35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work, we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Acts 20:35
The Board of Directors
Our team of passionate and philanthropic volunteer leaders comes from diverse and accomplished backgrounds, and all have a deep relationship with Christ. Please take a moment to meet each of them.
Meet Our Bishop
Bishop Robert Marshall, Jr., Bishop of the Diocese of Alexandria.
Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr., was ordained to the episcopacy and installed as the thirteenth Bishop of Alexandria by Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans on August 20, 2020, in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.
Bishop Marshall was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 17, 1959. A graduate of Catholic schools, Bishop-elect Marshall, attended St. Michael School, Christian Brothers High School, and Christian Brothers University, all in Memphis. He obtained his law degree from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) and practiced law for twelve years in both St. Louis, Missouri, and Memphis.
Discerning a call to the priesthood, Bishop Marshall studied at Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana, and received a Master of Divinity degree in 2000. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 2000, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Memphis by the Most Reverend J. Terry Steib, S.V.D.
Bishop Marshall has served in parish ministry in several parishes in the Diocese of Memphis, most recently as the pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Memphis (2017-2020).
In addition to his work in parishes, Bishop Marshall has also served the Diocese of Memphis as a Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Steib, a member of the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors, the Priest Personnel Committee, the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee, and the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Steering Committee. He was the delegate of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, who served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Memphis for five months. He served Bishop David Talley and the diocese as Vicar General until he was appointed the thirteenth bishop of Alexandria.
Meet Our Board Members
Luke Difulco
Chairman of the Board
Luke serves as the President of the Executive Committee. He is a native of Central Louisiana, growing up locally in Alexandria. He graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BS in Biology, then attended LSU in Baton Rouge and obtained his Master's in Coastal Ecology. He is married to his wife, Jessica, and has three daughters; Cailey, Giada, and Lucia.
He and his family are lifelong members of the Catholic community in Central Louisiana and attend St. Frances Cabrini Church, St. Joseph in Colfax, and St. Augustine in Melrose. Luke is a social business owner for Window World of Louisiana and Home Beautiful Gutters.
He enjoys hunting, fishing, cooking, and spending time with his family. Luke is passionate about volunteering for the Wounded War Hero Program and the Coastal Conservation Association. Luke is willing to add any community projects by providing resources as a local business owner/operator each year. He believes that Catholic Charities can be a cornerstone and essential resource here in the Cenla community. He feels the services offered through Catholic Charities will bridge the gap between local ministries and community services across all areas throughout Central Louisiana and beyond.
Melanie Bolton
Executive Secretary
Melanie Bolton serves as the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana Board of Directors.
Melanie graduated from LSU of Alexandria with an Associate Degree in Business. She has worked in the accounting department at Roy O Martin for the last 27 years. She has served on a committee through Roy O Martin for eight years, helping raise funds for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk Fundraiser.
Melanie is married to Jesse, and they have two daughters, Sydney and Mia. She has enjoyed working with the Board and the Committee Members during the start-up phase of Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana in determining the needs of our community. Seeing this organization develop, grow, and succeed in its mission will be a wonderful experience.
Anne Oestriecher
Finance Chair
Anne Oestriecher serves on the Finance Committee of Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana. After 25 years of living away, Anne returned to Alexandria in 2006. Anne graduated from Loyola University in NewOrleans, with a BBA in Accounting in 1985. She spent eight years working in an audit department. Anne worked with Hibernia National Bank as the Accounting Policy & Control Manager for the next twelve years. In 2005, Anne opened her practice providing consulting services to small businesses and instructing continuing education for CPAs nationwide.
Anne is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner, presently working with her father at Oestreicher Financial Management Services. Anne loves helping people achieve their financial & life goals. She is a parishioner at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. She learned the importance of community involvement by watching her parents volunteer. Anne has been a key volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for over 35 years, honoring her sister's memory and helping to find a cure for CF. She is also involved in several other community organizations, including service on the Troop Committee for Boy Scouts Troop 6 and service on the board of the Catholic Foundation of Central Louisiana. In addition, she is a member of the Society of Louisiana CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.
Anne is excited to be involved in the startup of our local Catholic Charities, finding new ways to help improve the lives of those in our community.
Jessica Difulco
Finance
Jessica serves on the Finance Committee for Catholic Charities of Central LA. Jessica has worked for Roy O Martin in Alexandria at their corporate office in payroll for 17 years. She is also a local small business owner and operator.
Jessica is a CASA Volunteer. Passionate about helping the community provide support and services to children and families in need. Jessica serves as a Board Member for Fit Families of Cenla. Jessica has also served as a volunteer and local committee member for Central LA Coastal Conservation Association. She hopes that her experience with other volunteer projects, business experience, and commitment to faith and service to others will benefit her position on the board to grow Catholic Charities of Central LA and help provide a lasting foundation that will provide much-needed resources to the community it serves.
Jessica is married and is a mother to four daughters and two granddaughters. She is a St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church member and attends St. Augustine Catholic Church in Melrose, LA, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colfax, LA.
Monique Metoyer
Legal Advisory Chair
Monique serves on the Executive Board for Catholic Charities of Louisiana. She has been a prosecutor for over thirty years, an advocate for victims of crime, and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican College and Southern University Law Center. She currently serves as the Homicide Screening Chief for the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office.
