offered to inmates at Caddo Correctional Center was recognized by Yale University in March of 2020.  In November 2020, at the completion of a highly competitive process, the Louisiana Board of Regents selected Sci-Port Discovery Center to serve as the Region 7 STEM Center.  Sci-Port continues to receive community-based grant funding dedicated to improving both on- and off-site educational opportunities to a diverse group of learners of all ages.

Dianne lives in Haughton, Louisiana with her husband, Gary.  They have two grown children, Keith and Hannah.

An accomplished visionary with a focus on results and a stellar track record for leading companywide optimization, Monique Robinson Clark has been helping healthcare companies enhance their operational development and progression for more than 15 years. As Director of Clinical Operations, she leverages her excellent strategic planning and implementation, program development and change management skills to ensure successful outcomes for both patients and team members at LSU Healthcare Network.

Prior to joining LSU Healthcare Network, Monique was an Associate Consultant for Corcoran Consulting Group and the Director of Operations for SEECA Inc. In both capacities, Monique’s stewardship of improved workflows, processes, procedures, quality control and marketing initiatives precipitated increased client and patient satisfaction as well as a significant boost in revenue generation.

Monique is as dedicated to building better community as she is to her work in the healthcare industry. Among several organizations to which she contributes her time and resources, she is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Inc. and a member of the Board of Directors for Bayou Community Academy Charter School in Thibodaux. Most recently, Monique participated in the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2018 and Leadership Louisiana Class of 2020.

Possessing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and an MBA in Healthcare Management, Monique is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2015-2016 Rotary Club of Houma-Terrebonne Rookie of the Year Award and the 2017 Dillard University 40 Under 40 Award. Monique is also a published author, a much sought-after public speaker and a course presenter and panelist for the 2019 ASCRS/ASOA Annual International Conference. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, Zumba, and spending time with her husband.

Lisa Condrey Ward is an attorney, real estate developer and hotelier (The Southern hotel in Covington) . She is Vice President of the La. Trust for Historic Preservation board and serve as a Historic District Commissioner in Covington. Party affiliation -Independent. (i.e. no party).

Katie Corkern is the Executive Director of the Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance – a grassroots organization that educates and advocates on behalf of mental health providers and patients. Previously she served as the Executive Director of Northshore Families Helping Families, and she taught Special Education in Tangipahoa Parish for 10 years.

Her passion for advocating for individuals with disabilities began with the birth of her son, Connor, who was born with multiple disabilities nearly 14 years ago. Since then, she has advocated on issues that affect people with disabilities, mental health conditions, and health care on local, state, and federal levels. She was honored to receive the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children Parent Advocate of the Year Award in 2017 as well as being recognized by the Girl Scouts Louisiana East 2017’s Women of Distinction.

Katie is an alumnus of Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana Partners in Policymaking, a national leadership training program for self-advocates and parents of children with developmental disabilities. She is an active member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, Children’s Hospital of New Orleans Patient and Family Advisory Council, the CHNOLA Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and Tangipahoa Parish School System Special Education Advisory Council.

Katie Corkern lives in Amite, Louisiana with her husband and three sons. In her free time, Katie enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and working alongside her boys on their cattle ranch.

Erin Davison is a Nonprofit Consultant and Grant Writer currently consulting with Boy Scouts of America and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Foundation.  She is a seasoned Nonprofit leader with over 30 years of fundraising, grant writing, program design and development, community outreach, and human resources experience. She welcomes small-mid nonprofits to reach out and inquire about nonprofit consulting and grant research and proposal preparation. Previously, she was the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana. 

Erin received the 2024 Angel Honoree Award from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, the 2024 Jack V Doland Citizen of the Year award from the Women's Commission of Southwest Louisiana, is a Founding Member of the Impact Uprising with We Are For Good, a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council, a graduate of the 2023 Leadership Louisiana class through CABL, Chamber SWLA Women’s Business Network Advisory Council, a Graduate of the Chamber SWLA Leadership Class of 2018, Chamber SWLA Volunteer of the Year 2012, Thrive Magazine Thriving Thirty-Somethings Class 2013, Thrive 2019 Leading Ladies in Business, is a member of the Republican party and an advocate for youth and families in SWLA and Louisiana, among many other community and civic activities.  She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a Minor in Social Work. Erin has been married to her husband Chad for 25 years, has three children and three grandchildren, two dogs and two cats.  She loves NASCAR, reading, traveling in her camper, and relaxing with her family and friends.  

Robert brings a wealth of leadership, legal, and community development experience to her current role. Most recently serving as Director of State Operations for the country at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Agency, she has overseen national economic development initiatives, infrastructure investment, and community revitalization efforts. Her prior experience includes serving as State Director for USDA Rural Development in Louisiana, Executive Counsel at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, General Counsel for the Southern University System, and Deputy Director of the Litigation and Public Protection Division(s) at the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. With deep expertise in public-private partnerships, economic development, and strategic planning, Robert is well-positioned to guide BBR’s efforts to create more equitable and vibrant communities throughout East Baton Rouge.

