Our team is passionate about making an impact.
Data Manager
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An experienced Special Education instructor prior to joining NOCC, Eric knows the stories behind the spreadsheets. At NOCC, he maintains student records, databases, and information systems, then analyzes the data to find trends and organizational impact. In a prior role at NOCC, Eric supported trainees who needed accommodations in the classroom and on credential exams. Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Social Science.
Clean Team Member
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This bio is being updated. Please check back at a later time.
Hospitality Management
and Culinary Arts Instructor
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Chef Brooke’s love of hospitality and food began during her first restaurant job at age 16. After 14 years of hotel management and fine dining experience, she walked into a California classroom to teach kids to cook and has been teaching young people and adults culinary arts and hospitality ever since. Brooke holds an associate’s degree in Culinary Arts, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Hospitality Management, along with multiple industry credentials. She is a Certified Hospitality Instructor, ServeSafe Manager, and Guest Service Professional.
Medical Assisting Instructor
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An early childhood teacher for a decade, Raegel then pursued Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assisting certifications and spent 10 years in a wide range of clinical settings before joining NOCC. “I’m very happy to combine these two things. It’s really what I think I’m here on earth to do.” She is also a Basic Life Support and CPR instructor.
Nursing Instructor
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Jeraneta joined NOCC from Ochsner’s Neuroscience department, where she was a member of the comprehensive stroke team. At NOCC, she instructs trainees in the pre-nursing pathway, imparting her knowledge of real-life nursing environments from her experiences in a variety of nursing settings such as Medical-Surgical Nurse, Orthopedic Nurse, Cardiology Nurse, as well as being a Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator and Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse. Jeraneta is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), is ACLS/BLS and IV certified, and is a certified CPR instructor.
Medical Assisting Instructor
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Dishawna Dominque has worked as both a Medical Assistant and Surgical Technologist in hospitals, emergency rooms, and clinics. As a Surgical Tech, she also trained in sterile processing to better understand her role in health sciences. As an instructor, she loves learning what draws trainees to the medical field , which allows her to then guide trainees in discovering more. Dishawna is a certified Surgical Technologist and certified Medical Assistant.
Building Trades: Industry and Partnerships
Manager + Instructor
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A Master Electrician, Janelle honed her craft over 20 years working on flood-damaged homes and commercial projects. She became a trades instructor specifically to increase minority leadership roles and participation in the electrical industry.
Director of Facility and Transportation
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In this role, Lisa oversees day-to-day operations of NOCC’s new building and manages trainee transportation to and from their high schools. Encalade previously worked in operations for InspireNOLA Charter Schools, Renew Charter Schools and the Recovery School District.
Healtchare Training Assistant
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As a high school junior at NOCC, Khaija completed the two-year Medical Assistant training and earned her MA certification in one year. As an NOCC senior, she earned college credits through Chamberlain University School of Nursing’s N2N scholarship program. Now a full-time BSN student, Khaija works per diem in University Medical Center’s Emergency Department and at NOCC, where she practices nursing skills with trainees and applies classroom lessons to real-world scenarios. Khaija will graduate from Chamberlain in Spring 2023.
Chief Strategy Officer
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Jake brings 10 years of teaching and education leadership experience to NOCC. He is a seasoned strategic planning lead and worked to build and implement a 10-year vision for learning and community at a New Orleans public school. He also worked as a school leader and strategist for Teach for America and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Jake holds a master’s degree in Education Leadership, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is a nationally board-certified teacher.
Director of Work-Based Learning
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As Director of Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeships, Courtney develops industry relationships and apprenticeship opportunities to optimize their impact for trainees. She holds a Master’s degree and is certified in Autodesk AutoCAD, Inventor, and Revit, as well as Project Lead the Way’s Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Civil Engineering/ Architecture. She also serves as NOCC’s School Champion for the ACE Mentor Program of America.
