Staff

Angela Herbert

Executive Director
angela@nooutreach.org

I’m Angela Herbert, and I am the executive director. I have a Master’s degree in Education (special education), and I have used my teaching experience in diverse ways. After leaving the classroom, I began a one-on-one tutoring business, helping students, teachers, and parents pinpoint the problems and solutions for students’ successful educational development. In the middle of tutoring, I was the assistant director of TREE (Teaching Responsible Earth Education), an organization that provides children with adventure and understanding through incredible outdoor science education programs. Now, I am thrilled to be a part of New Orleans Outreach, a program that I have admired for quite some time. This is a wonderful opportunity to help turn the wishes for excellent public education into realities for New Orleans.

Mike Boyle

Director of Development
boyle@nooutreach.org

Hi, I’m Mike Boyle, director of development at New Orleans Outreach. It has been said that two of the most important things that need to be fixed for New Orleans to flourish are the levees and the public schools. Because I know very little about engineering and since I wanted to take a more active role in rebuilding our City, I joined New Orleans Outreach in spring 2008 to lend my skills and energy to helping this organization assist its partner schools in helping students succeed. I am working toward the day when public education in New Orleans is viewed as part of the solution and not part of the problem, when we as citizens can look upon public education with pride instead of despair, and where public education is seen as an integral part of a reborn, vibrant New Orleans .

Donovan DiLorenzo

Outreach Program Manager
Samuel J. Green Charter School
green@nooutreach.org

Hello. My name is Donovan DiLorenzo, outreach program manager at Samuel J. Green Charter School. I am happy to be back in New Orleans (after being in Africa for two years with the Peace Corps) and to be working with such a wonderful group of people, both at New Orleans Outreach and at Green. After spending the first part of my career in advertising and business in New York City, with a brief stay in Barcelona, Spain, I was able to take the better part of a year to volunteer with Hospice, and to try to put my past experiences into perspective. This time helped me better understand what is important in life, which in one way or another, is human relationships, and contributing in a way that helps others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves. This perspective has led me to become more involved in education and community development, which is why I feel so fortunate to be able to play a role in both Outreach and Green school. May we all be as fortunate.

Mignon DuMouchel

Seamless Transitions Coordinator
mignon@nooutreach.org

Hello. My name is Mignon DuMouchel, Outreach’s Seamless Transitions Specialist for Langston Hughes Academy and Samuel J. Green. I am thrilled to be back at Green after working their Enrichment program with such great people. I spent the first part of my career as an Early Childhood educator throughout the city of New Orleans. It wasn’t until I became involved with Outreach at Green that allowed me to use my experiences from teaching and see the impact that I was having across the board. I put my past experiences into perspective, which allowed me the opportunity to excel in my role as Seamless Transitions Specialist at Langston Hughes Academy and Green.

Carolyn Freeman

Director of Programs and Volunteers
carolyn@nooutreach.org

I’m Carolyn Freeman and I came to New Orleans Outreach in 2010 after a long history of working with the organization. As a graduate of a public school in my hometown of Mobile, AL. and as a resident of New Orleans for almost 15 years, I have seen the some of the very best and some of the most distressing conditions in public schools.
After finishing a B.A. in Psychology at Loyola, I began working with youth in area schools, implementing lifeskills and youth leadership programs. My observations of the conditions that create quality schools for children in the city led me to study equity and access in public education at the University of New Orleans, where I obtained a M.A. in Sociology. With Hurricane Katrina, a new chapter in the life of public schools in our city began, and I am fortunate to have been able to be a part of these exciting developments through my work at several local non-profits including the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for GNO and the LA Children’s Museum. At Outreach, I am able to use my experiences and talents to help create opportunities that ensure that all children in New Orleans are able to attend great schools and reach their full potential. Our schools and our children are the future of this amazing city!

Desiree Graves

Outreach Program Manager
New Orleans Charter Science & Math High School
scienceandmath@nooutreach.org

I am Desiree Graves, the Outreach Program for New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School. I was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I attended the University of Alabama where I received a degree in Economics. While at the University, I created a mentoring program for young girls. I moved to New Orleans in May of 2005 and worked in the financial services industry for five years. During this time, I volunteered with Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) as a reading tutor for second graders. Working with children made me realize I was meant to do it everyday. Through New Orleans Outreach, it became a reality. I am delighted to be apart of New Orleans Outreach and New Orleans Charter Science and Math family.

Colleen Kirchem

Operations Manager
colleen@nooutreach.org

I’m Colleen Kirchem, and I came to New Orleans Outreach in March of 2009. As the operations manager, I assist in central office functions including supply maintenance and distribution, staff recruitment, and general program support. After earning my undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans, I pursued a career in radiology. Following Hurricane Katrina, I decided to follow another path, believing in the importance of public education and the possibility of its rebirth in the wake of the storm. That path took me to New Orleans Outreach, where I feel blessed to have the opportunity to contribute to such a productive, meaningful organization and to work alongside such compassionate and motivated individuals.

Justin Lamb

Outreach Program Manager
Langston Hughes Academy
langston@nooutreach.org

Hello, I’m Justin Lamb, the Outreach Program Manager at Langston Hughes Academy. I am thrilled to be working with Langston Hughes Academy, where I taught as founding fifth grade teacher in the 2007-08 school year. My relationship with New Orleans Outreach began in 2008, when the school and organization partnered. During my three years of teaching at LHA, I taught a variety of enrichment classes through New Orleans Outreach, including hip-hop/spoken word, creative writing, basketball, track and ELA and math tutoring. I always saw these extracurricular experiences as essential opportunities to grow our scholars as young men and women. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work with the enrichment program on the whole, as well as many other volunteer and community outreach initiatives. Before joining New Orleans Outreach as a staff member, I worked with Sci Academy’s operations team and as a special educator with KIPP New Orleans Leadership Academy.