A Baton Rouge native, Elissa DeLoach received her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 2012. While at LSU, she double majored in Psychology and Sociology and spent a summer abroad studying Swahili in Tanzania.

After graduation, Elissa started working at Deloach Marine Services, LLC (DMS) alongside her brother and father. DMS provides crew and towboat services for inland towing and shipping to various companies and operates a shipyard in Port Allen. At DMS Elissa is responsible for evaluating and overseeing all incident/injury claims, ensuring the company remains compliant with all industry standards and regulations, and acquiring the latest safety and efficiency trainings for all crew members.

As a member of The American Waterway Operators, Elissa has dabbled in politics and attended lobbying events in Washington, DC to advocate on behalf of the maritime industry in America. Elissa also helped found a social organization called ADMIRALTY that addresses the large age gap in the industry by giving up-and-coming members a place of their own to discuss new ideas and network.

When she’s not working, you can find Elissa at her favorite aerial fitness gym, experimenting in the kitchen, out hunting with her family, or travelling the world with her friends.

Originally from New Orleans, Mary Deynoodt currently serves as CEO at Ochsner Medical Center-West Bank. 

Mary joined Ochsner Health System in July 2000 as an administrative fellow and has held various leadership roles.  Currently, she is responsible for the strategic, financial and operational performance of the hospital in Gretna, Louisiana.   Prior to this role, Mary served in leadership roles responsible for physician practice management, inpatient services as well as ancillary services.  In addition, Mary also served as COO for St. Thomas Community Health Center, which is a federally qualified health center in New Orleans. During her time at St. Thomas, she led the organization through a successful triennial HRSA site visit. Mary has a broad base of experience in healthcare operations. 

Mary holds a BS from Newcomb College of Tulane University and a MHA from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine of Tulane University. 

Diedra Dias has extensive experience inspiring businesses and teams to achieve their fullest potential. Over her 15-year career, Diedra has led growth throughout all aspects of the health care industry including corporate, strategy, and operational functions. She has a track record of creating a culture that fosters innovation and of driving best in class engagement results. Throughout her career at Ochsner, Diedra has actively invested in developing her teams and has mentored countless employees and leaders. In her current role as the Vice President of Health & Wellness Solutions, Diedra and her team empower communities to take control of their wellbeing by providing the clinical care, health products, wellness services and education people need to live their best, healthiest lives. She has oversight of the strategic and operational leadership for all Therapy and Wellness Clinics, Fitness Centers, Executive Health Clinics, Concierge Health clinics, Home Medical Equipment Services, Wellness Stores & Programs, The Brent House Hotel, Performance Training, Vision Centers, and Elevate, a wellness & aesthetics center.

Diedra earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Louisiana State University and holds a Masters of Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans.  

Ayame Dinkler is the Chief Administrative Officer for LCMC Health, a non-profit health system on a mission to provide the best possible care for every person in Louisiana and beyond. As CAO, she has executive responsibility for government affairs, innovation, and several strategic and operational partnerships. She joined LCMC Health in 2015 after spending more than a decade in public service.

Ayame previously served in a Chief of Staff capacity at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC, and also served in various leadership roles at the City of New Orleans and on Capitol Hill.

National healthcare publication Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Ayame as one of its Rising Stars for 2018. She has been recognized by New Orleans CityBusiness as a Healthcare Hero (2019) and Women of the Year (2021). She serves on the boards of America’s Essential Hospitals’ Policy Committee, Youth Force NOLA, the New Orleans Building Corporation, Greater New Orleans Inc.’s NextGen Council, the Independent Women’s Organization, the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, the AntiDefamation League South Central Region, and is active with several community organizations focused on women’s issues and youth development.

Jennifer Dixon(Realtor, ABR, SRS, RENE, HHS)

Jennifer Dixon has keen insight and knowledge in all aspects of the often complex real estate industry in New Orleans and its surrounding parishes. A top-producing realtor with a focus on single and multi-family homes, she is an Accredited Buyer Representative, Seller Representative Specialist, Real Estate Negotiation Expert, and Historic House Specialist. For nearly a decade, she has advocated for her clients throughout the stages both of buying and selling and continues to successfully guide them throughout the process from property inspections to closings.

Jennifer Dixon’s background in business, art sales and marketing reflects her exceptional perspective and professionalism as a valued member of Rêve Realtors.

DeAnna’s family roots date back 3 centuries in New Orleans and maintaining and elevating Louisiana is of the utmost importance to her.

With a multi faceted background DeAnna has an eclectic career. She is the owner of “DuPont and Company”, which houses her ventures in producing, production assisting, historical research, tours, health coaching and travel and event planning. 

