Staff
Staff Directory
Executive Director
Chandler Nutik founded Community Works of Louisiana, Inc. in February of 2009 and has served as the organization’s Executive Director for the last 9 years. Chandler has secured over $4,000,000 in federal, state, and foundation grants that benefit youth 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 recently completed a fellowship with the W.K. Kellogg Community Leadership Network. Chandler is extremely 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.
cnutik@communityworksla.org
Director of Development + Communications
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 help Community Works more then double the number of youth served 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.
toniann@communityworksla.org
Director of Education + Outreach
Cole Williams is a Jamaican-American, born and raised in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. More than a singer, songwriter, producer and composer, Cole has spent her life expanding her repertoire to reflect her passion through creative endeavors.She is a classically trained pianist and vocalist, and has performed at notable venues as Carnegie Hall, the Blue Note, Madison Square Garden and traveled the globe as a vocalist and mentor. Cole has over 15 years experience as a vocal instructor, session coach, band leader and music educator & director with youth and after-school programs in NYC and New Orleans. In 2015 Williams relocated to New Orleans to share her vision of music, community and empowering all youth.Cole believes it is a privilege and a joy to work with and serve the youth & community of New Orleans.
cole@communityworksla.org
Program Manager
Branna Elenz recently graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a double major in Sociology and Psychology. After being a part of the office with Serve Louisiana and experiencing her first year in New Orleans she realize she was not done with all this city and Community Works had to offer and is excited to take on her next year here. In addition to playing her part in social justice movements, Branna is very passionate about the arts: music, dance, writing and painting. She looks forward to utilizing all she has learned from the past year at Community Works and continuing forward with personal and professional growth in and around all the work being done in New Orleans.
branna@communityworksla.org
Development Coordinator – Tulane Vista
Hannah Ashe is from Cambridge, MA and recently graduated from Lesley University where she studied Expressive Art Therapy and Human Services. She’s danced for the majority of her life but also enjoys collaging, taking photos, and reading in her free time. She’s taught dance, yoga and interdisciplinary classes in summer camps and after schools growing up, so she is no stranger to the spirit and importance of these programs. Her strong belief in the powers of art making to heal and build community is one reason why she moved to New Orleans, and was attracted to Community Works. She’s looking forward to her future in New Orleans while serving the children and families who live here.
hannah@communityworksla.org
Volunteer + Program Coordinator – SERVE Louisiana
Andrea McPherson was born in Manhattan, NY to an artist mother and father who was both an educator and bio chemist and therefore knows the importance of integrating the arts and education. Growing up in Portland, she was privileged to discover her love of ballet, acting and writing at a young age and has allowed her artistic passions to shape her life and career. Andrea believes that access to music, dance, visual art and other various mediums of art can give a child a sense of confidence, discipline and most importantly, imagination. Andrea was an educator and actress in commercials and television in Los Angeles, CA and moved to New Orleans a year ago to re-connect with her cultural and familial roots.
andrea@communityworksla.org