An engineering design firm that focuses on meeting community-based needs through water-based infrastructure. Robert Mora, PE, PLS, ENV-SP (Founder & Managing Partner) A professional engineer and land surveyor, Mr. Mora is a founder and managing partner at Batture LLC. Batture is an engineering firm focused on infrastructure planning and design. He has been actively involved in the the New Orleans Professional Chapter of Engineers without Borders and currently serves as the Chapter President. He is a member of the Greater New Orleans Water Collaborative, currently serving on their steering committee. Jennifer Snape (Managing Partner) Jennifer Snape is a Managing Partner in Batture, LLC, a civil engineering and land surveying firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jennifer graduated from Tulane University with her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. She received a Master’s Certificate in Coastal Engineering from Old Dominion University. She has been working as a civil engineer for over 13 years. In 2016, Jennifer was selected as one of fifty Women of the Year by New Orleans City Business and she was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumni award by Tulane University School of Science and Engineering. Jennifer has co-authored two books on Louisiana/Engineering History, Louisiana’s Oil Heritage and Huey P. Long Bridge. Jennifer is involved with multiple non-profit and professional societies, including Groundwork New Orleans, where she has been on the board and acted as treasurer for 4 years, Society of American Military Engineers, where she has held board positions for three years, Engineers Without Borders, and American Society of Civil Engineers.

A New Orleans-based pharmacy and restaurant that offers city-wide delivery of nutritious meals and prescription drugs, with a focus on providing in Diabetes and HIV/AIDS care. Chris Sylvain Chris Sylvain has been a community pharmacist for 34 years working in a major chain as a pharmacy manager, store manager and diabetes trainer before starting Best Life. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at Xavier where he has focused on nutrition and herbal medicine. He is the pastor of Faith Church. He hosts wellness programs on WYLD and WBOK radio stations and the NOATV television station. Cynthia Sylvain Cynthia Sylvain is a Clinical Social Worker who has worked with youths and adults for the past 32 years and currently is a school social worker. Her family owned Dot and Gladys Restaurant which was a successful soul food restaurant in uptown New Orleans for 13 years. She teaches on stress and wellness in churches and other venues to help people live better lives.

Cupcake Fairies is owned by a native New Orleanian sister duo creating delectable custom confections. Cupcake Fairies are best known for their appearance on the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and have also featured their treats at the historic French Market, the Riverwalk, Essence Gospel Show, and the Super Bowl. Husband, uncle, entrepreneur, and traveler. His current goal is to build a system that globally brings the seafood community and government together. Reaping the benefits of technology will help improve processes that directly impact the oceans along with the wildlife within. To do this, it’s all about building a culture around people who are passionate about this vision and are willing to make changes for the better during the toughest times.

A nonprofit that acts as the connective tissue between students, families, high schools and higher education by leveraging the power of relationships to guide students through the academic, social, and financial transition from high school success to college persistence. Paris Woods (co-founder & Executive Director) Paris Woods is co-founder and Executive Director of College Beyond. A first-generation college graduate, Paris earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Harvard University where she studied African American Studies and Education Policy & Management. Paris worked in college admissions, financial aid, and student advising at Harvard, before moving to New Orleans to become the founding Director of Alumni Support for New Orleans College Prep Academies. As a result of her work with NOCP, Cohen College Prep became the #1 open enrollment high school in the city of New Orleans sending students to college. Paris has been honored in Gambit’s 40 Under 40 and as an Innovation Award recipient by the Alliance for Diversity and Excellence. Paris’s and Sarah’s work together supporting New Orleans students has been featured in numerous news outlets including the Times Picayune, Hechinger Report, Education Week, and WWLTV Channel 4 News. Sarah Payne (co-founder & Director of Strategy) Sarah Payne is co-founder and Director of Strategy for College Beyond. Prior to starting College Beyond, Sarah served as the founding Director of College Counseling at Cohen College Prep High School, where she directed College Prep’s college readiness programs and supports and served on the school leadership team. She has worked in state government, education non-profits, and as a middle school teacher, and holds bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and French from Wellesley College. She is a doctoral student in sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where her research is focused on college persistence and post-college outcomes.

