Our Board

Stephen Rosenthal serves as President of Strategic Comp, a workers compensation insurer. A New Orleans native, Rosenthal graduated from Amherst College and received his MBA from The Wharton School. Rosenthal has been actively involved in New Orleans public education for more than 20 years and is a strong advocate of charter schools with expertise in charter school accountability, finance, and governance.  Stephen may be contacted at boardchair@renewschools.org.

Brian Weimer is a native of Lafourche Parish with a passionate commitment to quality public education for all students in New Orleans, his home city since 2004. A graduate of LSU law school, Brian serves as the Research Compliance Officer for Tulane University in the fields of regulatory compliance and research integrity.

Keeanya is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in accounting, finance, operations, human resources, systems improvement and management of charter schools, non-profit organizations and public agencies. Keeanya received her Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of New Orleans.

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Throughout her career Keeanya has committed herself to joining agencies and organizations whose missions are focused on improving the overall condition of humanity through education, health, opportunity, and equality. She approaches her work through a lens of community and justice, asserting that only with strong financial and operational leadership can organizations be effective and have the tools needed to achieve organizational goals and objectives. She has been recognized by the United States Congress, the New Orleans City Council, and New Orleans City

Business for her outstanding commitment and proven professional standards.

Kathleen Edmundson brings more than 15 years of experience in marketing, advertising and public relations. Prior to that, she was a member of Teach for America’s Charter Corps, teaching in Orleans Parish Public Schools for ten years. Kathleen graduated cum laude from the University of Florida, and serves on the boards of several Louisiana non-profit organizations.

Kathy Conklin is a member of the New Orleans law firm McGlinchey Stafford PLLC., and is certified by the Louisiana State Bar Association as a specialist in tax law and in estate planning and administration.  The primary focus of her law practice is employee benefits.  Ms. Conklin graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University Law School and summa cum laude from LSU.  In addition to her service on the ReNEW board of directors, she is also currently a member of the Board of Directors of My House, Center for Learning in New Orleans and is the Community Involvement Chair of the Krewe of Muses.

Noah Hardie is a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Task Force officer, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Officer, and C-suite Executive who now leverages his breadth of experience in risk mitigation in both the public and private sectors to provide risk management and insurance solutions to a diverse list of clients as a First Vice President for Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.  Prior to joining Alliant, Noah was assigned as a Lead Task Force Officer with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and was the liaison with FBI regional offices, the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and the Port of New Orleans.  Noah’s position with the FBI followed years of international experience as a Clandestine Service Operations Officer for the CIA. The former U.S. Air Force Captain also has private sector experience as a Chief Financial Officer in the construction industry.  Noah holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in Spanish from the United States Air Force Academy.  In addition to speaking French and Spanish, Noah holds an advanced certificate in international maritime law from the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta.

Gabrielle Misfeldt has spent the last 13 years working with various school districts across the region, state, and country on educational excellence and equality. She currently serves as Chief of Staff at Jefferson Parish Schools. In her time there, Misfeldt has led work around creating the district’s 2024 strategic plan and the differentiated compensation model millage that increased educator pay for the first time in 10 years. As a former paraprofessional, substitute teacher, and teacher, Misfeldt worked with Chicago Public Schools, the Recovery School District, various school districts across Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Education, Newark Public Schools, and ReNEW Schools. She’s led work around recruitment, staffing, retention, principal training, and strategy. Misfeldt earned her Honors Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University.

Diedra Pierce is a native New Orleanian and currently serves as the Chief of Staff for City Councilmember Oliver M. Thomas, Jr., District E of the City of New Orleans. Pierce graduated Magna Cum Laude at Dillard University in 2005 and earned her Juris Doctorate Degree from Southern University Law School where she graduated Cum Laude in 2010. In 2011, she began work as a Legislative Assistant to then State Senator Wesley Bishop. There she assisted with the research and drafting of legislation that one day became law. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Pierce also began her legal career as an Associate Attorney with the law firm of Spears & Spears, Attorney at Law in Southern New Orleans.

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Ms. Pierce specializes in Criminal Defense (Adult and Juvenile), DWI/DUI, Traffic and Municipal matter, as well as Personal Injury. Ms. Pierce has represented thousands of clients in various courtrooms throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area, including many pro bono cases due to her passion. Ms. Pierce is an elected member of OPDEC, a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, Louis A. Martinet Legal Society, Independent Women's Organization, and a host of other organizations. Ms. Pierce has two children, Elijah and Jazlyn.

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Greta Brustie is the parent of a ReNEW Schools student.