President

Vice President, Reservations and Customer Care | IHG Hotels & Resorts

Kim Smith is the Vice President of Reservations and Customer Care for IHG Hotels & Resorts, where she leads 3500+ team members committed to creating superior customer experiences for guests. Throughout her 20+ year career, she has served as a Transformation Leader overseeing operations, driving revenue, and leading change in digital and gig economy companies. Prior to IHG, she helped companies like Uber, Shiftgig, TaskHuman and Field Day launch, operate, and scale mobile platforms offering flexible work within the gig economy. Before her work in gig-based marketplaces, Kim spent 15 years as a business development, sales, and product leader for tech companies in the digital media and marketing space. Outside of work, she spends her time traveling, thinking about intentional communities, and working on elaborate Mardi Gras costumes, all while soaking up the sounds, sights, sports, and sweets in the most magical city in the United States - her beloved home of New Orleans.

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Vice President

Founder and President | Levees.Org

After Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures in New Orleans, Sandy Rosenthal founded the non profit Levees.org. Her book, Words Whispered in Water (Mango, 2020) is about how she led an investigative team to expose the culprit in the levee breach disaster––the Army Corps of Engineers. Rosenthal is an advocate for the 62% of the American population living by levees. Sandy hosts a weekly podcast called Beat the Big Guys where she coaches her national audience on how to take on the big guys in their own communities.

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Treasurer

Senior Consultant | Brailsford & Dunlavey

Eileen has over 25 years’ experience managing the university-related real estate development process, from concept through long-term operations. She has deep expertise in public-private partnerships (P3s) that spur innovation, stimulate economic vitality & strengthen workforce readiness. She is a frequently featured speaker on topics ranging from capital financing, facilitating P3s and strategic uses of nonprofits to leadership training and disaster recovery.

Dwan is a global executive, multimedia producer, and manifesting generator with 25+ years of experience in diplomacy, economic development, public policy, and advocacy. She is passionate about fostering collaboration and supporting multi-disciplined creatives and collectives who require unique agency. Her dedication to service and international development has led her to work in various countries, including Tanzania, Haiti, and Mongolia. She also pursued a Master’s in Public Administration at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, where she studied the intersection of culture, organizational leadership, and policy. Dwan’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to substantive change, driven by continuous learning, curiosity, high-risk tolerance, and an affinity for adventure.

In addition to her international endeavors, Dwan has held leadership roles with prominent public and private international brands, including Peace Corps, Turner Broadcasting, CNN, and Cartoon Network. She is now an entrepreneur and Co-Founder of two social impact startups, including a road cycling club and culturally inspired cycling gear and apparel, “Gypsie Roller.” Returning to her hometown of New Orleans, she applies her expertise in cultural impact strategy to lead strong teams dedicated to international affairs and connecting local initiatives to global movements. Dwan’s next fearless leap is propelled by her dedication to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of community-focused leaders and global entrepreneurs. More to come… She echoes M.J.’s words, “Life ain’t so bad at all when you’re living off the wall.”

Tatiana is the Deputy State Director, State of Louisiana for Education Reform Now, & CEO of the Greater American Leadership bringing over 15 years of diverse expertise in community advocacy and engagement. Her career journey encompasses pivotal roles in mental health, second chances, resiliency, diversity, inclusion, education reform, disaster relief, and support for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Prior to her current role, Tatiana served as a Reentry Community Coordinator in Orleans Parish and managed multiple disaster relief programs as a Disaster Program Specialist. She has been an instrumental force in coordinating relief efforts during crises like Hurricane Ida and the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential aid to first responders and affected communities.

Tatiana is an alumna of Latinex Leadership, Ecsell Institute Leadership Academy, Leaders of Color, and Marsiglia Institute of Justice, continually seeking avenues to enhance her leadership and advocacy skills. Currently working on completing her Masters Degree in Business Administration in UC Davis, (California). Her extensive community engagement spans from creating disaster relief curriculums to organizing food drives, workforce development fairs, and coalition-building initiatives. Tatiana's multifaceted involvement underscores her unwavering commitment to fostering resilient communities and driving positive change at both local and statewide levels.

