LES DAMES NOLA

2026-2027

Board of Directors

Jennifer Kelley Killian

PRESIDENT

Jennifer is Director of the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, a program of Emeril Lagasse Foundation, where she leads fundraising and oversees scholarship and grantmaking programs that uplift Latino youth through food. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, managing $3.6 million in grants and services. A nonprofit leader with expertise in fundraising and program management, Jennifer also volunteers with Team Gleason and serves on the board of Les Dames d'Escoffier New Orleans. She holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University New Orleans.
Chaya Conrad

VP OF PHILANTHROPY

Chaya Conrad is the owner of Bywater Bakery, a New Orleans neighborhood hub known for its cakes, king cakes, and live music. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America, externed at Arnaud's, and worked under Dickie Brennan before heading the pastry department at Whole Foods' Arabella Station — where she created the now-famous Berry Chantilly Cake, later featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post. A decade ago, Chaya opened Bywater Bakery with her husband, Alton Osborn, building it into a community gathering place with blood drives, clothing and school drives, and a name-your-own-price bread program. The bakery is a 2026 James Beard Awards semifinalist.
Courtney Dodson

VP OF PROGRAMS

Courtney is Co-founder and Brand Manager of Envie Chocolates, a New Orleans-based elevated artisanal chocolate company. Before chocolate, she spent years as a leader in hospitality - as a Director of Human Resources, a Director of Operations for multi-unit organizations, and a General Manager, with experience spanning quick service to fine dining. That range gave her a deep understanding of what it takes to build teams, run operations, and create memorable guest experiences at every level through servant leadership and unreasonable hospitality.
Cathryn Giff

VP OF COMMUNICATIONS

For more than 25 years, Cathryn Giff has built her career around a love of hospitality, people, and creating meaningful experiences. Having held executive leadership roles with many 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. Cathryn is passionate about mentoring others, giving back to her community, and supporting women in hospitality. An active volunteer with Les Dames d'Escoffier, the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Skal, MSWIT, the Krewe of Cork, and Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré, she believes strong relationships and service make every community better.
Melanie Young

VP OF MEMBERSHIP
Melanie Young is a media professional who hosts The Connected Table and Fearless Fabulous You! podcasts. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine, wine writer and speaker. In New York, Melanie owned a culinary events agency with wine, food, media and nonprofit clients and was Founding Director of The James Beard Foundation Awards (1990-2006). She wrote the award-winning book, “Getting Things Off My Chest: A Survivor’s Guide to Staying Fearless and Fabulous in the Face of Breast Cancer.” An LDEI member since 1998, Melanie is a past president of Les Dames New York chapter. She joined Les Dames NOLA in 2023.
Bunny Young

TREASURER

Chef Bunny is Owner & Executive Chef of Crawbabies LLC and Host of radio show and podcast “The Roux with Chef Bunny”.
Her specialties are Creole cuisine and authentic New Orleans recipes.
An active community servant, she supports Cafe Reconcile, GenYouth, American Cancer Society and NOCHI.
She is a proud Native New Orleanian and Creole Culture Bearer.
Angela Aspiazu

SECRETARY
Angela Aspiazu is the Co-Founder, President and Managing Partner of New Orleans Secrets, an award-winning tour and experience company specializing in immersive culinary, cultural and historical experiences. She oversees the company's strategic growth, marketing, partnerships and custom itinerary design, creating experiences that celebrate New Orleans' culinary and cultural heritage. Angela is the 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 Directors for Mid-South Women in Travel (MSWIT).