LaDonna Williams and Adrian Owen Jones assume roles as Board of Directors Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
July 1, 2026
BATON ROUGE – Baton Rouge Community College and the BRCC Foundation are proud to announce the 2026-27 BRCC Foundation Board of Directors leadership team, a distinguished group of community and business leaders dedicated to advancing student success and expanding educational opportunities across the Capital Region.
Beginning July 1, LaDonna Williams will serve as board chair, Adrian Owen Jones will serve as vice chair, Ralph Bender will continue as treasurer, Kristi Wagley Richard will serve as secretary and Chas Roemer will transition into the role of immediate past chair.
The BRCC Foundation Board of Directors unanimously approved the leadership appointments, reflecting the board’s confidence in a team committed to strengthening the Foundation’s mission of supporting BRCC students, programs and initiatives.
"Baton Rouge thrives when we invest in our workforce,” Williams said. “I'm proud to lead this board and to keep strengthening the partnerships that give BRCC students the opportunities they deserve."
Williams, the incoming board chair, has served on the BRCC Foundation Board of Directors since October 2024. She is Senior Vice President at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and brings extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to educational and workforce development.
Jones, the new vice chair, has served on the BRCC Foundation Board of Directors since September 2024. She is a partner at Success Labs, a strategic organizational and leadership development firm, where she helps organizations and leaders achieve meaningful growth and impact.
Bender, who previously served as both treasurer and secretary, is the chief financial officer of Manship Media. He has been a member of the BRCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2023.
Richard, the newly appointed secretary, is vice president of compliance and chief compliance officer for GSFSGroup. She has served on the BRCC Foundation Board of Directors since 2026.
Founded in 1998, the BRCC Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Baton Rouge Community College, providing critical financial support for students, scholarships, academic programs and institutional priorities. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation helps remove barriers to education and creates opportunities that empower students to achieve their goals.
The BRCC Foundation welcomes support through one-time gifts, recurring donations and planned giving opportunities. Its dedicated team works closely with donors and community partners to invest in the future of BRCC students and the region’s workforce.
Learn more about the BRCC Foundation at brccf.org.
BRCC Foundation Board of Directors Leadership Team
Chair
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Immediate Past Chair
About BRCC
Baton Rouge Community College is a leading higher education institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offering more than 100 academic and workforce programs for traditional and non-traditional students. The college generates an annual economic impact of more than $300 million, and 98% of graduates remain in Louisiana, contributing to the state's workforce and economy. Through partnerships with regional employers and national organizations, BRCC provides hands-on, industry-aligned training that meets Louisiana’s evolving workforce needs.