Dawn Bradley-Fletcher, CEO 

Dawn Bradley-Fletcher, CEO of the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter (NOWCS), is an award-winning leader with over 25 + years of experience in nonprofit management. With a heart for helping others and the training to make it possible, Dawn plays a pivotal role in guiding the Shelter’s daily operations and strategic planning. Under her leadership, the Shelter has grown from a makeshift shelter formed after Hurricane Katrina to the largest organization serving homeless families with children in New Orleans.

Dawn advocates to ensure that families are kept together and are empowered toward self-sufficiency throughout every step of their journey. Her recent achievements include securing a new, larger facility in Mid-City New Orleans, which will double the Shelter’s capacity. Her visionary leadership has earned her accolades such as:

“New Orleans Magazine 2024 Ladies Who Launch”

“WGNO’s 2024 Remarkable Women”

“The Advocate January 2024 Inspirit Award Winner”

“City Business 2023 Women of The Year”

“New Orleans Magazine 2023 Top Female Achiever”

“2019 Force for Good Individual of the Year Award Winner”

Board of Directors

David Schlakman, Board President, President
 VP & Executive Director, Early Learning Focus

Gretchen Hirt Gendron, Board Vice President, 
Director, Public Information Office, Jefferson Parish

Cole Newton, Board Secretary, 
Owner/Proprietor, Twelve Mile Limit & The Domino

Bonnie Dye, Board Treasurer
 Attorney, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Owner/Proprietor, Cafe’ Bon Ami

Dan Silverman, Founder, Retired

Amy Dye Domangue, Principal, Domangue Consulting Company, Owner/Proprietor, Cafe’ Bon Ami

Ann Duplessis, Senior VP, Liberty Bank

Hon. Paulette Irons, Judge, Civil District Court, Orleans Parish

Allen Kirkley, Retired

Melissa Vandiver, Artist & Illustrator

Richard Rodriguez, VP, Financial Advisor/Relationship Manager, CAPTRUST

Jacqueline Pierre, Manager, LaMadeleine

Development Committee

Richard Rodriguez, Melissa Vandiver, and Gretchen Hirt Gendron.

The Development Committee is a group of leadership volunteers who help develop resources to support the Shelter’s mission. If you are interested in lending your time, talent and treasure to the Shelter as a committee member, please contact: mbriscoe@nowcs.org.