About Us

Nancy Marinovic, President

Ms. Marinovic is the president of Enplanar, Inc., an architectural/engineering company. Born in La Paz, Bolivia, she has an Architectural degree and a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from St. Andres University in La Paz. She serves on many business and civic local/international associations. Ms. Marinovic is one of the founders and past president of the Louisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is currently a member of the Consular Corps of New Orleans, serving as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mali. She also serves on the governing board of Ochsner Medical Center in Kenner. Ms. Marinovic is also certified by the Gemological Institute of America as a Graduate Gemologist and Accredited Jewelry Professional.

Clifford Johnson, First Vice President

Mr. Johnson, now retired, has held executive fundraising and development positions at Southeastern University in Washington, DC, the Association of Fund Raising Professionals, the Amistad Research Center and Dillard University. He is a graduate of Dillard and holds a Master’s in Teaching, Language and Literature from Harvard University. He has served on many boards and commissions, including the New Orleans Museum of Arts, the College Fund/UNCF, Odyssey House, the Louisiana State Police Commission and the French-American Chamber of Commerce. He is also a published poet and author in fiction and nonfiction.

Demetric Mercadel, Second Vice President

Ms. Mercadel is the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, Inc., where she has worked since 1981. She attended Xavier and Tulane universities and serves on many professional and civic associations. Currently, President of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, LA Chapter; President of the Sisters of the Holy Family Development Board, President of the Corpus Christi-Epiphany Catholic Church Parish Council, Member of the Board of Directors of the French Market Corporation and Board Member of the Upper Pontalba Building Restoration Corporation, and has previously served as a member of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Youth Program, the College Fund/UNCF Run/Walk, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Super Bowl Committee, and the National Forum of Black Public Administrators. Ms. Mercadel has received numerous awards and recognition for outstanding community service throughout her professional career. She was a founding member of the Kiwanis of Metro New Orleans.

Donna Santiago, Secretary

Ms. Santiago is an attorney with 17 years of experience in arts, entertainment and nonprofit management. She holds a B.A. from New York University and a J.D from New York Law School. She has served on the board since 2003. Ms. Santiago is a partner in Hypersoul, a New Orleans entertainment firm offering talent management, booking and publicity services to a roster of established and up-and-coming artists. She is also the founder and executive director of the Backbeat Foundation. She was associate producer and music supervisor of the documentary film “90 Miles,” which won awards at the Havana Film Festival and the New York Latino Film Festival, and aired nationally on the PBS series “P.O.V.” She was the producer of the film “Dear Talula,” a documentary that won awards at the Tribecca Film Festival and Luna Festival, and aired nationally on Cinemax.

Kathleen Turner, Treasurer

Ms Turner has more than 20 years of experience as a manager of performing arts centers and touring Broadway productions, working at locations throughout the United States. She is an expert in operations management, with a long track record of reducing deficits, increasing revenues and implementing marketing plans. She has programmed numerous series of Broadway plays, concerts and community events. She recently oversaw the completion of a $7 million restoration of the Pontchartrain Center. She currently serves on the boards of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Longue Vue House and Gardens and the Laketown Festival Foundation. She contributed to the master planning of the New Orleans riverfront redevelopment.