In 2017, the Board of Directors and executive leadership of The Emerge Center completed a three-year Strategic Plan that leveraged the history and track record of Emerge and positioned the non-profit organization for sustainable growth in its services for children with autism and communication challenges. In 2018, The Emerge Foundation was created to ensure coordinated and streamlined fundraising for both The Emerge Center and The Emerge School.
Ashley McDermott is the Executive Director of The Emerge Foundation, leading strategic development and fundraising for The Emerge Center and The Emerge School for Autism. She holds a Master of Public Administration from LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt with expertise in operational efficiency and organizational improvement.
Ashley has made significant contributions to public policy, including drafting Louisiana House Bill 296 to enhance dementia training for first responders and helping secure over $400 million in federal funding for Alzheimer’s research and care. Her advocacy earned national recognition, including a feature in HBO’s Inspiration Room honoring changemakers in public service.
A dedicated volunteer and community advocate, she has chaired or co-chaired philanthropic events such as Cap City Beer Fest, RivALZ Flag Football, and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, collectively raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local causes. An avid reader and world traveler, Ashley enjoys all sports—especially the New Orleans Saints—while balancing a life grounded in purpose and fueled by adventure.
RaShunda Veals received her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Alcorn State University in 2020 and her Master of Mass Communication with an emphasis in strategic communication from Louisiana State University in 2022.
With four years of experience in fundraising and development, RaShunda is dedicated to building strong relationships with donors and helping them align their passions with volunteerism or philanthropy. Prior to joining the Emerge team, RaShunda served as the Assistant Director of Development Services at the Louisiana State University Foundation, where she led efficient, high-impact fundraising operations for multi-million-dollar campaigns that directly enhanced educational resources for several colleges, students, and faculty.
RaShunda enjoys serving, uplifting, and loving others, striving to make a positive impact on their lives through her professional work and personal life.
Emily Lemoine received her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with double minors in Spanish and History from Louisiana State University in 2020.
Since graduation, Emily has dedicated her career to the nonprofit industry, serving as the Director of Grants and Communication for Companion Animal Alliance in 2022-2023. Her love for animals proved helpful in this role, but her passion for nonprofit work led her to The Emerge Foundation. Emily currently serves as the foundation’s Manager of Communication and Events as of September 2023. Emily specializes in social media strategy, establishing and maintaining meaningful relationships with the East Baton Rouge Parish community, and ensuring the success of our fundraising events and efforts.
In her free time, Emily enjoys painting, reading, and spending time with her dog, Honey. Emily is committed to the idea that people from all walks of life deserve equal access to education and stability.
Katie has always had a passion for providing excellent care in the service of others.
Katie joined Emerge in October of 2022 as a member of the Business Office team before moving over to her current role with The Emerge Foundation. Since joining the Emerge family, she has gained experience from both the business office and foundation. Katie is very committed to serving Emerge by supporting The Emerge Foundation’s mission and believes that the work that is being done every day at Emerge is truly life-changing to so many children in our community living with autism.
Katie is a Louisiana native and has been a resident of Ascension Parish for over 20 years. In her free she time enjoys traveling and visiting new places, spending time outdoors, and celebrating what life has to offer with her family and friends .
Kathryn Rountree received her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, as well as an Master of Arts in History, from Louisiana State University.
Kathryn has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors in the fields of grant writing, public policy research, marketing and project management.
Prior to joining the Emerge team in November of 2017, Kathryn was a Grants Coordinator for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where she specialized in writing pediatric healthcare grants for Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.
Kathryn is committed to the idea that all children have access to the services they need to lead full, healthy lives.
Officers
Arthur Scanlan, Chair
Shane Wilkinson, Vice Chair Phil Stuart, Treasurer
Directors Sarah Olcott Allen Logan Anderson Marvin Borgmeyer Rose Marie Fife Zelma Frederick – Center Board designee to the Foundation Jody Montelaro Kevin Schexnayder Drew Tessier
Colleen Waguespack
Tara Haney– CEO, The Emerge Center, ex-officio
Ashley McDermott – Executive Director, The Emerge Foundation, ex-officio Jonai’ Maddrick – Principal, The Emerge School, ex-officio
To provide sustained philanthropic support to The Emerge Center and The Emerge School for Autism, thereby helping to facilitate broad access to therapeutic services and education for individuals with autism and communication challenges in our care.
-Aishatu & Abubakar, Areef’s Mom and Dad
Email: giving@emergela.org
Phone: 225-663-6914
Audited financials are available to view upon request.