Lauren A.K. DarnellExecutive Leader | Equity Advocate | Founder of Porch & Okra ConsultingI am dedicated to cultivating a more inclusive and equitable future, focusing on transforming work environments and championing diversity within the hospitality industry. With over 12+ years of experience in program development, partnership management, and strategic planning, I bring a wealth of expertise to the table. As the founder of Porch & Okra Consulting and the Executive Director of the Made in New Orleans Foundation, I drive initiatives for equity, provide direct support to BIPOC workers, and promote diversity in workplaces. My expertise spans program development, partnership management, strategic planning, and community engagement.In 2023, I launched Porch & Okra Consulting, which offers leadership consulting and customized professional development to foster healthy, strong team cultures across industries. We serve both profit and nonprofit organizations through coaching, evaluation, training, advising, and resource connection, enabling clients to sustain transformative work environments with a foundation of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.I am honored to serve as a 2023 and 2024 James Beard Foundation Leadership Awards Judge and co-host of the digital food series "Love to Eat NOLA." Additionally, I am an active member of the New Orleans Food and Policy Advocacy Committee, Les Dames D’Escoffier International (New Orleans chapter), and the Policy Committee for Tales of the Cocktail. My leadership is deeply rooted in community building, earning me recognition as one of New Orleans Magazine’s Top Female Achievers for 2024, the Ella Brennan “Stand Up For Your Hometown” Award, and the Essence “Essential Heroes” Award.Looking ahead, I am excited to share insights on sustainability, race, and culture in the upcoming book "Chefs, Restaurants, and Sustainability," co-authored with David Berris and set for release in Fall 2024.Education:Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Women’s Studies, University of New OrleansLet's connect and explore how we can work together to create more equitable and resilient communities.📧 [lauren@porchandokra.com]🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenadarnell/
Porch And Okra Consulting
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Principal Consultant & OwnerPorch And Okra Consulting Jun 2023 - PresentNew Orleans, Louisiana, United StatesAbout Porch and Okra Consulting is a New Orleans Based leadership consulting firm that provides customized professional development supports that foster healthy, strong team culture and climate. Porch & Okra Consulting serves both Profit and Nonprofit organizations, leaders through coaching, evaluation, training, advising, and a resource connection that enables our clients to sustain transformative work environments with a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging foundation.
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Executive DirectorMino Foundation May 2018 - PresentNew Orleans, La
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Director Of Partnerships And Special ProjectsSon Of A Saint Aug 2016 - Oct 2017New Orleans, LaCoordinated and improved strategic planning, event management including Sonof a Saint Gala and signature events, partnership creation and expansion from 20to over 47 Partnerships.Oversaw major partnerships that include: University of New Orleans Athletics, DatDog, Children’s Bureau, Institute for Mental Hygiene, Audubon Nature Instituteand New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival. Achieved successes in grant writing, program management, budget forecasting, and program funding secured in awards and private family donations. Managed superior coordination of over 5,000 Volunteer service hours throughprojects, events, and partnerships resulting in over 70% of contributions towardoperational budget for organization -
Founder And Executive DirectorYoga Power Play Sep 2013 - Aug 2017New Orleans, LouisianaYoga Power Play is a startup hybrid LC3 organization providing a sustainable and accessible children’s trauma-sensitive yoga program (ages 2-14) in schools to transform children’s lives and learning environment. Yoga Power Play offers a solution to enhance children's overall health and well-being. We provide children’s yoga classes in schools that are tailored and adapted for students development. We provide trainings and ongoing Yoga Power Play curriculum packages to schools for professional development for staff, teachers, and administration. We have delivered 2 hour, 4 hour, 8 hour, and three day trainings. Depending on the needs of each school or client we can adapt to deliver for their need. Our in school classes can be adapted to fit in the schedule of the day for 30-60 minutes or in after school programs. Our classes are intentional to teach tools for concentration and focus, body awareness, relaxation, social/emotional intelligence, and physical health. The themes of each class aim to develop skills for students in stress management, critical thinking, creativity, interpersonal and intrapersonal relations, and receptive and expressive language. Elements of a Yoga Power Play Class include four distinct parts: Yoga, Power, Play, and Relaxation.
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Lead TeacherNew Orleans College Prep Sep 2015 - Jun 2016Greater New Orleans Area4th Grade Science and Social Studies teacher at Lawrence D. Crocker College Prep. -
Marketing And Pr ConsultantHot Power Yoga Jan 2011 - Feb 2012Raised the profile and client base of growing Power Yoga Studio in South West London.
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Studio ManagerHot Power Yoga Oct 2009 - Nov 2010Responsible for administration and operations of thriving Yoga studio in South London.● Achieved financial targets, along with management of studio owner’s business schedule. ● Demonstrated expertise in multi-tasking and prioritisation of workload.● Managed entire schedule of classes and incoming teachers’ training.● Developed student Volunteer team and program to assist in marketing, studio maintenance, and Yoga Show support.● Provided feedback, coaching, ongoing training and development to studio team.● Facilitated and coordinated management of Yoga Show, October 2009 and 2010.
