Baton Rouge Area Foundation

That’s a wrap on this year’s Nonprofit Board Chair Fellows Program! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating the newest graduates of the six-session leadership experience, designed to empower current and incoming nonprofit board chairs across the Greater Baton Rouge region.

Over the course of this program, eighteen leaders engaged in expert-led learning, peer connections, and strategic discussions. Together, they explored how to lead stronger boards, support executive leadership, and deepen the impact of the organizations they serve.

We are proud to celebrate this cohort and the vital role they will continue to play in strengthening our nonprofit community. Congratulations, Fellows!

Learn more about the professional fellowships offered through BRAF's Center for Nonprofit Excellence at braf.org/nonprofits.

BRAF's president and CEO, Chris Meyer, joined colleagues from the Water Institute, the Community Foundation Resilience Network, and state economic development and coastal protection leadership on a mission to the Netherlands focused on water management, coastal resilience and climate adaptation.

The Louisiana delegation brought together partners across science, policy, conservation, innovation, economic development and community resilience to explore how Louisiana and Dutch leaders can continue learning from one another. The group met with organizations including Deltares, a global leader in flood risk reduction and water management whose work helped inspire the creation of The Water Institute.

As Louisiana faces coastal land loss, rising seas and increasing storm risks, these international partnerships can help advance resilience solutions, economic development, workforce opportunities and the state’s growing role as a global leader in water management.

Join us in celebrating Emily Glascock, BRAF’s director of philanthropic impact, on two years with the Foundation!

As a member of BRAF’s philanthropic impact team, Emily leads membership campaigns for individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations, while also overseeing BRAF’s nonprofit fellowship programs.

When asked what she enjoys most about working at BRAF, Emily shared:
“The best part of working at BRAF is getting to support our fellowship programs and connect with nonprofit leaders who are doing incredible work in our communities. I enjoy creating opportunities for learning, collaboration and growth, and helping strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem across our region.”

Outside of work, Emily is an avid reader who read more than 125 books last year and is always adding to her “to be read” list. She is also a fan of Supernatural, Star Wars and Lost, loves movies and theatre, enjoys learning new things through books, classes and new experiences, and never passes up a good road trip with her husband and friends.

Thank you, Emily, for the positive difference you make every day. Congratulations on two years with BRAF! 🤩🎉

Please join us in celebrating Gabriella Cormier, BRAF’s enterprise administrative coordinator, on one year with the Foundation!

Gabriella joined BRAF after earning her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. In her role, she supports the enterprise operations team through stakeholder communications, document management, initial grant application evaluations and other administrative functions that help keep important work moving forward.

With a passion for community building and development, Gabriella brings thoughtfulness, creativity and a positive spirit to her work each day. Outside of work, Gabriella enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring all things creative.

When asked what she enjoys most about BRAF, Gabriella shared:
“What I enjoy most about BRAF is getting to come into work every day to collaborate alongside such positive, kind and like-minded people who are focused on the mission to better the community.”

Thank you, Gabriella, for all you do to support BRAF. Happy one year! 🎉

We are proud to share that three members of the Foundation’s leadership team have been named to the 2026 Capital Region 500 by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.

The Capital Region 500 celebrates influential leaders who are shaping progress and making a meaningful impact across the Baton Rouge area. This recognition highlights their commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant community through thoughtful leadership and service.

This year’s honorees include:
🎉 Eric Dexter, vice president of civic leadership initiatives
🎉 Carissa Graves, vice president of philanthropy
🎉 Chris Meyer, president and CEO

Alongside our team members, many of our valued partners, including donors, nonprofit leaders, and current and former Board members, were also honored in this distinguished group.

Please join us in congratulating all those honored for this well-earned acknowledgment!

Our Development Fellows recently explored the power of planned giving and its role in building long-term organizational sustainability. Led by Edmund J. Giering, IV, general counsel at BRAF, the session offered thoughtful insights into legacy giving, donor stewardship and creating lasting impact for the communities nonprofits serve.

To learn more about the professional fellowships and services offered by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, visit braf.org/nonprofits.

During last week’s Board Chair Fellows class, fellows explored executive director evaluations and their role in fostering stronger nonprofit leadership. The discussion emphasized the board chair’s responsibility in guiding a thoughtful evaluation process that builds trust, enhances accountability, and aligns leadership with the organization’s mission and goals.

To learn more about the professional fellowships and services offered by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, visit braf.org/nonprofits.

BRAF’s Nonprofit Development Fellows welcomed Ritchie Goebel, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, for a presentation on volunteer-led fundraising and peer-to-peer engagement last week. Ritchie shared practical strategies for empowering volunteers, building community support, and creating fundraising campaigns that strengthen both donor relationships and organizational impact.

Learn more about professional fellowships offered through the Foundation at braf.org/nonprofits.

As Gulf Coast communities face growing challenges, collaboration is key to building resilience.

The Community Foundation Resilience Network convened for a two-day, in-person meeting last week, hosted by BRAF.

The network is comprised of four Gulf Coast community foundations: Greater New Orleans Foundation, BRAF, Greater Houston Community Foundation and The Community Foundation of South Alabama. With support from the Gulf Research Program at the National Academies of Sciences, the group collaborates to strengthen proactive disaster resilience.

During the meeting, attendees shared progress from their first year of work, discussed potential future projects and visited local sites connected to resilience efforts in Baton Rouge. Activities included a bus tour of Baton Rouge stormwater and public-private redevelopment sites, as well as a visit to The Water Institute to tour the Mississippi River physical model.

The gathering offered an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from regional partners and explore how collaboration can help Gulf Coast communities prepare for future challenges.