“Team CfR”

Leadership Team

Alex Gray

Chief Executive Officer

Alex Gray is a seasoned business operations leader with 15+ years of experience in education transformation through visionary leadership and innovative solutions. With a strong track record in organizational strategy, business and financial operations, talent management, and impact evaluation, Alex has driven positive change.

As the Senior Managing Director of Regional Management and Operations at Teach For America Greater New Orleans, Alex enhanced sustainability and impact. Her career includes coaching and developing teachers, managing teacher coaches, and directing a training site for new teachers. She moved to New Orleans in 2016, holding roles in development, regional strategy, talent, and operations.

Alex's journey began as a first-grade teacher in New York City, achieving significant student growth and planning numerous field trips. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and French from Dickinson College and a Master of Science in Childhood Education from Pace University.

A proud mother, Alex is committed to ensuring all New Orleans children access the opportunities they need to succeed.

SAMANTHA REESE

Chief Program Officer

Samantha Reese is the Chief Program Officer for CfR. She was the founding Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator at the New Orleans Therapeutic Day Program and received the first annual Abacus Award recognizing the staff member who most exemplifies the organization's core values and beliefs. She came to the program after working with adults experiencing houselessness, addiction, and serious persistent mental illness in a variety of settings. Samantha is a Licensed Professional Counselor and she is passionate about reaching individuals through expressive and creative interventions. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee and her M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of New Orleans.

Odile Johnson

Director of Finance

Vininder Khunkhun

Medical Director

Vininder Khunkhun is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Tulane University Medical School and Medical Director of the Center for Resilience, and was the founding medical director at the New Orleans Therapeutic Day Program. A triple-board certified psychiatrist in child and adult psychiatry and pediatrics, Dr. Khunkhun is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, and Tulane School of Medicine’s combined residency in general psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Khunkhun has experience working as a consulting psychiatrist in family health centers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in residential facilities in Massachusetts. Dr. Khunkhun was named to New Orleans-based independent publication The Gambit’s “40 Under 40” class of 2017.

WENDY robinson-MILLER

Clinical Director

Noel Kennedy

Partnerships Lead

Noel Kennedy joined the CfR team in July 2022 as the Academic Director.  Prior to CfR, Noel has served in multiple positions in New Orleans public charter schools: Special Education Teacher, Special Education Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Director of Student Support.  In 2016, Noel was nominated for the New Schools for New Orleans Excellence in Teaching Award.  In 2018, Noel was selected to participate in Cohort 4 of the Special Education Leader Fellowship, a two year leadership program designed to help individuals improve educational programming for diverse learners.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Criminal Justice, and History from the University of Delaware and her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of New Orleans. 

Harold Barfield

Program Director

Harold was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He graduated from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Harold has worked with organizations such as The Children's Aid Society, Harlem Children’s Zone and East House Settlement overseeing a multitude of youth programs with one goal, which is to tap into the potential of each student. Most recently with the New York City Department of Education and now transitioning to New Orleans, Harold hopes to bring his talents and expertise to help each student he works with reach their personal greatness, which is definitely attainable.

Allison Baker

INstructional Lead Teacher

Allison joined CfR in 2021 as an educator with more than 15 years of experience teaching a wide range of ages in a variety of settings. She came to New Orleans in 2013 after teaching in Wisconsin and South Korea and is passionate about meeting the needs of the whole child through individualized trauma-informed instruction and care. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Social Welfare from the University of Wisconsin and M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley. She looks forward to continued growth in the middle school program, ceaselessly striving to achieve its goals of ensuring emotional well-being and fostering academic readiness by delivering high-quality care and providing support to children and their families.

Our Partners

Our team encompasses not just dedicated teachers and administrators, but businesses that are giving back to their communities by supporting CfR in helping others.