ARCGNO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Secretary
- Special Education Coordinator
Ariann Arana is currently a school Special Education Coordinator and has been a teacher in Jefferson Parish for 9 years. Ariann also serves on the Superintendent's Special Education Council with parents and other community stakeholders to ensure students with disabilities' needs are met in the school system. As a parent of a child with special needs, Ariann has always been an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Arleaser Simmons is a seasoned result-oriented Senior Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in the HR industry. Arleaser strives to bring an innovative approach to human resources while creating a team driven environment that fosters room for development and growth. Arleaser, a native Floridian, member of the Society of Human Resources Management and graduate of Bethune Cookman University states her "greatest achievement in life is being a wife and a mother of two children" and "being of service."
Job Titles:
- Director of Programs and Services
- Senior Director of Programs
Brianna Rock, LMSW, MPH is a licensed social worker and public health professional. Brianna earned graduate degrees in Social Work and Public Health from Tulane University. Brianna has adept experience in the fields of Mental Health, Social Service, and Juvenile Restorative Justice in the public and private sector. Brianna states that this diverse experience has honed her clinical aptitude and given her greater breadth to develop programs and services for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Brianna states that those she serves are the experts to their own "greatest yet to be" and that "each day" she "welcomes the opportunity to interact with and learn from our members."
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Family Support Coordination
Christian Moises APR is communications manager for the Southern Forest Products Association in New Orleans.
A New Orleans native, he spent the first 10 years of his career in journalism, serving as an editor with New Orleans CityBusiness. His 20-plus years of experience includes marketing, communications, growth strategies, and business development for local, regional, and national companies in the death care, health care, legal, and accounting industries.
Christian earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Louisiana Tech University and his Accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America in 2015. He is a past member of the national board of directors for the Association for Accounting Marketing, past president of the Press Club of New Orleans, and a former board member for the Legal Marketing Association-New Orleans Chapter and WYES-TV, the PBS affiliate in New Orleans.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Residential Support Services
Dr. Whitney Hardy received her undergraduate degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine. Following this, she completed her internship and residency at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in Family medicine. Currently, she serves as the Associate Medical Director for Primary Care for Ochsner Westbank. She is a passionate physician leader with experience in clinical operations management, project implementation, and community outreach. She is committed to ending health disparities and empowering members of her community. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching indoor cycling, writing her science fiction novel, and meditation.
Heather has over 25 years of professional leadership experience in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health, and Federal Government contracting. Heather comes from Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, where she was the Director of Waiver Programs for individuals across the region. She also worked for the Louisiana Department of Health at the Developmental Neuropsychiatric Program, delivering care to this population with the most critical needs. Since 2018, she has served on the board of the Community Provider Association, an organization that promotes optimal funding, program integrity, and public policy at the state level for IDD Service Providers.
Heather's love for the work runs deep. She has two siblings with disabilities. So even as a child, she was drawn to the cause of fighting for dignity and inclusion for all people. As the executive director, Heather plans to deliver the highest quality services to the people of our community and expand our services so all people have the support and opportunities to live to their fullest potential.
Heather Matthews holds a Master of Social Work Degree from Louisiana State University, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor. In addition, she earned a Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She studied abroad, solidifying her love of travel. Heather lives at home in New Orleans with her two children and husband.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Director of the Workforce Investment Council
Jawanda J. Givens is the Director of the Workforce Investment Council, WIC. Since 2007, Mrs. Givens has worked at the Louisiana Workforce Commission in several occupations. During her tenure, Mrs. Givens has worked in the Recruitment and Placement department, as a Case Manager, Executive Assistant to the Director of Office of Workforce Development, and as a Functional Supervisor. Mrs. Givens has also been the assistant to the former Director of the Workforce Investment Council for the past four years. She has also worked on successful cohorts in the River Parishes.
She is also an active board member on two Workforce Development Local Boards, River Parishes and LAT Houma.
As a person with an IDD, Jill brings a unique understanding, passion and leadership quality to the ArcGNO Board. She began her IDD advocacy work with The Arc of Northern Virginia and The Arc of the USA in Washington, D.C. She testified before Virginia and Louisiana Legislative Committees as well as the U.S. Congress to initiate changes that impacted people with IDD.
Katherine has been on the Arc of GNO's board of directors since 2015, serving as president since 2019. In her career, she is a 20-year veteran in the marketing space working with New Orleans' biggest brands including Smoothie King and Painting with a Twist. She currently owns her own marketing consultant agency which gives her the flexibility required to ensure Arc of Greater New Orleans continues the incredible day to day work needed in our community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Investment Portfolio Manager for Hancock Whitney. a Member
Katy Jambon is currently an Investment Portfolio Manager for Hancock Whitney. A member for 5 years, she brings a financial and marketing expertise to the ArcGNO Board. Her commitment to the disability community is evident in her long-time role as a soccer coach for the Miracle League of New Orleans. She was born in New Orleans and is now married with children.
Job Titles:
- Director of Supported Employment
Job Titles:
- Director of Community Integration
Job Titles:
- Director of Mardi Gras Recycle Center
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- President / Shannon
Shannon Brown Joseph is a dynamic and accomplished workforce development liaison with experience in federal and state funded programs, diversity initiatives and workforce programmatic development. As Director Talent Management-Workforce Development, Joseph oversees all workforce development programs for Ochsner Health System.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance
- Senior Director of Finance
Sundeep Achreja earned a Mas ter of Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems and a Bachelors in Accounting from the University of New Orleans. Sundeep has worked in Accounting at the Arc of Greater New Orleans for over two decades and states that he understands that ensuring the organization's fiscal acuity is his "gift of service." Sundeep is "passionate" about the Arc of Greater New Orleans' programs and states that he is "happy" that his work serves to enrich the lives of the individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Transportation
Job Titles:
- Director of Development
- Senior Director of Development
Todd Simmons joined The ArcGNO in September 2023 bringing with him over 25 years of experience as an administrator, with expertise in marketing, public relations, business development, strategic planning, operations, finance, and outreach.
Todd graduated with honors with his Bachelor of Music degree from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and received a Master's in Business Administration from San Diego State University.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Residential Support Services