Youth Program Quality

External Assessor

Jody Portnoff Braunig, LMSW, CFRE, ACFRE Candidate, is a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, and community builder with more than 20 years of experience across Jewish and secular nonprofit organizations. Her career has focused on helping mission-driven organizations secure funding, strengthen relationships, and grow their impact through strategic fundraising, leadership, and community engagement.

Jody believes deeply in the power of generosity, community, and meaningful relationships to create lasting change. Jody is proud to have served as an External Assessor for the past 12 years and is committed to helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their effectiveness and long-term sustainability

External Assessor

Taylor Nelson is a proud native of New Roads, Louisiana, and a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge. Today, I have the privilege of serving as a secondary English Language Arts educator at the very high school where my own educational journey began. I am passionate about helping students discover their voices, develop a love for learning, and reach their full potential. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, embracing opportunities to learn and grow, and giving back to the community that has played such an important role in shaping who I am

External Assessor

Shawndreka “Shawn” Reynolds has spent 19 years in the education field and currently serves as the LightHouse Assistant Director of Programs with Volunteers of America in Shreveport. She has successfully collaborated with educators and administrators to strengthen curriculum initiatives and improve student outcomes. Her passion for education drives her to create innovative learning environments that foster academic excellence and personal growth. Shawn is committed to empowering students and educators by ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive.

External Assessor

Jenise Ramey is born and raised in Bastrop, Louisiana. She has been a third grade math teacher for 14 years, and a 21st CCLC YPQI External Assessor for three. She is a proud graduate of Wiley College and holds a BS in Elementary Education with a Specialization in Physical Education. She also obtained her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and loves spending time with family, traveling, couponing, eating seafood, listening to music, and watching sports/ football. #WhoDat

Trainer/Training Coordinator

Croix McClendon is an educator, operations professional, community advocate, and entertainer based in New Orleans. He currently teaches ninth-grade Physical Science, where he is committed to creating engaging learning experiences and helping students achieve academic success. Beyond the classroom, Croix is known professionally as DJ Gator and brings people together through music and community events. His dedication to service is reflected through his involvement with the Knights of Columbus, Prince Hall Masonry, Ismael Temple No. 154, and the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club.

Trainer

Brendan Turner, LCSW (he/him), is a social worker and therapist with a decade of clinical and racial literacy experience. Brendan leads PLAAY South New Orleans (PSNO.org), an organization dedicated to violence prevention and youth empowerment and runs his private practice, Brendan Turner, LCSW Counseling and Consulting (bturnerlcsw.com). Brendan has worked and trained alongside Dr. Howard Stevenson to become a Senior Racial Literacy Trainer for the Lions’ Story and a Senior PLAAY Trainer contributing to the research and editing of the PLAAY manual. As a human-centered therapist, he utilizes somatic and mindfulness practices to help clients navigate grief, loss, trauma, relationships, parenting and anxiety. By building crucial skills and aligning actions with core values, he empowers clients to achieve self-acceptance, effective communication, and fulfillment.

Trainer/Training Coordinator

Iriane McCray Iriane “Irie” McCray is a proud native of New Orleans—a mother, author, educator, and advocate whose work is rooted in storytelling, cultural empowerment, and community impact. A graduate of Southern University at New Orleans with a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Irie has always found power and purpose in words. In 2018, she published her debut book, My Song, Our Song, written to uplift and support young people facing life’s challenges and emotional hardships, particularly around depression and mental health. She currently works as the Co-Founder of Go Get It!, a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to underserved males who wish to acquire the necessary job readiness skills to thrive in high functioning work environments, as well as an Independent Consultant for The Writer’s Wing, a nonprofit that pushes culturally relevant literacy initiatives in middle school and high school classrooms to assist schools with helping to improve their student’s literacy levels. 

Outside of her work as an author and nonprofit leader, Irie remains deeply committed to uplifting her community through mentorship, wellness, and equity-focused programming. She has held various leadership roles in the social impact and nonprofit sectors, with a consistent focus on advancing opportunities for youth and under-resourced communities. As a mother and lifelong learner, Irie approaches every role with empathy, integrity, and purpose.

Trainer

Julie Gamze-Elcin (she/her) is a certified Weikart Youth Work Methods facilitator and multilingual education professional with extensive experience partnering with students, families, and educators across New Orleans. She enjoys creating learning experiences that center meaningful relationships and elevate youth voice to better support young people. Early morning runs through Bayou St. John and City Park are one of her favorite ways to start the day and recharge.

Trainer

Mikhalya Harrell is a New Orleans-based consultant, educator, and arts leader with 21 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership. She trains statewide through Quality Improvement Strategies (QIS) using the Weikart Center's YPQI methodology, leads Star Blossom Consulting, co-presides over the Louisiana Art Education Association, and teaches Visual Arts at Bard Early College New Orleans. She holds an MA in Art Education from the University of New Mexico. Her work spans operations, curriculum writing, program management, and grant writing, grounded in creative equity and trauma-informed practice.

Trainer

Jordan Butler has a background in education, public health, and nonprofit leadership. She holds Master's degrees in Public Service and Public Health and founded the Refill Jackson Initiative in Jackson, Mississippi. It was there that she was first introduced to and trained in YPQI, and she has remained passionate about the framework and its ability to help organizations learn, grow, and better serve their communities.