OUR TEAM…

Team HOPE is dedicated to making the mission of HOPE Ministries happen: “Prevent homelessness. Promote self-sufficiency and dignity.”

Read the bios below to find out more about who makes HOPE a loud voice for advocacy in the Baton Rouge area.

  • PRESIDENT / CEO

    HOPE’s President and CEO, Janet Simmons, was born in 1959 in post-World War II Japan, where she learned the importance of diversity through her experience with World War II survivors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Finance from Mississippi College that established a solid foundation for her later experience in sales and marketing. Early in her career, Janet worked as the Marketing Planner for Coca Cola USA’s five-state, southwest region. She also worked for Micro Computer Techniques in Nashville, Tennessee, as their Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Janet believes that running a nonprofit is no different from running a business. Her finance, sales, and marketing background has proven to be important in her work as the President and CEO. She also believes that no matter what kind of work you do, you are in the business of selling something.

    Janet has 38 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, both professionally and as a volunteer. In 2004, she began working at HOPE Ministries as HOPE’s Volunteer Coordinator and subsequently as the Program Director and Director of Operations and Social Enterprise. In 2006, HOPE began earnestly searching out Earned Income Ventures as a source of additional sustainable revenue. Janet’s business experience was crucial in developing and implementing HOPE’s Understanding the Dynamics of Poverty and Understanding Your Workforce six-hour and customizable professional development workshops. Since its implementation, HOPE has trained roughly 3,100 professionals from 350 organizations and corporations.

    In 2012, Janet became the President and CEO of HOPE. After visiting Cincinnati Works in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Cascade Engineering and The SOURCE in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she began formulating plans to incorporate the best practices of those programs into the work HOPE was doing with the workforce. In 2015, under Janet’s leadership, HOPE revised its HOPE Works program and launched The Way to Work Sustainable Workforce SOLUTIONS© division, modeled after Cascade Engineering’s Welfare to Career program in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This evidence-based program increased Cascade’s retention from 34% to 97% saving the company millions in turnover expenses. The Way to Work clients in Baton Rouge have successful sustainable employment for over 25 months which is well over the national average of 18 months. The Way to Work serves the Greater Baton Rouge community with goals to expand to other parts of Louisiana, providing a solid workforce model for the state.

    The National Points of Light Foundation asked Janet to present at their national conference two years in a row on the concept of Neighboring. She has presented to many organizations, including Capital Area United Way, Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Louisiana State Conference for the Homeless, Community Action Partnership of Louisiana, Southwest Region Habitat for Humanity Conference, and many others.

    As a graduate of Leadership Baton Rouge class of 2016, Janet led the efforts for the fall Leadership project helping to rebuild homes in the 70805 zip code that were devastated by the historic August flood. Also, in 2016 Janet was honored as the recipient of the John W. Barton Sr. Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award. She was also honored as the recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award by the Women’s Leadership Council of Capital Area United Way. She received the Torchbearer Award from United Christian Faith Ministries. Janet is a Rotary Club member of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Area Chamber and Baton Rouge Area Foundation. In 2020, Janet and her team were commended by SNAP E&T for producing the highest client engagement rate in the country, helping people become self-sufficient. As a result, she and her team were invited to present at the National SNAP E&T Conference.

    Most recently, Janet earned her ROI Certification from the ROI Institute. This systematic approach to program evaluation is proven to deliver accurate and credible results. Application of the ROI methodology has already made a significant impact on the organization, taking already successful programs to the next level.

    Janet’s passion for the impoverished and the desire to help people move forward began early. The daughter of missionaries, Janet credits her Christian faith as the motivating factor in her work. She is a member of South Baton Rouge Presbyterian Church and is on the music team. She has been married for forty years and has four children and four grandchildren.

  • CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    David Tidwell is from Baker, LA, where he graduated from Baker High School. He went on to gain degrees in Computer Programming and Bible/Ministry, and in 1993, David was ordained as a minister. During his 30 years of ministry (full- and part-time), David led the largest youth ministry in the state for his denomination, served on the state-wide Youth and Christian Education Board, and served in both Interim and Senior Pastor positions. David has seen the effects of poverty up close while leading international and local missions programs.

    Although David remained active in ministry, he couldn’t deny his attraction to the business world. His talents in business came through as he found success as the owner and operator of a successful teacher’s supply store and distribution warehouse for fourteen years. His experience in the struggles and responsibilities of ethically managing people while staying focused on the bottom line serves David well as he works with corporate leaders and encourages self-sufficiency in HOPE’s clients who experience limited resources.

