Get to know the IWES team!
Check out our spotlights to find out more about who we are and learn about the incredible work our team does every day. Click here to view!
Belinda joined IWES in September of 2021 as a Finance Assistant. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern University at New Orleans. She has varied experience in several industries in the New Orleans area, which include city government, housing advisement, nonprofit, criminal and civil law. She is a native of Slidell, and has been a resident of New Orleans since 2004. She is a daughter, sister, aunt and a great aunt. She has a passion for helping others. She has volunteered as a mentor to teen girls and assisted in feeding the less fortunate. She loves giving back to the elders of her community, by preparing meals and making home visits. She eagerly brings experience in accounting, management, customer-service and her community awareness to IWES for continued success of the organization.
Email: bchism@iwesnola.org
Christina joined IWES in June 2018 to support trauma-responsive programming for women and youth, deliver professional development to others in the helping professions, and mentor those new to the social work field, all while emphasizing the importance of dismantling stigma and other barriers that prevent community from accessing quality care. She is an indigenous clinical social worker from Oceania with an award-winning portfolio encompassing innovative youth programming, curriculum development, gender-affirming care, substance use disorder treatment, facilitation of healing circles, community event planning, and efforts to dismantle stigma and other barriers to accessing quality mental health support. In 2011, she moved to New Orleans, LA after completing the MSW program at Wheelock College in Boston, MA, and has since worked in local substance abuse residential programs as a Child Development Specialist, Family Therapist, and Admissions Counselor, as well as a volunteer facilitator for a women’s support group for survivors of sexual assault. For over five years, she served as a core volunteer for TransQueerYouth NOLA and has worked closely with practitioners of QT Care House to organize free wellness events geared toward the LGBTQ+ community. In 2021, Christina was selected to be among Louisiana Public Health Institute’s first Racial Justice & Health Equity Cohort, where she was placed in a multidisciplinary team of professionals across Louisiana. In May 2022, Christina received the 2022 Volunteer of the Year from Bridge House/Grace House at the Annual Women of Substance Luncheon in recognition of her service to women receiving treatment for substance use disorders. One of her proudest professional accomplishments was directing the IWES project awarded the 2024 Runner Up in the HHS Children and Youth Resilience Challenge, which aimed to support the mental health and resilience of New Orleans youth through the arts, culture, nature, and ancestral connection. She looks forward to expanding her healing-focused work to include environmental justice and her other special interests which also include indigenous sovereignty and the demilitarization of Oceania.
💡To find out more about Christina and their work at IWES, check out their Staff Spotlight, Community and Connection.
Email: cillarmo@iwesnola.org
Mari joined IWES in May 2023 as the Communications Manager. Prior to IWES, she coordinated health promotional campaigns for the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program (SHHP). This included statewide and social media campaign project management, social marketing research and analysis, as well as social media content management, research, development and monitoring. Mari's professional background also includes coordinating outreach and events at YAYA (Young Artists/Young Aspirations, Inc.), where she designed and produced marketing and communications materials, managed the organization’s social media platforms, and made public appearances to promote YAYA’s work to local groups and on local media outlets. Preceding YAYA, she coordinated AXIS (Arts Experience in Schools) professional development trainings/events at KID smART. Mari earned a bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. She has also served in a volunteer capacity on various committees including the Arts Council of New Orleans’ Community Arts Grants Committee for three funding cycles and was featured in 504ward’s 2020 young professionals profile. In her spare time, Mari enjoys traveling and exploring the cultural heritage of each place she visits.
Email: mjarreau@iwesnola.org
Fay Love joined IWES in August 2017 as the Administrative Manager. Faye studied Business Administration at Southern University at New Orleans and has over 25 years of experience in the field of Human Resources and Administration. Prior to coming to IWES, she worked in the legal field and is looking forward to working in the non-profit sector. Fay is a native New Orleanian and is excited about joining and working with the IWES team.
Email: flove@iwesnola.org
Tyla joined IWES in July 2024 as a Social Media Coordinator, bringing a strong background in digital marketing and a passion for creative storytelling. A native of Louisiana, Tyla studied Studio Art with a minor in Marketing at Radford University, earning her degree in 2019. She obtained a Digital Marketing Certification from Generation USA and also gained valuable experience managing paid social campaigns as an Account Coordinator at Search Influence, a New Orleans-based digital marketing agency. Tyla has successfully applied her knowledge to grow her social media presence across various platforms. Outside of work, she is a dedicated visual artist who partners with local non-profits to create impactful public art projects. Tyla is also deeply committed to mentoring youth in her community, using art as a powerful tool to inspire empowerment and foster meaningful connections.
