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Asya Howlette 

Asya M. Howlette is the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Youth & Families for the City of New Orleans, where she leads citywide strategy to advance outcomes for children, families, and youth. Her work spans policy design, cross-sector partnerships, and public investment- bridging government, philanthropy, and community voice to drive sustainable change.

She currently stewards initiatives ranging from youth-led climate innovation and guaranteed income pilots, to early childhood funding, parks and playspace planning, and workforce development. With a background in education, systems design, and executive leadership, Asya brings both vision and structure to big ideas-always centering long-term impact, human dignity, and transformational outcomes.

Brittney Waiters serves as the Operations Manager for the City of New Orleans Office of Youth and Families, where she plays a vital role in ensuring the efficiency and impact of the department’s initiatives. In her role, Brittney oversees the drafting and execution of all departmental contracts, manages a $26 million budget, and leads interdepartmental coordination and communications with partner organizations.

With a keen focus on strategy, organization, and collaboration, Brittney ensures that the Office of Youth and Families operates seamlessly across programs and citywide initiatives. She also manages the department’s newsletter and social media presence, helping to strengthen community awareness and engagement. In addition, Brittney leads the planning and execution of community engagement events that connect families, youth, and local organizations to vital resources and opportunities for growth.

Driven by a passion for empowering youth and fostering collaboration, Brittney’s work supports the City’s mission to create equitable opportunities and strong pathways for all young people in New Orleans.

Melissa Panks serves as the Strategic Initiatives Manager at the Office of Youth and Families for the City of New Orleans, where she leads efforts to connect residents—particularly young people and their families—to vital community resources, nonprofits, and local organizations. Known for her strategic use of data analysis and long-term planning, Melissa’s work is distinguished by her deep commitment to building relationships and fostering cross-sector collaboration. A key focus of Melissa's work is the implementation of the Youth Master Plan across all initiatives through the Office of Youth and Families, consistently centering youth voice in projects such as the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, the Youth Climate Action Fund and collaborative projects within juvenile justice. 

Prior to entering city government, Melissa gained over a decade of experience in public education, working closely with diverse student and family populations, including English language learners. As a leader and a coach for teachers, she has developed and implemented strategic plans at both the individual and systems level, organized impactful community and school-centered events, and led professional development at the school, district, and state levels. Drawing on her experience with diverse families and youth-focused initiatives, Melissa brings a collaborative, equity-centered approach to city planning and youth engagement. 

Austin Ezzard is the Social Work intern for the Office of Youth and Families (OYF). After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a Bachelor of Social Work, he began to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) at the Tulane University School of Social Work in January 2025. Throughout his undergraduate and post-undergraduate experience, Austin served in multiple leadership roles and held several internships aiming to improve the student experience at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary educational levels. As the OYF Social Work intern, Austin hopes to expand his knowledge on the needs of youth and learn valuable skills on how to be a change agent through local government to make sensible and direct advancements. After obtaining his MSW, Austin intends to explore youth development and community organizing through macro or mezzo social work practice, emphasizing civic engagement and democracy in a local context.

Wilneicha Videau, a political science graduate with a deep passion of fostering a sustainable living for youth within marginalized neighborhoods.  Growing up in a single-parent household with four siblings and now navigating motherhood, I have firsthand experience of the challenges faced by families. This background has instilled in me a profound understanding of the importance of investing in the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of our youth. 

Currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration, I leverage my expertise in politics and law to bridge the gap between youth and families and promote civic engagement. I believe that by empowering young individuals and their families, we can cultivate a brighter future for all. My passion lies in advocating for policies and programs that uplift communities and enhance opportunities for the next generation.