Baton Rouge Community Leaders Class of 2007
Funmilayo Adedeji
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
Member LSU Staff Senate, Former Board of Director Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs, Inc.
Interests: Arts and culture, Education, Housing and homeless, Environmental, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Mental health, Philanthropy/foundations, Social and human services, Other
Skills: Event planning, Technology
Emel Alexander
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
I seek a non-profit board position that would allow me to utilize my skills in administration and youth program planning. I am employed with a community development corporation as a Youth Programs Director. I have seven years experience working with youth programs and other community organizations. I have a Masters degree is in Public Administration and bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Public Policy.
Interests: Children and youth, Education, Housing and homeless, Social and human services
Skills: Administration/management, Volunteerism, Programming
Kaela Barnett
2+ years of volunteer experience
I am a bright, energetic, hardworking and goal oriented individual who focus is trying to help others help themselves. Currently, I serve as the Senior Administrator for Outreach Programs for the Academic Division of Ochsner Health System in New Orleans. I have received an MPA with a concentration in Public Policy from Southern University and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.
Interests: Arts and culture, Children and youth, Education
Skills: Entrepreneurship, Event planning, Media/public relations, Programming, Long-range planning
Andrea Benjamin
Has board experience
0-1 year of volunteer experience
I appreciate the opportunity to work with your organization. I currently work at the Shaw Group as the Manager of Diversity and also serve of the boards of the Greater Baton Rouge Society of Human Resources and also the Louisiana State chapter board. I take my board responsibilities very seriously and find it personally rewarding to give back to the community. Baton Rouge is my hometown and I am committed to taking an active role in enhancing our city, parish and state.
Interests: Aging/elderly, Education
Skills: Administration/management, Entrepreneurship, Human resources
Shawanna Blaze
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
Shawanna V. Blaze is a native of Shreveport, La and now resides in Baton Rouge, LA. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University (2000) where she received a BA in speech communications and Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (2006) where she received a MPA with a concentration in Public Policy. Ms. Blaze also plans to advance her studies by pursuing a PhD in Public Policy. Since her youth, she has acquired the compassion and innate desire to help others. Blaze constantly strives to obtain a refined understanding of how to become an effective leader who influences
and make a difference in public life. Blaze acceptance on a board will mutually benefit her quality of life and ultimately the lives of others throughout the community. She is interested in working with organizations whose mission includes the belief in hope and humanity, the promotion of educational achievement, technology training, and family wellness.
Interests: Arts and culture, Children and youth, Drugs and Alcohol, Domestic violence, Education, Housing and homeless, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Mental health, Social and human services, Other
Skills: Administration/management, Event planning, Financial management, Fundraising, Media/public relations, Human resources, Education, Health, Public policy, Social services, Technology, Volunteerism
Laddie Bolden
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
This is a most valuable service that is being presented. As the BR community continues to grow, we will be on the cutting edge for providing leadership and guidance. Congratulations and thanks for the vision.
Interests: Children and youth, Education, Health/healthcare/AIDS
Skills: Administration/management, Counseling, Event planning, Media/public relations, Human resources
Sonceree Clark
2+ years of volunteer experience
I am a very out-spoken, individual. I have a very strong personality( that some find overwhelming,) and I have never met a stranger. By trade, I am an advocate, so I have no problem stating my opinions and standing up for the things I believe. By the same token, If I become involved in an organization, I want to be active in every way possible. I never want to be a “T-shirt member” of any group or organization. I am very interested in children and children’s issues. I have a strong affection for children and want to work toward improving our schools and developing programs
that will help children thrive. I am also very interested in helping the elderly. I believe that our elderly are disrespected and under utilized in our society. We should honor them much more. I think that programs which involve the elderly and our children would be a great benefit to this community; and I would eventually like to work toward developing that type of program. I have a great deal to offer a board. I greatly desire to become a more active member of the community. (Considering the lackadaisical attitude of many people, I think a willingness to work is very important.) Having said
that, I also understand that a Board of Directors is in need of, not only willing individuals, but competent individuals as well. Toward that end, I possess strong advocacy skills as well as critical thinking skills. I make a concerted effort to keep an open mind, yet I am not easily swayed from my way of thinking. I have the ability to work well with others, as well as the ability to listen and take direction. Yet, when I feel strongly about an issue, I am very comfortable with stating my position directly as opposed to whispering my views after a decision has been made. From a practical
stance, I believe that I write well and that I speak well. I have strong research skills and I enjoy learning about new issues. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. (In fact, I derive the most satisfaction from being “in the trenches” so to speak.) I work well as part of a team, or alone. If given the proper training, opportunity and forum, I know that I can be an asset to the community as a member of a Board of Directors. I look forward to the challenge.
