The Rapides Foundation Staff

Joe Rosier is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rapides Foundation, a position he has held since 1995. Under Rosier's leadership, the Foundation has continually updated its funding strategies and initiatives to reflect expert advice, issue-specific information and evidence-based research, while holding true to the Foundation's mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana.

Rosier serves as the Chairman of the Governing Board of Rapides Healthcare System, the Limited Liability Corporation which owns Rapides Regional Medical Center and its affiliates. Rosier also represents The Rapides Foundation at the national, regional and state levels in multiple advisory, steering and participatory roles for panels and organizations whose objectives match to The Rapides Foundation's focus areas.

Rosier received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Louisiana State University, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana State Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst with an extensive background in accounting, financial, estate, gift and strategic planning, portfolio management and administration.

Kayren Segall is the Director of Administration for The Rapides Foundation. She is responsible for oversight of investment, financial and administrative activities of the Foundation. Segall holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University and completed The Endowment Institute through the Yale School of Management. She has more than 20 years of finance and management experience, with extensive experience in accounting, institutional investing, management, financial analysis, performance reporting, strategic planning and human resources. Segall began her career at KPMG in Houston, and served most recently as the Director of Investments, Administration and Finance for the Williamsburg Health Foundation in Virginia.

Abid Dyer is the Accountant and Building Services Coordinator for The Rapides Foundation. He is responsible for recording all financial transactions and preparing accounting records and financial statements for the Foundation and its subsidiaries. He is also responsible for coordinating and managing the building services to support operations for The Rapides Foundation building and its subsidiaries and tenants.

LaWanda Franklin is the Executive Assistant to the President/CEO for The Rapides Foundation. She assists the President/Chief Executive Officer and Foundation Board of Trustees, and also serves as the Office Coordinator. 

Brooke Morrow is the Administration Assistant for The Rapides Foundation. She is responsible for providing accounting and clerical support for the Administration Department. 

Kathy Gunn is the Director of Communications for The Rapides Foundation. She is responsible for all Foundation communications activities. Gunn earned a Bachelor of Arts in News-Editorial Journalism from Louisiana State University. She has experience in journalism, public relations and communications.

Raven Smith is the Communications Assistant for The Rapides Foundation. She is responsible for assisting in facilitating effective communications with internal and external constituencies to support and increase awareness of The Rapides Foundation's mission and programs. She also provides support to the Communications Department. 

Akeshia Singleton is the Director of Evaluation for The Rapides Foundation. She is responsible for implementing and managing ongoing issue-specific needs assessments and internal and external evaluations for all Foundation programmatic activities. Prior to joining the Foundation, Singleton served as Senior Client Services Manager for Nonprofit Knowledge Works (formerly the Center for Nonprofit Resources and The Data Center) in New Orleans where she worked to help area nonprofits create evidence-based operational cultures through data and capacity building services. Singleton has over 20 years combined experience in the business and nonprofit sectors, holding an MBA in International Business and Marketing, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL.

Ashley Stewart is the Director of Programs for The Rapides Foundation. She is responsible for developing, managing, administering and assessing the grantmaking functions of The Rapides Foundation. Stewart received a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana College, and a Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Prior to her affiliation with The Rapides Foundation, she was the Regional Cancer Control Officer for Central Louisiana AHEC and the Louisiana Cancer Control Partnership, where she was responsible for identifying and implementing best practices in comprehensive cancer control.  

Courtney Keys is the Programs Assistant for The Rapides Foundation. She is responsible for assisting in the administration of the Foundation's grant programs and grants management system and providing support to the Programs Department.  

Dallas Russell is a Program Officer for The Rapides Foundation. Her responsibilities include development and administration of programs associated with the Foundation's Healthy Behaviors Initiative, which encompasses population-based health promotion and disease prevention strategies. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Prior to joining the Foundation, Russell served as Programs Consultant and Executive Director for the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center in Natchitoches where she oversaw multiple grants and all management and operations for the organization. She also previously served the City of Natchitoches as Community Programs and Outreach Manager where she developed and implemented a variety of community-based youth programs and oversaw the implementation of the Portable Park and Mobile Market programs.

Angela Williams is the Program Officer for Healthcare Access for The Rapides Foundation. Her responsibilities include the development and administration of the Foundation's Healthcare Access Initiative components that support efforts to increase access to primary, behavioral and preventive healthcare services. Williams has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Health Information Management Administration from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Ashford University. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as Chief Executive Officer and Facility Site Compliance Officer at ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rosepine. She has also served various hospitals in leadership positions with responsibilities in the oversight of hospital accreditation, performance improvement, credentialing, risk management, compliance, and other public reporting related activities.