Community Advisory Board

The Purpose of the Community Advisory Board is:

To advise Junior League of Lafayette in areas of finance and public relations
To inform of opportunities for voluntarism and community involvement
To educate community leaders about Junior League
To serve as resources for information for Junior League

The Community Advisory Board for Junior League of Lafayette has been established to enhance public relations and to seek objective opinions from community leaders on certain issues. It is a committee developed to provide a two-way communication link between the League and our community.

The composition of the Community Advisory Board consists of 10 community leaders and seven Junior League of Lafayette members. The representatives from Junior League are the President, President-Elect, Executive Vice President, Community Vice President, Communications Vice President, Secretary, Sustaining Advisor to the Board and the immediate Past President.

Ten community leaders are selected for a two-year term, with half rotating off each year. Terms begin June 1 and end May 31 of each year. No community member shall serve consecutive terms.

Meetings of the Community Advisory Board will be chaired by the President-Elect, who is responsible for the orientation of new board members.

2025-2027 Term


Faryal Atif	Nicole Jones	Kiwana McClung	Bently Senegal	Kade Turner

2026-2028 Term


Melissa Bowen	Lana Fontenot	Ruben Henderson	Darlene Noel

Community Advisory Board Member Bios

2025-2027 Term

Faryal Atif

Faryal Atif, originally from Pakistan, has built a life enriched by international and multicultural experiences. After living in Atlanta, Georgia, and spending over a decade in Malaysia, she moved to Acadiana nine years ago and proudly calls it home. In 2023, Faryal was honored as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Homecoming Queen, a reflection of her outstanding contributions to the campus and local community. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she also works full-time in the Division of Student Affairs.

A passionate advocate for community engagement and multicultural understanding, Faryal is the founder of Language Cafe Lafayette, a monthly event held at Moncus Park that promotes language exchange and cultural dialogue. Her volunteer work spans several major local events and organizations, including Festival International de Louisiane, Festival Acadiens et Créoles, United Ways of Acadiana, Second Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, and numerous other community initiatives.

Faryal also lends her leadership to various organizations. She serves on the boards of Women of Wisdom of Acadiana and The Confidence Campaign, and is a proud member of Class 38 of the Leadership Institute of Acadiana. She currently serves as president of the UL Lafayette International Alumni Network and actively contributes to several committees within the UL Lafayette Alumni Association.

With professional experience in education across Pakistan, Malaysia, and the United States, Faryal brings a truly global perspective to her work. She lives in Lafayette with her husband, a research scientist, and their two sons. Through every endeavor, she remains committed to advocating for the inclusion and celebration of diverse voices in both higher education and the broader community.

Nicole Jones

Nicole Jones is the Vice President of Philanthropy at the Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA). In this role, she leads the organization’s fund development efforts, donor relations, and strategic partnerships with professional advisors to advance CFA’s mission of connecting generous donors to the causes they care about.

Before joining CFA, Nicole served as Senior Director of Development at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she led fundraising for the Colleges of Nursing & Health Sciences and Education & Human Development. Over six years, she helped secure more than $50 million in philanthropic support, including the University’s largest-ever gift—a $20 million investment in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Director of Miles Perret Cancer Services, where she guided strategic growth to meet a 215% increase in families served.

Nicole earned her BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University, was a member of Leadership Lafayette Class XXXVI, and currently serves on the board of the Leadership Institute of Acadiana. A dedicated community volunteer, she has supported Ascension Episcopal School’s Fine Arts Alliance, Christian Youth Theater, and the Acadiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. She is also a recipient of the Planned Giving Council of Acadiana’s Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Philanthropy Award.

Originally from the Greater New Orleans area, Nicole and her husband Paul have called Acadiana home for 21 years. They are the proud parents of two young adults, Graham and Kate, and enjoy traveling as a family to explore new places.

With more than 15 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector, Nicole brings a deep understanding of fundraising strategy, nonprofit management, and relationship building—consistently helping donors make meaningful, lasting impact through philanthropy.

