Adren O. Wilson
Equity and Inclusion Campaign National Director
Adren has a Master in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and received Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Political Science from Louisiana State University.
Before joining E&I, he served as Assistant Secretary with the Louisiana Department of Social Services from 2004 to 2008, appointed by Governor Blanco, and reappointed by Governor Jindal, and confirmed by the Louisiana Senate. He provided leadership for the Office of Family Support (OFS). OFS programs include child care assistance, food stamps, kinship care assistance, support enforcement services, head start collaboration project, disability determinations, TANF, and Solutions To Poverty (SToP). Adren served as the Executive Director of the Children's Cabinet in the Blanco administration as well. Before becoming a public servant, he served as the Head of Louisiana Field Operations and Student Leadership Development for the Children's Defense Fund (CDF). In this capacity, he was responsible for mobilizing and linking the citizenry of Louisiana and student leaders from across the south. From 1999-2002, he served as the National Director of Youth and Student Leadership Development with CDF in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he led youth leadership development programs such as Freedom Schools, the Student Leadership Network for Children (SLNC) and Advanced Service and Advocacy Workshops. With Adren's leadership, CDF has trained thousands of college students representing Harvard, Yale, Morehouse, Spelman and countless other institutions, at the former Alex Haley Farm in Clinton, TN.
Prior to joining CDF, Adren served in numerous capacities at Louisiana State University. He served as Residence Life Coordinator, Admissions Officer, and University Advisor for a group of 4,500 students. Through his work at LSU, he has received many honors. In 1995, a leadership award, the "Adren Wilson Outstanding LSU Ambassador Award," was established in his honor. This award is given to a top LSU Ambassador each year. In 1996, he was named "University Advisor of the Year" for his work with students.
In July 2001, the Louisiana Youth Seminar honored him with the Roddy Richard Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with youth.
In December 2001, Adren was featured in Ebony Magazine. Each year, the magazine names 30 of the best and brightest leaders in the country, who made a contribution to society. According to the magazine, "Ebony's 30 Leaders of the Future for 2001 have qualities that set them apart. They're dedicated, educated and prepared."
In November 2006, the Baton Rouge Business Report named Adren as one of the top 40 leaders under 40 in the community.
In 2003, Adren was recognized by the New Jersey Conference Branch Women's Missionary Society as an "Outstanding Young Leader of this Millennium" and by CDF with the "Ella Baker Servant Leadership Award." Additionally, Adren served on the Board of Directors for the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana, Inc. and the Baton Rouge Children's Coalition. He also served on the board of the Baton Rouge League of Women Voters (2002-2004). He is a former middle school history teacher at Park Forest Middle School in Baton Rouge, LA.
To contact Adren Wilson, please email adren@equityandinclusion.org
Monika Gerhart
Equity and Inclusion Campaign Director of Policy and Government Relations
She has a history of social and economic justice work in many countries and settings. Most recently, she served as project lead and housing policy analyst for Amnesty International's post-Katrina work in the Gulf Coast. Prior to her work at Amnesty, Monika ran field operations for issue-based statewide ballot initiative and legislative campaigns.
She has a history of social and economic justice work in many countries and settings. Most recently, she served as project lead and housing policy analyst for Amnesty International's post-Katrina work in the Gulf Coast. Prior to her work at Amnesty, Monika ran field operations for issue-based statewide ballot initiative and legislative campaigns.
Monika received her Master of Arts as a Roger Thayer Stone Center Research Fellow at Tulane University. She joins this year's cohort of Louisiana Emerging Leaders through the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy. Monika is an activist, advocate and avid gardener, and proud to call New Orleans home.
Matt Mosley
Equity and Inclusion Campaign Executive Assistant
Matt is originally from Chattanooga, TN. He attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN for a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Writing. During his time at Belmont, he completed an internship with a travel writing website in London, England. His time in Nashville and London sparked a love for writing within diverse environments.
After completing his time in Nashville, he spent nine months in New Zealand. He traveled throughout New Zealand and surrounding islands. He campaigned for Greenpeace and worked as a satellite team leader. There he learned that a job could be personally fulfilling, as well as present concrete and positive results within the community.
Matt moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, to attend the University of New Orleans. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in English, with an anticipated completion date of May 2010. He hopes to pursue a fulfilling career that merges his love for writing and his desire to positively impact his community.
To contact Matt Mosley, please email matthew@equityandinclusion.org
