2026-27 Board of Directors

Volunteer Leadership

Guiding our work with accountability, expertise, and a shared commitment to Northeast Louisiana.

United Way of Northeast Louisiana is guided by dedicated volunteer leaders who represent communities across our region. Our Board of Directors provides strategic direction and oversight, helping ensure our organization remains accountable, responsive, and focused on creating meaningful impact throughput Northeast Louisiana. 

Through their leadership, expertise, and commitment to our community, Board members help advance United Way's work and keep our efforts focused on our community's aspirations and achieving measurable results.


Meet Our Board Chair, Nathan "Nat" Smith with Huntington Bank!
Leadership rooted in service and a longstanding commitment to Northeast Louisiana.

Nathan "Nat" Smith was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, before moving to Monroe in 1978. A graduate of River Oaks High School, Nat went on to earn his degree from Northeast Louisiana University, now the University of Louisiana Monroe, and completed several semesters of graduate study. 

Nat began his banking career in 1987 through the management training program at American Bank, which later became Regions Bank. Today, he continues his career with Huntington Bank. 

It was early in his banking career that Nat first became involved with United Way of Northeast Louisiana. What began with his company's employee campaign grew into decades of service, including participation in the Loaned Executive program, CEO calls, workplace presentations, and campaign leadership.

Alongside his wife, Stephanie, Nat has served as Co-Chair of the United Way Campaign Committee. He has also served on the Finance Committee, including six years as committee chair. Through these experiences, Nat has seen firsthand the reach of United Way's work and the difference collective support can make across Northeast Louisiana.

"For those who want to see their dollars go to worthwhile causes across our area, United Way is the way to go. Its work touches so many aspects of people's lives, from educational assistance and partner programs to 211 and housing and shelter assistance. United Way touches many, many lives. The level of commitment to making Northeast Louisiana a better place for everyone who lives here is like no other. That is why I am committed to United Way and the work it makes possible."

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dr. Alberta Green

ABG Professional Development Solutions

Past Board Chair

 

Jennifer Johnson

4th District Attorney's Office

Community Investment Chair

 

Ernest Green

Community Volunteer

Treasurer 

Sheila Snow

Discover Monroe-West Monroe

Marketing & Communications Chair

 

Alpa Patel

LSU School of Public Health

Community Impact Chair

 

Cindy Shaw

alli Management Solutions

Secretary

Amanda Edge

Entergy Louisiana

2026 Campaign Chair (Regional)

 

Chris Holtzclaw

Argent Financial Group

2026 Campaign Chair (LUJP)

Taylor Cagle

Origin Bank

2027 Campaign Chair (Regional)

 

Thomas Graham

Forth Insurance 

2027 Campaign Chair (LUJP)

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Toni Bacon

Century Next Bank

 

Mary Barrios

Reeves Memorial Medical Center

 

Brian Bush, Ed.D.

Monroe City Schools | JS Clark Magnet

 

Reverend Ike Byrd

City of Monroe

 

David Cole

b1BANK

 

Cathi Cox-Boniol

Ruston Daily Leader

 

Lee Denny

Century Next Bank

Todd Guice

Ouachita Parish School Board

 

Rick Guillot

Origin Bank

 

Roy Heatherly

Undercurrent – The Firm

 

Ashley Herring

Bayou Title

 

Lisa Holyfield

Holyfield, Inc.

 

Deanne Hubbard

Cool Kids

 

Aimee Kane

St. Francis Medical Center

Kelsey Laudenheimer

Nuby

 

Katrina Malone

Grambling State University

 

Josh Mandrell, M.D.

Green Clinic Health System

 

Sam Moore

Monroe City Schools

 

Wendy Napoli

Community Volunteer

 

John O'Leary

First Methodist Monroe

 

Bruce Rushing

Origin Bank

Pamela Saulsberry, Ph.D.

University of Louisiana Monroe

Retired

 

Kim Shepherd

In-Sync Accounting

 

William Smart

Monroe Housing Authority 

 

Kevin Smith

Regions Bank

 

Daniel Taylor

Argent Financial Group

 

Ashley West

b1BANK

 

Juanita Woods

NOVA