Maureen Long (Board President)
Mike Doussan (Board Vice President)
Jerry W. Lenaz (Development Co-Chair)
Jerry is the principal at Firestarter Consulting, an independent consulting firm that assists small businesses and start-up ventures with strategic business planning, marketing and business development. Jerry has over 15 years experience in assisting businesses launch new products, services and markets in industries ranging from telecommunication, technology services, broadcast and media, Internet and software development and start-up non-profit organizations. Originally from New Jersey, Jerry has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters in Business Administration from Tulane University, where he currently teaches marketing classes. Jerry serves as the Treasurer for Upturn Arts and has been involved in the organization since 2015. He is passionate about the arts and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to express their creative talent while increasing their confidence. In his spare time, Jerry leads the Disco Amigos, a Mardi Gras dance troupe looking to spread the joy of Disco to the world.
Dwayne Breashears (Artist Circle Co-Chair)
Dwayne worked as Program Director for the New Orleans radio station, WWOZ, from 1998 – 2016 overseeing program scheduling and event coverage, coordinating multiple departments, and working with directors and production staff. He produced live event broadcasts including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, A Great Night in Harlem, Telluride Jazz Festival, Satchmo Summer Fest, Voodoo Music Experience, SoCo Music Festival, WWOZ Piano Night, and Backstreet Cultural Museum Mardi Gras Celebration. A native New Orleanian, he has a depth of knowledge of the musicians, music, and cultural history of the city. He is the CEO of Grown Folks Productions and also a Board member of the CubaNOLA Arts Collective, Save Our Cemeteries and Engulf, LLC.
Katelyn Powell (Program Committee Chair)
Katelyn grew up in a small town in Connecticut. She developed a passion for dance at a young age and spent her free time training in genres of ball, jazz, lyrical and tap. Katelyn continued dancing while attending the University of Connecticut, where she graduated in 2009 with majors in Psychology and Spanish. She went on to spend three years teaching children English in Madrid, Spain before moving to New Orleans to pursue a career in social work. In 2013 Katelyn received her Master’s in Social Work and certificate in global social work from Tulane University. She has since been devoted to serving immigrant children and families in the Greater New Orleans area. She currently works at the New Orleans Family Justice Center as a bilingual children’s counselor. Katelyn considers New Orleans to be home and continues to takes advantage of every opportunity she has to dance, venturing most recently into the world of partner dancing. She also performs with the Shimmi Shakti belly dance troupe.
Mike Doussan (Artist Circle Co-Chair)
Lara Carter (Board Treasurer)
Maureen Long (Development Co-Chair)