Our Story
PROVIDING INNOVATIVE RESOURCES FOR HIGH TECH START-UP COMPANIES

Nexus Louisiana’s mission is to accelerate the growth of high-potential technology-enabled companies by providing them with coaching, capital and connections. Our programs leverage regional collaboration to foster mentorship, investment, and opportunity for local entrepreneurs to grow their ideas and transform the technology industry in Louisiana.
Our Impact
Nexus Louisiana exists to connect local entrepreneurs to the coaching, capital and connections they need to grow and succeed. Through our mentorship, programming and connections to capital investors, we are helping to create a better, brighter future for the tech industry in Louisiana.
Leadership & Staff
-
Na'Tisha NattDirector of Community Engagement
She is passionate about advancing entrepreneurship and helping communities thrive. As the Director of Marketing and Communications she develops comprehensive marketing strategies to drive growth for Nexus Louisiana while creating collaborative relationships with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community officials. Before joining NexusLA, Na’Tisha was the director of public affairs for Louisiana Housing Corporation, the state’s housing agency dedicated to creating affordable housing solutions for Louisiana residents, and the director of marketing and communications for the Louisiana Small Business Development Center – State Office. A native of Monroe, La., she holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in marketing and mass communication from Southern University and A&M College and received executive training at the University of Notre Dame. She is a 2020 Leadership Baton Rouge alumna, was named a Northeast Louisiana Top 40 Under 40 Young Professional and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
-
Kasey FriouxDirector of Operations
Kasey Frioux is the longest tenured employee at Nexus Louisiana and has been with the organization since it was founded in 2001. As the Director of Operations, she manages the 40,000 square foot Tech Park, serves as the liaison for the board of directors, and assists with all entrepreneurial initiatives. Before joining Nexus Louisiana, Kasey had a career in the automotive industry spanning more than a decade and worked for some of the South’s largest dealership networks.
-
Sylvia AlanizAccountant & HR Manager
Sylvia Alaniz is an experienced accountant and human resources professional. Committed to serving the community through her work, she takes pride in providing the best customer services possible to our members, partners, and colleagues. As the Accountant and Human Resources Manager, Sylvia’s role includes, but is not limited to grant management, donor tracking, and employee relations. She has an accounting degree from Southeastern Louisiana University.
-
Paul BarrialDirector of Member EngagementSome example text
Paul is a seasoned operations specialist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the hospitality and medical industry. Paul strives for operational efficiency while focusing on the strategic planning for all businesses as it pertains to customer service and customer expectations. As the Director of Member Engagement, he helps Nexus Louisiana Technology Park members build, scale, and develop their startups. In addition, Paul focuses on business development for the Tech Park by searching for new members and vendors to add to our ever-growing ecosystem. Paul received his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University.
-
Narcisse BurchellPrograms & Events Manager
Named one of Top 25 African American Millennial Publicists in Huffington Post, Narcisse is a passion-driven brand storyteller with a demonstrated history of presenting innovative ideas and customized strategies. On and off social media, this everyday educator shares tips and tricks with an unconventional approach to marketing and motivation. Through event production, she creates an interactive experience which allows brands to connect directly with their target audience and make a huge impact.
-
Madeleine NaquinInvestment & Program Development Manager
As Investment & Program Development Manager, Madeleine assists members in forming and reviewing essentials for seeking investment, such as pitch deck reviews, competitor and market research, and business plans. She aids in curriculum design and execution of accelerator programs hosted by NexusLA and researches and brainstorms ideas for programs to expand the Technology Park’s reach. She also works closely with Innovation Catalyst and the Red Stick Angel Network in performing due diligence for potential investments. Madeleine may be seen around the Tech Park with her dog, Betty, who is a frequent visitor. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Spring Hill College and an M.S. in Finance from Louisiana State University.
-
Rich GordonDigital Media Specialist
-
Kimia GhalebandiMarketing Outreach Specialist
-
Analise GonzalezDigital Marketing SpecialistSome example text
With skills in writing, social media marketing, and building interpersonal relationships, Analise is an organized and creative marketing professional. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a focus in strategic leadership.
A Texas native, Analise has spent a large portion of her life devoted to gymnastics and adventuring. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with Young Life, traveling with friends, and creating video content.