Interests: Aging/elderly, Arts and culture, Children and youth, Education, Housing and homeless, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Mental health, Social and human services
Skills: Event planning, Legal matters
Audra Collet
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
Over the past couple of years, my family and I have prepared, transported, and served food at a men’s homeless shelter. Although this experience has been rewarding to me, it has also been very frustrating. This volunteer experience along with several others has been instrumental in identifying my true passion. Deeply motivated, I wanted to provide more than just a handout but rather a handup. My desire is to equip these individuals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to improve their lives so that they would never sleep another night in a homeless shelter. My goal in whatever
volunteer endeavor that I engage in is for the permanent improvement of the individual involved.
Interests: Children and youth, Drugs and Alcohol, Domestic violence, Education, Housing and homeless, Philanthropy/foundations
Skills: Administration/management, Board development, Entrepreneurship, Event planning, Financial management, Fundraising, Volunteerism, Long-range planning
Amy Dawson
2+ years of volunteer experience
Emergency Management is my passion! There are 4 main phases of Emergency Management: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. I am committed to any and all preparedness or mitigation efforts that strive to keep Louisiana better equipped to respond and recover from natural or man made disasters.
Interests: Aging/elderly, Arts and culture, Children and youth, Disabled/developmental, Housing and homeless, Environmental, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Social and human services
Skills: Administration/management, Event planning, Long-range planning
Monica Derozan
0-1 years of volunteer experience
Becoming a board member will allow me to assist in the important efforts of community enrichment and empowerment using my skills, background and knowledge. Being a member of a community board will enhance my development both personally and professionally. I look forward to being an active efficient board member.
Interests: Children and youth, Education, Philanthropy/foundations, Social and human services
Skills: Administration/management, Financial management
Rajat Diwan
2+ years of volunteer experience
As a young man that has received so much from my community in my continuous pursuit of my Dental career, I look to provide others with similar opportunities I was so graciously blessed with. I am 21 years of age, born in Baton Rouge, and will be attending LSU School of Dentistry for the next four years. I look forward to being able to help any organization that strives to provide positive influences for youth or educate people of any age. Thank You.
Interests: Arts and culture, Children and youth, Education
Skills: Event planning, Technology, Volunteerism
Net Hamm
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
I believe LANO is a place where I can utilize my multiple talents or get them noticed!!. My graduate education focused on organizational communication and human development, cultural variations in management and leadership styles, as well as teamwork and communication-related behaviors in multicultural and multinational organizations. The following graduate researches are what I believe would benefit most public and private institutions. Graduate Work Focusing on Organizational & Human Development: Analyzing Case Studies from Various Existing Organizations in Different Countries.
• Developing a Marketing Communication Program: The Focus Group: Hispanic and U.S. Latino Consumer Market, Proposed to Robert Evans Jr. & Management Team of Hispanic Consumer Market at James B. Nutter Mortgage and Banker, (July 2003). • Government Policies Towards Ethnic Minorities: A Case Study of Southeast Asian Governments. This was my Masters Thesis. My purpose was to underline the making of best-suited models for the success of strategic institutional policies and implementation (December 1999). • Resource Productivity Maximization and Teamwork Orientation:
Innovative Approaches for the Division of Facilities Planning & Development, the University of Kansas, A Case Study from My Work Experience at the University of Kansas from 1996 to 1998 (September 1998). • Self Advancement & Career Development: Focus on Personal & Professional Experience and Career Change Consultation (December 1998). • Sexual Harassment Solutions: The Matters of Individual Accountability and the Commitment of the Organization and the Supervisory Level: A Case Study from My Work Experience at the University of Kansas from 1996 to 1998 (November 1998).
