Executive Leadership Committee
2012 Executive Leadership Applications are now open!
Apply now: http://evacuteer.org/2012-executive-leadership-application
The evacuteer.org Executive Leadership Committee is charged with developing and maintaining the programs, policies and vision for the organization along side the Board of Directors. In these volunteer roles, the Executive Leadership Committee fill roles in Sustainability, Operations, Communications, Special Projects and serve as liaisons to both the Mayor's Office and City Council.
In the event of an evacuation, the Operations Team will take on even greater responsibility by coordinating the evacuation to maximize the use of our independent evacuteers and our partner organizations.
Kataalyst Alcindor
Communications Committee, Liaison to the Board of Directors
kataalyst@evacuteer.org
Kataalyst began cutting his teeth at local open mic cafes and local talent shows, since then he has performed on such stages as Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA. As a spoken word artist and nationally known slam poet, Kataalyst, once a member of Team SNO, (a competitive poetry team representing New Orleans) made history by becoming a part of the 2010 Group Piece National Champions at the 2010 National Poetry Slam competition. Featured on networks such as NBC, CNN and ABC, he graced the August 29th, 2010 cover of USA Today marking the fifth year commemoration of Hurricane Katrina. Dedicated to revitalizing hearts and minds through his artistry, Kataalyst continues to inspire internal light, burning barricades of ignorance to the ground, and setting stages ablaze.
Alcindor on evacuteer.org:
Through out history time has shown that in times of distress it is a collection of people banded together for one common good that preserves us from certain destruction. We believe in the preservation of the human connection within the great city of New Orleans. Simply put, evacuteer.org is hope you can believe in.
John Michael Early
Operations Committee
john.michael@evacuteer.org
John Michael Early is a native of Mid-City and a graduate of Jesuit High School. In addition to dual degrees in History and Economics from LSU, he also earned a minor in Disaster Science and Management, which included an internship at the New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness.
John-Michael teaches high school English at Sojourner Truth Academy as a member of Teach For America's 2010 Greater New Orleans corps. Additionally, he plays in the local funk/rock band Flow Tribe and is a Nationally Registered EMT.
Early on evacuteer.org:
For New Orleanians, evacuteer.org gives us a sense of comfort and hope. It means that our citizens, regardless of means, can live free from fear. Only with this collective peace will our city continue to grow and prosper, bringing its natives home, and drawing new residents to take a risk and explore all that New Orleans has to offer.
For the rest of the world, evacuteer.org helps prove that New Orleans can and will live with the water. It demonstrates that we are forward thinking, responsible, and that we have the initiative and creativity to embrace our history and geography
Amanda Fay
Special Projects/Communications
amanda@evacuteer.org
Amanda was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA, but ventured down to the Big Easy to go to Tulane University. She graduated in May 2011 with a degree in Public Health and will be attending Tulane's school of Public Health and Tropical Medicine to obtain a master's in Healthcare Administration. She has seen New Orleans come back to life since Katrina, but always wanted to help in any way possible for a future storm. During her internship at the New Orleans Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Amanda found her niche in evacuteer.org. She was the evacuteer.org intern for 2010-2011 academic year and looks forward to a larger role in the future!
Fay on evacuteer.org:
Since I wasn’t here during Hurricane Katrina, I can’t tell you what it was like to be trapped in the city without a way out. I can’t tell you about living in the Superdome with 26,000 of my neighbors. I can’t tell you what it was like to be relocated apart from my family and have my life turned upside down. I can tell you that evacuteer.org is doing everything in its power to make sure that no one has that story again in the event of another hurricane.