She is the Sports Tourism Director for “Nola Sports” and is a licensed tour guide and manager for “Haunted History Tours”. She is a content writer for the NYC based “Hearst Publishing Company” and the director of the local chapter of the “Eliza Project” where she teaches classes in the performing arts to underprivileged children.

DeAnna is an active member in over 50 organizations, charities and social clubs. 

She and her husband Ken have been married for 38 years and have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

Shelly Dupré has over 25 years of public relations and public affairs experience. She’s worked with Fortune 100 companies, associations and small businesses to help those organizations analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments and points of views into effective messages and content to meet specific business objectives, such as effectively position and expand a company’s online presence, raise brand awareness, educate target audiences, create advocacy programs, provide media training, and manage reputation and crisis communications. 

She also worked at APCO Worldwide in Washington, D.C., where she organized and managed statewide grassroots coalition groups and developed messaging and media tools to successfully communicate the groups’ mission. As a past entrepreneur, Shelly started her own communications firm and has worked on the regional media relations/crisis communications initiative to combat misperceptions of Gulf-caught seafood and tourism post-BP spill. 

Outside of IMG-Louisiana, Shelly dedicates her time to a variety of professional organizations such as, Baton Rouge Rotary and GSU Toastmasters Club. In 2010, she chaired the Southern Public Relations Federation regional conference and served on the boards of the Press Club of Baton Rouge and Public Relations Association of Louisiana where she received the PRAL-Baton Rouge chapter “Member of the Year” award. She also served as an adjunct professor at University of Louisiana at Lafayette – B.I. Moody III College of Business teaching business writing/communications.

Shelly holds a Bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a Masters of Public Communications from American University-Washington, D.C. During her graduate studies, she worked as an intern on CNN’s long running Crossfire program at the Washington, D.C. bureau. Shelly is a native of Lafayette, LA and resides in Baton Rouge.

Denise Durel began her experience in the non-profit arena as a volunteer with the Muscular Dystrophy Association which lead to a professional career with that organization.  Starting as a Program Coordinator handling special events in outlying parishes, she then became the District Director overseeing the 15 parishes that make up Southwest Louisiana.  After the success of achieving the #1 district in the country she was named the Director of the Greater Cincinnati area.  While in Cincinnati she went on to manage a region for MDA that included 8 different district areas within 4 states.  After 20 years with MDA, she was named the Development Director for United Cerebral Palsy.  Then, in 2009 she relocated to Lake Charles to accept the position of President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana, a position that she continues to hold today.

Executive Director, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol
Secretary of State’s office

A native of Shreveport and graduate of Louisiana Tech, Mary is the executive director Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. More than 50,000 people a year visit this National Historic Landmark.

 
The Old State Capitol’s mission is to educate the public about the state’s rich political history and inspire engaged citizenship through exhibits, programs and the arts.

Mary worked in journalism for 20 years as an editor at the Shreveport Journal, Baton Rouge Morning Advocate and the Baton Rouge Business Report. In 1997, she joined Bank One – later JPMorgan Chase – as its corporate philanthropy manager working with nonprofits throughout the state.

In 2010, she joined the Secretary of State’s office as director of the Old State Capitol. It was a homecoming of sorts. Mary worked on a contract basis for the late Fox McKeithen when the building was being renovated in 1991. After the job ended, she continued to serve as a volunteer on the board.

She is married to Barry Erwin, president and CEO of the Council for a Better Louisiana.

Pilar Blanco Eble, Ed.D. is the Vice Chancellor of Advancement and Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Community College Foundation. Dr. Eble has over 20 years of higher education experience. Prior to BRCC, she served as the Senior Director of Donor and External Relations at the University of Louisiana. Dr. Eble previously served as the Associate Director of International Programs at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Her career in advancement includes stints at the University of Mississippi and Tulane University in New Orleans. Dr. Eble’s experience in university advancement has been dynamic, involving comprehensive campaigns, external and donor relations, major gifts, principal gifts, annual giving, and alumni engagement. 

Dr. Eble earned her doctorate in higher education administration and bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana, and her master’s degree from the University of Mississippi.  She is married to Michael Eble and has four children, Ben Michael, Eli, Miles, and Oliver. Dr. Eble is an active member of her community and currently serves as Vice Chair for Ellevate Louisiana. She is a member of the Episcopal School of Acadiana’s Parent’s Club. She is also a Board member of the Lafayette Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Julia Fisher-Perrier serves as Director of Business Development for the Port of South Louisiana. She is a lifelong resident of St. Charles Parish. Julia spent 12 years as a commercial property and casualty insurance producer and has served as St. Charles Parish District VII councilman since 2012.  

