Emily CHATELAIn, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Emily began working in the education reform industry in 2012 as an operations manager at a public high school. Emily brings many years of experience providing operations, financial, and human resource management to charter schools across the United States. Emily received her B.S. from Louisiana State University and MBA from the University of New Orleans. She is passionate about all children having equal access to healthy food and educating our youth on the importance of healthy eating. Emily is also the CEO and founder of School Food and Wellness Group, helping schools with budgets, contracts, best operating practices, audits and general food service compliance issues. Originally from New Orleans, Emily is proud to call Baton Rouge home with her husband and two boys.

shea smith, program manager

Shea received both her B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies from Louisiana State University, where she also worked as an Instructor of Communication courses for 2 years.  She has over a decade’s worth of experience in Early Childhood Development of Multiples, and has worked closely with parents of Multiples to develop sleep and feeding schedules, nutrition plans, and lifestyles which promote healthy cognitive, physical, and social development.  Shea invests deeply in her community by coordinating charity events, volunteering at a local theater space, and leading an organization focused on women’s and LGBTQ+ empowerment. Her passions include community engagement, nutrition and sustainability, and working with kiddos. She currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her pup, Leo.

Meet our Board of Directors

CAITLYN SCALES, board PRESIDENT

Caitlyn has worked in education for 10 years. She began teaching high school English and ELL in at-risk areas both in the United States and Costa Rica. Through that experience, she became a coach for teachers and has been an instructor for undergraduate and graduate students at Washington State University and Boise State University. She excels in strategy, school and mid-size business start-up, inspiring others to action, and bringing equity to public education students. Caitlyn is a Chicago native who received her B.S. and M.S. from Indiana University, and is soon to have her PhD from Washington State University. She happily resides in Boise, ID in the foothills with her pup, Franklin.

Melissa Fox

Melissa has over 15 years of finance and accounting experience in both for-profit and non-profit. Melissa is a financial consultant and works closely with a wide range of clients: for-profit, non-profits, schools, after school programs and private companies. Melissa holds a B.S. in Accounting from Southeastern Louisiana University and is working on her CPA while residing in Baton Rouge, LA.

Dana MichelL

Dana is an award-winning creative professional with proven expertise in public relations, social media marketing, brand development, advertising campaigns, copywriting and much more. She has a deep understanding of effective communications and demonstrated success in achieving results. Dana received her B.S. in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University and resides in Baton Rouge, LA with her husband and daughter.

IAN DALLIMORE

Ian is the Director of Digital Innovation and Sales Strategy for Lamar Advertising Company. Ian interacts with national clients brands and agencies to devise strategic plans utilizing Digital OOH across all mediums including mobile, social and up and coming industry innovations. Ian holds a B.S. in Business Marketing and Communications from Louisiana State University and resides in Baton Rouge, LA with his wife, son and triplets. 

Elizabeth Howard

After graduating from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Communications, Elizabeth moved to New York City where she worked as the Event Coordinator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Upon returning to Baton Rouge, Elizabeth spent three years in Marketing before circling back to her current role in Development at Woman’s Hospital. Elizabeth is passionate about enriching the lives of children through literacy and shares this through her love of creative writing. Her award-winning children's book, The Very Best Birthday, was published in 2018. 

Korey Patty

Korey serves as the Executive Director of Feeding Louisiana, the not-for-profit state association of Louisiana’s five regional food banks. In this role, Korey leads Feeding Louisiana’s efforts to support member food banks in providing short-term food relief while seeking long-term solutions to hunger. His experience includes business and economic development, management, public policy, and advocacy across a variety of industries. A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Korey is an alum of the University of Tulsa, where he earned a B.S. in Marketing, and later completed an M.B.A. at Louisiana State University.