OUR TEAM

JON
ATKINSON

+ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Jon is an expert in startups, customer development methodologies, and entrepreneurial finance. His past experience combines a diverse knowledge as a professional investor and ‘recovering’ banker with skills gained as a professor, CEO, CFO, business advisor, board member, and strategic consultant to deliver unique business insights in guiding and financing unique business insights in guiding and financing growth oriented companies. Jon was previously the founding director for the Loyola University Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development and a Visiting Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Loyola University New Orleans. He is also a co-founder and the Fund Administrator for Lagniappe Angels, LLC. Jon also holds his MBA in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship from Tulane University. When he isn’t busy supporting the entrepreneurs of New Orleans, you can find Jon rowing out in the waters of the Gulf. He also loves all things traveling, coffee and LaCroix, and watching Chef’s Table on Netflix. Jon’s favorite thing about working at The Idea Village is providing businesses with the resources they need to be successful, as well as the great potential he sees in the entrepreneurs of New Orleans.

LIZ
MAXWELL

+ SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Liz Maxwell is a creative producer, facilitator, and director with 15 years’ experience in nonprofits, arts/media, and the impact economy. A New Orleans native, Liz’s winding professional path has led her to spend significant time in New York City, Philadelphia, Italy/Europe, and South Africa. For 3 years, Liz worked with Social Capital Markets (SOCAP) to produce industry-leading content on impact investing via the national SOCAP 365 event series, curating 40+ events in 9 cities across the U.S. and co-hosting the company’s first podcast, “Money + Meaning.” Liz is a 2019 New Orleans Women4Climate Fellow and an award-winning theatre director. When not at work, you can find her chilling with her lovable pups Hunter & Tilly, crafting Mardi Gras costumes and paraphernalia, practicing yoga or trying to find the next great dance party. In 2022, Liz graduated with a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Orleans, with a capstone project on cross-sector collaboration for emissions reduction.

MEGAN
BALCH

+ MANAGING DIRECTOR

Megan is a results-driven executive entrepreneur and creative director with over 10 years of hands-on experience and industry knowledge in conceptualizing, building and growing B2B and DTC businesses, research and development, budgeting, digital marketing, e-commerce, design, product development and production, logistics, and employee development. As a recent transplant from New York City, Megan is excited to be a part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Orleans as the Managing Director for The Idea Village. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and likes cats.

 

ANDREW ALBERT

+ PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

Andrew Albert is a seasoned leader in entrepreneurship and investment strategy. With a proven track record in strategic planning, Andrew has a unique talent for fostering startup growth and enhancing community engagement. As the former Vice President of Venture Growth for Venture for America (VFA), he guided a portfolio of emerging businesses, mentoring founders and building partnerships that strengthened the national startup ecosystem. His efforts cultivated a thriving network, generating lasting connections between founders and the community.

Andrew has been a friend of The Idea Village for several years now. As an executive analyst at Lucid, a market research platform providing access to first-party data, Andrew once took part in IDEApitch, helping to lead Lucid to a successful exit and solidifying the organization’s status as New Orleans’ first unicorn.

Andrew’s entrepreneurial drive extends beyond his professional roles. As the founder of Exclave Spirits & River Basin Distillery, he combined his passion for innovation and branding to build a successful, recognizable brand in the spirits industry. Armed with a Master’s from the London School of Economics and a BA from Loyola University New Orleans, Andrew brings intellectual rigor and creative vision to his work, always striving to uplift others and create meaningful impact.

ASHLEIGH
SPARKS

+ DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Ashleigh is a multifaceted creative professional devoted to regional economic growth and designing a better world. With a decade of experience in branding and strategy within educational, B2B, and B2C sectors, her diverse roles underscore the importance of storytelling, enriching partnerships, and community-centric approaches.

Earning a degree at Loyola University New Orleans set the stage for her career, marked by a pivotal stint at luxury design studio, Scriptura, which is rooted in New Orleans’ community and dedicated to supporting clients through life's milestones. This work was followed by a period at Thrasio, a global Amazon aggregator, where Ashleigh honed key skills, and a leadership role, in which she guided a niche marketing agency’s evolution into a full-service creative studio. Her role as Development Manager at The Idea Village underscores her commitment to making impactful contributions that lead to sustainable organizational growth.

Outside of work, Ashleigh enjoys empowering creative professionals as the co-leader of Ladies Wine and Design (LW&D) New Orleans, a local chapter of a global non-profit initiative aimed at increasing diversity in the industry, especially within leadership roles.

RHENITA
BRADE

+ PROGRAMS MANAGER

Rhenita is an experienced innovation and product manager. She is passionate about helping founders and brands validate growth opportunities and de-risk product development and go-to-market strategies across industries. She's spent the last eight years helping to build innovation pipelines at start-ups, Keurig Dr. Pepper, MARS, and General Mills. At The Idea Village, she is most excited about connecting early-stage founders with the resources, people, and programming needed to help them scale their businesses in the Greater New Orleans area.

