Former U.S. Diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica in charge of writing the Trafficking in Persons Report
Kara Van de Carr
President and Founder
Attorney and Former Chair of the Human Trafficking Task Force for the Middle District of Louisiana
Katherine K. Green, J. D.
Vice-President and Founder
Over the past nearly 20 years, Ayame Dinkler has applied her passion for advocacy, strategic growth and public policy to advance missions in both the public and private sector. With a wealth of experience in strategic advisory, government affairs, coalition building, brand positioning, and complex regulatory and legislative challenges, Ayame has delivered results for local government, federal government, business, and non-profit organizations.
Ayame Dinkler
Principal, Crane Strategies, LLC
I’m deeply mission driven and have a passion to help end human trafficking, ensuring justice, and empowering survivors.
Judge Lobrano Bio
Judge Joy Cossich Lobrano
Judge, Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Emily has served on neighborhood, school and community boards. She loves New Orleans and is passionate about making it a better place for all.
Emily Palit, MBA
Community Philanthropist and Volunteer
I serve on the board of Eden Centers because its mission is grounded in love, and love is the answer. Our board members are always willing to go the extra mile to help our residents and further our mission of eradicating human trafficking and providing a lifelong community of care for our survivors.
CEO Valmiki Capital, Retired
Peggy Babin Indest
Secretary
Former Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Professor of History of Philosophy at the University of Rome LUMSA
Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo
I serve on the board of Eden Centers because its mission is grounded in love, and love is the answer. Our board members are always willing to go the extra mile to help our residents and further our mission of eradicating human trafficking and providing a lifelong community of care for our survivors.
I want to combat the new forms of slavery, especially to free the victims of prostitution.
Partner, Tax Services, EAG Gulf Coast, LLC.
Gina has over 25 years of public accounting experience and has extensive knowledge in the field of taxation, including preparation and review of individual, corporate, partnership, trust, non-profit, estate, and gift tax returns. She is a past Chair of the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants (LCPA), Past President of the New Orleans Chapter of the LCPA and has held various other roles.
Gina Rachel
Treasurer
I volunteer to be a board member of Eden Centers because I want to be a part of the solution in helping the victims of human trafficking in our community.
Community Activist and former President of the Junior League of New Orleans, business owner
Erin Luetkemeier
Vice Treasurer
Rev. John Pitzer
Associate Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church
Susie Allen
Director of Research and Education, Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
I volunteer my time and energy with Eden Centers because of the organization’s incredible efforts with human trafficking, not just with individuals in need of help and support, but also in our work to help potentially vulnerable people resist or recognize exploitation in the future. Eden Centers works on the prevention of a serious problem in addition to helping those who have already been hurt by it.
Leadership Team
Jennifer Best is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor. She received an M.A. in Psychology and Counseling at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has extensive training in trauma informed care including TBRI, EMDR, and TF-CBT. She has spent her time working in private and nonprofit counseling centers. She has obtained a certificate in Human Trafficking Prevention and Intervention from Florida State University. She has spent almost a decade serving survivors of human trafficking in their trauma recovery. When she isn’t at her day job, she can be found at all the sports events her two sons are involved in.
Jennifer Best, LPC-S
Chief Executive Officer
Taylor is an attorney licensed in Louisiana and has extensive experience helping vulnerable populations globally. She previously worked as Judge Joy Cossich Lobrano’s Law Clerk and Human Trafficking Liaison in the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also completed an internship in the legal department with the International Justice Mission’s Cambodian office and has volunteered in Africa, Asia, and Central America with The World Race. Taylor earned her Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University School of Law and her Bachelor’s Degree in International Business with a minor in Non-Profit Studies from the University of Southern Mississippi. As the COO, Taylor will help to expand Eden Centers’ services and ability to serve vulnerable populations.
Taylor Pillow, Esq.
Chief Operating Officer
Stephanie Wilkins is a Provisionally Licensed Counselor (PLPC). She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from The University of Southern Mississippi and an M.A. in Counseling with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has training in a variety of areas including EMDR, Story Informed Trauma Counseling, and Cognitive Processing Therapy. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings working with individual, child, and family populations. Stephanie has done case management work with survivors of sexual exploitation in Southeast Asia. Her professional interests include identifying and treating complex post traumatic stress disorder in survivors of trauma.
Stephanie Wilkins, PLPC
Chief Clinical Officer
Clinical Team
Isabel grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and moved to New Orleans in 2022 where she earned her Masters of Social Work from Tulane University. Before joining Eden Centers’ Clinical team, she studied Women’s and Gender studies at DePaul University which has informed her work with populations affected by gender based violence. As a clinical care advocate, Isabel will strive to find holistic opportunities for safety, healing, and empowerment for our residents. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, arts and crafts, and spending time with loved ones.
Isabel Gehrig
Clinical Care Advocate
Kentrella received a Master of Criminal Justice from Southern University at New Orleans and is currently pursuing a Master of Homeland Security Studies from Tulane University. Kentrella brings experience as a behavioral health specialist working with children and families. Before joining Eden Centers' clinical staff, she provided case management and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. In this role, she found her passion for serving survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. When she is not at work, she enjoys watching her two children grow and spending time with her family.
Kentrella Reed
Clinical Care Advocate
Dominique is the outreach coordinator and survivor leader for Eden Centers for Hope and Healing. She obtained her Peer Support Specialist Certification in 2023 and is currently working on an associates degree in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources. Dominique has a passion to strengthen, motivate, and empower survivors that they are not alone and recovery is possible.
Dominique B
Outreach and Prevention Coordinator and Survivor Leader
Laurie is a certified peer support specialist and a graduate of Eden Centers residential program. As part of being support staff, Laurie provides safety and support to the guests at the emergency center. She enjoys watching the women grow and evolve into the new life they have.
Laurie Bostic
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Elizabeth Favrot is one of Eden Centers' Support Staff. She received her Masters in Social Work from Tulane University, working with people impacted by the criminal justice system through an alternative to revocation day-program. After completing her degree, she then spent over 10 years with Delgado Community College's Adult Education Program as an instructor and administrator, serving adults looking to increase their literacy & numeracy skills, complete their high school equivalency, and improve their English-language proficiency.
Libby Favrot
Clinical Support Staff
Christina Young is a certified Peer Support Specialist and a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force in the Greater New Orleans area, where she advocates for at-risk women and children in her community and victims worldwide. She was the first graduate of Eden House in 2015 and she is thrilled to be giving back by way of serving and mentoring Eden Center guests as Support Staff. In her spare time, Christina likes reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and great friends.
Christina Young
Certified Peer Support Specialist
Administrative Team
Ashlie received her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Economics from Tulane University. During her time as an undergraduate student, she completed an internship with Eden Centers. Before returning to Eden Centers in her current role as Support Staff, she worked as an Emergency Medical Technician responding to 911 calls in New Orleans. Ashlie oversees our medication assisted treatment.
Ashlie Bissell, BA and NREMT
Clinical Program Administrator
Taylor received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Gender and Sexuality studies from Rhodes College. Before joining Eden Centers' team, she worked as Judge Joy Cossich Lobrano's Court Administrator and Human Trafficking Liaison. She interned for Eden Centers in 2019, and is thrilled to be back as a full time staff member.
Taylor Pavlovich
Development and Community Engagement Coordinator
