Meet the 2026–2027 Board of Directors
This week, at our Annual Meeting at the Windsor Court Hotel, members voted in the slate of officers who will lead Les Dames d'Escoffier New Orleans through the coming year.
"I'm honored to serve as president of this remarkable organization of women in our hospitality community," said incoming president Jennifer Killian. "I hope to bring my nonprofit leadership experience to help us grow and make an even bigger impact, and to make philanthropy the thing people know us for."
The seven women below bring decades of combined experience across restaurants, bakeries, hotels, tours, media, and nonprofit leadership. They step into their roles as the chapter heads into a full season of programming and philanthropy, including our Pearls & Purpose luncheon at Antoine's on September 25.
Our thanks to the Windsor Court for once again hosting us, and to every member who came out to vote.
Jennifer Killian, President
Jennifer Killian is Director of the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, where she secures funding and oversees scholarship and grant programs that uplift Latino youth through food. She previously led the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation as executive director, overseeing $3.6 million in grants and services. A New Orleans native and Loyola graduate, she brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership to the chapter.
Cathryn Giff, VP of Communications
Cathryn Giff has spent more than 25 years in hospitality, holding executive leadership roles with some of the industry's leading hotel brands. She now serves as General Manager of Hotel de la Monnaie and Vice President of Group Sales for Vacatia. She is an active volunteer with the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Skal, MSWIT, the Krewe of Cork, and Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré, and is passionate about mentoring and supporting women in hospitality.
Melanie Young, VP of Membership
Melanie Young is a Certified Specialist of Wine and the host of The Connected Table Live and Fearless Fabulous You!, both now in their 13th year. She was the founding director of the James Beard Foundation Awards and created New York Restaurant Week, the largest restaurant promotion in the country. A Dame since 1998 and two-term past president of the New York chapter, she transferred to New Orleans in 2023. She is also the author of two award-winning books and a 16-year breast cancer survivor.
Chaya Conrad, VP of Philanthropy
Chaya Conrad is the owner of Bywater Bakery, the neighborhood hub known for its cakes, king cakes, live music, and community spirit. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, she created the now-famous Berry Chantilly Cake while heading the pastry department at Whole Foods Arabella Station, a recipe that spread to stores nationwide. She opened Bywater Bakery with her husband Alton Osborn a decade ago and has built it into a gathering place that hosts blood drives, clothing drives, a name-your-own-price bread program, and weekly live music. The bakery was named a 2026 James Beard Awards semifinalist.
Courtney Dodson, VP of Programs
Courtney Dodson is co-founder and Brand Manager of Envie Chocolates, a New Orleans artisanal chocolate company. Before chocolate, she spent years in hospitality leadership as a Director of Human Resources, Director of Operations, and General Manager across quick service to fine dining. She is focused on growing the chapter's presence across the city and building programming that supports LDEI's mission.
Angela Aspiazu, Secretary
Angela Aspiazu is Co-Founder, President, and Managing Partner of New Orleans Secrets, an award-winning tour company specializing in immersive culinary, cultural, and historical experiences. Her work champions the city's independent restaurants, small businesses, and hospitality industry. She is co-author of Secret New Orleans: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, a Certified Travel Advisor with Fora Travel, and serves on the board of Mid-South Women in Travel.
Chef Bunny Young, Treasurer
Chef Bunny Young is the owner of Crawbabies LLC, the New Orleans restaurant and catering company she launched in 2022 after 25 years as an accountant. She creates and hosts The Roux With Chef Bunny on WBOK 1230AM, the first Black female-helmed food and beverage radio show and podcast in the city. She has been featured on PBS's America the Bountiful and NPR's All Things Considered, and her cooking is rooted in the 7th Ward Creole women who taught her.