    In 2013, David was the Community Resource Consultant for the State of Louisiana for the United Methodist Publishing House, where he led the consultant team. During his tenure with the publishing house, he completed the Richardson Consultative Sales training and the Richardson Consultative Sales Coaching training. For two years, David’s region received the honor of being “Market of the Year.” David also served as the Program Director of the Christian Outreach Transitional Services (COTES) program, overseeing the program’s day-to-day operations serving homeless, recovery, and prison re-entry populations. He worked closely with companies throughout the Baton Rouge area employing day labor.

    In May of 2017, David joined The Way to Work team as a Workforce Training and Development Consultant, later moving into leadership as director of the division. With his extensive experience working with and managing people, curriculum, and sales, David brings to the team the necessary skill set to expand The Way to Work in the community. Under David’s leadership, The Way to Work division has grown dramatically, increasing capacity to serve more clients than ever before. Additionally, his focus on business development has proven successful as The Way to Work’s social enterprise grows, offering HOPE and its divisions more stable and diversified income opportunities.

    David is a teacher at heart and loves to help facilitate trainings. He is an avid gardener, camper, and cook. David is married and has three children and four grandchildren.

  • VICE PRESIDENT OF VOLUNTEERS AND FOOD PROGRAMS

    Cristy Davidson grew up in Lafayette, LA and graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Cristy worked as a loan officer and processor of mortgages for many years, and decided to remain at home with her daughter, Zoe, for six years. As Zoe started school, Cristy began working in the nonprofit field as a development manager. She worked for a new local charter school establishing an annual gala and organizing various school related community events including White Light Night in Mid-City and the Grand Opening for the Dyslexia Resource Center. Cristy’s organizational skills and experience working with volunteers made her a perfect fit for HOPE. She began in May 2017 as the Volunteer and Program Supervisor overseeing all the operations of the Client Choice Food Pantry, holiday events and volunteers. Not only does she love working with all the volunteers and clients at HOPE but she is thrilled to work with such a talented and compassionate group of colleagues. Cristy, her husband, Craig, and Zoe are members of First United Methodist Church where Cristy served on the Children’s Council and was involved with Vacation Bible School. She is currently a member of the Brock UMC Women's Circle and she and her daughter are members of National Charity League.

  • EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR

    Born and raised in a small town just south of Atlanta, Georgia, Julie met Seth, her future husband, while serving on a summer mission trip in Louisiana. Upon graduating with honors from the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor's of Business Administration Degree in Management with a concentration in Human Resources, she married Seth and relocated to Louisiana with her husband. Julie spent the next five years working in the Human Resources and Administration sectors, primarily in the areas of recruiting, training and policy writing. She then left corporate America when her son was born and spent the next 16 years raising and homeschooling her three children, Mason, Hannah Kate and Ellie.

    Julie began taking piano lessons at the age of eight and has played the piano at her church for over 30 years. She currently serves as the Pianist at Jefferson Baptist Church, where she and her family are active members. She has also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years and led Women's Ministry and Children's Ministry. Julie leads and teaches a weekly in-depth Bible study for women in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas.

    Julie is Jesus-focused, service-driven, detailed and task-oriented with proven administrative, instruction and managerial skills developed through her professional, ministerial and homeschooling experiences. Having returned to work after 16 years of being a stay-at-home mom and serving in ministry, working at HOPE is a dream job for Julie. She is able to utilize her professional skills and talents in an organization that is making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals, families and the Baton Rouge community. She believes strongly in the mission of HOPE and is thrilled to be a part of the important and meaningful work HOPE is doing across the region.

    Julie enjoys playing the piano, reading, cooking, writing and traveling. She is a passionate Georgia Bulldog fan, and Saturdays in the fall are her favorite. She is a Georgia girl at heart, but her home is with her husband and children, and her best days are spent with them.

  • MANAGER OF GRANTS ADMINISTRATION

    Greg earned a bachelor's of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of New Orleans. Greg's continued post-graduate work at UNO provided him with data management and statistical analysis skills that opened new doors. As a consultant with Scott Ray & Associates in New Orleans, he first served as Database Manager for a Federally funded project. He later worked on numerous projects involving grant seeking, grant administration, quality assurance, research, and evaluation for nonprofit organizations and collaboratives in New Orleans. Greg helped to establish several major collaborative organizations providing services for substance abuse, family services, and homelessness. He also guided a small faith-based substance abuse treatment center to become licensed by the State of Louisiana, helping them obtain numerous grants and State contract funding support as a Social Setting Detox Facility and as an Orleans Parish Drug Court Treatment Center. From there, Greg worked in the Research Office at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he was heavily involved with pre- and post-award administration of grants and contracts. He was later promoted to Technical Services Coordinator for the Vice President for Research, and eventually as Data and Technology Coordinator to help establish a new research center at UL Lafayette, the Cecil J. Picard Center for Child Development and Lifelong Learning. Greg spent six years in New Jersey as Information Technology Specialist at a boy's prep school before returning to serve as Grants and Contracts Administrator at Aristotle's Alexander, a Lafayette, LA technology company involved with systems integration, software development, and digital business transformation.