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Pr And Marketing Events ConsultantTrifork Feb 2010 - Jun 2010● Raised local awareness of event, supported CEO and Marketing Manager, and secured attendees for Dev Day for iPhone event, June 25, 2010.● Secured major partnership with Metro.co.uk, Appfactor.co.uk, and teletextmobile.com as sponsors for event.● Researched user groups, events, and online communities to attend and partner with that included, all London based iPhone events, Smartphone, mobile marketing, web and java groups.● Pitched daily, weekly, and monthly media for press coverage of event.● Edited all Press Releases before distribution.● Developed target online media list to build community profile amongst iPhone application developers, bloggers and journalists. ● Assisted team in on-site event management. -
News Account ExecutiveDeliberate Pr Jan 2009 - Jun 2009● Researched, developed and executed creative strategic media campaigns for client accounts that include Angels, the Costumiers, Harper Collins, Hay Festival, CBS Property Group, Kings Place, and RiverSimple Hydrogen Vehicle Company.● Researched media trends and drafted reports for entire team.● Utilized Twitter and Facebook campaigns to raise client online profile.● Developed highly targeted media lists that included social media, daily, weekly, and monthly media.● Drafted press releases and research briefs for Management.● Pitched and placed stories in radio and print media including LBC, BBC online, Metro, the Daily Telegraph, the Londonist, and Wired Magazine.● Tracked and created client briefs with client featured press coverage.
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Account ExecutiveFearnhurst Pr Dec 2008 - Mar 2009Work Experience with Fashion and Lifestyle PR accounts.● Shadowed Account Manager and Senior Account Executive for all client accounts Bertie, Pied a Terre, Nine West, TOMS, Kookai, and Rohan.● Pitched national, monthly, and weekly press for coverage of clients.● Monitored all media for press coverage of profiled clients.● Managed Press returns, outgoing samples to press, and new samples on Stock management system of over 2000 samples.
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Event CoordinatorGigaspaces Technologies Jan 2007 - Apr 2008● Responsible for organisation, management and sales lead generation of global client and company events, which included: bespoke client events, conferences, exhibitions, seminars, and sponsorship events. ● Researched and created new opportunities in market for budget of US $3 million.● Negotiated contracts and all marketing opportunities with vendors. ● Assisted Head of Communications and CTO in worldwide travel and meeting arrangements. ● Produced PowerPoint presentations for CTO and Head of Communications.● Implemented training tools for incoming staff for team.● Delegated prioritization of activities in marketing department. ● Extensive Excel workbook management to organize and manage events and team. -
Marketing AssistantSintecmedia Feb 2005 - Oct 2006• Assistant to Vice President of Marketing.• Coordinated travel, itinerary, expense reports, and correspondences.• Recorded meeting minutes and followed up with post-meeting items.• Managed implementation of new website including proposal, budget, design and writing content. • Liaised with Public Relations firm to format and distribute press releases. • Managed implementation of new website including proposal, design and site content updates via CMS. • Managed SEO, PPC and Google Ad Words campaign for website. • Trained and managed incoming staff for international marketing campaign. • Maintained mailing and correspondence database of 6,000 contacts. • Supported on-site event management of international sales team at the National Association of Broadcasters Conference, 2005 and 2006. -
PublicistRiptide Communications Jan 2004 - Feb 2005• Clients included: the Center for Constitutional Rights, the Culture Project, Global Exchange, Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, and Public Interest Pictures. • Pitched and placed stories in radio, print and television media, including: CNN, National Public Radio, Air America, Orange County Register, Miami Herald, New York Times, and Newsweek. • Wrote and distributed press releases, media advisories, and fact sheets. • Researched and compiled targeted press lists. • Assisted in creative communication strategies for non-profit organization’s media campaigns, and including all press and protests surrounding the Republican National Convention, 2004.• Tracked all media coverage and assembled press kits.• Assisted in Media training for new clients.
Lauren A. K. Darnell Education Details
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Anthropology -
Advertising, English Literature
Frequently Asked Questions about Lauren A. K. Darnell
What company does Lauren A. K. Darnell work for?
Lauren A. K. Darnell works for Porch And Okra Consulting
What is Lauren A. K. Darnell's role at the current company?
Lauren A. K. Darnell's current role is Executive Leader | Equity Advocate | Founder of Porch & Okra ConsultingDedicated to creating inclusive, equitable futures and transforming work environments in the hospitality industry and beyond..
What schools did Lauren A. K. Darnell attend?
Lauren A. K. Darnell attended University Of New Orleans, Pepperdine University.
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