Meli has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children, expanding access to housing, and assisting in the growth and development of small business in New Orleans. Meli has 18 years of experience working with New Orleans-based non-profits in a variety of roles, including Managing Director, Development Director and Vice President and Executive Director and has expertise in managing strategic partnerships, board recruitment and development, executive-level hiring and fund development design and implementation.
Meli is from Akron, Ohio and has called New Orleans home since 2004. Meli holds Bachelor of Arts degrees from Loyola University, Chicago and Masters Degree from Loyola University, New Orleans.
Colleen is originally from Ithaca, NY and spent 10 amazing years calling New Orleans home. She began her career as a City Year AmeriCorps member and ever since has been an advocate for educational equity. Colleen has over 10 years of experience working with nonprofits and brings expertise in program and people management, staff recruitment, professional development creation and delivery, fund research and development, and grant writing.
Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware and currently lives in central New Jersey with her family.
In her professional life, Kir is interested in contributing to a more just and liberated human existence, while simultaneously acknowledging that this often involves relinquishing and redistributing her own privileges and power. With a background in neuroscience, Kir spent her initial post-college years in scientific research before coming to development and writing as a more fitting and fulfilling way to use her skills. She has spent the past 10+ years working for nonprofits in New York City and her chosen home of New Orleans, where she came in 2016.
Kir has a Bachelor of Arts with high honors in Neuroscience from Oberlin College. She can often be spotted running around New Orleans, having earned the name “Running Lady” from her neighbors. She is qualified for the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials.
Jacqueline is a distinguished educator, researcher and consultant who has spent over two decades empowering individuals and teams to reach their full potential. She brings an unwavering passion for driving innovation, strategic planning, and evidence-based interventions.
With a wealth of academic accomplishments under her belt, Jacqueline holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, a Specialist degree, a Master's degree in Reading Teacher Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of Tampa.
When she's not immersing herself in the world of education, she enjoys gardening and crocheting, indulging in creative pursuits that nurture her artistic side. Most importantly, Jacqueline cherishes spending quality time with her children.
