Please join us September 10 – Guest Speaker Dr. Kenneth St. Charles Topic: Disaster Planning and Recovery for Businesses
Register for the September 10th, 2024 Luncheon
Kenneth joins the Louisiana Red Cross after serving as Vice President for Philanthropy at the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF), where he provided leadership, focus, and strategic direction for the Development and Donor Relations team. During his tenure at GNOF, Kenneth raised $8.1 million over a 3-month period in support of the Hurricane Ida Disaster Fund, led the fundraising effort for GiveNOLA Day, the Foundation’s online community-wide giving day that raised $24 million over a three-year period, led and staffed the Asset Development Committee of the Board of Directors, and created the overall resource development strategy for individuals, foundations, corporations, and agencies, including major prospect cultivation, planned giving, and resource development events. Among his many accomplishments at GNOF, he led the “Be Greater” capital campaign to a successful conclusion, growing total assets to $500 million while increasing the permanent endowment by $20 million.
Prior to joining GNOF, Kenneth served as President and Chief Executive Officer for five years at St. Augustine High School, a famed college preparatory school for young men in grades 8-12 founded in 1951 by the Josephite priests and brothers, where he provided visionary leadership that ensured students received an outstanding educational experience that prepared them for college and for life. He raised $10.9 million in scholarships, tuition assistance, operating and strategic partnership initiatives. During his tenure at St. Augustine, Kenneth initiated and navigated an innovative $8 million New Market Tax Credit financing opportunity that led to the complete upgrade and transformation of 100% of the classrooms and science labs, served as the chief spokesperson focused on increasing the schools prominence locally and nationally ,which included a personal appearance on the premiere nationally televised news program “60 Minutes”, stabilized school finances resulting in establishment of $1.5 million reserve emergency operating fund and led the institution through the COVID pandemic, ensuring tuition assistance for 100% of families.
Kenneth spent many years in higher education, serving as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA, and Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Xavier University of Louisiana. He raised $91.5 million during his Xavier tenure and created an alumni giving participation strategy that resulted in alumni annual giving increasing from less than 8% in 2006 to 20.9% in 2015. He also led the emergency fundraising and communication effort immediately following Hurricane Katrina that proved pivotal in the future and stability of the University.
Prior to his work in the higher-education and non-profit sectors, Kenneth held multiple roles in finance and HR at Entergy Corporation in New Orleans.
Kenneth is a proud veteran of the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of active reserve service and holding positions that included Inspector General, Command and General Staff College Instructor and Area Coordinator, Company Commander and Aide de Camp to a Commanding General. Kenneth deployed on active duty to Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm in 2003.
A committed community advocate, Kenneth serves on the boards of the Bureau of Governmental Research, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, and the DePaul/Daughters of Charity New Orleans Foundation. He previously served as a board member of Second Harvest Food Bank, St. Augustine High School, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Kenneth earned his PhD in educational administration and MBA from the University of New Orleans, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University New Orleans.
Kenneth has been married to his beautiful wife Lori Robinson St. Charles for 35 years and they have two adult daughters, Taylor and Kennedy. He enjoys gardening, reading, and puzzles.
Register for the September 10th, 2024 Luncheon