• Empirical and Theoretical Discussion on The Impact of Culture and Politics on Business Practices and Social Development in East Asian Countries. The paper was aimed to promote practical and advanced knowledge for foreign investors to succeed in East Asian markets (November 1998). • The Relationship Between Political Development and Economic Development Success: Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study developed an effective and fit model for institutional practices by combining leaders’ visions and values with historical and current social and economic
elements (November 1998). • The Inter-Relations Between Modernization, Economic Growth, Political Practices and Particular Religions Around the World (utilizing SPSS). This work aimed to statistically prove whether mainstream cultural factors in terms of values, beliefs, and religions promote or discourage the development of societal institutions (November 1998). • The Making of Leadership Personalities: Theoretical Analysis of Bi-Directional Interactions of Socio-Psychological Background and Ideology of Leaders: A Case Study of the Indonesian Leaders (April 1998). • The
Implementation of Organizational Policies: The Means to Achieve Goal and Strategic Interests: A Case Study of the ASEAN Organization (December 1997). • Interpersonal, Cross-Cultural Communication in Multinational Organizations: The New Recruitment and Management Model for Sales Positions, A Case Study of The U.S. Subsidiary, a Japanese-American Business in Wisconsin (February 1997). • Cultural Awareness Training Programs for Marketing & Inventing New Products in Multicultural Markets: A Case Study from Intercultural Conflicts between Arab-Americans and Coleco Industries Inc. in
Washington (February 1997).
Interests: Education, Housing and homeless, Public policy, Social and human services
Skills: Administration/management, Building and grounds, Counseling, Entrepreneurship, Financial management, Media/public relations, Human resources, Real estate, Research
Tamera Hewitt
2+ years of volunteer experience
I obtained my Bachelors in Sociology with a Criminology Concentration from Louisiana State University in 2003. During my time at LSU I joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and through that medium participated in numerous volunteer activities. Including work with Big Buddy which is where I developed my passion for at risk youth. After that I began my career with Louisiana State Police and while I was there I obtained my Masters of Science in Criminal Justice with a Public Policy Concentration. My research work was concentrated on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System and its policies in the
state of Louisiana. After completing my coursework, I then moved onto the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness as the Assistant Regional Coordinator of Emergency Preparedness.
Interests: Arts and culture, Children and youth, Social and human services
Skills: Event planning
Bobbie Hunter
2+ years of volunteer experience
If possible, I’d like to focus my attention on issues relating to literacy, teen mentoring, liter prevention, or some sort of organization which focuses on area revitalization, or beautification.
Interests: Environmental, Social and human services
Skills: Financial management
Ted James
2+ years of volunteer experience
Ted has a passion for children and is very concerned about their development into productive citizens. Ted is also committed to curing the ills associated with poverty and strengthening our education system. Ted is very active in the community and serves as a mentor and motivational speaker for the youth. Ted strongly believes that we, as a community, should stop focusing our energies me and I but combine and unite those energies on you, we, and us. Ted is an attorney and currently works in the area of public policy.
Interests: Children and youth, Education, Housing and homeless
Skills: Administration/management, Financial management, Volunteerism, Legal matters
Cortny Jarrell
2+ years of volunteer experience
Cortny has a passion for promoting Early Childhood Education and Public Policy. She has a Bachelors Degree in Child Development and a Masters in Public Administration. Cortny’s goal for participating in board development is to create and maintain team building, organization strategies and setting achievable goals that includes performance measures. With this goal in mind, she continues to excel in many areas which include Family Management, Organizational Theory, Human Resources, Constituency Services and Grant Reimbursement. Cortny would serve as an asset to any agency that has a
passion for serving others.
Interests: Aging/elderly, Children and youth, Education, Health/healthcare/AIDS
Skills: Administration/management, Event planning, Fundraising, Human resources
Kimberly LaMotte
2+ years of volunteer experience
I am very excited about board placement because I view it as a different means by which I am able to serve the community. Although I am enjoying a career in real estate, my background is in pharmacy with my last position as Inpatient Pharmacy Manager at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I think that both career choices speak to my engaging personality and detail-oriented focus. I look forward to being involved in an organization that serves children.
