Staff Directory
Executive Staff
Gordon Wadge
President & CEO
504-568-9622 x273
For Gordon and his wife Mary there is no better Y moment than watching their 10 grandchildren in swim lessons and dance classes at the Y.
Louis Ogle
Chief Operating Officer
504-568-9622 x270
Louis' Favorite Y Moments: Working directly with children at the Y and being able to include his own daughters in YMCA programs.
Metro Office
Shen Zhou
Director of Finance
504-568-9622 x271
Favorite Y moment: "I love when people flash me a huge smile when they stop by my office and seeing people enjoy their time at the Y."
Laura Jacobs
Marketing Manager
Why I Love the Y: "I love spreading the word about how the YMCA's mission and community-centered programs support healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility."
Julie Belou
Program Coordinator
504-568-9622x274
Why Julie loves the Y: "I learned how to swim here! When I was four years old my dad would come and play basketball at the Y and I had swim lessons."
Taylor Oelking
Executive Director of Aquatics
"I love the Y because it makes us all feel like a part of something bigger and we are given the opportunity to make a difference in our community."
Collying Galeano
Director, YMCA Car Seat Safety Outreach Program
504-568-9622 ext. 102
Why Collying loves the Y: "I love the Y because everyone is welcome. I am grateful for having the opportunity to make an impact in the community by educating parents and children on the importance of child seat safety and saving their precious lives."
Belle Chasse YMCA
Dana Wattigney
Executive Director
(504) 392-9622
Why Dana loves the Y: "I love the Y because my family loves the Y. The Y can be life changing!"
Vanessa Paige
Associate Executive Director
504-392-8622 x404
Why Vanessa loves the Y: “I love the Y because I love seeing the smiles on all of the kids' faces and watching them grow into young adults.”
Zach Clark
Membership & Marketing Director
Why Zach loves the Y: “I love the Y because it truly feels like home. From our young leaders to our longtime members, seeing people build confidence, friendships, and joy here is my favorite part of what we do.”
Nia St. Cyr
Youth Development Director
(504) 392-9622
Why Nia loves the Y: "I love my YMCA because it’s a place where kids are supported, inspired, and encouraged to grow. Our summer camp is especially meaningful, as it allows campers to return as staff and give back to the community that helped shape them."
Anna Thomas
Sports and Wellness Director
(504) 392-9622
Why Anna loves the Y: "I love the Y because I get to see children and adults thrive in different aspects of fitness; from sports to working out. Getting to see people reach goals and achieve new things is truly inspiring."
Johnie Bridges
Community Aquatics Director
504-392-9622 ext. 403
Why Johnie loves the Y: “I love the Y because I get to form relationships with families from swim lessons, swim team, and working in the facility. I am so grateful to be a part of this team and organization.”
West St. Tammany YMCA
Donna Laiche
Executive Director
985-893-9622
Why Donna loves the Y: "The Y provides our community with what they are searching for to lead a healthier and happier life. It may be a good sweat. It may be sitting down with friends to have coffee. It may be a need to share a special story, a smiling face or just a reason to get out of the house."
Krissy Cook
Youth and Family Programs Director
985-893-9622
Why Krissy loves the Y: "I love Summer Camp. I enjoy watching the campers grow and learn throughout the summer. I truly believe in the Y's Core Values and enjoy teaching the children in our programs how to incorporate them into their daily lives."
Lauren Heisser
Community Aquatics and Membership Director
(985) 893-9622
Why Lauren loves the Y: "The Y laid down the foundation as my first job and has captivated my heart ever since. From starting my interest in the health and fitness industry to creating my family, I have definitely learned the Y is so much more than just a gym."
Ed Estapa
Wellness and Youth Sports Director
Why Ed loves the "Y: My favorite time of day is mornings on the fitness floor visiting and gaining wisdom from our amazing YMCA community members."
Plaquemines Partnership
Ashley Lincoln
Partnership Director
504-934-3775
Why Ashley loves the Y: "Of all the places I've worked, the Y has been by far the most rewarding. What I love most about the Y is the passion it creates in our community; getting to be a part of the positive effect it has on people of all ages is an edifying feeling. Our Y allows everyone to reach their full potential through our mission that focuses on a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Last but not least, I love our Y family which is made up of volunteers, donors, members and staff, who make this place a home, rather than a job."
Sarah Spinney
Port Sulphur Community Center Director
(504) 934-3690
Why Sarah loves the Y: I love creating new and exciting memories for the youth in my community, just like what I experienced as a child at the Y."
Melissa Mcgaha
Buras Community Center Director
(504) 934-3775
Why Melissa loves the Y: "I love working at the YMCA because it gives me the opportunity to work with youth and adults in my community. The ability to assist people in maintaining a healthy spirit, mind and body is rewarding. I enjoy the exciting atmosphere the Y has to offer and love my job at the Y!
YES!
Amy Leggette
Executive Director
5045963842
Amy's favorite moments at the Y: laughing, learning, and collaborating as a community!
Mary Popp
Instructor/ Data and Assessment Specialist
"My favorite Y moment is watching students' confidence soar when they unlock and discover their potential!"
Mia Frost
Instructor of Adult Education
(504) 596-3842
Favorite Y moment: "So many! Hard call- I have such awesome memories of going swimming with my mom, my niece, and my nephew in the summer as well as taking swimming lessons as a child myself, but I'd have to say my favorite was getting to go to Y- day summer camp as a kid. It was awesome!"
Kal (Karolyn) Jones
Distance Learning Coordinator
504-352-1497
Kal's Y Moment: "I have loads of wonderful ‘Y’ moments. Some of my oldest involve being dressed as a California Raisin for a costume contest or meeting my best friend at the Valentine’s Day dance. The Y has always been there for me, and I am so happy to be able to give something back through YMCA Education Services."
East Jefferson YMCA
Kerri Diaz
Executive Director
(504) 888-9622
My Y: "The Y has a true community feel. It's a place that is able to bridge the gap between generations and people of diverse backgrounds. It is truly a gift to be part of a place that ensures access to the opportunities and resources necessary to achieve health, gain confidence, make connections and feel secure at every stage of life."
Bailey Gstohl
Marketing and Membership Director
Why Bailey loves the Y: "I love the Y because I'm honored to be a part of such a positive work and community environment! The Y brings people of all backgrounds together and gives them the support and resources needed to thrive."
Dene' Ladner
Youth and Family Programs Director
504-888-9622
Why Dene' loves the Y: "We have the opportunity to work at the Y in an environment where families can thrive in a welcoming and diverse community. The Y provides all children with a safe place they can flourish into teens and adults who are positive influences in their communities and in the wider world around them."
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Dylan Ducote
Community Aquatics Director
(504) 888-9622
Why Dylan loves the Y: "I love the opportunities that the YMCA offers to our community, and I enjoy being a part of such a lively environment."
Netty Orellana
Wellness Director / Youth Sports
504-888-9622
Why Netty Loves the Y: "Here at the Y we have a diverse community. You can be any age, race, or gender and you will be welcomed with a smile. Growing up I didn't "fit in," but here I feel like I am part of a healthy, happy community."
Eva Waites
Why Eva loves the Y: I love the Y and thank God everyday because I can make an impact working with the Seniors and see their joy each day when they enter the Y.
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