President of the GU272 Descendants Association | Executive Assistant to the CEO of Robert Russa Moton Charter School

Cheryllyn Branche is a native of New Orleans who has enjoyed over 40 years of service in K-12 public and parochial schools in Louisiana and Michigan. Cheryllyn’s career has included teaching, counseling, coaching, school leadership and executive level work.

While having been a credentialed School Turnaround Specialist through the University of Virginia and awarded an Educator Excellence Award for the State of Louisiana, was an honor, Cheryllyn’s most cherished educational accomplishment was being principal of her high school alma mater, Xavier University Prep. Honored in 2022, Cheryllyn was chosen as a Louisiana Role Model by the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Links, Inc. She is also a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Dillard University and Southern University of Baton Rouge Alumni Associations. Cheryllyn continues to serve as a member of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church Parish Council, the Drexel Prep Foundation and the Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation.

Ms. Branche holds a BA in Education, an M.Ed in Counseling and Guidance, certification in Educational Leadership and in Special Education. Cheryllyn is married to James W. Baker, III.

After retiring from full-time work in July of 2020, Susannah volunteered with the Institute of Caribbean Studies. She also served as a United Nations On-line Volunteer editor in support of Community Agriculture and Environmental Protection Association (CAEPA) Cameroon.

From 2009-2020 Susannah Coolidge served as Executive Director of the New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council (now Global New Orleans). From 2000-2009 Susannah was Trade Programs Manager of the World Trade Center of New Orleans. Before that she worked as a French interpreter at Logan International Airport in Boston. She also served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Niger where she implemented maternal and child nutrition programs.

Susannah is past President of the Louisiana Peace Corps Association and served on the Board of the French American Chamber of Commerce/Louisiana Chapter from 2001-2008. She is currently active with a few Carnival organizations as well as the Preservation Resource Center.

Susannah received her bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Tulane University and a master’s degree in urban studies from the University of New Orleans. She has a certificate in pastry arts from the New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute.

Michelle Davis has nearly 15 years of experience as a project director and program manager for international development programs focused on youth, labor rights, and workforce development. She has worked with the International Labor Organization, World Bank, US Government funded consultancy firms, and grassroots organizations in Latin America. Before moving to New Orleans in 2019, she lived abroad for 8 years in Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Australia, and Switzerland and completed short-term work assignments in a dozen other countries. Her international experience has resulted in a lifelong passion for travel and intercultural exchange, and she looks forward to showing international visitors the best of New Orleans.

Michelle holds a BA in International Relations from American University and a MA in International Education Policy from the University of Melbourne. In her free time, Michelle loves visiting friends internationally, enjoying New Orleans music and culture, and spending time outdoors.

New Orleans Jazz Musuem, Director of International Relations

Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility | Moran Towing

Mary McCarthy is a maritime industry environmental, safety, and industry leader based in New Orleans, LA. She currently is the Director of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility for Moran Towing and Transportation, a 160-year old tugboat company headquartered in the New York City area. Prior to joining Moran, she served as the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs with Turn Services and Director of Safety and Quality Systems with Canal Barge Company. Mary has served as Chair of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) and Chair of the American Waterways Operators (AWO) Interregion Safety Committee, and is the is the Co-Founder and President of ADMIRALTY, a networking group for young professionals in the maritime industry. She enjoys participating in New Orleans culture (especially costuming!) and traveling.

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Director of Development & Communications | OneJustice

Zain Tewalthomas (she/her) is the Director of Development and Communications at OneJustice, a California-based nonprofit that brings life-changing legal help to those in need. Zain holds Bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Women's Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Orleans. Zain grew up internationally in Bolivia, Pakistan, Venezuela, and Ukraine. A 13 year resident of New Orleans, she spends as much time as she can engaging in the culture of the city, working on her Mardi Gras costume, and traveling.

OneJustice

Judicial Education Coordinator | Louisiana Supreme Court

Flora P. Williams grew up overseas, which sparked a life-long interest in international cultures. After graduating with a BA in English, she worked abroad in England and Japan before settling in New Orleans, where she earned an MA in English from the University of New Orleans. She went on to coordinate international programming at the Consulate General of Japan and to lead the World Affairs Council of New Orleans. She now assists the state's 382 judges with their judicial educational needs while also volunteering with GNO, the Japan Society of New Orleans, and the local chapter of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program alumni association.

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