Our Team

Our Staff

William Stoudt - Executive Director

Mary Shoemaker - Project Manager

Mary C. Shoemaker is an Archbishop Chapelle and UNO graduate with a BS in Biology Education and a MED in Curriculum and Instruction. She recently retired after thirty-five years teaching biology and chemistry in public and parochial schools in the metro New Orleans area. Katrina motivated her to actively participate in the recovery of the city of New Orleans by co-founding YRNO. She currently serves as Project Manager.

Lauren Lim - AmeriCorps VISTA

Lauren Lim, a Cell & Molecular Biology major from Tulane University, joins YRNO  through the Tulane Center for Public Service. Though she hails from Michigan, her passion for serving the New Orleans community was sparked within her first few days in the city.  Her duties include improving sustainability for YRNO and working to increase volunteer and service learning capabilities. After her VISTA term ends in July, Lauren will be attending Tulane School of Medicine in order to one day practice pediatric medicine.

James LaMontagne - Youth Engagement Coordinator

James LaMontagne, a Louisiana Delta Service Corps member for the 2012-2013 year, works with YRNO as a Youth Engagement Coordinator for the Future Leaders Program.  James spends most of his time at Sci Academy, one of YRNO’s high school partners.  At Sci, James leads a YRNO co-curricular class that gives students the opportunity to undertake service projects at the school.  He also works with YRNO to coordinate off-campus service trips for students.  James graduated from Princeton University in 2011 with a degree in Public Policy and International Affairs.  As a native of Maine, he spends most of his time outside of work fiercely supporting his beloved Boston sports teams.

Megan Gold - Youth Engagement Coordinator

In 2009, Megan graduated from Boston University with a degree in Art History and then, in 2010, she hiked Mt. Fuji in Japan as part of a fundraising event for the nonprofit Love Hope Strength. For the last two years, she served with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps in the Pacific Northwest doing everything from working at a homelessness services center in Sacramento, California to building mountain biking trails in Wyoming. Megan is excited to work with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans and to get more students involved in community service!

Willie Leonard - Construction Manager

I have been married for 17 years to my beautiful wife Aly.  We have two wonderful children Kateri and Luke.  My background is forestry (with a BS from LA Tech) and theology (MA from Notre Dame Seminary).  I have taught religion for about 19 years in New Orleans.  On the job site, I enjoy teaching the students about different methods of construction and learning about their various cultures, and in my spare time I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, and storytelling.

Dvhante Woods - Team Leader

Dvhante, a graduate of John McDonogh Senior High School and a Construction Engineering Major at Delgado Community College, is a dedicated worked at Youth Rebuilding New Orleans.  He started with the team in the summer of 2011, and his work ethic led him to join the staff officially as a team leader.

Prince Holmes - Team Leader

Prince is a proud alumni of Edna Karr High School.  He is currently attending Delgado, studying Criminal Justice.  Prince joined YRNO through the JOB 1 summer program in 2011.  Prince enjoys meeting and working with volunteers, and his charismatic personality makes him a great ambassador for the city and for YRNO.

Ryan Roberts - Team Leader

Ryan started working for YRNO in the summer of 2011, after graduating from Archbishop Rummel High School.  Carpentry is his area of expertise, along with helping volunteers.  He learned how to work in construction in New Orleans at an early age and is currently a student at UNO.

Terence Adams - Team Leader

Terrence joined YRNO through the JOB1 program in the summer of 2012, and his great work led him to join the team officially as a  Team Leader.  Terrence is an alumnus of John McDonough Senior High, Class of 2010. Currently, he is enrolled in Delgado Community College, studying Construction.

Henny Penny - Mascot in Chief

Henny Penny joined the YRNO team in 2012, when she was found living underneath the Hope St. project site. Thanks to the hospitality of Mr. Willie, she has been with the team ever since! Ms. Henny Penny enjoys sunflower seeds, peanuts, insects and attention from volunteers. Ask her to show you her seed trick!

Our Board

Robert Whitman Jr. - President

Robert Whitman Jr. received his B.S. from Tulane University in 1973 and his Masters in Education one year later from Loyola. In addition to his educational pursuits, he received and has maintained his status as a Certified Financial Planner. Bob has worked for Rummel High School since 1983,where he has served in various capacities including: director of guidance, president of school board, and director of special education. He began his community service campaign in 1992 including a Service Learning Ambassador for the state in 1998. After Katrina, he helped create Youth Rebuilding New Orleans to help students get involved with the area’s recovery. In addition to his service work, Bob enjoys staying active by playing and following various sports.

Evan Nicoll - Public Relations

Evan Nicoll, from Kenner, LA attended Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie. He first became involved with YRNO in the Fall of 2006 after being displaced to Panama City Beach, Florida for a year due to Hurricane Katrina. Upon returning to Rummel, he helped work on some homes with friends through YRNO and has been with the organization ever since. After graduating from Tulane University, Evan currently works for his Alma Mater as a Tulane Fund Class Officer for Young Alumni and Student Philanthropy.

Sam Stephens - Safety Committee Chair

Sam, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, joined the YRNO Board in 2010 while an undergrad at Tulane.  As a Community Service Scholar at Tulane, Sam has been involved with YRNO’s build crew throughout his college career. After finishing his undergraduate studies, Sam worked as a Site Supervisor for the St. Bernard Project, another major rebuilding non-profit in New Orleans. Sam is currently working on his M.S. in Crisis and Disaster Management from Tulane University’s Disaster Resilience Academy.

Irv Barousse - Historian

Irv Barousse, a graduate of St Aloysius High School and the University of New Orleans with a BA in Psychology, Irvin Barousse received his Masters in Special Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. His 41 years of teaching included St. Philip Neri, Holy Cross High School, and Archbishop Rummel High School. During his tenure at Rummel, Mr. Barousse created and maintained the Resource Department for 29 years before retiring in 2009. Irvin began working with Bob Whitman in the early 1980s when Resource Students built vegetable and flower gardens for residents of the St. Thomas Projects. Mr. Barousse has continued to work with Mr. Whitman in his outreach programs because of Mr. Whitman’s commitment to bettering the lives of the New Orleans community by involving the next generation of service leaders.

Jean Barousse - Secretary

Jean L. Barousse is a native New Orleanian who lives on the Northshore.  Jean taught English primarily at St. Scholastica Academy in Covington and Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie.  Approximately 30 years ago, Jean started the high school service program at St. Scholastica Academy.  While raising her two children, Jean worked as Secretary/Parish Administrator for 16 years at her Catholic parish in Mandeville.  Besides her work with YRNO, Mrs. Barousse’s volunteer work includes working at the non-profit St. Francis Thrift Store in Mandeville and participating in a monthly sewing circle creating clothing and other items for foster children and cancer patients.