Sayde Finkel
Chair, Special Projects Committee
sffinkel@nola.gov
Sayde Finkel is the Director of Special Projects for New Orleans City Council President Arnie D. Fielkow, and serves as evacuteer.org’s liaison to the City Council as well as assisting with evacuteer.org's Development & Sustainability endeavors. With the Councilmember, Sayde is responsible for community development programming, policy implementation, and special event project management. Sayde will serve as the City Council's main line of communication to evacuteer.org throughout the 2011 hurricane season. Originally from New York State, Sayde graduated from Brandeis University where she earned degrees in History, Medieval & Renaissance Studies, and Fine Arts before attending Tulane University Law School to study Art Law and Public Policy. Sayde currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Young Leadership Council and Community Works of Louisiana, as well as the advisory council for 504ward and Young Artists Young Aspirations, Inc.
Finkel on evacuteer.org:
Having moved to New Orleans just two weeks prior to Hurricane Katrina, I found myself happily settling into a magical, new city. I think back to those first few days which I spent immersing myself in a whole new world -- one rich with music, food, and a passion for life. My evacuation memories seem almost as surreal as those pre-Katrina afternoons; a drastic and immediate shift occurred as I went from absorbing every drop of the city's culture to escaping the gridlock of I-10 and the threat of a looming storm. I found shelter in a Best Western conference room and watched with disbelief and horror as reports showed so many others left behind - stranded as the waters rose and supplies ran low.
I returned in January 2006, driven by a strong commitment to the city of New Orleans. Looking back, the greatest asset of this recovery has been our unity in restoring what is truly one of America's brightest gems. Looking forward, we must continue to plan strategically to assemble and systematize city resources, nonprofit organization expertise, the strength of our law enforcement, and our enthusiastic volunteer base to ensure the timely and respectful evacuation for all of our citizens!
Laine Frey
Chair, Operations Committee
laine@evacuteer.org
Liaison for independent evacuteers
After evacuating from Hurricane Katrina on her first day as a freshman at Tulane, Laine returned ready to help bring back the people and culture that defined a New Orleans she barely knew. While still a full-time student, she joined AmeriCorps and gained deep respect for the people of New Orleans as she helped them rebuild their homes.
Not only did she experience the resilience of New Orleanians, she also learned how to make the deepest possible impact as she became the leader of dedicated volunteers. She gained invaluable resource and volunteer coordination skills that she plans to continue to put to use in every facet of emergency management and recovery in New Orleans today. Since graduating in May of 2009, Laine has spent her time loving the city as her home. Whether walking her two dogs along the levee, being smuggled by Jazz Fest veterans to the third row of the Blues Tent for B.B. King or trying to explain crawfish to her mother in New Hampshire, she never fails to feel that she is living in a unique place full of unique people to be cherished.
Frey on evacuteer.org:
When I had to evacuate for Gustav in August of 2008, I experienced an anxiety I will never forget. Having previously fled in the face of Hurricane Katrina three years earlier, I couldn’t help but worry on a very deep level that I would not be back home in just a few days. One thing I never had to worry about was the logistics of getting out of the city. It is a far easier choice to evacuate when you only have get in your own car and drive off. It certainly helps as well if (like me) you have a friend who is ready to hold your hand and support you the whole way. Once safely home in NOLA, I jumped at the chance to be a part of the Gustav re-entry. Never before had I so well understood how much a sense of safety and support could mean, both before and after the danger had passed. I became a part of Evacuteer so that every person in New Orleans could feel a little bit of that safety and support, even in the frightening moments when a hurricane threatens what we love.
Emma Storm Herr
Director of Development
emma@evacuteer.org
Emma Herr began her one-year term as Director of Development through a partnership with the AmeriCorps VISTA program through Tulane University Center for Public Service. Emma will serve from December 2010 through December 2011.
Emma hails from New York City, and her first time stepping foot in New Orleans came on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. As a member of the first class to come to Tulane following the storm, she has seen the city grow in leaps and bounds but fall short in many aspects as well. Upon graduation in May 2010, she knew she wanted to stay and work in New Orleans. She joins Evacuteer.org as an Americorps VISTA through Tulane's Center for Public Service and will serve as evacuteer.org’s first director of development focusing on crafting a five year strategic growth plan for the organization and identifying traditional and non-traditional funding opportunities.