Rhenita holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and BA from Trinity College. She resides in New Orleans and enjoys local trivia nights.

 

SEAN
MULLIGAN

+ PROGRAMS MANAGER

Sean Mulligan is a recent graduate from Loyola University New Orleans’ MBA Program. He has worked in a number of roles across the arts, entertainment and event industry. In his spare time, he manages and performs with his band, Sean Hobbes & The Hi Res, and has produced numerous music videos through that project. Sean is currently a Program Manager for The Idea Village and is excited to work in support of the New Orleans entrepreneurial community. He wants to one day get a PhD in a field involving consumer psychology and hopes to teach marketing and management at a university.

SELEIGH TAYLOR

+ SENIOR MANAGER OF ADMINISTRATION

Seleigh is a dedicated operations leader with a robust public education and municipal government background. With over 15 years of experience, she has successfully managed complex school operations, strategic planning, and financial management initiatives. Former Director of School Operations for KIPP New Orleans, Seleigh spearheaded initiatives to promote equity, inclusion, and belonging among the student body and staff. Additionally, Seleigh previously served as a Budget Analyst for the City of New Orleans, where she enhanced the efficiency of city departments.

Seleigh holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Urban Planning from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mass Communications from Loyola University New Orleans. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a Distinguished Fellow of the Nancy Marsiglia Institute of Justice at Loyola Law School, and a passionate contributor to the New Orleans Mom website.

In her spare time, she serves as Vice President of the Elmwood Gymnastics Booster Club, where she continues to advocate for community engagement.

SYDNEY SCOTT

+ MARKETING MANAGER

Sydney is an accomplished creative storyteller and full-stack marketing strategist. Born and raised in South Louisiana, Sydney attended Southeastern Louisiana University, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in marketing. During her time at SLU, Sydney interned for various startups and nonprofit organizations, where she honed her understanding of communications and storytelling. Working on the marketing team at Career Compass of Louisiana, an education access nonprofit, Sydney discovered her passion for community engagement and economic development.

After graduation, Sydney became the marketing manager for a renowned keynote speaker in the Culture and Leadership field, before transitioning to Red Bull’s consumer marketing team. At Red Bull, she led the New Orleans market in consumer activations and brand awareness through events and creative campaigns. As a mission-driven marketer, Sydney returned to the nonprofit sector in 2024 to make a meaningful impact on the New Orleans community, eager to drive The Idea Village toward measurable outcomes within the Gulf Coast venture ecosystem.

In her free time, Sydney can be found working in her garden or listening to NPR’s “Planet Money” podcast. She is a lifelong equestrian and a passionate interior stylist with a Pinterest board for every thought.

 
 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

President: JON ATKINSON | Chief Executive Officer, The Idea Village

Board Chair: MARIANNE VAN METER | Founder and Managing Partner, Legacy Capital

Board Vice Chair: ROBERT A. “BOBBY” SAVOIE, PhD | Chief Executive Officer, Geocent

Board Treasurer: ROBERT VORHOFF | Managing Director, Global Head of Healthcare, General Atlantic

Board Secretary: CHRIS LAIBE | Chief Executive Officer, inFRONT

 
 

DAVID BARKSDALE | Chairman & Principal, Alluvian Capital

CHRISTY BROWN | Managing Director, NOLA Holdings

PATRICK COMER | Founder & President, Gripnr

DAVID DART | CFO, Gifted Healthcare

SALLY FORMAN | CEO, Sally Forman Communications

SIG GREENEBAUM | Founder & CEO, Sigfest Events

WILL HALES | Managing Director, Market Cross

MICHAEL HECHT | CEO, GNO Inc.

JULIAN HERBERT | Principal Product Manager, Varsity Tutors, a Nerdy Company

TARA HERNANDEZ | President, JCH Properties

BILL HINES | Managing Partner, Jones Walker

CATHY ISAACSON | Chair, Middle East Investment Initiative

MERRITT LANE | President & CEO, Canal Barge

KATIE LEGARDEUR | Managing Director & Market Manager, J.P. Morgan Private Bank

COOPER MANNING | Principal, AJ Capital Partners

TI MARTIN | Co-proprietor, Commander’s Palace

MARY MATALIN | Celebrated Author, Commentator & Presidential Advisor

JENNIFER MCMILLAN | Chief People Officer, Laitram

AIMEE QUIRK | SVP & Chief Corporate Development Officer & CEO, Ochsner Innovation

JEN SCHNIDMAN | Founder, Kickboard

MATT SCHWARTZ | Principal, The Domain Companies

SOUMITRA SENGUPTA | Engineering Leader, UiPath

ALLEN SQUARE | CEO, Square Button

SCOTT WOLFE | President, Precore Labs