Jan Moller, Executive Director
225.614.9126 ext. 1, jan@labudget.org
Jan Moller has spent more than two decades analyzing, reporting and writing about public policy in Louisiana. Since 2011 he has served the Louisiana Budget Project as its executive director, where he leads an exceptional team of research, advocacy, outreach and communication professionals devoted to eliminating racial barriers and promoting public policies that give all Louisianans the chance to reach their highest potential. He has an in-depth knowledge of the state’s budget and tax structure, health care policy and the public safety net.
Before joining LBP, Moller was an award-winning journalist in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and Louisiana, where he covered state government for the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Born in Sweden, Moller grew up in Pittsburgh, and remains a devoted fan of the city’s professional sports teams. A graduate of The American University, Jan lives with his wife and two children in Baton Rouge, where he enjoys coaching soccer and playing the occasional round of golf.
Stacey Roussel, Deputy Director
225.614.9126 ext. 6, stacey@labudget.org
Stacey Roussel serves as deputy director at LBP. She brings nearly twenty years of experience in the public, academic and nonprofit sectors working on issues related to economic and community development with experience in fundraising, strategic planning, program evaluation and policy analysis.
A native of New Orleans, Stacey began her development career in Baton Rouge supporting community engagement in K-12 public schools, and went on to serve on an award-winning major gifts team at PBS affiliate, WEDU-TV, in Tampa, Florida. She began working with small businesses as a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional at UNF SBDC, where she provided export assistance to U.S.-based small manufacturers. Upon returning to Louisiana, Stacey continued her commitment to community and economic development by supporting entrepreneurship among minority communities in Southeast Louisiana. While working domestically, Stacey maintains a global perspective, and has presented papers at the United Nations conference, Our Common Humanity in the Information Age, and at the Roundtable for Entrepreneurship Education (REE Asia) in Hong Kong. She is a graduate of LSU and the University of Maryland, College Park.
Courtney Foster, Medicaid Policy Advocate
225.614.9126 ext. 705, courtney@labudget.org
Courtney Foster is the Medicaid policy advocate for LBP, where she aims to improve the enrollment experience for people covered by Medicaid through eliminating administrative barriers to coverage. Prior to working at LBP, Courtney worked as the health policy coordinator at Well-Ahead, Louisiana specializing in tobacco control policies at the state level with an emphasis on reducing disparities.
Courtney was born and raised in Southern California, moved to New Orleans for college, and hasn’t left since. She graduated from Tulane University with a B.S. in Public Health and later with an MPH in Health Policy.
Paul Braun, State Budget and Tax Policy Analyst
225.614.9126 ext. 3, paul@labudget.org
Paul Braun is a tax policy analyst for the Louisiana Budget Project, studying how the state’s tax structure and spending affect low- and middle-income Louisianans and the services they rely on. Paul is a native of Denham Springs, LA, and a lifelong Louisianan. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication with a B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Print Journalism.
Prior to joining LBP, Paul worked as a journalist for WRKF and WWNO, Louisiana’s largest National Public Radio member stations, where he covered the state’s budget, education system, reproductive rights, and its response to public health crises and natural disasters for local and national audiences.
Danielle Barringer-Payton, Opportunity Youth Coalition Director
225.614.9126 ext. 5, danielle@labudget.org
Danielle Barringer-Payton serves as the opportunity youth coalition director for the Louisiana Budget Project. She is a licensed Louisiana attorney and brings a plenty of direct legislative experience.
Danielle was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She attended the University of North Florida where she earned multiple degrees. Danielle obtained a B.A. in Politic Science, B.A. in Criminal Justice, and a M.S. in Criminal Justice with a track in Criminology. She relocated to Baton Rouge in the fall of 2011 to begin her legal journey at Southern University Law Center (SULC). Instead of returning to Florida after graduation she said in Louisiana, passed the bar exam and began her legal career. Her past work experience includes positions as the attorney for the Judiciary Committee with the Louisiana House of Representatives, legislative liaison for the Louisiana Dept. of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) and Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). Danielle lives in Denham Springs with her husband.