    Greg will tell you that his strong faith has guided him through the years, and that God has led him on a long winding road, in a great circle that eventually brought him back to an opportunity to serve others at HOPE Ministries. Greg is a member of Zachary United Methodist Church. In his spare time, Greg enjoys cooking, performing music, and volunteer service opportunities.

  • MANAGER OF THE WAY TO WORK

    Denise Hursey grew up in Central, LA and graduated from Parkview Baptist High School. She graduated from LSU with a dual major in psychology and sociology, and went to work for the Louisiana Hospital Association for 11 years. Denise worked her way up from administrative assistant to quality analyst. While there, she received her Master's in Business Administration and is an alumnus of the Greater Baton Rouge Leadership class of 2008. After leaving the hospital association, Denise worked at Our Lady of the Lake RMC as a quality analyst. After working at OLOL, she completed the LANO Community Leaders program. She then worked for Capital Area United Way, where she found her passion for non-profit work.

    Denise has always had a desire to help others. At Hope, Denise has found a way to put her skills to work as a program specialist for The Way to Work team.

    A member of First United Methodist Church, Denise has served on the Children’s Council and taught first grade Sunday School, and has volunteered for many other events. She and her husband of 11 years, Andy, and children Sammy and Amelia are active members in their church, Sunday school and Bible Study classes. She enjoys reading, baking, volunteer work, and road trips with her family.

  • PANTRY COORDINATOR

    Rose was born, raised and educated in East Baton Rouge. She was one of ten children in a family who served others. She is from a long line of pastors. Her father was a construction worker and her mother was an educator.

    Rose and her husband have been together for over 20 years. They have four children between them, but her seven grandchildren are truly the light of her life!

    Rose is a people person and she loves doing crafts. But, if you really want to pull on her heart strings, she has an especially soft spot for children and the elderly. This love serves her well as she encourages and serves the clients in HOPE's Client Choice Food Pantry.

    Rose worships at International Faith Assembly.

  • CAREER COACH AND TRAINER

    James Oliver served Honorably in the US Navy as a fire fighter and rescue responder. After his military discharge, he returned to school to obtain his license as an ordained minister. Eventually, he earned his degree in Christian Counseling at Jacksonville Theology Seminary where he graduated with honors as Salutatorian. Drawing on his passion for all God’s people and his experiences in the military, James worked with the Louisiana Workforce Commission as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program specialist. He assisted veterans in becoming employment ready by helping them set and achieve goals for the workforce. James saw the opportunity to assist the larger community and joined The Salvation Army where he served as a “Pathway of Hope“ Case Management specialist. He regularly assisted clients with social service needs such as “Power to care”, disaster relief, and food boxes. James brings to HOPE his extensive experience in Case Management and his deep desire to help people set and achieve their goals. He has 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and his awesome dog Maxx.

  • CAREER COACH AND TRAINER

    Lisa grew up in Lettsworth, LA, and graduated from Avoyelles High School. After high school, she attended Louisiana Technical College and earned a degree in Office Systems Technology. Her career began at a therapy facility as a regional coordinator. She was passionate about seeing residents improve to the point of returning home to their families. Her position required a lot of travel that led to time away from her family. After ten years, Lisa chose to take a step back to be there for her two active children. This led to more travel, but to ballparks and cheer practice. During this time, Lisa was a part-time office manager for a company, improving their efficiency and handling much of their human resource and financial logistics.

    Lisa began her career at HOPE ministries to spread kindness by giving back to the community and serving those in need. She believes that kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.

    Lisa and her two children are active members of Christ the King Catholic Church. In her spare time, She enjoys being outside, chasing sunsets, listening to music, and being with family and friends.

  • INTAKE COORDINATOR

    Elizabeth Parrish is a military “brat” that grew up in Kentucky and Tennessee. She has an Associate Degree in Medical Office and a Certificate of Pharmacology. With these accomplishments, she was given the opportunity to work in many areas.