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program collects discarded oyster shells from restaurants to be used as a tool to protect the coast and regenerate local oyster populations. Deb leads CRCL’s Volunteer Habitat Restoration Program and our Oyster Shell Recycling Program. She joined CRCL in 2015 and is a broadly trained ecologist. She earned a PhD from Tulane University. Originally from New York, she received her BS in Environmental Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2006 and gained ecology/conservation experience in Dominica (West Indies), Australia, California, and New Hampshire before beginning her graduate studies in New Orleans. She has managed multiple projects, secured funding, directed field crews, authored papers, and taught science at all levels. Most recently, she has served as Lead Bird Bander and Programming Director with the Woodlands Conservancy in Belle Chasse.

A nonprofit organization that provides physically and artistically rigorous dance training at its studios and in schools with a focus on social-emotional development, physical health, leadership skills, and social justice. Laura Stein (co-Founder & Executive Director) Laura Stein is the co-Founder and Executive Director of Dancing Grounds. She also teaches Work It Out, Dancing Grounds’ flagship hip hop dance and fitness class and teaches arts integration workshops for KID smART. Laura previously worked for Community Works of Louisiana as a Site Director and Teaching Artist. Prior to moving to New Orleans, Laura lived in New York City, working in education policy and management. She was Director of Education & Production at Dancewave (2010-2011), NYC Executive Director of RISE (2007-2009), Education Pioneers Fellow (2007), Policy Associate at New Visions for Public Schools (2005-2007) and Program Assistant at the Social Science Research Council (2003-2005). In 2010, she lived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she helped create a girls’ Hip Hop program for Tiny Toones. She received her Masters in Public Administration (M.P.A.) from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service in 2008 and her B.A. in the College of Social Studies from Wesleyan University in 2003. Laura cultivated and developed her true love of dance at Wesleyan, where she studied hip-hop, modern, West African dance and ballet. She subsequently studied hip-hop and street jazz in New York, Los Angeles and London. Jeremy Guyton Jeremy Guyton is a dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist currently serving as the In-School Education Coordinator for Dancing Grounds. He also teaches 2nd-grade dance at Akili Academy of New Orleans. A Los Angeles native, he attended Georgetown University where he received a B.A. in Theatre and Performance Studies in 2012. While at Georgetown, he danced with Groove Theory, a hip-hop team, for three years. Prior to joining the Dancing Grounds staff, Jeremy taught Kindergarten (2012-13, 2013-14) and K-3 Dance (2014-15) at Success Preparatory Academy. He is currently a company member of KM Dance Project and B.U.K.U. Dance Krewe.

A blueberry farm and food hub in Washington Parish connecting local farmers with the resources and information to promote long-term financial and agricultural sustainability in the region. Seth Descant is an international professional for a leading environmental produced water separation company in the Oil and Gas Industry. Seth Descant has seen and experienced first-hand environmental atrocities as well as the impact on the local under-developed communities. Mr. Descant brings his knowledge of ever increasing environmental compliance standards, practical problem solving abilities, and intense drive to see a job done well to implement into Descant Ranch; this is why Descant Ranch will become the leader in carbon neutral blueberry production and processing.

A wellness company that organizes fitness, wellness, and nutrition classes to promote and improve accessibility to healthier lifestyles. April Dupré is a New Orleans native with 14 years of experience in the health & wellness industry, including having a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology. April is also a former New Orleans Saints Saintsation and loves educating others through her passion of dance, fitness & wellness. Her motto: TREAT YA’ SELF! She’s been featured in several local magazines, including being recently selected as one of Gambit’s 40 Under 40 recipients. April’s devoted her entire life to helping others take charge of their lives while finding a healthy mind, body, and spirit balance.