Medical Assisting Instructor
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A Certified Medical Assistant, LaPorshia brings more than 10 years of professional experience in multi-physician family medical practices, in both hospital-based and private practice clinical settings to her teaching position. Prior to joining NOCC, she worked as a Pediatric Neurosurgery clinic Medical Assistant at Ochsner. At NOCC, she teaches in the Medical Assistant program, ensuring students master all the skills required for certification, including Basic Life Support. She is certified in Basic Life Support in addition to her CMA certification.
Digital Media and IT
Training Manager & Instructor
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As an experienced graphic designer and art, graphic deisgn, and technology instructor, Rickey brings the perfect combination of skills and experience to develop NOCC’s digital media and production pathways. Most recently, he served as CTE Coordinator for New Orleans College Prep.
Chief Program Officer
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Carlin’s decade-plus of experience in education, school leadership, and systems-level work have perfectly equipped him to manage school partnerships, hiring and supporting CTE instructors, student recruitment, scheduling and pathway progressions. He also monitors the industry-based credentialing (IBC) process for instructors and students, managing dual enrollment partnerships with local colleges and universities, and more. Carlin is a member of ACTE, The Louisiana Educator Voice Fellowship, New Leaders for New Schools, and the former Gulf River Parishes Jump Start team. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of New Orleans.
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
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After 15 years leading classrooms and schools, Claire vowed to broaden the horizons of New Orleans high school students. She resigned as principal of New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics Charter School to focus on developing an innovative career and technical education option for New Orleans. This led to the founding of NOCC in 2017 with her at the helm. Today, she continues to lead NOCC’s vision and growth, as well as a team of 18 dedicated professionals. Claire holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Education Leadership. She chairs the Youth Committee of the City of New Orleans Workforce Development Board, serves on the City of New Orleans Office of Workforce Development Task Force and the YouthForce NOLA Steering Committee, and participates in the Aspen Forum for Community Development and the Louisiana Skills Coalition.
Case Manager
Clean Team Lead
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A member of NOCC’s Clean Team, Frederick helps ensure our building stays clean, safeand compliant. His background in construction and having owned his own landscaping business make him a valuable addition to the NOCC staff.
Chief Operations Officer
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Harold joined NOCC ready to take on a monumental task – overseeing the completion of our new facility while leading day-to-day operations. A New Orleans native, he was most recently Director of Operations at InspireNOLA Schools where he managed and oversaw all aspects of network and school operations across eight campuses. His experience includes more than 20 years in education of all levels and types (public and private four-year universities, alternative education, traditional PK-12 schools) and with the City of New Orleans Office of Workforce Development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA.
Director of Finance and Personnel
LPN Professor and RN Coordinator
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We’re in the process of updating this bio.
Engineering & Manufacturing Instructor
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A former middle school science teacher, Allyson joined NOCC in July 2019. She teaches high school students the fundamentals of digital prototyping, 3D modeling, civil engineering and architectural design, along with the creative skills and critical thinking they need to thrive in engineering or manufacturing environments. Allyson holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education, industry certification in Autodesk Inventor, and is a PLTW-IED Certified Instructor.
Development & Capital Campaign Director
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Martha’s 35 years of nonprofit management experience have made her a veteran at creating strategic partnerships, growing institutions, and fundraising for K-16 education. In previous roles, she helped build NOCCA Riverfront, served as Tulane’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, and supported various public school charter management organizations post-Katrina. Martha holds a bachelor’s degree in English.
Rapid Re-skill Program Coordinator
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Lauren Miller has been hired as Adult Rapid Reskill Program Coordinator. In this role, Miller develops and implements program strategies for worksite development, skills training, recruitment, referral, and coordination of additional services for adult trainees. Miller was previously a high school Spanish teacher and nonprofit operations support contractor.
Clean Team Member
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This bio is being updated. Please check back at a later time.
Dean of Students
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Jeremy’s super-power is helping young people make positive choices and point themselves in the right direction. Prior to joining NOCC, Jeremy spent several years at New Orleans Science and Mathematics Charter High School, starting as a teacher, then as a behavior interventionist, and finally as Dean of Students. At NOCC, Jeremy works directly with partner schools, students and parents to encourage enrollment and help ensure student success once enrolled with us.
