Board of Directors

Katherine has been on the Arc of GNO’s board of directors since 2015, serving as president since 2019. In her career, she is a 20-year veteran in the marketing space working with New Orleans’ biggest brands including Smoothie King and Painting with a Twist. She currently owns her own marketing consultant agency which gives her the flexibility required to ensure Arc of Greater New Orleans continues the incredible day to day work needed in our community.

Ariann Arana is currently a school Special Education Coordinator and has been a teacher in Jefferson Parish for 9 years. Ariann also serves on the Superintendent’s Special Education Council with parents and other community stakeholders to ensure students with disabilities’ needs are met in the school system. As a parent of a child with special needs, Ariann has always been an advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As a person with an IDD, Jill brings a unique understanding, passion and leadership quality to the ArcGNO Board. She began her IDD advocacy work with The Arc of Northern Virginia and The Arc of the USA in Washington, D.C. She testified before Virginia and Louisiana Legislative Committees as well as the U.S. Congress to initiate changes that impacted people with IDD.