Melissa Flournoy is the chair of the Board of Louisiana Progress.  Dr. Flournoy served in the Louisiana House of Representatives, founded the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) and the Louisiana Budget Project.  Dr. Flournoy was the Executive Director of the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute and the Louisiana State Director of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast.  Currently, Dr. Flournoy is an adjunct professor in Political Science  at LSU.   Dr. Flournoy has served on numerous boards and commissions and is a life long advocate for women and children.  

Donna D. Fraiche, founder and president of Fraiche Strategies, LLC, recently retired from forty-five years in the active practice of health law. Utilizing vast experience gained from a lifetime of focused client representation and governance positions, she has formed a consulting firm for client-focused strategic policy, health care policy and facilitation.

Having founded her own law firm in the 1970’s, Donna practiced thereafter at a number of national law firms throughout her legal career. She retired from Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz in 2020. 

Donna currently serves on the boards of three publicly traded companies where she holds roles ranging from lead independent director to committee chair of multiple committees.

Donna is also co-owner and co-manager of River Regional Properties, II, III, LLC, Fraiche Family, LTD, LLC, Nola Wine Merchant, LLC, and additional small and real estate holding businesses.

Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2018. Because her cancer was detected very early and it had not spread, Kim opted for a bi-lateral mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery and did not require any further treatment.

After experiencing a mastectomy and the intense recovery process involved with mastectomy as well as reconstructive surgery, Kim founded the Breast Recovery Fund with Ocshner Hospital. The BRF provides mastectomy bras and take home bags that contain items patients need to assist in their recovery.

The latest project the BRF has taken on and is in the process of developing is a video program for patients and their children. This video program is intended to help patients and their children navigate through diagnosis and treatment and should be rolled out in October, 2021.

Valerie Grubb is an innovative, visionary, operations leader with an exceptional ability to zero in on the systems, processes and human capital issues that can hamper a company’s success — and a strong history of solving those problems with maximum buy-in and minimal disruption.

She is particularly adept at helping people acquire the skills they need in areas such as developing existing employees, recruiting new talent, and forming cohesive teams — all critical for long-term organizational growth.
Immediately prior to founding Val Grubb & Associates in 2008, Valerie served as the Vice President of Strategic Operations & Initiatives at NBC Universal, where she oversaw activities from business development to quality initiatives in preparation for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Earlier, Valerie was a key figure in the start-up of Oxygen Media. As Vice President of Operations, Val’s responsibilities encompassed all areas of back-office operations including human resources, risk management, training, facilities, security, travel, purchasing and real estate operations for all U.S. Oxygen offices. She was also a key part of the sale and transition process when Oxygen was ultimately purchased by NBC Universal. Val also served as Corporate Director of Operations for Barry Diller during the inception of InterActive, Corp. While with IAC, she was a significant contributor to the company’s aggressive acquisitions strategy, managing the integration of newly acquired companies into the IAC corporate umbrella.

Valerie started her career in engineering, first at Allison Engine Company, an aircraft engine manufacturer and division of General Motors which was later sold to Rolls-Royce, plc. (Val played an instrumental role in the transition.) She spent 11 years in an engineering capacity and ultimately became Director of Public Affairs, traveling the world promoting Rolls Royce products and services.

A sought-after Speaker, Coach and Training Expert, Valerie regularly presents at conferences and company off-site meetings to motivate and engage employees and senior leaders alike. Her expertise and vibrant approach are also in constant demand for corporate training initiatives.

Valerie graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University and obtained her MBA from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. She remains highly involved with the Kelley School as an active member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and the Women’s Philanthropy organization at the IU Foundation. She is also the President of the NY-Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications.

Julie Schwam Harris is a New Orleans native, educated in New Orleans Public Schools and a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Newcomb College of Tulane University.  She worked in City Government for 16 years, including the first five post Katrina recovery years, and has led and participated in numerous political campaigns.  She does part-time consulting and is a volunteer advocate on women’s and human rights issues. 

Julie believes that grass roots action and advocacy matter, and that individuals should not only work to elect candidates who support their issues but also communicate with elected officials after they take office.  She helped organize the Legislative Agenda for Women (LAW) coalition, which advocates on issues related to women and families predominantly at the state Legislature.  Issues include access to health care; economic security policies regarding equal pay for women, raising the minimum wage, affordable quality child care, paid sick and family leave and sexual harassment; comprehensive sex education and solutions to violence against women. 

Governor John Bel Edwards appointed Julie to the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission in 2016.Julie is a member and supporter of numerous local, state and national civic, rights and advocacy organizations.

In honor of her work in government and with organizations that seek to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all, Julie was named the 2015 recipient of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Hannah G. Solomon Award and the 2016 recipient of the ACLU Ben Smith Civil Liberties Award.  She has also received the Newcomb Alumnae Association Community Service Award and was an honoree of the New Orleans Family Justice Center and the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. – Epsilon Sigma Chapter.