-
Tiffany BlanchardAdministrative AssistantSome example text
-
Julian HerbertEntrepreneur/ResidentSome example text
Julian started his career in tech product development as a business analyst focused on e-commerce in the semiconductor industry. Following his curiosity, he became a management consultant at Deloitte and led M&A divestiture and integration engagements in a variety of industries, including pharma and biotech.
He then transitioned back into product development and e-commerce at Amazon, launching machine learning solutions for 3rd party sellers on the platform. Julian was also tasked to lead product development for AWS Startups, building their first micro-targeted product line. With another stop in education technology, Julian has found a home as DoseSpot. He leads product innovation, helping the company grow and deliver safe and reliable ePrescribing technology and software integrations across multiple healthcare markets.
Julian is originally from Louisiana and graduated as valedictorian from Southern university in Baton Rouge with a B.S in Computer Science. He also has an M.B.A from The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, focusing on strategy and entrepreneurship. Julian resides in New Orleans with his wife and 2 boys. He currently is active in both the Baton Rouge and New Orleans startup ecosystems as an EIR, strategic advisor, and investor. He enjoys carnival and festival season in Louisiana, beach getaways with his family, and a good book. -
Cody LouviereEntrepreneur/ResidentSome example text
Cody Louviere is a visionary entrepreneur and subject matter expert (SME) in the field of Virtual Reality (VR) safety and procedure training. With a remarkable journey spanning from securing SBIR Phase I, II, and III awards to founding King Crow Studios, Louviere stands at the forefront of innovation in immersive technology. His passion for leveraging VR for enhancing safety protocols and training procedures has earned him widespread recognition and accolades.
As the founder of King Crow Studios, Louviere has cultivated a dynamic hub for groundbreaking XR (Extended Reality) experiences. His company is renowned for its pioneering work in creating immersive training simulations that revolutionize how organizations approach safety protocols and procedural training. Through his leadership, King Crow Studios has become synonymous with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled expertise in the realm of alternate realities.
Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Cody Louviere is a fervent advocate for Louisiana entrepreneurship, tirelessly promoting the growth and development of the local startup ecosystem. His commitment to fostering innovation and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs reflects his deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of technology.
A self-professed “huge nerd” for new tech, Louviere’s insatiable curiosity and relentless drive fuel his quest to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the realm of XR. Whether through his groundbreaking work at King Crow Studios or his insightful contributions to industry discourse, Cody Louviere continues to leave an indelible mark on the modern world of alternate realities.
-
Robert AyalaEntrepreneur/ResidentSome example textRobert Ayala is a visionary leader in data, analytics, AI, and digital transformation, leveraging decades of experience implementing strategic, cutting-edge initiatives at some of the most recognizable organizations on the planet—including Dell, Salesforce, Walmart, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, and Centene. His expertise spans enterprise-scale innovation, harnessing emerging technologies to drive operational efficiency, unlock new revenue streams, and future-proof businesses in an era of rapid technological change.Now serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Nexus, Robert applies his deep industry knowledge to coach and enable high-growth organizations, equipping them with the strategies, technologies, and talent needed to scale and compete. His work is focused on ensuring that startups, enterprises, and workforce initiatives have the data-driven insights, AI capabilities, and digital frameworks necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.
Our Board
-
Anita Byrne, Chair
Partner, SSA Consultants
-
Russell J. Coco
CEO President, Forte & Tablada
-
Monette Davis
Associate, Stone Pigman
-
Stephanie Hartman
LED Director of Small Business Services
-
Terry Landry, Jr., Vice Chair
Policy Director, Southern Poverty Law Center, Designee of Mayor the Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish
-
Mackenzie D. Rodriguez
Special Counsel & Patent Attorney, Stone Pigman
-
Robert Twilley, PhD
Vice President of Research & Economic Development, Louisiana State University
-
Ross Reilly
Vice President of Business Development, Lamar Advertising
-
Anita Tillman
CEO, AMcorp International, LLC
-
Willie E. Smith, Sr., PhD
Chancellor, Baton Rouge Community College
-
Brian Warren PhD
Project Manager, Mechanical Engineer Reliability, NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Stay in the know!
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on Nexus Louisiana events, programs and more.