Interests: Children and youth, Education, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Social and human services
Skills: Administration/management, Entrepreneurship, Human resources, Volunteerism, Real estate
Alicia Murphy
Has board experience
Has 2+ years of volunteer experience
My philosophy in life is very simple: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” My desire is to help empower and enhance the lives of today’s youth by being a positive role model and to collaborate with organizations that endeavor to help at risk youth. My goal is to help these youth become positive, productive and contributing members of society.
Interests: Arts and culture, Children and youth, Domestic violence, Education
Skills: Counseling, Event planning, Fundraising
Vinita Oberoi
2+ years of volunteer experience
Vinita is an LSU student majoring in French and international studies with a minor in political science. She has four years of experience in volunteering and leadership positions at LSU and her high school, LSMSA. She is interested in helping others through her education and hopes to bring to the board a good attitude, a willingness to learn and work with others to accomplish tasks. As an intern at Kidsave in D.C., Vinita gained some experience with media relations, work with children and adoption.
Interests: Animals, Children and youth, Drugs and Alcohol, Domestic violence, Disabled/developmental, Education, Housing and homeless, Environmental, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Mental health, Social and human services
Skills: Event planning, Fundraising, Media/public relations, Volunteerism, Fluent in French, Spanish and Hindi
Andy Piner
0-1 years of volunteer experience
I look forward to serving my community by lending leadership and business acumen to the non-profit sector.
Interests: Arts and culture, Education, Environmental, Philanthropy/foundations, Community development/parks
Skills: Administration/management, Fundraising, Media/public relations, Technology, Marketing
Laura Poche
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
I’ve been extremely active in my church, school and community since a young girl from Gretna, LA. I’ve practiced transactional law in the private sector for over 17 years which has exposed me and trained me with a special skill set for application in my volunteer work. Most recently, I’ve served as Community Vice President of the Junior League of Baton Rouge which has introduced me to a wonderful array of non-profit organizations in our community which addresses unmet needs of our community. At this juncture in my life, my family, my church and my community are very high
on my priority list and I want to make a positive difference to help those in need by becoming more involved as a board member of a non-profit organization(s) whose mission I find meaningful and purposeful.
Interests: Aging/elderly, Arts and culture, Children and youth, Education, Housing and homeless, Mental health, Philanthropy/foundations, Social and human services
Skills: Administration/management, Board development, Building and grounds, Entrepreneurship, Event planning, Fundraising, Media/public relations, Volunteerism, Programming, Real estate, Long-range planning, Legal matters
Raman Sharma
Has board experience
0-1 years of volunteer experience
Love to serve community and make the World a better and safer place to live.
Interests: Drugs and Alcohol, Domestic violence, Education, Housing and homeless, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Mental health, Information technology
Skills: Administration/management, Counseling, Financial management, Fundraising, Human resources, Technology, Volunteerism, Programming, Legal matters
Anita Thomas
2+ years of volunteer experience
I am very diverse in my volunteer interests. I am active in my church, where I have the opportunity to mentor young men and women. I am an advocate of the arts and feel that all children should be exposed to the arts, no matter their social status. I am also very interested in other cultures (my vision is to travel the world!). I am excited about the opportunity to serve on a community board and look forward to supporting and promoting the wonderful non-profit organizations that enhance the quality of life for so many.
Interests: Animals, Arts and culture, Children and youth, Education, Housing and homeless, Mental health, Philanthropy/foundations, Social and human services
Skills: Administration/management, Counseling, Entrepreneurship, Event planning, Human resources, Technology, Volunteerism, Real estate, Legal matters
Richard Weaver
Has board experience
2+ years of volunteer experience
“There are two things a person should never be angry at: what they can help and what they cannot.” (Plato) Enthusiastic and diligent, I look forward to applying my experience and skills to improve myself as well as the organizations, of which I wills serve.
Interests: Aging/elderly, Children and youth, Education, Health/healthcare/AIDS, Philanthropy/foundations, Insurance
Skills: Administration/management, Counseling, Media/public relations, Human resources, Volunteerism