Monique is a member of St. James Memorial Catholic Church, where she is a CCD instructor. She is a member of the Louisiana District Attorney's Association (LDAA), National Black Prosecutors Association (NBAA), House of Delegates for Louisiana State Bar Association, and the Shreveport Bar Association (SBA). She is a former member of the Board of Governors for the Louisiana State Bar Association and was also selected as a Top Attorney for 2021 by SB Magazine in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Monique hopes to use her experience, talents, and knowledge to serve the people of Central Louisiana and beyond through her involvement and support of Catholic Charities.
Robin Cooper
Strategic Planning
Robin serves on the Strategic Planning Committee for Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana and is originally from Chicago, IL. In November 2019, Robin moved to Alexandria, LA, to work as a full-time chaplain at St. Francis Cabrini Hospital.
Robin earned a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from Webster University, a MA in Theology from Covenant Bible College and Seminary, and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Denver.
Before becoming a chaplain, Robin spent many years working in human resources. She believes both professions are a calling from God, allowing many opportunities to use her God-given talents to bring compassion, empathy, and love to a community in desperate need. This reason also extends to many desires to work with Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana. Robin hopes to help spread the same compassion and empathy in addressing our community's immediate, emergent, and non-emergent needs as a board member.
Anna Martinez
Hispanic Outreach
Anna Martinez serves on the Fund Development and Marketing Committee of Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana. Anna has been a member of the St. Rita parish and involved in the Spanish Ministry for 29 years. Anna is fluent in Spanish and English and helps migrant families as needed.
My hope for Catholic Charities is to bring the help needed to those who need it, especially the migrant families moving into our area.
Deacon Richard Mitchell
Diocesan Relations
Deacon Mitchell is in full-time ministry at the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria, LA. He was ordained in 2012 and currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor, Director of Stewardship, and Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. He also serves as the Secretary for the Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana Members Board and Ex Officio on the Board of Directors. Before working for the Diocese, Deacon Mitchell worked in the administration at the VA Medical Center in Pineville, LA, for thirteen years.
Deacon Mitchell is passionate about serving others. One of his favorite scriptures is Matthew 25:40, "...Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
He is excited to be a part of Catholic Charities because he knows the organization will benefit Central Louisiana by offering programs and services to assist individuals and families who need care and compassion. Deacon Mitchell is a native of Central Louisiana and has been married to Nicole for 30 years. They have two adult daughters, Maddie Mitchell and Katie Scalfano (Matthew).
Kevin Gerard Switzer
Fund Development
Kevin Gerard Switzer is a lifelong Rapides parish resident and resides in Woodworth. He is the son of John and Casey Switzer. Kevin is a product of the parish parochial school system attending St. Frances Cabrini and Holy Savior Menard. After obtaining an engineering degree from Tulane, he recently retired from a 37-year career with Cleco.
Kevin attends St. Frances Cabrini church with his spouse, Pamela Lemoine Switzer, where he serves as a lector. They have two married children, Emily and Rebecca, and three grandchildren, Ellis, Nora, and Abram.
Claire Lemoine
Board Development
Claire serves as the chair of the Board Development Committee for Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana. She is passionate about serving the community and helping others recognize their self-worth and identity in Christ.
Claire began her career as a Registered Nurse in 1996 when she started working in maternal-child nursing. She served as the first Executive Director of the Cenla Pregnancy Center, a local non-profit that helps mothers with unplanned pregnancies choose life-affirming options.
Claire hopes to use her experience to meet the social welfare needs of people across Cenla. She is excited to work with others and help further the understanding of the Church's social teachings. Claire is married and has three daughters and one granddaughter. She is a St. Joseph Catholic Church member and resides in Marksville, Louisiana.
Erin Fontanille
Marketing
Erin serves as the Marketing Chair for the Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana Board of Directors. Born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana, Erin strongly desires to give back to the community that has given her so much throughout her life. She comes from a family with strong Catholic roots and a love for volunteerism.
Erin has a bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and an associate's degree in early childhood education. She has taught at her dream job for 13 years as a Pre-k teacher at Alexandria Country Day School. She has two children, Matthew and Madelyn, who attend Alexandria Country Day School. She also has a stepdaughter, Jordyn, who attends LSU.
Erin is a member of the St. Rita Catholic Church in Alexandria. She is very strong in her faith and believes it is essential to thank God for all the blessings in her life. She is excited to be a part of Catholic Charities to be able to do just that and transform the lives of those in need in our community.
Sullivan Sykes serves as the Chair of our Community Outreach for Catholic Charities of Central Louisiana. Sullivan was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a Navy veteran who studied Black Psychology at Laney Junior College in Oakland, California. He also studied Theology and Cross-Cultural Communications at the School of Urban Missions Bible College in New Orleans, LA.
Sullivan currently resides in Alexandria, LA., where he works diligently in the community to help alcoholics and addicts achieve a spiritual experience by forming a personal relationship with God. Sullivan is involved in bringing the Twelve Step Program to several treatment centers in Rapides Parish, along with managing a sober living house and being a sponsor for several participants in the Twelve-Step Program.
Sullivan serves fellow veterans by providing support and helping them become established in the local community. He also leads recovery meetings for the Flags Program.
Aside from his outreach in the veteran and recovery communities, Mr. Sykes is a leader at One Life Church of Alexandria, where he is involved in community outreach. He supports the homeless by providing housing, clothing, transportation, and assistance in job searches. In addition, Sullivan is an active member of the Seven Ministry at the Pentecostals of Alexandria.