A speech and hearing clinic that provides increased access to patient-centered, hearing-related healthcare. Dr. Lana Joseph received her Bachelor’s degree from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana and her Master’s degree in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans. She also received her Doctor of Audiology degree from Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri, whose program is ranked third in the nation in Audiology. In addition, Dr. Joseph has previous training and experience in management and patient care. She has served as a health care management consultant for a local clinic and worked closely with the Region 1 Director at the Louisiana Office of Public Health in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has also served as a consultant to audiologists throughout the country. She has four years of clinical audiology training at several major hospitals, clinics, and private practice facilities in Houston, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Saint Louis, Missouri, and a one year residency experience at a very successful private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Joseph has also published several articles in various blogs and audiology magazines including Audiology Practices and Hearing Health and Technology Matters. ? Dr. Joseph has a great attitude, caring personality and a niche for building trust with patients and long lasting relationships with health care professionals.

THE PITCH A private, nonprofit childcare center that provides high quality of education to young children, ensures readiness for school for all children by using developmentally appropriate practices, and invests in the development of the whole child, through cooperation of the school, family, staff, and community. Kristi Givens (Founder & Executive Director) Kristi Givens serves is the Owner and Executive Director of Kids of Excellence Learning Center. At Kids of Excellence, we envision a world where every child has equal access to quality education; our mission is to provide the highest quality education to students in our community to prepare students for kindergarten and beyond. She provides executive leadership of all staff, training, coaching, strategic planning, and oversees daily operations for two centers. With over 17 years of experience, Kristi is an instrumental advocate in early childcare development community. Kristi holds a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of New Orleans and a Master’s and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work specializing in Children and Families from Southern University of New Orleans. She is also a Louisiana Pathways Child Care Development Trainer at the highest level, and is a Licensed Child Care Health Consultant. She also holds an Accreditation from the University of Queensland in Level 3 Primary Care Triple P working with Positive Parent Program and holds a National Administrator Credential and CDA PD Specialist for Council for Professional Recognition. Precious Acker (Communications and Partnership Manager) Precious Acker, Communications and Partnership Manager, is a Native New Orleanian with experience in education, nonprofit management, and community development. She has over 5 years experience in nonprofit management helping organizations plan, collaborate, and develop effective communication tools to establish creative ways to interact with the community. Precious holds a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies and Political Science from Agnes Scott College and Master of Arts in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago. Precious has a passion for social justice with an emphasis in youth development and mentoring, she has an eagerness to problem solve and make a difference in community by contributing to organization with new ideas.

A nonprofit organization that grows future innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs through inspiration, engagement, and exposure in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Dr. Calvin Mackie is one of the nation’s most prolific young STEM and Educational Motivational Speakers and Leaders. He is an award winning mentor, an international renowned motivational speaker, and a successful entrepreneur. His message as a mentor, speaker, entrepreneur and former engineering professor continues to transcend race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and time. His passion and talent is totally devoted to helping people unleash their greatness and transcend personal and societal barriers. Operating under the premise that exposure and experience are two important parameters of success, he utilizes unique strategies and methodologies to motivate and inspire. Calvin Mackie has lectured widely throughout the United States, helping people change the way they think about achieving their lifelong dreams through education in general, and STEM specifically. A professional speaker, in 1992 he co-founded Channel ZerO, an educational and motivational consulting company and has presented to numerous civic, educational institutions and Fortune 500 corporations. Over the last 16 years, Dr. Mackie has presented to numerous school districts, educators, universities and corporations across the America. In 2004, Dr. Mackie received the 2003 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in a White House Ceremony. In 2005, he was the featured speaker for the six regional forums for The College Board and the opening speaker for the 50th Anniversary of Advanced Placement (AP) Conference. Mackie has addressed the National School Board Association, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) , National Science Foundation (NSF) and is a frequent speaker at national teacher trainings, school districts, mentoring and technical development conferences. Most recently, Mackie has been lecturing internationally in Kuwait, Nova Scotia and Quebec Provinces of Canada.

An early childcare center located in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward that promotes the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of children to give them the confidence and the tools that will guide them on their life’s journey. Rochelle Wilcox has been an advocate and participant of and for high quality early care and education over 18 years. She has an Associates of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration on Education in Urban Society and in 2013 she became the first childcare provider to sit on the board of Agenda for Children. During her tenure in the early education sector she has performed the gambit of positions from classroom teacher to Executive Director. From this experience and her education was born the philosophy of nurturing the “whole child” which means to promote the physical, cognitive, social-emotional development of young children and provide support to our parents through community resources, partnerships and parent education.

