Chandler Nutik is the founding Executive Director of Community Works and has served in that position since 2009. Chandler has helped secure federal, state, and foundation grants that benefit young people in Community Works programs throughout New Orleans. He has successfully built numerous mutually beneficial partnerships and works tirelessly on  creating new project and programmatic opportunities for youth. Academically, Chandler has received a JD from Tulane Law School and an MBA from the Freeman School of Business. In addition, he is licensed to practice law in the state of New York. Chandler has served as Co-Chair on the Advisory Board for Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans (EPNO) and is a W.K. Kellogg Community Leadership Network fellow. Chandler is passionate about the work that Community Works does and his role in helping to improve the educational landscape in New Orleans. He has helped to change the lives of many youth and continues to advocate for support for afterschool and summer programs in Louisiana.

Damien Theodore has been a life long resident of the Greater New Orleans area. He is a product of Orleans Parish Public Schools. This is where he discovered his passion for education. Damien has been involved in education on many different levels including as a Chess instructor with CW. He believes that every child should have access to a free and safe educational environment. A quote that he lives by is “Protect the King and everything else will follow.”

Sensei Dre is a Teaching Artist Coach, Youth Development Consultant, and Martial Arts Instructor. He has worked in youth development for nearly three decades, building youth and community development programs in New York City and New Orleans. His work with Community Works, for the past decade, has been in multiple capacities — as a Community Leader, Teaching Artist, Teaching Artist Coach, and Community Leader Coach. He has lead numerous professional development trainings on multiple topics in youth development to both small and large groups alike. He believes in using positive energy to build self esteem, confidence, communication, and community, which contributes to positive change in everyone.

ToniAnn Laborde has been with Community Works for the past 7 years. She works to implement strong programming, develop new partnerships, and increase funding to help impact the lives of youth throughout our city. ToniAnn has helped more then double the number of young people participating in CW programs on a daily basis.  She has secured over $2,000,000.00 in funding and manages all foundation grant support. ToniAnn was chosen as an inaugural Emerging Leader through the Greater New Orleans Foundation and Kresge Foundation in 2014. She graduated from American University in Washington, DC. While at American she gained valuable experience in the non-profit industry working with First Book and The National Kidney Foundation Serving the National Capital Area. She also worked for the AU Abroad office, helping students and parents gauge the international landscape. After finishing school, she returned to her hometown of New Orleans and worked in the marketing department at the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. In addition, ToniAnn also teaches ballet locally and currently performs with Ballet Hysell in New Orleans. She is very proud and believes strongly in the work done by Community Works.