QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES
Building
spaces where
people flourish
Our Services
We help employers, intermediaries, and youth-serving organizations build environments where people thrive.
Youth Development
We help youth-serving organizations measure and improve program quality through evidence-based assessments and coaching.
Employer Quality
We help employers measure and improve job quality through worker-informed assessments and evidence-based action plans.
About Us
Kathy Grote leads the Employer Quality Network (EQN) in New Orleans and brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience. A facilitator, strategic thought partner, and self-described data nerd, she has coached more than 200 organizations in quality improvement and workforce development.
Kathy also designed and leads Louisiana’s statewide Youth Program Quality Improvement Network in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education, where programs have achieved network-wide gains for three consecutive years.
Her approach to quality improvement is collaborative, curious, and grounded in equity. She works alongside organizations to understand their data, identify opportunities for improvement, and turn those insights into practical next steps. Kathy holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Organizational Development.
Meet the Board
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Takyra Lewis
Board President
New Orleans native and committed nonprofit professional dedicated to supporting youth and strengthening communities. She currently works with Children's Bureau of New Orleans' Opportunity Youth Initiative, helping connect young people to resources and opportunities that promote success. Takyra earned her Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport and brings a passion for mission-driven leadership to her role as Board President. Through her professional and volunteer service, she remains committed to creating positive outcomes for youth in the Greater New Orleans area. -
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Aundrea Gregg
Board Secretary
Director at JFF where she supports the design and implementation of social and economic mobility strategies focused on young adults. Through a core belief that collaboration is key to positive and sustained change, she brings together stakeholders from diverse sectors and life experiences to facilitate learning exchanges, map local and regional assets, and scale education and employment pathways. Prior to joining JFF, Aundrea served in policy advocacy and collective impact roles at Georgia Center for Opportunity, the Clinton Global Initiative, and the Cowen Institute at Tulane University. She holds a bachelor's degree from Howard University, and master's degrees from London School of Economics and Tulane University.
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Diamond Dickerson
Board Member
Senior Policy Associate with Corporation for a Skilled Workforce's Competencies and Credentials Team, working to expand the use of competencies and credentials to remove educational barriers and improve career opportunities, particularly for low-wage workers and people of color. She supports research on career and technical education policies, developing skills-based practices and competency-based occupational profiles, and strengthening higher education-industry employer-CBO partnerships. Diamond earned a doctorate in business from National University in June 2024, focusing on human resources and workforce development strategies. She also holds an M.S. in Hospitality Management from Florida International University and a B.A. in Dance and Family & Consumer Science from Southeastern Louisiana University.
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Terrance Taylor
CFO
An experienced leader in strategic finance and operations, with over a decade of experience across various sectors. As the CEO and Founder of Taylor Glenn Consulting, he provides CFO services and advisory to executive leaders, focusing on finance systems and budgeting. Based in Houston, the firm serves clients in California, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.
Work with Us.
Have questions about where to start? We'd love to connect. Every organization's needs are different, and we're here to help you find the right fit. Send us a message today.