Christina LeBlanc, Economic Opportunity Policy Analyst
225.614.9126 ext. 700, christina@labudget.org
Christina LeBlanc is the economic opportunity policy analyst at LBP, where she focuses on improving the lives of low- and middle-income Louisiana families through economic policy. Christina was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia but has called New Orleans home since 2010. She graduated from Tulane with a Ph.D. in History in 2022 and holds a B.A. in Diplomacy and World Affairs from Occidental College and M.A.’s. in Latin American Studies and History from Tulane University.
Prior to working at LBP, Christina worked in environmental organizations in Louisiana and as a writer and editor while completing her dissertation on the intersections of disaster, debt, and the growth of the U.S. federal state in the mid-twentieth century. She has also worked as a Women’s Congressional Policy Institute Legislative Fellow in the office of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Global Green.
Kelsey Jenkins, Criminal Justice Policy Analyst
225.614.9126 ext. 701, kelsey@labudget.org
Born and raised in rural Louisiana, Kelsey Jenkins has been interested in Louisiana’s criminal legal system since high school. A first-generation college student, Kelsey attended LSU for both undergrad and law school, earning a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology, a Juris Doctor, and a graduate diploma in Comparative Law.
After graduation, Kelsey completed a one-year judicial clerkship with the Honorable Valerie Gotch Garrett of the 15th JDC, where she became familiar with the inner workings of the court system. She then worked as a JLWOP Staff Attorney at the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights before joining Louisiana Budget Project as a Criminal Justice Policy Analyst. Her past experiences have allowed her to develop an intimate understanding of corrections in Louisiana and the need for drastic changes in criminal law and policy in order to improve the lives of Louisiana residents. Kelsey lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, her dog Ruth Bader Ginsbark, and her five cats.
Davante Lewis, Chief Strategy Officer
225.614.9126 ext. 2, davante@labudget.org
Davante serves as the chief strategy officer for LBP, working to develop and implement LBP’s strategic vision and goals on policy advocacy, coalition building, and outreach efforts. In this role he also drives LBP’s campaign strategies for policy wins and expanding engagement work to center people in the policymaking process. He previously served as the organization’s director of public affairs and outreach where he led LBP’s legislative advocacy and community outreach activities from 2018 to 2022. Davante was elected in 2022 to serve as Public Service Commissioner for Louisiana’s Third District, representing constituents from 10 Louisiana parishes, including the Baton Rouge and New Orleans greater metropolitan areas.
Prior to joining LBP, Davante was an elementary school teacher in the Coweta County School System in suburban Atlanta and was deeply involved in politics. Davante is a graduate of McNeese State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Communications. He resides in Baton Rouge with his beloved dog Sera Harper.
Jamie Carson, Director of Communications
225.614.9126 ext. 4, jamie@labudget.org
Jamie Carson is the director of communications for LBP, overseeing the organization’s day-to-day and strategic communications. Prior to joining LBP, Jamie served as the deputy finance director for Caroline Fayard’s campaign for United States Senate.
Previously, he served as a legislative campaign manager for the Louisiana House Democratic Caucus. Jamie is a native of Baton Rouge, LA and a graduate of Louisiana State University, where he received his B.A. in Mass Communication, with a concentration in Political Communication. He also holds an MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Kayla Mims, Director of Operations and Development
225.614.9126 ext. 702, kayla@labudget.org
Kayla Mims has served as LBP’s Director of Operations and Development since 2019. She oversees the organization’s day-to-day operations, financial responsibilities, as well as any event planning needs.
Prior to joining LBP, Kayla worked as a news producer for WVLA and WAFB, where she provided coverage for their morning segments.
Kayla hails from the small town of Fordoche, LA. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she received her B.A. in Communication Studies. When she is not juggling the many hats she wears at LBP, she enjoys cooking and watching documentaries.