Herr on evacuteer.org:
Born and raised in New York, I never owned a car. When Hurricane Gustav approached New Orleans, I relied on the kindness of friends and strangers to evacuate. I understand the feelings of helplessness for those without access to transportation. Two years later, I am still in New Orleans, armed with a license and a commitment to working full-time for evacuteer.org’s mission to safely evacuate all residents without reliable evacuation transportation. Every citizen has a right to safe evacuation transportation and refuge in the face of disaster and I’m excited to contribute to the vision of evacuteer.org.
Luke Hoar de Galvan
Operations Committee
luke@evacuteer.org
Luke Hoar de Galvan arrived to New Orleans from Boston as a Team Leader for City Year Louisiana, serving at Carver High School. He now manages recruitment and operations for City Year, is a founding member of the Krewe of Mariah, is a right hand man for Dear New Orleans and DJ’s at the Hi Ho Lounge on Wednesday nights.
Sara Hudson
Special Projects, Sustainability, Operations
sara@evacuteer.org
Sara Hudson hails from Texas but she and her cowboy boots did a permanent boot scootin’ boogie down I-10 to New Orleans as soon as they possibly could. Some know her as the writer behind 504ward’s emails; others as a temporary dog walker of a dog with an extraordinarily long snout (and a second dog who can’t actually see anything). The only times you’ll see her sedentary are when she’s writing or reading; otherwise, look for her speeding along on her bicycle, running around the Bayou, laughing out on the dance floor, or volunteering at whatever festival New Orleans has to offer that weekend, where she somehow always winds up as the volunteer giving you your beer. (No complaints there.)
Hudson on evacuteer.org
In the first six months after I arrived in New Orleans, I lost my entire graduate student career when a thief stole my computer and back-ups. I was attacked by pit bulls while training for a breast cancer run. Three friends died of carbon monoxide poisoning, and another was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer. I had my nose almost broken by a falling nut while I was biking. I was hit by a drunk driver. It didn’t matter. New Orleans is the place I love. Nothing changes that. I believe in the power of this city, and I believe the power of this city comes from its people. I believe everyone – everyone – has the right to safely evacuate and safely return, no matter who they are, how they look, where they live, or what they make. Evactueer.org makes that happen. This is our home, and we take care of our own. New Orleans is my home; evacuteer.org lets me help take care of my own.
Lynetria "Fresh" Johnson
Chair, Communications Committee
Fresh@evacuteer.org
Fresh Johnson was born and raised in various neighborhoods of the 9th ward as far out as Burgundy and as far back as the East. After graduating from Eleanor McMain, she ventured down I-10 to Lafayette Louisiana to attend ULL, majoring in Mass Comm-Broadcasting with a minor in Hospitality Management. Upon graduation, Fresh came back home to take her place on the airwaves hoping to use her voice to speak to a city praised for its cultural treasures but judged for its tainted past with one goal in mind: find out where help is needed...and jump right in. As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she's no stranger to community service. Currently Fresh juggles her role as Production Manager for the New Orleans cluster of CItadel Broadcasting, a weekend slot on Power 102.9 and event planning with Elle R Jae Events. Organization affiliations include Communicatons Chair for evacuteer.org, and member of the local chapter of The National Associations of Black Journalists, serving on various committees.
Johnson on evacuteer.org:
We never evacuated for storms, my family figured if they made it through Betsy, then they can make it through anything. Something was different about Katrina from the very beginning and I still get chills when I think about the moment the levees broke. All I could think about was how happy I was that my family left. I was in Lafayette for school and just listening to all the stories that my peers would share about family that didn't leave left a mark on my heart. Everyone deserves a fair chance to evacuate and its a personal goal of mine to help them do just that. When I first found out about evacuteer.org, I was anxious to learn more and I'm honored to be a part of such an amazing organization whose mission is to do what some may call impossible.