    She began her career as a secretary in the construction industry. Moving to Virginia in 1983, she became the Administrative Assistant to the Commander of the Navy Exchange where she also managed the sporting goods department and was Lead Cashier. After 10 years she moved back to Tennessee where she worked at The Parrish Care Home.

    In 1995, while working at UT, she went into business for herself creating ETC., a secretarial service for small businesses that did not have a support staff. She and her husband became volunteers for St. Jude. It became a passion and the nonprofit world became a new vision. She went to work for Mid-South Food Bank, a nonprofit, and it was there she found her calling. She enjoyed working with the volunteers, attending fundraisers and food drives. Being able to help someone with basic needs, whether it be food, clothing or shelter, she is committed to the cause.

    Widowed, she moved to Zachary in 2014. She spent the next 4 years settling into her new homestead. She is a member of Redwood Baptist Church where she sits on the Deaconess Board as the Secretary, and is the Treasurer of the Sunday School. In July 2018 she was hired to work at HOPE. She truly enjoys her job and it’s mission. Her co-workers are compassionate, God fearing people. Working with them is truly a joy.

  • COMMUNITY PROGRAM MANAGER

    Bernell Smith Is from Brusly, LA where he graduated from Brusly high school. He received a degree in Ministry from Louisiana College. Bernell is an ordained minister and has served in both associate and youth pastor positions. He has over sixteen years of experience in the trucking industry, including running his own small business as an owner-operator. Bernell has experience in many outreach ministries including homeless outreach and as part of the Baptist Retreat Center advisory board. He loves counseling and teaching the Bible as well as life and career development skills. Bernell and his wife have been married since 2004. They have three boys who are very active in sports and a dog, Trinity, who is active in getting everything she wants.

  • CAREER PLACEMENT COACH AND TRAINER

    Jonquil is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana where she graduated from Bonnabel High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans. She grew up as a member of the Living Faith Christian Fellowship in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her journey to HOPE Ministries began after an almost eight-year stint in the retail industry as an operations manager, cashier, store manager, and pharmacy technician. This experience in the “real world” gives Jonquil additional perspective as she helps clients improve their employment opportunities. Jonquil’s deep desire to help others succeed brought her to HOPE Ministries. Her role as a Career Coach allows her to follow her calling. She loves to motivate her clients and keep them inspired by teaching them to fight through life’s challenges. When not at work, Jonquil likes to travel and go on walks with her newly adopted rescue dog, Kash. She also likes cooking, spending time with family, and visiting history and art museums.

  • CAREER COACH AND TRAINER

    Chandra Thomas is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She attended Southern University A&M College and University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating, she accepted a position as a middle school teacher in Garland, TX, where she taught Social Studies, Texas History, and Theatre Arts. During this time, she also chaired the school’s multicultural program and oversaw the yearbook class.

    After six years in education, Chandra decided to come home to Louisiana and enter the Master’s degree program at her beloved Southern University. She completed the MPA (Masters of Public Administration) program and accepted a position with the Department of Health and Hospitals' Tobacco Control Program. As a program monitor, her role included working with community partners to educate youth on the dangers of tobacco and smoking. After being employed with the DHH for a number of years, she was offered a position with the Louisiana Workforce Commission as Program Manager for the LaJET(Louisiana Job Employment and Training) program. While being employed at LWC, she obtained her second Master’s degree in Organizational Management with a Specialization in Leadership.

    In 2013 she checked off a bucket list item by relocating to Washington, D.C. Having a love for the east coast, she felt that she had found her new home. However, she soon made the bittersweet move home to attend to her Louisiana family.

    Chandra never meets a stranger and has a true passion for helping others. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, writing, and collecting journals/kitchen gadgets. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Chandra recently joined The Way to Work Team as a Success Coach. Growing up in North Baton Rouge, she has a true desire to make a difference while helping those in need.

  • PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST

    Sam Wagner was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received a degree in General Business from LSU. Before LSU, he attended Catholic High School where he sang in the choir and played on the Ultimate Frisbee Team. While at Catholic High, Sam won two state championships in Ultimate Frisbee that led to National Tournament visits. Sam started as a volunteer and, after working the Test Kitchen grand opening in May of 2021, he fell in love with HOPE. Sam always wanted to work for a non-profit and hopes to one day run one. Sam enjoys listening to different kinds of music and he likes collecting Vinyls. When not at work, Sam likes to hang out with friends, go fishing, and build wristwatches. He attributes his passion for serving others to his strong faith and the many life lessons he has learned. Sam believes that having a great attitude is the first step to being happy and successful.