To assist with growth and provide insights and expertise into the work, we have welcomed 12 professionals in the field of trauma and education to join our Advisory Board. The Coalition’s Advisory Board will engage in the development and oversight of grant activities to review performance data and use that data to determine whether Coalition activities are having the intended impact and to suggest adjustments to the project. The Advisory Board will also provide direct support and consultation to partner schools to support the development of action plans for specific trauma-informed programming.
Current Advisory Board
Dr. Amanda AikenDr. Amanda Aiken is a seasoned expert in Leadership Development, an accomplished Executive Coach, a visionary Social Impact Entrepreneur, and a dedicated education systems leader. As the Owner and Principal Consultant of A.Leigh Solutions, Dr. Aiken spearheads initiatives for foundations, non-profits, school districts, educational institutions, and social impact enterprises. Dr. Aiken’s rich career in the education sector include Senior Chief and Schools Officer for NOLA Public Schools, Charter Network Leader, and School Leader. Dr. Aiken has made significant contributions to higher education in her roles as an Adjunct Professor at Tulane University, a Teaching Fellow and Academic Advisor at Harvard University, an Adjunct Professor with Relay Graduate School of Education, and an Internship Coach with Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Aiken’s holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership from Harvard University and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. A. Leigh Solutions
Troi BechetTroi Bechet is the founder and CEO of the Center for Restorative Approaches. Troi earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of New Orleans and Master’s in Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans and has over 25 years of administrative experience. Prior to her work with CRA, she worked as the Director of the Community Building Initiative at Neighborhood Housing Services, and served as the Director of the New Orleans Theater Association, as well as the Vice President of Operations at the Private Industry Council of New Orleans. Center for Restorative Approaches
Adrinda KellyA native New Orleanian and proud New Orleans Public Schools graduate, Adrinda “Drin” Kelly credits her incredible Black teachers for her resilience, drive, and unrelenting belief in the assets of Black education. Prior to her nonprofit work, Adrinda worked as an education editor in New York focused on developing college preparatory resources for underrepresented students. Adrinda was the national managing director of staff diversity, equity, and inclusiveness strategy at Teach For America and led several initiatives focused on strengthening staff and alumni communities of color. Adrinda graduated with a B.A. in English from Harvard University and holds an M.A. in Humanities and Social Thought from New York University. She is an active member of the McDonogh #35 Alumni Association and is a Fall 2018 Pahara NextGen Fellow. Black Ed NOLA
Rannie MushattRannie Mushatt III is a lifelong resident of New Orleans. He is a graduate of McMain High School, the University of New Orleans, and Spring Arbor University where he obtained a Master of Education. He worked his way up through the ranks of the New Orleans Police Department where he served from 1983 to 2018. Rannie retired as a Deputy Superintendent in charge of the Investigation and Support Bureau. During his years with the New Orleans Police Department he partnered with sereval schools in New Orleans in an effort to bridge the gap between the community and the police department. Some of his work in schools included working with students to beautify their campus by building flower boxes across the campus. The connection made with students during this time was more about building relationships and mentoring students. Rannie also brought his passion for reading into his school mentoring. He encouraged students to find joy in reading by exploring different ways to read such as using technology. After working years in the police department, Rannie had first-hand experiences about how poverty and community violence can impact mental health. New Orleans Police Department (Retired)
Dr. Rosaura Orengo-AguayoRosaura Orengo-Aguayo, PhD (Ella/She) is an Associate Professor and bilingual Clinical Psychologist at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center within MUSC. She completed a BA in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, a MA and PhD at The University of Iowa, and an NIMH postdoctoral fellowship in traumatic stress research at MUSC. Dr. Orengo-Aguayo co-directs the World Changers Lab at MUSC & Puerto Rico, with Dr. Regan W. Stewart. She directs the Puerto Rican Center for Intervention and Training in Trauma. Her team has published several publications on the impact of disasters on youth mental health, and the implementation and dissemination of in-person and telehealth delivery of Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Latin America and US. She is a co-author in the first telehealth manual available in Spanish. Dr. Orengo-Aguayo is an expert in Psychological First Aid and was interviewed by the US Surgeon General for his podcast on the Impact of Natural Disasters on our Mental Health. Medical University of South Carolina
