About Us

In 1970, the Foundation was set up to be the nonprofit owner of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Jazz Fest (http://www.nojazzfest.com) – with a mission to sow the seeds of our unique culture for generations to come.

In the early days, the festival wasn’t the world-famous event that it is today – one that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans and pumps $300 million a year into the local economy. No, it is often said that at the first Jazz Fest there were more performers onstage than people in the audience.

But the founders believed that Jazz Fest would one day grow into a major success. Everyone involved wanted to make sure that the festival’s proceeds would be redistributed into the local community.

So the Foundation, a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, was established with a distinguished board of directors and a full-time staff. It’s mission:

“To promote, preserve, perpetuate and encourage the music, arts, culture and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs and other cultural, educational, civic and economic activities.”

To that end, the Foundation has developed numerous programs and assets. Click here to learn more about them, and here to contribute to the Foundation’s efforts.

Board Officers

Ronald J. Sholes, President

Judge Sholes is a partner at the law firm Adams and Reese and is a former district judge in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. A graduate of Louisiana State University, he holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Tulane University School of Public Health and a law degree from Loyola University. He serves on many civic and professional organizations, including the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Dryades YMCA and the Louisiana Bar Association.

Nancy Marinovic, First Vice 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, Second 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, Secretary

Ms. Mercadel is a Senior Associate Analyst with Entergy New Orleans, Inc., where she has worked since 1981. She attended Xavier and Tulane universities and has served on many professional and civic associations, including the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Youth Program, the College Fund/UNCF Run/Walk, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Super Bowl Committee, the National Forum of Black Public Administrators. She is a founding member of the Kiwanis of Metro New Orleans.

Beverly Guillory Andry, Treasurer

Ms. Guillory Andry is on faculty at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she teaches entrepreneurship, marketing and other business subjects. She received her undergraduate degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and holds a Master degree in Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans and a Masters of Business Administration from Tulane University. She is active in numerous civic associations, serving currently as president of the New Orleans Jazz Centennial Celebration and the Mid City Community Development Corporation.

Board Members:

Beverly Guillory-Andry
Suzette T. Becker
Dorian Bennett
Dr. Sid Bhansali
Penny Randolph-Biagas
James B. Borders, IV
Mickey Caplinger
Bob Edmundson
David Francis
Jeff Goldring
Doug S. Hammel
Nadir Hasan
Barbara Herman
Byron R. Hughey
Johnny Jackson, Jr.
Clifford V. Johnson
Dr. Henry C. Lacey
Nancy Marinovic
Demetric Mercadel
Allison Pena
Rafael Perales
D. Joan Rhodes
Anthony “Tony” Ruda
Donna Santiago
Judge Ronald J. Sholes
Carol Solomon
Parker Sternberg
Kathleen Turner

Advisory Council:

Belinda Batiste
Cecil “C.J.” Blache
Skipper Bond
Richard Cortizas
Carlyn Goodwin
Louella Givens Harding
Deborah D. Harkins
Tara Carter Hernandez
Michele Jean-Pierre
Milton McWilliams
Mary Johnston-Norriss
Daniel F. Packer
Karen B. Solomon
Lewis W. Stirling III
David Torkanowsky

Past Presidents Senate:

Judge Michael G. Bagneris
Nikki Barranger
Johann Bultman
Arthur Q. Davis, Sr.
Emilo “Monk” Dupre
Don T. Erwin, M.D.
Marion Greenup
Sarah Allen
David W. Oestreicher, II
Arthur Pulitzer
William “Bill” Rouselle
Joel Sellers
Dan Williams
Roxy Wright

Honor Council:

Michael J. Gourrier
Dr. Gabou Mendy
Bill Rucker
Steve Tujague

Staff:

Don Marshall, Executive Director
Marsha A. Boudy, Chief Administrative Officer
Sheri LaBranche-Jackson, Chief Financial Officer
Marc Barnes, Director of Development
Scott Aiges, Director of Programs, Marketing & Communications
Kia Robinson, Programs, Marketing & Communications Assistant
Shanna E. Hudson-Stowe, Development Associate
Rachel Lyons, Archivist
Jarrod Remetich, Senior Accounting Clerk
Dashika Davis, Receptionist / Typist
Deanna Brown, Administrative Assistant