Kiwana McClung

Kiwana T. McClung, Assoc, AIA, NOMA, is a Professor in the School of Architecture & Design and an Academic Affairs Administrator at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She is a Master of Architecture graduate of Louisiana State University’s School of Architecture and Design and is nationally recognized for her research on inclusive design practices within the built environment and methods for addressing diversity within architectural education and the architecture profession. Her mentorship of students from all backgrounds, efforts toward increasing diversity within a school of architecture, and her creation of inclusive architectural education curricula all contributed to her being recognized as the recipient of the 2016 Diversity Achievement Award from the Association for Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). Kiwana is a member of the ACSA’s leadership committee, an executive board member of the National Organization of Minority Architects’ Louisiana Chapter (NOMA LA) serving as Academic and Research Coordinator, and is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) at the national, state, and local levels. Since starting at UL Lafayette in 2013, she has served as the faculty advisor to the UL chapter of NOMAS, the UL Lafayette student chapter for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Before joining the faculty at UL Lafayette and at various times during her tenure as a faculty member, Kiwana worked as an Architectural Designer, both independently and with several firms around South Louisiana.

Kiwana chairs several committees at the university, including the Women’s Leadership Conference Committee. She is a member of the UL Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and was recognized by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as their 2021 Eminent Scholar in Leadership and Service, one of the highest honors awarded by UL Lafayette. Kiwana is the co-editor of two books and is a chapter contributor to both works. The book ‘Through Mama’s Eyes: Unique Perspectives in Southern Matriarchy’ (UL Press), co-edited with Cheylon K. Woods, was released in 2021, and ‘An Introduction to Inclusive Healthcare Design’ (Taylor & Francis), co-edited with Dr. Denise M. Linton, was released in June 2024.

Bently Senegal

Bently is a graduate of the University of Southwestern La (USL) in 1980 where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSBA) in accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), specializing in the healthcare industry all his career. Bently is employed by Our Lady of Lourdes RMC where he currently holds the position of Director of Community Services/Mission Integration which includes his work to coordinate the completion of the hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and the Implementation Strategies (IS). Bently’s previous positions with the hospital were Decision Support Coordinator, Director of Finance and Controller.

Bently is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Louisiana Society of CPA’s (LCPA) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is a graduate of Leadership Lafayette Class XXVI and was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate by the Christiana Smith Chapter of the UL Alumni Association in 2019.

Having been involved in the community for many years, Bently has served on several boards including United Way of Acadiana, Hospice of Acadiana, Faith House, Acadiana Outreach, Lafayette Community Healthcare Clinic, Beacon Community Connections, Catholic Charities of Acadiana. He also served as President of the SLCC Foundation Board of Directors. Bently currently serves on the boards of directors of Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA), Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) and 232HELP.

Bently is married to the former Angela Cary, and they are the parents of one daughter, Brittany Briana Guy (Michael) and together they are the proud grandparents of one granddaughter, Briley Brielle Guy.

Kade Turner

Kade Turner is a native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, and has proudly called Lafayette home since beginning his academic journey at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He holds both a
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication and a Master of Business Administration from UL Lafayette.

Kade currently serves as the Executive Director of CASA of SoLA, where he oversees program operations, strategic planning, and administration. In this role, he leads efforts to recruit, train, and support volunteer advocates who serve the best interests of abused and neglected children in Louisiana’s 15th Judicial District.

With more than 20 years of experience working in youth development, Kade has served with two overnight summer camps supporting children with lung and blood diseases. He previously held the role of Treasurer for Camp Challenge, Inc., a summer camp for children with hematological conditions and their siblings. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Dads and Kids, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening father-child relationships.

A proud graduate of Leadership Lafayette Class XXXVI, Kade is deeply committed to community leadership, child advocacy, and nonprofit service. His personal and professional journey reflects a passion for improving the lives of vulnerable children and families across Louisiana.

In his free time, Kade enjoys spending time with his family and friends and building meaningful connections within his community.

2026-2028 Term

Melissa Bowen

Melissa Bowen is an authenticity advocate, and a champion of courage, connection, and wholehearted living, loving and leadership. After making a bold career shift in her 40s, she is now a Licensed Professional Counselor, and the Founder of The Authenticity Center, a counseling and coaching agency where people build healing and skills to live their own authentic lives.