Email: tmaiden@iwesnola.org
Lisa Richardson rejoined the IWES staff in July 2013. Prior to this, she served as the National Director of Southern Access Project for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, a consultant, program director, and evaluator for a variety of organizations including Emory University, the Carter Presidential Center, and the New Orleans-based education program, Students at the Center. Lisa was a Visiting Professor at Florida State University in the Urban and Regional Planning department, and an Assistant Professor at California State University Northridge in the Urban Studies and Pan-African Studies Departments. She received her Ph.D. in 2002 at the University of New Orleans as a Board of Regents Fellow, and her Master of Science in 1996 from Georgia State University. Her interests include community development, analyzing social determinants of health, sexual health education and advocacy (particularly for women of color and youth), and participatory action research. After leaving New Orleans for academia, Lisa returned to her adopted home in 2005 to serve as the Interim Executive Director of IWES in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Email: lrich@iwesnola.org
Mary joined IWES in June 2021 as a Communications Coordinator. She is excited to bring her experience in graphic design, marketing, and communications to support IWES’ work in mental, emotional and physical health education, and advocacy. Before joining IWES, Mary worked as a marketing associate for Liberty’s Kitchen, a local non-profit organization that supports youth workforce development. She is also a freelance graphic designer, and previously provided graphic design support as a staff member of The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. She has a passion for creating and collaborating with others, and looks forward to using her skills to support IWES. Mary is also deeply interested in mental health and excited to engage with the field of public health advocacy on a systemic level. Outside the office, she enjoys riding her bike, dancing, and walking around the bayou with her partner and their dog Butta Bean.
💡 To find out more about Mary and their work at IWES, check out their Staff Spotlight, Finding Inspiration In Others.
Email: mrockwell@iwesnola.org
Iman joined IWES in 2008 as a Media Consultant, became a Program Coordinator in 2009, the Director of Media & Social Marketing in 2010 and is now the Director of Media & Communications. She received her BA from the University of Southern California in International Relations (2005) and her Masters of Fine Arts in Directing from Columbia University (2010) with a concentration in Directing and Screenwriting. Through IWES, Iman utilizes her script development, cinematography, directing, producing, and editing skills and has created over 50 short films and PSAs, a web-series, a feature-length documentary, two feature-length narrative films and an award-winning podcast. These films have been screened at numerous local, national and international film festivals, and she presents regularly at conferences to showcase her work. Iman was a Program Coordinator for IWES’ Media Advocates for Prevention (MAP) program and Social marketing Technology Outreach Program (STOP). In 2016, Iman was chosen as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader in their inaugural cohort to promote a culture of health in her community. That year she also received the award for Changemaker in the New Orleans-based Millennial Awards and received executive training through Spitfire’s Executive Leadership Program. Through her training in social marketing, Iman led the development of two social marketing campaigns and most recently, a public will campaign to advocate for more Trauma Informed Care services for youth in New Orleans, In That Number. Iman has also been trained in multiple teen pregnancy prevention interventions and implemented EBIs such as Making Proud Choices with youth in local schools. In leading the Communications Team, Iman oversees IWES’ social media presence and all external organizational communications. Iman has further experience in graphic design, photography, curriculum development, focus group facilitation, positive youth development, participatory action research, and media literacy.
💡 To find out more about Iman and their work at IWES, check out their Staff Spotlight, Woman On The Verge of a Creative Breakthrough.
Email: iman@iwesnola.org
Loi Tran joined IWES in June of 2020 as our Finance Director. Loi studied Accounting at the University of New Orleans and has 10 years of experience working for the City of New Orleans. During his tenure, he has gained various grant and budgetary experience with the Office of Community Development, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center. He is excited about joining the IWES family and working with the IWES team. He is a proud native of New Orleans, a diehard Saints fan, and a proud father of four!
Email: ltran@iwesnola.org
Ayesha joined IWES in September 2024 as the Director of Research and Evaluation. She earned her BS in Biology from the University of New Orleans and her PhD in Genetics from LSU Health Sciences Center. Prior to joining IWES she worked for the Louisiana Department of Health, where she was involved in handling policy and legislative matters related to maternal and child health topics. She is excited to join the IWES team and use her skills to serve her community.
Email: aumrigar@iwesnola.org
Kim Vu joined IWES in July 2024 as the Operations Manager. Kim studied Business Administration at Loyola University New Orleans and prior to joining IWES, she gained extensive experience in contract administration and grant management while working for the City of New Orleans and the state agency the Lakefront Management Authority. Born and bred in New Orleans, through her work at IWES Kim hopes to contribute substantially to the health and wellbeing of her hometown while overseeing organizational development at IWES, which includes managing vital roles and functions crucial to the foundation and smooth management of the organization, such as building and maintaining key relationships with community organizations and partners. Kim is dedicated to bridging the gap between different cultures and communities in New Orleans, so much so that she even uses her passion for running to do so. She enjoys participating weekly in her local running group, which has allowed her to connect professionally with various community partners.
Email: kvu@iwesnola.org
Brittany T. Williams joined IWES in March 2023 as the Maternal & Child Health Coalition Coordinator, bringing experience in client-centered birth work and administrative assistance. After earning a Bachelor's degree in General Studies (BGS) in Economics from the University of Kansas in 2010, she trained with Sista Midwife Productions in 2018 and earned the title of Community Birth Sister/doula. In 2021 she worked with the Birthmark Doula Collective as a perinatal health advocate, childbirth educator, doula, and lactation education resources certified breastfeeding specialist. A New Orleanian, born and raised, Brittany is eager to bring together changemakers to improve health outcomes for parents and children in the greater New Orleans area.
Email: btwilliams@iwesnola.org