Meet our Speakers

Interfaith Disaster Summit #3  Feb. 8th & 9th, 2007, Woodworth, LA

In order of appearance

 (our regrets that we were not able to obtain all bios/pics for every speaker)

 

 Rev. Charles Dana “Dan” Krutz

Executive Director, Louisiana Interchurch Conference

 

Fr. Dan Krutz served as the Ecumenical Officer in the Episcopal Diocese of W. LA before becoming the Executive Director of the Louisiana Interchurch Conference in 1992.  He served as President for Churches Uniting in Christ, Coordinating Council, 2004 – 2006 (Episcopal Church Representative to the Coordinating Council); Chair of the New Orleans workshop event in 2005 for the National Workshop on Christian Unity; and a Member of the Presbyterian/Episcopal Church Dialogue, 2003 – present.  Fr. Krutz has his BA from Southern Methodist University, M.Div. from Berkeley Divinity School, and D.Min. from Virginia Theological Seminary.  Fr. Krutz was ordained as an Episcopalian Priest in 1971.

 

Brenda Phillips, Ph.D.

Professor, Fire and Emergency Management Program, OSU

Dr. Brenda Phillips teaches emergency management with particular expertise in disaster recovery and high-risk populations.  She is a researcher with the Center for the Study of Disasters and Extreme Events and a faculty member in the Fire and Emergency Management Program.  The National Science Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Natural Hazards Center have funded her research. She has taught in Costa Rica through a Rotary Foundation International Grant, has received a Fulbright-Hays Award to Pakistan, and has participated in a National Science Foundation Researcher Exchange with the People’s Republic of China. She has given invited presentations in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, India and at the U.S. National Academies of Science, National Weather Service Training Center, and to numerous state and national conferences, state offices of emergency management and nonprofit agencies.  Her work has been published in the Journal of Emergency Management, Disaster Management, Disasters, the International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, Sociological Focus and Humanity and Society.

 

 

 

(no photo available) Emilia J. Bellone, MSW, LCSW

Reiki Master

 

Ms. Bellone is a first generation American of Puerto Rican and Sicilian descent who grew up in a multi-lingual home so, early on, she learned to cherish human diversity.  She’s lived on the east, west and gulf coasts of the United States, as well as overseas, which made her very adaptable and helped her recognize the inherent connection between all humans.  She’s made Louisiana, where she married and started her family, her home since 1985.  Her professional career has been devoted to assisting and empowering individuals and communities in their journeys towards peace and healing.  As an active member of the Baha’i Faith, she also serves in the administration of the Louisiana Baha’i School and on the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Lafayette. 

 

  Dr. James A. "Jim" Grant

Executive Director, Vermilion Faith Community of Care

  

A native of California, Jim went into the Peace Corps to teach high school math in the West African country of Ghana after completing his studies at Princeton University.  While in the Peace Corps, he found his ‘path’ – a blending of Eastern and Western religious traditions and a career in social service.  After completing a Master’s degree in Social Welfare at the University of California at Berkeley, he moved to Abbeville, La., to work on a housing renovation project with Southern Mutual Help Association.  He has since worked with a variety of social agencies, often with a religious connection, spent two years in an ashram in South India, completed a Ph.D. in Computer Science at UL Lafayette with a dissertation that focused on a hypertext representation of textual criticism of the Pentateuch, and completed a Master’s level certificate program in Social Ministry at Loyola University of New Orleans.  He currently serves as the Executive Director of Vermilion Faith Community of Care and the chair of the Vermilion Parish Long-Term Recovery Coalition.  He has been an active participant in all LIDRN development activities, including being the originator of LIDRN’s first project, the 2006 Day of Prayer for Protection from Hurricanes.  He is a member of the Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Abbeville.

 

  Melissa Haley, M.S.W.

Statewide Recovery Coordinator, LA United Way

 

Melissa Haley returned to the New Orleans area after a ten month evacuation to take on the challenge of the Statewide Long Term Recovery Coordinator for Louisiana Association of United Ways. During her displacement she was the Long Term Recovery Coordinator for United Way of Greater St. Louis. There she coordinated services and provided the framework for a successful un-met needs committee that assisted 3000 families that evacuated to the area.

 

Melissa received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Mass Communication from Xavier University in LA where she met and married her husband, Okyeame, a New Orleans Native and local attorney. They are currently rebuilding in the area with their two daughters Nia, 7 and Kai, 4. Melissa is a second generation graduated of Clark Atlanta University School of Social Work where she received her Masters of Social Work and is licensed in the State of Louisiana.

 

Melissa is committed to long term recovery services and her social work experience is instrumental in providing technical assistance to long term recovery committees across the state.

