Meet our team of Staff, Interns, and Volunteers!
laura paul
executive director
lowernine.org’s Executive Director, Laura Paul, volunteered from 2006-2007 in disaster recovery following Hurricane Katrina in St. Bernard, Plaquemines, and Orleans Parishes. She became a founding board member of lowernine.org in 2007 and joined as staff in 2008. As a resident of the Lower Ninth Ward, she has first-hand knowledge of the issues facing the community, and a passion for meeting the needs of her neighbors. Laura has been the Executive Director of lowernine.org since 2011.
darren mckinney
crew leader
Darren McKinney is a lifelong Lower Ninth Ward resident and has worked as a stipend-supported volunteer since the founding of lowernine.org in 2007. As a lifelong Lower Ninth Ward resident, Darren is a well-known member of the community and continuously refers clients to lowernine.org by way of his countless personal connections. As a Crew Leader, Darren works on individual rebuilding projects with the support of volunteer labor. His extensive construction expertise combined with his vitality and unique presence in the community makes Darren an invaluable member of the lowernine.org team.
Lotta lehtonen
volunteer coordinator and admin intern
Lotta Lehtonen a university student in Finland, majoring in social services. She is currently doing her internship at lowernine.org. Lotta helps Laura with the organization’s administrative tasks and communicates with onboard and incoming volunteers. Lotta has administrative experience from leading a student organization, and her previous working experience in different countries as well as her social studies have given her great communication skills with international people.