Meet Our RYR Coalition

​Mai Tran is a dedicated leader serving as the Manager of Community Services at Song Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for BIPOC residents in vulnerable communities across Southern Louisiana. Additionally, she is the Program Coordinator for Resilient Youth Rising, an initiative focused on empowering youth. Born and raised in New Orleans East, Mai's passion for community development was ignited by her deep connection to the area and its people. She is committed to driving change and fostering resilience in her community

​Tap Bui is a New Orleans native, Tap serves as the Co-Executive Director of Sông Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life of black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities in Southern Louisiana. In this role, she oversees the organization’s strategic direction and initiatives as it relates to equitable community development, disaster response and recovery, advocacy and policy, and community services and programming.

Gladys serves as the Education Director and has been a part of the NAMI team since 2019. Gladys is a passionate and dedicated social worker getting her education from University of Louisiana at Monroe and Southern University at New Orleans for her Masters. She has taken on various roles such as an Instructor, Coordinator, and NAMI Smarts Advocacy Teacher, showcasing her versatility and expertise. Gladys is committed to improving mental health awareness in the region. Gladys' unwavering commitment to advocacy and education continues to be her goal to sustain a positive impact on her community, demonstrating her tireless efforts to create positive change.

Thanh Truong is a journalist with more than 20 years of experience reporting throughout the United States and also internationally. He's currently based in New Orleans. From Hurricane Katrina to touring a chocolate factor, Truong feels grateful for having opportunities to tell stories for a living.  He and his family are U.S. citizens who came to the country as refugees from Vietnam.

Cindy, a proud New Orleans native, graduated from Southern University in 2009. With 16 years of experience working for the federal government, she has served in key roles at the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Hospital Administration. Since January 19, 2019, she has held the position of Program Specialist at the Veterans Benefits Administration in the New Orleans Regional Office.

In addition to her professional achievements, Cindy has been a passionate community advocate for over 20 years. She has dedicated herself to addressing the needs of underserved populations and supporting initiatives that promote social justice and equity. Her commitment to community service extends to her current role as Secretary for Resilient Youth Rising (RYR), where she helps empower youth through mental health support and leadership programs.

Vanessa currently works as a Post- Hospitalist caring for patients in the Metro area as well as Lafouche parish. She graduated from William Carey College nursing school with BSN winter 1996 , MSN -NP from Loyola in 2006 and DNP from Loyola 2016 . She has a passion for caring for geriatric patients and helping the community.

Bianchi Hughes is a New Orleans native with expertise in disaster response, community engagement, and volunteer management. She currently holds the position of NOLA Ready Community Engagement Manager/VOAD liaison at the City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness. In this role, Bianchi plays a crucial role in overseeing the NOLA Ready emergency preparedness campaign, focusing on various aspects such as translating emergency alerts and crisis communications, community engagement, and outreach to Limited English Proficiency communities. She is also responsible for managing the NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps.

Julie Insyxiengmay, MSLHRD, MSW, LCSW-BACS, is the founder of Elevation Wellness & Consulting and a healthcare leader specializing in culturally sensitive practices and personal development. With extensive experience across academia, medical, and substance use treatment settings, Julie combines her clinical expertise with impactful educational programming that fosters individual growth and resilience. A doctoral candidate, her current research focuses on the experiences of Asian American healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing valuable insights into their challenges and support needs. Her two master’s degrees from Louisiana State University, alongside her credentials as a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor (BACS), reflect her commitment to clinical excellence and mentorship.

As a first-generation Vietnamese American practitioner, Julie brings a unique perspective to her work in fostering individual development and support within various settings. Through Elevation Wellness & Consulting, she delivers consulting services and programs designed to enhance personal development and culturally sensitive practices across diverse environments.

Sheriff Susan Hutson, elected on December 11, 2021, and sworn in on May 2, 2022, made history as the first African-American woman to serve as Sheriff in Louisiana and the first woman to serve as Sheriff in New Orleans. Since taking office, Hutson has remained committed to 

reforming the Orleans Justice Center (OJC) with a vision of creating a more humane, accountable, and community-responsive detention system. Her overarching goal is to foster public safety through restorative practices and a safe detention environment that prioritizes 

human dignity. A cornerstone of Hutson’s tenure has been her focus on improving re-entry and family reunification services for OJC residents. With the support of Congressman Troy Carter, she successfully secured $3 million in grant funding to implement programs that help individuals and their families transition to life post-incarceration. These efforts are designed to reduce recidivism and promote healthier outcomes for residents and the broader community. Sheriff Hutson has also made significant strides in moving the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office 

(OPSO) toward full compliance with the federal consent decree, which was put in place due to past inhumane treatment practices. Working closely with federal judges, federal monitors and other stakeholders, Hutson and her team have submitted corrective action plans, marking a clear pathway toward the end of federal oversight and a brighter future for the jail system.

Brady Phan is a dedicated soccer player at Northshore High School with deep roots in the New Orleans East Versailles Arms community. Known for his commitment both on and off the field, Brady volunteers regularly to support local initiatives, demonstrating his passion for giving back to the neighborhood that shaped him. His strong sense of community and teamwork fuels his drive, both as an athlete and an engaged young leader.

Abbigale Nguyen is a Licensed Master Social Worker and family therapist with a focus on mental health, trauma, and addiction. Trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), she uses a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach to help individuals and families heal and grow.

A former teacher, Abbigale was inspired to enter the field of social work after seeing how deeply mental health impacts students and families. As a Vietnamese American, she is especially passionate about cultural competence and creating inclusive, affirming spaces. Through her work in the nonprofit sector, she is committed to advancing equitable, compassionate care for her community.