A sustainable development platform that makes social and environmental impact profitable through its simple business assessment and green business certification program. Liz Shephard (CEO) Liz is trained as an energy rater, water policy analyst, LEED Green Associate, and facilitator. After graduating with honors and distinction at Carleton College, Elizabeth was hired by her college as an Environmental Studies Associate to serve as the school’s sustainability coordinator, where she also built connections to the city of New Orleans. Originally from the Gulf Coast, Elizabeth moved to Louisiana to teach Earth Science and worked in the environmental non-profit field for nearly 3 years. Daughter of two independent business owners and as a previous steering committee member of Social Entrepreneurs for New Orleans (now Propeller), Elizabeth is passionate about making business sustainable. She leads the Green Chamber of Commerce Green Committee and serves on event committees for greening the Superbowl, NCAA events, and other special conferences like the USGBC Green Build Conference. She serves as Chair of the Caring for Creation Committee at Rayne Memorial Methodist Church and is an active community member. Recently, Elizabeth was chosen as one of the top 50 Business Women of the Year by CityBusiness, a local New Orleans newspaper. Jessica Nehrbass (Director of Impact) Jessica’s passion is employing social enterprise models for community development. As the Social Enterprise Consultant for LifeCity, she is excited to share her technical skills to improve local business’ social and environmental impact. This passion grew over her last four years in Washington, D.C. where she completed a one-of-a-kind Masters degree in Social Enterprise at American University’s School of International Service. She also facilitated an international development program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Before returning to New Orleans where she was born and raised, she conducted a community needs assessment for a women’s empowerment social enterprise in Costa Rica. She has lived in four countries and is proficient in Spanish and French. Jessica’s other passions include learning about Latin American cultures and growing her Christian prayer life. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Economics from the University of Richmond. Molly Richard (Account Manager) Molly Richard is an Account Manager for LifeCity. She has a background in local food systems, community organizing, event planning, and campaign management. Molly is a native of Lafayette, LA, and an alumni of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she graduated with a B.A. in World Religion and a minor in Human Rights. She served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest in Billings, Montana, working with farmers and ranchers to protect water and land rights. Molly returned to Louisiana to manage the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market at the Horse Farm. She also worked as a Housing Case Manager and Community Engagement Coordinator for Catholic Services of Acadiana, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the Acadiana region. A strong believer in the power of collaborative impact, Molly is excited to work alongside companies, individuals, and organizations in setting and achieving measurable goals to build a more sustainable New Orleans.

A local urban produce provider operating a climate-controlled indoor urban farm, providing sustainably grown produce that is harvested within a single day of reaching its customer’s table. v

A non-profit urban farm fostering physical wellness and positive environmental impact in metro New Orleans through farm-to-fork education and sustainable, free-range agricultural methods. Sharessa Garland moved to New Orleans in 2010 from New York state with over seven years of animal-husbandry and farming experience then worked at Audubon Zoo for five years. As a parent, she quickly identified the need for a place where children in the metropolitan New Orleans area could learn about farming, humane animal husbandry, and where they could meet and interact with farm animals in their own environment. She worked hard to identify a location within Orleans Parish where she could make her vision a reality and where she could share the values that farming can bring forth. With support of members of the community, she was able to purchase the land to create Sugar Roots Farm in October, 2014. With the support of volunteers from the community, Garland cleared the land and built enclosures, shelters, and basic infrastructure. Sugar Roots Farm has since become a destination for many school-aged children to learn about farming and farm-to-table concepts. She obtained a non-profit status for Sugar Roots Farm in January of 2016. Sugar Roots Farm was selected as a venture in the Propeller Accelerator program in the Fall of 2016. She was sought out and served as a workshop presenter on backyard chickens at the 2016 Farm To Table Experience in New Orleans.