Melanie RichardsonMelanie Richardson, MSW, LMSW is a native of New Orleans. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame, a Master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania, and completed a specialist degree in community college teaching from Arkansas State University. Melanie is the co-founder and executive director of TrainingGrounds in New Orleans since 2016, working to fill gaps in early childhood care and education. In 2017, Melanie opened a free and accessible We PLAY Center where caregivers and children learn together. Melanie volunteers by serving as Co-Chair of the March of Dimes Steering Committee, Louisiana Department of Health’s Child Death Reviews Committee, Louisiana Parenting Education Network Advisory Committee, NewPromise Venture Early Childhood Leaders of Color Steering Committee, and New Orleans Parent Leadership Collaborative Steering Committee. Training Grounds
Kristen RomeBorn and raised in New Orleans, Kristen A. Rome has over a decade of social and criminal justice experience. Having completed an externship with the Orleans Public Defenders Office and participated in the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic & Center for Social Justice, Kristen opened a criminal defense practice with her father upon admission to the Louisiana Bar. Kristen maintained a focus on ending juvenile life without parole; successfully advocating for parole eligibility in several cases. Kristen holds a BA in Political Science from Spelman College, an English Law Certificate from The London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. In addition to her legal work, Kristen is a certified holistic doula, a mentor with Project Butterfly and a former Professor of American Constitutional Law at Shanghai International Studies University School of Law. Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights
Erin SimsErin Sims is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor based in New Orleans, Louisiana, with over a decade of experience in school-based mental health. She currently serves as the Director of Advocacy for Communities In Schools of the Gulf South (CISGS), leading the organization’s outreach and policy efforts. In addition to her work at CISGS, Erin serves on the LDOE’s Success Through Attendance Task Force, the Regional Advisory Council to Metropolitan Human Services District, and co-chairs the Louisiana Mental Health Association’s School-Based work group. Her dedication to student well-being is fueled by a passion for ensuring that all students have access to quality mental health resources in school and their broader community. Communities in Schools
Dr. Lauren TeverbaughDr. Teverbaugh is the supervisor of clinical services provided by trainees in Jefferson and Orleans Parish school based health clinics and a pediatric psychiatrist at both Children’s Hospital and community health center, JeffCare (JPHSA). She is currently a distinguished fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar’s Program and the Clinical Director of emPOWER NOLA. Dr. Teverbaugh has a diverse background in research and work centered around social and community activism including the behavioral effects of lead poisoning on children in Kingston, Jamaica, perinatally HIV infected children and their families, health care disparities among the medically underserved, global health, community psychiatry, trauma-affected youth, and public health and policy. Her career interests include medically complex children and children with chronic medical illnesses and psychosocial dysfunction. She utilizes an interdisciplinary treatment model that is culturally sensitive and uniquely tailored address the health needs of communities of color. emPOWER NOLA
Dr. Danielle WrightDr. Danielle Wright is a licensed clinical social worker and public health practitioner with over 10 years of experience in the areas of trauma, toxic stress, infant mental health, social and emotional learning and disaster mental health. She has a Doctorate degree of Social Work and a Master’s degrees in both Social Work and Public Health, all from Tulane University. Dr. Wright has worked across various settings including: clinical mental health, public health, schools, and early childhood learning centers. She served as an adjunct clinical field faculty member at Tulane University. Dr. Wright is the Founding Director of Navigate NOLA, the child well-being division of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice. In addition to her role at Navigate NOLA, Dr. Wright is also a therapist, in private practice, at Atlas Psychiatry. Dr. Wright is committed to making a difference in her community and enriching the lives of the New Orleans citizenry. Navigate NOLA
