Gardner has been with Live Oak for the past 7 years, since the beginning. He started as a camper, became a Junior Coach in Training, and is very excited to be a Coach this summer. He loves hanging out with his friends/camp family outside of summer camp. He also really love cooking, the outdoors, and taking photos. Gardner will be attending The University of St. Andrews in the fall of 2021.

DeDe is entering her 4th summer at Live Oak. She served as a CIT for her first two years, and now she's a coach again at camp! Before Live Oak, she went to a summer camp in Texas for 6 years where she was a camper. Camp is her absolute favorite place on earth, and she cannot wait for this special summer. When she's not at camp she enjoys going on walks when the weather is nice, petting dogs (and cats), and having picnics by the river!

Rachael is in her third year at Live Oak. Her favorite thing about Live Oak is how we are all a family and are there for each other outside of camp as well! When she's not at camp she is a 1st grade Special Education teacher at KIPP East. She enjoys taking pictures of all the fun at camp!

Diaphanie "DeeDee" Cole Fabian is starting her third year at Live Oak: she was a CIT for one year and a coach for the next one. Her favorite thing is the energetic atmosphere at camp and how welcoming Live Oak is.  When she's not at camp she loves reading, painting, watching documentaries and hanging out with friends and participating in community events.

Tommy was the Chairman of the Board from Live Oak's inception until January, 2021. He greatly values the opportunity that camp provides for kids to have fun outdoors in a group environment. However, he feels that Live Oak is unique among camps in its strong focus on personal growth and building relationships among individuals from all parts of New Orleans. Tommy is extremely proud that, in a few short years, the camp team has taken Live Oak from a fledgling concept to such an impactful part of so many kids' lives.

Ilsa joined the Live Oak board in 2019 and has provided key medical insight to our camp community. She is drawn to the mission to bring the future leaders of New Orleans together from a young age, cementing relationships through all-year programming that fosters friendship and builds community. She attended lacrosse and soccer sports camps as a young person. Now, as a mother of three young boys, her kids keep her on her toes. She enjoy yoga, cooking, and many different art projects.

Wendy joined the Live Oak board in 2017 and draws upon 6 years of past experience as a camper, CIT and Counselor at Camp Merrie Woode. Wendy appreciated the ways in which campers, CITs, coaches, staff, and directors all coming together to make an amazing, unique, and powerful family! Wendy serves as the VP & Chief Compliance Officer at Entergy. In her spare time Wendy enjoys reading, baking pies, keeping up with her five kids! 

Michelle has been a part of the Live Oak Board of Directors since 2017. She has had three of her four children participate in Live Oak as campers, though she had no camp experience (sadly) with the exception of a small 4H camp one summer as an elementary school student and debate camp in high school! Her favorite part of Live Oak is the core values (bravery, kindness and awareness) and the appreciation of campers' differences! Michelle enjoys reading, coaching soccer, and volunteering.

Jill Pipes has enjoyed watching the continued growth of Live Oak through her service on the Board. Growing up, she spent 2 years at Girls Scouts Camp and 2 years at Strong River Camp. Her favorite thing about camp is the genuine care and dedication shown by camp staff to campers and their families. During the year, she volunteers for non-profits and works as a paralegal. In her free time she enjoys reading, watching movies, and playing cards.

Jeanette Davis-Loeb was fortunate to have multiple camp experiences as a youth. Her favorite thing about Live Oak is the AWESOME campers! Her camaraderie and commitment to embracing the uniqueness of each other is inspiring. Aside from camp, she is the Founder & CEO of the Rising Oak Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation committed to the holistic development of black boys. Over the past 25 years she has maintained her commitment and passion to improving the quality of life in her community. Currently she serves on the Boards of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, Live Oak Wilderness Camp, New Orleans Arts & Cultural Host Committee/Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp, and Youth Run NOLA. She is also on the Education Committee Member of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the “Impact 100” 2018 and 2019 Advisory Committee at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. In addition, she serves as a corporate member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives and The Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color.

CJ El-Dahr joined the Live Oak board in 2019 and is happy to be a part of the Live Oak team. Though he never went to away camp as a child - a major life regret -- he did work as a camp counselor several summers in high school at various camps around New Orleans. His favorite thing about Live Oak is the opportunity for kids from all over New Orleans to get outside, express themselves for who they are, and learn meaningful life skills. When he's not at camp, he works at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New Orleans. In his spare time he enjoys basketball, biking, reading, being an exceptionally mediocre cook, and exploring new places.