New Orleanians are a different breed of people, we hear music when the room is silent, we celebrate even when the mood is grim, there's even rhythm in our walk and our accents are melodic...we're dying to be heard in so many areas and Evacuteer is definitely answering the call. Being able to utilize resources, strategize and carry out a solid plan all in order to help a city during such weak a time is conducive to a strong future. Not only are we evacuating people to a safe place, but we're bringing them back...coming back is the best part; its home.
David W. Morris
Operations Committee
david@evacuteer.org
David W. Morris is NOLA born and bred. After moving away for several years and starting a career as a political consultant in Mississippi, David realized what all true New Orleanians do- there is no staying away! Currently, David has shelved his consultant hat for the opportunity to work in the Mayor's office, which means he's lucky enough to get to fuse his passions for politics and giving back to New Orleans on daily basis.
Morris on evacuteeer.org:
Three days after riding out Hurricane Katrina in Hattiesburg, MS, I finally made it to a working television in Monroe, LA. Watching the national coverage of what was happening in here New Orleans left me feeling angry, embarrassed, and helpless. When I heard about evacuteer.org, I knew this was something I was going to be a part of. The beauty of evacuteer is that it reigns in and leverages the power of everyday people who are just looking for a chance to do the right thing. Between evacuteer.org and the best, most committed emergency preparedness officials around, we're poised to prove to the world that New Orleans gets it: People come first.
Fred Neal Jr.
Operations Committee
fred@evacuteer.org
Fred is an associate planner with Villavaso and Associates, a professional planning firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fred considers Baton Rouge and New Orleans his “Co-Hometowns” and is a graduate of LSU. He is a member of the board of directors of Transport for NOLA and also a member of the board of directors and executive committee of EngageNOLA. Additionally, Fred is a volunteer reader at WRBH 88.3 FM Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped, and a member of the AmericaSpeaks national volunteer facilitator network.
When not planning or thinking about urban development Fred loves to run, play tennis, frequent locally owned coffee shops, host bbq’s, and tailgate for LSU and Saints games. Fred also is big fan and frequenter of the New Orleans live music scene, however his first musical love is traditional gospel music and soul music.
Neal on evacuteer.org
Living basically my entire life in South Louisiana, I never thought about evacuating for hurricanes, even in the previous “bad storms” within my life time including Hurricane Andrew. From my perspective we got wind and maybe some water, a few days out of school/work to clean up/wait for the power to come back on, and just dealt with the rest.
However, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike changed not just my perspective, but that of many residents of the Gulf Coast. Beyond the inherent danger of the actual storm event something just a devastating became apparent to me, that some people who wanted to evacuate were not able to leave the city, not because they thought like I used think about storms, but because they didn’t have the resource to leave and there was not an adequate system in place to transport and house people who needed to evacuate.
I hope that my work with evacuteer.org can help to connect ongoing advocacy surrounding transportation choice and access to transportation with the need for efficient and sustainable evacuation systems available to every resident of New Orleans no matter their age, income, neighborhood, or social status.
Nick Roosevelt
Operations Committee
nick@evacuteer.org
Liaison to evacuteer.org partner groups: Catholic Charities of New Orleans, Phoenix of New Orleans, St. Bernard Project, Tulane Center for Public Service, Tulane School of Social Work
Nick Roosevelt originally hails from Berkeley, California. Nick was bitten by the NOLA bug while helping rebuild the Mother-in-Law Lounge for Miss Antoinette K-Doe in 2006. Nick came back to New Orleans shortly after finishing school at the University of Pennsylvania in the Spring of 2008 and has lived here since. He has worked as a Tulane University AmeriCorps VISTA at The Green Project and as Director of Special Program Development for Providence Community Housing. He currently works in the City of New Orleans' Office of Facilities, Infrastructure, and Community Development.
Roosevelt on evacuteer.org:
Eastbank, westbank. Uptown, Downtown. Lakeside, riverside. Native, or fresh recruit. It doesn't matter where you went to High School, evacuteer.org gives every New Orleanian the opportunity to team up against some of this city's greatest challenges.