The Regional Sustainability Committee (RSC) is made by leaders of 'Backbone' organizations that work throughout Greater New Orleans. Through a collaborative approach, the RSC combines decades of experience and expertise in addressing the city's most important issues.
Liz Shephard is the Executive Director of the Love Your City Initiative. Liz created LifeCity to help build a more equitable and sustainable economy in New Orleans, through a hybrid model: a nonprofit that could support the context for sustainable business development, and a for-profit arm that could validate impact for investors. In May of 2017, LifeCity won the SBA's state-wide Sustainable Business Champion Award and Liz was also recognized as one of the Top 50 Business Women of the year in 2015 in New Orleans (CityBusiness). Trained as both a facilitator and LEED Green Associate, Liz helps businesses maximize both social and environmental impact while growing profits. Liz holds a B.A. in Psychology and Environmental Studies from Carleton College, where she graduated with Honors and Distinction. Suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2018, Liz is passionate about spreading awareness about TBIs and disability in the workplace.
Andres Peña is responsible for the organization’s overall operations. With an M.B.A from the Universidad de los Andes, Andres accrued over 10 years experience managing projects and assisting young companies into operational and financial sustainability before deciding to focus on development initiatives throughout his native country Colombia. Driven by developing equitable and sustainable communities worldwide, Andrés completed an M.Sc. in Development Economics and International Development from Tulane University. Today, with a career built around the idea of doing business for good, Andres is a passionate believer of merging the demands of the business world with the needs of their communities, and in New Orleans’ potential to become a hub for development initiatives on a global scale.
Jourdan D. Bazley serves as the Project Manager for Love Your City to coordinate efforts to build an impactful community. She oversees campaign and partner events, the Love Your City Awards Ceremony and community engagement. In the past, she produced the first ever Love Your City podcast, where impact and economic theory are discussed and broken down to help communities better understand the power of local impact. Born in New Orleans, LA, her roots spread to Texas, where she grew up and obtained her B.S in Mass Communications and Electronic Media with a minor in Theatre from Texas State University in 2018. After serving as the Production Director for the college radio station, KTSW 89.9 she relocated from Texas to New Orleans where she worked in the film industry, in both the Production and Camera Departments on various TV shows, movies and commercials. Passionate about multimedia, Jourdan also works on various projects through her video production company, Wise World Cinema, LLC, where she continues to delve into life’s stories through documentary and short film format.