For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross in Louisiana has alleviated human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Its members offer aid and resources to others to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies through immediate assistance, education, outreach and training.
Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers educational programs that promote health and safety, support and comfort for military members and their families, and provide international relief and development programs.
The Louisiana Region of the Red Cross serves the 4.65 million residents in the 64-parish state, while supporting others across the country and around the world. Volunteers share their expertise on disaster relief operations out of state, and donors provide relief where it’s needed most.
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-229-8191
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Disaster response is available through our Disaster Action Teams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call (800) 229-8191.
Shawn Schulze joined the Red Cross in 2018. Prior to joining the Louisiana Region as the Chief Executive Officer, he served as the Regional Chief Operating Officer in Colorado and Wyoming. He has also served in Interim positions as Executive Director and the Service to the Armed Forces and International Service Director in Colorado and Wyoming, and deployed as Chief of Staff for both the 2020 Oregon Fires and the 2021 Kentucky Tornado responses.
Shawn has a long history of professional, government and public service experience. His past positions include serving as Deputy Director for the Southwest Region of AmeriCorps, National Civilian Community Corps, and retiring from the U.S. Army. He has learned to cultivate partnerships that yield win-win scenarios, renew confidence with elected and community leaders, and support local staff in growing a strong volunteer base while continually engaging stakeholders.
In June of 2020, Ed became a member of the American Red Cross team after retiring from a 30 year military career. Over the course of his Army service, he held many leadership positions, deployed overseas three times and served as a key staff member on over 15 major emergency response missions in Louisiana including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, Karen and Harvey. Ed retired at the rank of Colonel in May 2020.
Ed will continue a career of service while serving as the Executive Director of the Capital West Chapter. His extensive public affairs, leadership and disaster experience make him a welcomed addition to an already strong Capital West and Louisiana Regional Leadership Team.
Ed resides in Lafayette, LA with his wife Susan who is also a retired Army Officer. Together they have three children (Meghan, Emma and Matthew) and are supporters of the Red Cross through volunteerism, financial and blood donation.
Tara Letort, an award-winning strategic communications professional, joined the American Red Cross in January of 2022, and leads the communication strategy and team of communicators in the Louisiana region. Tara most recently led the Group Public Relations efforts for the New Orleans tourism industry, serving as a consultant to meeting planners, marketing and public relations teams representing conventions both large and small, with New Orleans & Company for the past 15 years. A Millennial award winner and Forty Under 40 recipient, Tara was one of the first PR professionals to obtain the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification in 2012 and continues to make an impact in the New Orleans community. Tara has been in the communications industry for more than 20 years and is a proud alumnae of The University of Alabama.
Brittany Gay, our new Regional Chief Development Officer, brings a vast level of experience to our region, along with strong relationships with donors and the community. Born and raised in the New Orleans area, Brittany graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Millsaps College, and spent the last 17 years with the American Heart Association. During her tenure, she was the Marketing Director, Communications Director, Development Director and the Senior Development Director. Most recently, she spent the last seven years as the Executive Director, responsible for the organization’s operations, development and programs in the Greater New Orleans market. She also led their New Orleans Board of Directors and five Volunteer Executive Leadership Teams.
Robert Harris serves as the Regional Chief Operations Officer for the Louisiana Region. Robert joined the American Red Cross 8 years ago after leaving a 15 year career in law enforcement. During his career Robert held numerous positions to include supervisory positions as Sergeant of narcotics, street crimes, patrol and criminal investigations. Robert also served on numerous specialized divisions such as Canine, S.W.A.T, Search and Rescue, Recovery dive team and also Honor Guard. Robert recently retired from the United States Army National Guard where he held the rank of First Sergeant. Robert also holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Park University. Robert is also a graduate of the 2016 L.E.A.D.S. cohort internal Red Cross executive leadership program. Robert spends the majority of his free time working on his family’s horse ranch and is also has a passion for flying and all things aviation.
For over 20 years, Lindsay Mathieson has built a career in the non-profit sector focusing on advancing humanitarian aid, health, and social welfare. Having joined the Louisiana team in the spring of 2021, Lindsay oversees the Red Cross’s disaster response, recovery, and preparedness efforts throughout the state. Prior to this role, she served for nearly four years as the Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross of Central Arizona, a territory that includes the Phoenix metropolitan area. Before joining the Red Cross, Lindsay worked with Relief International, a non-governmental organization, where she oversaw the implementation of numerous humanitarian aid and development projects in Iraq, Yemen, and Egypt. Other experience includes two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in far east Russia and several years working as a policy analyst and advocate focusing on the improvement of the mental health and child welfare systems in California. Originally from upstate New York, Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins University.
Karen has been a member of the Red Cross team for 12 years. Karen graduated college from LSU-S with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation, Karen worked for a national accounting firm in the tax department and later went on to receive her CPA license. With the birth of her son, she stayed home for several years before reentering the workforce where her career with the Red Cross began. She most recently served as a Business Operations Specialist supporting the Louisiana Region and prior to her latest role she served as the CPA for the North Louisiana Chapter. In her spare time, she plays tennis, works out and spends time with her two children and friends.
Kara Murphy joins as the Director of Services to the Armed Forces and International Services having served the past three years as the Disaster Program Manager for SWAC, a service area covering 23 parishes in Louisiana’s Southwest, Acadiana and CenLA territories.
She began working first as a Red Cross volunteer, deploying to North Carolina to assist in the Hurricane Florence Disaster Response Operation. Inspired by this and similar emergency experiences, she applied for a full-time position with Red Cross after obtaining her Master’s in Disaster Medicine & Management from Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
Since becoming DPM, Kara has responded to hurricanes, tornados, floods, a plane crash, severe winter weather and the U.S.-Mexico border crisis. She received the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action for her contribution to a life saved, and most recently, she graduated from the SWaRM (Southwest and Rocky Mountains) Division Leadership Program.
Becca Merritt joins the Louisiana team as Regional Volunteer Services Officer, accepting the promotion after serving as Senior Volunteer Engagement Specialist in the Missouri-Arkansas Region, and most recently, serving as interim Regional Director of Services to the Armed Forces & International Services in Louisiana. She joined the American Red Cross in 2018 and is a proud graduate of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Division Leadership Program. She is passionate about connecting communities with the opportunities and services the American Red Cross can provide. Becca holds a BSW in Social Work from Appalachian State University and an MSW in Social Work with a focus on Social and Economic Development from Washington University in St. Louis. She is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina.
