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:

“CityBusiness 2026 Most Admired C-Suite Executive Honoree”
“BizNewOrleans’ 2026 New Orleans Influential, Involved and Inspiring Leaders”
“BizNewOrleans’ 2025 New Orleans Influential, Involved and Inspiring Leaders”
“New Orleans Magazine 2024 Ladies Who Launch”
“WGNO’s 2024 Remarkable Women”
“The Advocate 2024 Inspirit Award Winner”
“CityBusiness 2023 overall “Women of The Year”
“New Orleans Magazine 2023 Top Female Achiever”
“CityBusiness 2022 “Women of The Year”
“CityBusiness 2019 “Women of The Year”
“2019 Force for Good Individual of the Year Award Winner”

Board of Directors

David Schlakman, Board President, VP & Executive Director, Early Learning Focus
Bonnie Dye, Board Vice President, Attorney, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Owner/Proprietor, Cafe’ Bon Ami
Amy Dye Domangue, Board Vice President of Governance, Principal, Domangue Consulting Company, Owner/Proprietor, Cafe’ Bon Ami
Richard Rodriguez, Board Treasurer, VP, Financial Advisor/Relationship Manager, CAPTRUST
Cole Newton, Board Secretary, Owner/Proprietor, Twelve Mile Limit & The Domino
Gretchen Hirt Gendron, Director, Public Information Office, Jefferson Parish
Dan Silverman, Founder, Retired
Melissa Vandiver, Artist & Illustrator
Jessica Williams, Customer Service Regional Manager, Entergy
Ari Ferrand–Goodwin, Director of Organizational Development, Port of New Orleans & New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Ginger Spencer, Lead Operations Engineer – Mars Shell Exploration & Production Co.
Todd Ragusa, Principal, Ragusa Consulting
Marcy Delatte, Managing Member, New Orleans Restoration Properties

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.