NEW ORLEANS – The Greater New Orleans Foundation announced that Kellie Chavez Green has been named vice president for programs. Chavez Greene has been at the foundation since 2013 and most recently served as the director of Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness. In this role, she led initiatives and implemented programs that strengthened the region’s nonprofits, enabling them to better serve the community by becoming well-governed, well-led, and well-managed. Most recently, Chavez Green spearheaded the implementation and launch of two research studies in partnership with the University of New Orleans Political Science Department to better understand how nonprofits have adapted in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first that examines racial equity in our region’s nonprofit sector. She also leads the Foundation’s pioneering initiative to support nonprofits seeking strategic partnerships and mergers.
“Kellie’s exceptional performance over the past eight years told us all we needed to know – which is there is no better person for this vital role at the foundation,” said Andy Kopplin, the nonprofit’s president and CEO. “Kellie brings a wealth of experience in grantmaking and nonprofit leadership and training, but more important than that, she demonstrates the power of relationships: she forms genuine, positive, and productive relationships with everyone she meets and works with.”
“I am tremendously excited to be moving into this new role here at the Foundation,” said Chavez Green. “To be able to build upon the relationships and knowledge I have gained through my role in nonprofit leadership and effectiveness gives me great pride and excitement. I look forward to continuing work with the dynamic programs team to create and implement great initiatives that support our nonprofits partners and the communities we serve.”
Prior to joining the Greater New Orleans Foundation, Chavez Greene served as vice president of programs for the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations. In that role, she helped LANO expand its capacity building offerings and programming aimed at developing board leaders. She graduated with a BA from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and a MFA from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She is an avid Saints fan, Mardi Gras reveler, and sailor on Lake Pontchartrain.