Receptionist
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Prior to joining NOCC, Brittany served in multiple high intensity customer service roles in both health care and retail environments, including the Tulane Cancer Center. and Ochsner’s Heart Transplant program.
Building Trades Curriculum and Recruitment
Manager + Instructor
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Terrance moved to New Orleans specifically to pursue a career teaching skilled trades to local students. He has worked in a wide range of construction fields, including flooring, carpentry, and heavy machinery operation.
Director of High School
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Anthonise was previously Director of Career & Technical Education and a CTE Advisor at Warren Easton Charter High School. At NOCC, she leads high school training and oversees all instructional staff. She brings more than 20 years of CTE and education experience to this role.
Digital Marketing Specialist
& Executive Support
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Austin joined NOCC as Digital Marketing Specialist. He plans and executes social media and digital marketing efforts on behalf of NOCC to extend the organization’s reputation and reach into the community.
Director of Healthcare Training
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Tanara leads NOCC’s healthcare pathways, supervising healthcare instructors and overseeing their continued professional development. She brings more than 20 years of academic and instructional leadership, along with direct healthcare experience, to this role.
Clean Team Member
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This bio is being updated. Please check back at a later time.
Transition Coordinator
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Brittney acts as both super-supporter and liaison between trainees and their families and the next step, whether further training, employment or both. She brings a unique combination of experiences in higher education, behavioral health, and secondary education to help trainees explore and prepare for their post-graduation lives.
Our board of directors
Dana Peterson, chair
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Dana Peterson is the Chief Executive Officer of New Schools for New Orleans, an education advocacy group focused on delivering on the promise of excellent public schools for every child in New Orleans. Dana formerly served as an Assistant State Superintendent in the Louisiana Department of Education and Recovery School District.
Dana Peterson is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network as a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow. Dana is the founding board chair of the New Orleans Career Center and was recently appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to serve on the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Dana is also a member of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. Dana holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Houston and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Dana and his wife Karen live in New Orleans and are members of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.
Andre Kelly
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Andre Kelly is New Orleans District Area Manager for Louisiana Associated General Contractors. A native of New Orleans, Andre has deep ties to the area in the city’s political, municipal, educational and social sectors. In his current position, Andre manages communication, public policy negotiations, business planning events, and corporate networking for the entire area between and encompassing the state’s two largest cities., 20 parishes with over 250 member companies, and numerous elected and public agency officials. Andre’s prowess regarding identifying pertinent and corresponding laws, coupled with his ability to meet diverse professionals of any background, are unique skills he has cultivated throughout his adult life. He previously served as Director of Communications and Special Projects in the New Orleans City Council District E office, preceded by serving as Assistant to the Director of the City of New Orleans Capital Projects Administration. Andre holds Bachelor’s degree from Nicholls State University and is pursuing a Master in Construction Management at LSU.
Jay Altman, secretary
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Since 1990, Jay has partnered with like-minded parents and educators to help provide quality educational opportunities for students in New Orleans open-admission public schools. He taught in the city for several years before co-founding New Orleans Charter Middle School. He was also a founder of James Lewis Extension School, New Orleans Outreach, New Orleans Summerbridge (now Breakthrough), and Leading Educators. Jay also served as director of education for London-based ARK schools from 2005 to 2008. He is currently a senior advisor at America Achieves - a national nonprofit organization that incubates and supports large-scale initiatives to advance economic opportunity, mobility, and pathways to good jobs and careers. Jay also serves as senior advisor to New Schools for New Orleans E3 program, an executive training program that is currently expanding to other cities across the country as Greenhouse E3.
