Lori Steele

My role is to maximize organ and tissue donation awareness and increase Louisiana’s donor registry. I work with our partners in schools, civic groups, businesses, churches, etc. to reach audiences interested in having a healthy discussion about donation. We have a strong volunteer base – made up of donor family members, recipients and those waiting on a transplant. Together, we give as much information as possible. Our hope is that those listening will see donation in a positive light and make an educated decision about donation – when they are ready to do so. We want them to take what they learned during their time with us and bring that information back home. We hope it sparks ‘another’ conversation…and another…and another.

What do you enjoy most about your work or working for LOPA?

I work closely with donor family members, recipients and those waiting on a transplant. Spending so much time together, we really become ‘a family’. I love what I learn about life from each and everyone of my new family members. They live life to the fullest! They don’t sweat the small stuff! They want to ‘pay kindness forward’! They encourage hugs! They share emotions! They want to make our world a better place! All that – hopefully – rubs off on me, my husband and our children!

Lori's background:

Lori Steele officially joined the life-saving team called the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (or LOPA) in 2010. Before that, Lori worked in TV News. She was a TV anchor and reporter for TV stations in the Lafayette and Baton Rouge areas. Starting in 1999, Lori ‘unofficially’ became LOPA’s media liaison – helping to promote organ donation awareness when possible. Lori fell in love with LOPA’s mission after covering a ‘Celebration of Life’ as a fledgling reporter. At that event honoring a HERO – an organ donor - she signed up to be an organ donor and has helped to promote the cause ever since. In 2010, following a national competition for organ donation awareness, Lori was named ‘The Most Enthusiastic Employee’ award for her ‘outside the box’ efforts to gain attention for the cause.

Interesting fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your down time?

FAMILY is most important to me! I am a mother of 4 and my husband and I concentrate on making the most of our quality time together. A majority of that time for us, fortunately, is spent with those we have had the pleasure of meeting through LOPA. I am tickled that my 7-year old daughter knows more than most about organ donation. She thinks everyone should be a donor because in her words, "why wouldn’t you want to be?" FUN FACT: She volunteers "THE MOST" to speak at organ donation awareness events (she tells the stories of her ‘organ donor’ friends) and to play the part of our mascot – DEAUX NATE!

Joey Boudreaux

My role is to oversee organ recoveries throughout the state of Louisiana. One of my areas of focus includes maximizing a family's gift of donation through the utilization of the latest medical treatments of patients who have suffered severe brain injuries. I hope that their loved ones can save as many lives as possible. Another area of focus is to insure that the surgical processes and packaging of organs are performed with the utmost level of proficiency.

What do you enjoy most about your work or working for LOPA?

The thing that I enjoy the most is when a donor family gets the opportunity to meet their loved one's recipients for the first time. It is truly a life changing event for everyone involved. I also enjoy working with a staff that embodies our mission with an incredible passion throughout their day to day lives.

Interesting fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your down time?

I spend most of my downtime exercising, playing golf or just hanging out with my wife, friends, or family. The longer I work for LOPA, the more of an appreciation that I have for those things.

Nila Schwab

My role at LOPA is called Family Services Coordinator. I provide follow up services with families after the loss of a loved one to update our families about the gift of donation, offer grief support, answer questions, and connect families with local resources. It is an honor to recognize and learn more about the heroes who selflessly say yes to donation, regardless of the donation outcome. In addition, our family service department helps to coordinate communication for the donor families and recipients along with providing opportunities for families to honor their loved one.

What do you enjoy most about your work or working for LOPA?

I have worked at LOPA for many years in several different roles. My favorite part of LOPA regardless of my role is getting to know our heroes through their family and friends who love them. I find that at the most difficult time of losing a loved one, it is the families who continue the story of their hero. It is these stories, moments, and space that I see beauty and hope. I am grateful for every family that has allowed me into the space of their loss and introduced me to their loved one.

Interesting fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your down time?

I went back to school later in life to earn my clinical mental health counseling degree and am currently working toward my licensing. I was the oldest student in my program and it pushed me beyond my comfort zone. My greatest joy is my family. What I enjoy doing is finding opportunities to encourage others to be the best version of themselves, which includes myself. I make a daily effort to be optimistic and grateful not only for myself but also for those around me.

Chillon Caraway

As Brand Manager at LOPA, I pool my 20 years of experience in project management to elevate awareness of LOPA and its core purpose, Making Life Happen. I'm also the producer for LOPA’s podcast. The Gifted Life Podcast is a biweekly podcast where the hosts facilitate conversations about organ, tissue and eye donation and transplantation. I get to be creative, collaborating with others to tell awesome stories of transformation thanks to the gift of life. I am deadline oriented and thrive on 'Making Life Happen' in a timely manner!

What do you enjoy most about your work or working for LOPA?

Creating meaningful content and stories. I love that working for LOPA means something important; saving and healing lives matters. I get to go back to the early roots of my career when I felt it was my destiny to make movies and tell stories to the world. It's so amazing to see that young adult's dream culminate with this podcast, The Gifted Life, where one story can inspire one person to register to give the gift of life and in turn, save a life.

Interesting fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your down time?

For those who are wondering this, it's pronounced like 'chiffon' but with ll's. If my name wasn't crazy enough, I also have 2 different colors eyes. One green, one brown. I love to cook for my family of men (husband and 2 teen boys). I make a mean crawfish etouffee and gumbo with, for a true Cajun, potato salad. Cutting grass in the summer sun with my headphones on blaring music is bliss. It's time spent with self and family that matters the most to me.

Troy Perez

I work in the IT department in various roles and I create content for multiple forms of media but mostly for digital media. I like to think of it as an engaging way to communicate with the public about our core purpose of making life happen. Every time we create content, like a podcast, it’s a chance to show people how the gifts of organ, tissue, & eye donation heal and save lives.

What do you enjoy most about your work or working for LOPA?

Recording the podcast, I get to hear many inspirational stories. Our team then gets to bring those stories to the public. Occasionally, someone will say how they were inspired by something they heard on the podcast and they registered to be a donor or they did something to support donation. I think that is what I enjoy the most. 

Interesting fact about you or what do you enjoy doing in your down time?

An interesting fact about me is that I'm a licensed helicopter pilot. In my free time I enjoy playing the guitar, cycling, and making homemade wine with my dad.