Pictured, left to right, Dawn Bradley-Fletcher (Executive Director), Jackie Silverman (Founder), Dan Silverman (Co-Founder)
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, 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
Allen Kirkley, Retired
Melissa Vandiver, Artist & Illustrator
Richard Rodriguez, VP, Financial Advisor/Relationship Manager, CAPTRUST
Jennifer Williams, Customer Service Regional Manager, Entergy
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.