Augie Gallo, treasurer
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Augie Gallo was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. After attending Brother Martin High School, he enrolled at College of Charleston in South Carolina. Having left home only a week before Katrina, Augie decided after his one year in South Carolina he would move back to New Orleans and attend Tulane University. After a short stint in Chicago after college, Augie moved back to New Orleans and enrolled in the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane to receive his Master of Accounting. After completing the Master Program, Augie joined Gallo Mechanical. Gallo Mechanical is a large commercial HVAC and Plumbing contractor operating out of New Orleans with a reach throughout the entire Gulf Region with expansion planned for the Carolinas. The company was founded by Augie’s great grandfather in 1945. After having passed the CPA exam, Augie was promoted to Controller at the company. A few years later, he was again promoted to CFO. He now oversees the accounting and technology operations for three operating entities through the company’s entire geography. He is the former President of the Greater New Orleans Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association and still active member. At Gallo, he is very actively engaged in the community outreach arm of the company. He has helped implement several programs including Gallo’s partnerships with Earn and Learn, Youthforce NOLA, and the Employee Navigator program with the Greater New Orleans Foundation. He currently resides in the Bayou St. John neighborhood with his wife, Mirell, and their dog, Louis.
Alon Shaya
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Born in Israel and raised on cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, chef Alon Shaya calls New Orleans his home. In 2017, Alon and his wife Emily formed Pomegranate Hospitality to foster opportunities for colleagues, partners, and friends in a comfortable and professional environment where cultural differences are celebrated. Alon has been nominated for five James Beard Awards. He has been named "Best Chef, South" while at Domenica in 2015, and his previous restaurant, Shaya, won "Best New Restaurant" in 2016. He was named one of the "50 People Who Are Changing the South" by Southern Living magazine in 2015, and one of the "50 Most Influential Jews in America" by The Forward. In 2016, Alon joined forces with Donna Barnett, his high school home economics teacher, to start the Shaya Barnett Foundation, committed to providing culinary education and resources to high school students. In March 2018, Alon published his debut cookbook, "Shaya: An Odyssey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel" (Knopf). In early 2018, chef Shaya & Pomegranate Hospitality announced the opening of two new restaurants: Saba in New Orleans and Safta in Denver. Saba opened its doors in May 2018 in Uptown New Orleans. Safta opened in the River North neighborhood of Denver in August 2018.
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From early 2015 to 2017, Rick Rizzo was CEO of Fleet Laboratories, a private equity owned company competing in the Consumer Healthcare market. Following a period of significant revenue and profit growth, the company was sold to Prestige Brands in January 2017. From 2011 thru 2014, Rizzo was President of Johnson & Johnson’s Consumer Healthcare Global Business Unit, with responsibility for global strategy, R&D, marketing, and business development. Between 2009 and 2011, he was President, North America for J&J’s Consumer Healthcare division, with additional responsibility for worldwide Consumer Healthcare franchise marketing. Upon the sale of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare to J&J in December 2006, Rizzo was appointed by J&J as President, International for the OTC and Consumer Healthcare Global Business Units. In 2000 through 2006, Rizzo was President, Europe for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. Prior to this assignment he spent 18 months as General Manager, European Business Process Improvement. In this role, he was responsible for Pan-European I.T. systems and restructuring initiatives covering multiple functional areas and all operating sectors. Rizzo joined Warner Lambert (acquired by Pfizer in 2000) in 1994 and served as Vice President, Oral Care, through the end of 1998. He began his career with Procter & Gamble in 1986. He held various marketing positions in OTC health care, with primary involvement in OTC’s and oral care products. From 1991 until 1994, Rizzo was Senior Manager, Rx-to-OTC Switches at Johnson & Johnson/Merck. Rizzo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Boston College. Since the sale of Fleet Laboratories in 2017, he has focused the majority of his time supporting a wide range of non-profit organizations, while also remaining active in advisory support in Private Equity. He and his wife reside in New Orleans and Montclair, NJ.
Rick Rizzo
Cate Swinburn
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Cate Swinburn has led YouthForce NOLA since its inception in summer of 2015. Cate began her career in education over fifteen years ago as a first grade teacher. Prior to YouthForce NOLA, Cate worked as an independent consultant, working with clients such as Relay Graduate School of Education to inspire and prepare non-education major college undergraduates to become teachers, and with the Recovery School District and New Schools for New Orleans to develop a citywide blueprint for high-quality special education services. Prior to independent consulting, Cate served as the Chief of Data and Accountability with DC Public Schools, President and Executive Director of DC Public Education Fund, and Portfolio Director for The Fund for Public Schools in New York City, as well as teaching for five years in rural and urban Texas. Cate holds a Master of Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, where she was a Dean’s Scholar, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish. Cate is an alumnus of both Teach For America and Education Pioneers.