Betsy Lopez

Volunteer Coordinator
volunteer@nooutreach.org

Hello, my name is Betsy Lopez and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for New Orleans Outreach. My dedication to the success of public education stems back to my own local K-12 public education, as well as my family’s history of serving as public school educators. I believe that a strong education is not a privilege but a right. My work with New Orleans Outreach began my freshman year at Tulane as a service-learning student. I served at Samuel J. Green Charter School as a Latin American Studies teacher. I have always enjoyed volunteering and while in college, I participated in, as well as, coordinated multiple volunteer projects. Volunteering has greatly enriched my life, and I hope my work has positively impacted the communities in which I have worked. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to serve in the AmeriCorps program and was thrilled to be placed as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with New Orleans Outreach to coordinate Special Projects and Internships. Upon the completion of my AmeriCorps term, I was extremely happy to be hired as the Volunteer Coordinator for New Orleans Outreach. As the Volunteer Coordinator, I am excited to grow and foster the volunteer program to directly meet the needs of all of our students and partner schools. If you are interested in volunteering with New Orleans Outreach, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me!

Sarah Macom

Volunteer Recruiter
volunteer3@nooutreach.org

I’m Sarah Macom and I am the Volunteer Recruiter of New Orleans Outreach. I originally hail from San Antonio, Texas and came to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. I graduated from Loyola with a degree in English Literature and Sociology. I was very active in Service Learning while in school, which lead me to Outreach as a tutor at Samuel J. Green, a Social Media Intern the next year and a Seamless Transitions volunteer before I assumed my position as an AmeriCorps*VISTA and Volunteer Recruiter. I am so happy to continue my time with the Outreach family and be involved with the wonderful and inspiring children of New Orleans.

Rachel Marks

Delta Service Corps Member
volunteer1@nooutreach.org

Hello, I am Rachel Marks, and I am the long term volunteer Supervisor. After graduating from Bard College in upstate New York, I made my way down to New Orleans with the Louisiana Delta Service Corps, and joined the New Orleans Outreach Team in September. I believe that a good education is a fundamental right and I am excited to be with Outreach, where I can play a part in making good education a reality for the children of New Orleans.

Tom McDonnell

Delta Service Corps Member
volunteer2@nooutreach.org

Hi, I’m Tom McDonnell, the supervisor of interns and short-term volunteer projects for Outreach. I grew up in New Jersey and studied Journalism and Multimedia at Ramapo College. Through the education department, I took courses in urban education and student literacy and volunteered as a tutor in the high-needs school districts in Newark and Paterson. I have continued in youth development and education working in schools, camps and volunteer organizations, and now serving with New Orleans Outreach through Louisiana Delta Service Corps, it’s a great honor of mine to work with the bright, friendly young scholars of New Orleans.

Bette Painter

Outreach Program Manager
Dibert Community School
dibert@nooutreach.org

I am Bette Painter, Outreach Program Manager at John Dibert Community School. I started my career in education as a high school teacher in New York City. While teaching there, I received a Masters in education from The City College of New York. After spending several years in New York, I decided to move to Missoula, Montana to attend the University of Montana and work towards a Masters in English. Although I enjoyed my time in Montana immensely, I felt a draw back into the education field. After moving to New Orleans and teaching ninth grade at Greater Gentilly High School for one year, I took this position with New Orleans Outreach. I am glad to be here working towards enriching the school lives of the students at John Dibert.

Lisa Schlakman

Seamless Transitions Director
lisa@nooutreach.org

Ms. Schlakman, a masters level graduate of the Eliot-Pearson Child Development Program at Tufts University, is an experienced early childhood development specialist and the driving force behind a significant commitment from Tufts University to help the recovery of New Orleans’ childcare centers. Schlakman has used her experience working with area childcare centers and with charter schools through Outreach, to create Seamless Transitions as a means to close the readiness gap before it becomes an achievement gap.

Eddrinea’ Scott

Data Manager, ARMS-Outreach
data@nooutreach.org

Hello! I am Eddrinea’ Scott. I was hired at New Orleans Outreach as the data manager. The most important aspect of my position involves accurately tracking the hours of all students served for state reporting purposes. Prior to accepting this position I was the human resources manager at the Methodist Home for Children. As their elders, we are called upon to improve the academic lives of children and I love being employed with an organization that is rooted in providing enrichment to our children…our future. As Ann Landers once said, “In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”

Yolanda Williams

Finance Manager
yolanda@nooutreach.org

Hello, I’m Yolanda Williams and I am the Finance Manager. I attended Dillard University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the School of Business. My junior year, New Orleans Outreach allowed me the opportunity to work as a part time bookkeeper and to work in several schools. Upon earning my degree, I was promoted to the position of Finance Manager. It’s a thrilling experience to be apart of a brilliant team that does such meaningful things.

Deanna Vandiver

Tutor Coordinator
tutor@nooutreach.org

Welcome! I am Deanna Vandiver, Tutor Coordinator for New Orleans Outreach. I have the joy of spending most of my days in four New Orleans schools, supporting four awesome Lead Tutors. The heart of my work is developing and facilitating relationships of mutual respect, growth, and possibility with tutors, students, faculty, and staff. Our metrics confirm what our hearts tell us is true – that every human being has inherent worth and dignity and it matters that people are given many ways to succeed. It is an honor and a pleasure to work for an organization that affirms and supports these values