Baton Rouge Area Foundation Announces newest cohort of Development Fellows

01.04.2023

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation today announced the newest cohort of its Development Fellows program. The selected participants represent a diverse cross-section of the Capital Region’s non-profit organizations. Development Fellows was founded in 2010 to equip new development professionals with skills to increase their capacity to serve and lead nonprofit organizations. 

“We’re looking forward to kicking off our newest round of the Development Fellows program this month. The incoming class represents a diverse cross-section of our nonprofit sector, and we’re proud to facilitate the opportunity for the cohort to network with other community-focused professionals while they hone their development and fundraising skills,” said Chris Meyer, CEO and President of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. 

Members of the cohort include: 

• Seth Bleakley, Child Advocacy Services 
• Chelsea Borruano, You Aren’t Alone Project 
• Karen E. Burks, Urban League of Louisiana 
• Jannean Dixon, Redstick C.A.R.E.S. 

• Robert Easly, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center 
• Katherine Fontenot, Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation 
• Courtney Fourroux, Foundation for Woman’s 
• Sarah Head, Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services 
• Raushanah Hunter, City Year Baton Rouge 

• Dexter Jackson, The Walls Project 
• Brianna Jeansonne, East Baton Rouge Criminal Justice Coordinating Council 
• Anthony Kenney, 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge 
• Frances Lee, Louisiana Art & Science Museum 
• Michelle LeJeune, Baton Rouge Area Chamber 

• Christy Mensah, I AM, Empowering the Next Generation, Inc. 
• Grace Moody, Baton Rouge Area Chamber 
• Amy Pinac-Wimberley, Christwood Foundation 
• Tracy Ritchie, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank 
• Levar Robinson, Fathers On A Mission 

• Caitlin Sheehan, Feeding Louisiana 
• Ally Smith, Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge 
• Shelita Smith, Blossom 
• RaShunda Veals, Capital Area United Way 
• Hannah Werner, Knock Knock Children’s Museum 

This program links participants with high-caliber experts to sharpen their development and fundraising acumen through a series of educational workshops. The six-month program launches in January. Members of the cohort commit to attending lectures, discussions, and practical exercises pertinent to development. 

Topics include the profession of development, storytelling, annual campaigns, capital campaigns, planned giving, major gifts, corporate philanthropy, media relations, stewardship and impact, prospect research, fundraising events, social media, and connecting with funders. The program is led by Tammy V. Abshire, CFRE.