Christian Rodriguez
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Christian Rodriguez is a Principal at EskewDumezRipple, a nationally recognized design firm based in New Orleans and Washington DC. His work focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to architecture and design, integrating landscape and buildings. He brings a deep commitment to collaboration to the design process, working diligently with partners and builders to translate a shared vision into impactful spaces that serve their community well. As a New Orleans native and Tulane graduate, Christian has always been passionate about the well-being of his local community, partnering with non-profits through EskewDumezRipple’s Day of Service program to provide pro bono design services and seizing every opportunity to share his passion for design and construction with young people through French Quarter tours, school visits, and high school apprenticeships.
Shannon Joseph
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Shannon Brown Joseph is National Director, Nursing Workforce Pipeline for Ascension Health and a dynamic and accomplished workforce development liaison with experience in federal and state funded programs, diversity initiatives and workforce programmatic development. In this role, Shannon directs all nursing and nursing support workforce development programs. Ascension Health is one of the largest health systems in the United States and is committed to to caring for all individuals especially those persons living in poverty. Ascension includes more than 150,000 employees and 2,600 sites of care including 142 hospitals nationwide.
Shannon previously served as Director of Workforce Development at Ochsner Health. There she led implementation of systemwide initiatives and connected more than 2000 individuals to education, training and job placement. Prior to Ochsner, Shannon was appointed Louisiana Assistant Secretary of Labor, overseeing all workforce development programs of the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). Programs included the statewide network of American Job Centers, Business Services, Incumbent Worker Training, Apprenticeship, Veterans’ Services, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Rapid Response, Labor Programs and state administration of the Community Services Block Grant.
Before taking her position in Baton Rouge Shannon served the LWC as the Industry Sector Coordinator where she successfully fostered a major partnership within the health care sector. These partnerships continue to provide medical training and employment opportunities for long-term unemployed citizens. She also developed partnerships with Delgado Community College which have ensured intensive services for eligible veterans and spouses, specifically veterans who are homeless, re-entry, disabled, low-income, recently discharged from the military and/or lacking a high school diploma. This partnership included fulltime Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists strategically placed on campus for student assistance. Shannon also convened the first cross-sector partnership in the state of Louisiana between education and industry. This collaboration led to standardized allied health training between all community colleges state-wide.
Shannon also works to prosper her community by lending her time and talent to several non-profit organizations. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and has served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity New Orleans. In addition to NOCC, she serves on the boards of directors of the Arc of Greater New Orleans and Clover. She has also served on Advisory Boards for Next Level Nola and Goodwill Industries Technical and Training. Shannon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Loyola University in New Orleans and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Human Resources from Liberty University and is a fellow in the Louisiana Institute of Politics.
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Missy Sparks, PhD serves as Vice President of Talent Management in Human Resources at Ochsner Health. Currently employing more than 36,000 team members across Louisiana and Mississippi, Ochsner is Louisiana’s largest employer, healthcare provider and educator of healthcare professionals. She leads her team in developing a diverse talent pipeline to support top quality patient care. She has established an effective workforce development platform to grow the pipeline of healthcare professionals through Ochsner-sponsored training programs for internal and external participants with a focus on opening career pathways for the unemployed/underemployed as well as underrepresented groups in healthcare. Additionally, she leads college and post-graduate internships and fellowships, orientation & onboarding, performance management and engagement.
She serves on the Workforce Development Boards of Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, YouthForce NOLA, and Morris Jeff Community School; the steering committee for Strive NOLA; and, co-leads the workforce development and education efforts for the Healthy State collaborative. Additionally, she volunteers regularly in feeding and home rehabilitation ministries.