As a Daring Way™ Trained Facilitator, trained in the research of Brené Brown, she specializes in building resilience to shame gremlins, those pesky things that keep us small. She brings these insights into her talks and trainings for outside organizations.  She has brought her trainings to organizations such as LFT Fiber, GlaskoSmithKiline, Meritas, Unitech, Fenstermaker, the United Way, brandRusso, Chambers and other schools and non-profits for professional development. Melissa is a TEDx speaker, a mentor for the705 program, consults for The Hub Urban Ministries, and is on the Board for the non-profit, The Confidence Campaign.

She is a Nola girl, theater geek and chocoholic. Proud to be a graduate of USL and ULL, and an alumni of the Phi Mu Sorority.  She lives in Lafayette, with her husband, and a few cats and ducks. Yes, ducks!

If you want to invest in your own mental health or want Melissa to bring this vibe to you and your organization, check out the work being done at www.TheAuthenticityCenter.com.

Lana Fontenot

Pending

Ruben Henderson

Ruben Henderson currently serves as an Associate Director in Undergraduate Recruitment within the Student Success Division at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing and Legal Studies) and his Master of Business Administration from the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is currently in his third and ﬁnal year in the doctoral degree program in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at UL Lafayette and looking forward to being a doctor in the future! Ruben is dedicated to making an impact within higher education and the community.

In addition to serving on several major university committees and conducting various professional and leadership presentations, he serves as a former advisor to the Black Male Leadership Association and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. For the ﬁfth year, Ruben has served as an adjunct faculty member at UL Lafayette teaching several freshman seminar courses including Black Male Leadership and the Service and Leadership Living Learning Community. His current involvement in the community includes serving on the following boards: Miles Perret Cancer Services, the Hilliard Art Museum, and the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of South Louisiana, United Way of Acadiana, and The705 Alumni Advisory Board. Ruben is a graduate of Leadership Lafayette Class XXIX (29) and a graduate of the University of Louisiana System Management and Leadership Institute (cohort six).

He has served in leadership and president roles for the following organizations: Black Faculty and Staff Association at UL Lafayette, Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter, and the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators. Some of his achievements include the Carreathers-Scott Innovative Advisor Award at the Southwestern Black Student Leadership Conference, Tribute to Excellence Award with the National Association of University Women, Southwest Champion of Service Award with Volunteer Louisiana, Sunbelt Conference Faculty of the Year Award, Outstanding Graduate and Professional Student Award with the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators, Dean Mary Olive McPhaul Award with the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, the James Callier Servant Leader Award with the University of Louisiana System, the Future Leaders Award with the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and Louisiana Black Caucus Foundation, the Humanitarian Award from the Carencro High School football team, and the Distinguished Alumnus Leadership Award with the Leadership Institute of Acadiana. Ruben is a former Grand Marshal and was crowned King Toussaint L’Ouverture, LXIII (63) for the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival. This was the first formally organized African American Mardi Gras krewe in the city. Mr. Henderson works tirelessly to create a supportive university and community climate for students through visibility, communication, engagement, and educational efforts.

Darlene Noel

Darlene Noel is a dedicated public servant with more than 22 years of service with the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office, where she currently serves as a Reserve Deputy and Community Liaison. Prior to her law enforcement career, Darlene spent 28 years in banking before pursuing her passion for community service through public safety.

A trailblazer in her field, Darlene became the first female School Resource Officer (SRO) with the Lafayette City Marshal’s Office. During her time as an SRO, she focused on building trust and meaningful relationships with students, demonstrating that law enforcement can be a source of support, mentorship, and encouragement. She regularly attended school events, athletic competitions, and extracurricular activities, creating connections that extended far beyond the classroom.

Darlene is actively involved in community organizations and is committed to lifelong learning and leadership development. She recently participated in the Envision Leadership program, further strengthening her ability to serve others and make a positive impact in Acadiana.

Outside of her professional and community service roles, Darlene enjoys working out, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about helping others and remains committed to making Lafayette a stronger, safer, and more connected community.

2026-2028 Term

Melissa Bowen

If you want to invest in your own mental health or want Melissa to bring this vibe to you and your organization, check out the work being done at  www.TheAuthenticityCenter.com.

Lana Fontenot

Ruben Henderson

Darlene Noel