 

Mr. William Winters

Advocate, Unitarian Universalist Hurricane Relief and Social Justice Project

 

William Winters, 28, is a native of New Iberia, Louisiana. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2002.  As a student, he was an active leader in the Progressive Student Alliance, the Student Environmental Action Coalition, the Student Senate, and the Mixon Lyceum, LSU’s debate team.  Prior to becoming an Ally, William was very involved in the community as a teacher and an activist.  He has been a volunteer facilitator for the YWCA’s Dialogues on Race and currently sits on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including City at Peace and Red Stick Area Kickball, where he also captains a team.  William currently serves as the advocacy staff at the Unitarian Universalist Hurricane Relief and Social Justice Project, where he works to bring community organizations to the larger affordable housing advocacy community in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

 

 

 

 Risa Robert Mueller

Community Outreach and Governmental Affairs, The Road Home Program

 

Risa Robert Mueller, senior consultant with Franklin Industries, is a Community Outreach Manager with the Road Home program. Her role is to bring a deeper understanding of the program to participants in community education forums across the state. Mueller brings 17 years of non-profit and public relations experience to her role with Franklin Industries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(no photo available) Rev. Lura Cayton

Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison, Church World Service

 

Lura J. Cayton, M.Div., is a 1986 graduate of The Graduate Seminary, Phillips University.  In April, 1986, she was ordained into ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has served 3 congregations, most recently serving a 10 year ministry with Capitol Hill Christian Church (CHCC) in Oklahoma City. 

 

              In April, 2002, she became a full time Disaster Response and Recovery Liaison for the Emergency Response Program of CWS.  In that capacity she helps to organize, train, mentor and resource the faith community in disaster affected communities for participation in the long term recovery process.  She also works with congregations and communities in the areas of disaster preparedness and mitigation training.  In addition, she works with state Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) on a state and local community level to network with other disaster response agencies to coordinate, cooperate, communicate and collaborate during all phases of disaster.  A major contribution of the faith community is its recognition of the need for emotional and spiritual care as a part of the recovery process.  Lura has been serving in Louisiana since shortly after Katrina struck.

 

She is married to Richard L. Cayton who is also an ordained minister in the Christian Church.  Together they have three children and 8 grand children.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Lou Furman

Director, Turning Point Partners

 

Lou Furman, Director of Turning Point Partners, is a Trainer Associate for the Victim Offender Mediation Association, a Registered Drama Therapist and Professor Emeritus at Washington State University.  In addition, he is a trainer in trauma awareness and resilience for the Global Facilitators’ Service Corps and the STAR program of Eastern Mennonite University.  His focus is youth in crisis.  He has established programs in alternative and charter schools as well as worked extensively with incarcerated youth.  He has been certified to teach in Washington and Louisiana.

 

 

The Rev. Dr. Alan Cutter

General Presbyter, Presbytery of South Louisiana

 

Alan cutter grew up in various communities in Massachusetts, attending church wherever his father, a United Church of Christ minister, was pastor.  Alan graduated from Syracuse University in New York and then went on to do post-graduate work at Simmons College in Boston, earning a master’s degree in library science.  In 1969, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Naval Security Group.  As a newly-commissioned ensign, he later served in Vietnam.  Alan completed his military obligation teaching at the Naval Academy Preparatory School.

 

As a war veteran Aland developed an interest in the spiritual and emotional effects of trauma.  Along with other members of the International Conference of War Veteran Ministers, he has led over 20 spiritual healing retreats for war veterans and their partners.

  

 

Steven L. Zimmer

Vice President for Community Mobilization, United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area

 

Mr. Zimmer has been Vice President for Community Mobilization for the United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area since late August, 2005.  In this capacity he is responsible for managing the Safety Net goal area work, inclusive of United Way’s disaster preparation, response, and recovery activities and collaborative involvement, program investments, Emergency Food & Shelter Program, Operation Home Front, the Client Assistance Program, and other related initiatives.  Disaster response activities include staff liaison work with seven Long Term Recovery Committees and the Greater New Orleans Disaster Response Partnership, including moderating the Case Management and Resources Distribution Roundtables and Co-chairing the GNODRP Case Management Committee.

Mr. Zimmer has his M.S. in Community Development from the University of Louisville, in Louisville, Kentucky (1884), a B.A. in Philosophy and History from Oklahoma Baptist University, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, (1970), and 98 graduate hours from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Gary J. Matherne, Deputy Secretary

LDR Executive Management Team, Public Affairs, Charitable Gaming, Training

Deputy Secretary Matherne previously served as the Louisiana Department of Revenue's Director of Training. He holds a Master of Education degree from Nicholls State University. During his career, he has served as Facility Administrator for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, Director of Training in a healthcare facility, and is a retired school principal.  After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he also began serving as the Coordinator of the Louisiana Hurricane Housing Task Force out of the Office of the Governor.  

 

 

(no photo available) Lisa Desselles, LCSW

Disaster Response Team, Catholic Community Services

 

Lisa M. Desselles is a member of the Disaster Response Team at Catholic Community Services of Baton Rouge, Inc., a Catholic Charities agency.  She has been employed there for over one year.  She serves as the Team Lead for the Community-based team of case managers serving individuals and families impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Lisa is also responsible for training new case managers and ensuring appropriate creation and implementation of the Family Recovery Plans for their clients. She has also facilitated two self help educational programs sponsored by Casey Powerful Families, Advocacy After A Disaster and Financial Literacy and Justice.

 

Lisa is a 1996 graduate of LSU School of Social Work.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in correctional institutions for over 10 years before joining Catholic Community Services.  She has extensive training in PTSD counseling for post-disaster victims, using Trauma Outreach Program (TOP) and Trauma First-aide.  She is also trained to provide Cognitive Restructuring (CR) through the InCourage, a healing initiative by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.