KaTrina Chantelle Griffin

District 4

KaTrina Chantelle Griffin is an accomplished leader and passionate advocate dedicated to the city of New Orleans. A proud product of her mother’s teachings to serve the community, KaTrina has spent her life fostering positive change, particularly for marginalized groups, with a focus on education, community building, and systemic reform.

Her passion for making a meaningful impact led her to become a certified mediator. Through her work with the ReEntry Mediation Institute Louisiana (REMILA) and the New Orleans Community-Police Mediation Program, KaTrina facilitates dialogues between civilians and law enforcement, helping foster mutual understanding and improve interactions. She believes these conversations are vital for advancing systemic change and promoting equity.

Beyond mediation, KaTrina has been deeply involved in various organizations. She served on the Advisory Board for the March of Dimes, advocating for the mission to end birth defects, and as the Board President for the Collective Steps Project, working to improve access to mental and behavioral health resources for Black women and girls. KaTrina has also volunteered with the NO AIDS Task Force, Concerned Citizens for A Better Algiers, and the American Cancer Society, supporting individuals living with HIV/AIDS and cancer patients.

Additionally, KaTrina volunteers at Lighthouse Louisiana, where she helps provide services and support for individuals with disabilities. This work aligns with her mission of equity and inclusion, focusing on breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for marginalized communities.

Education is close to KaTrina’s heart. As a leader in the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) and the National Association of University Women (NAUW), she helped award over $45K in scholarships to students and created programs to promote career readiness, such as resume building, mock interviews, financial literacy, and personal branding. She has worked with local universities, including Southern University A&M, Xavier University of Louisiana, and Dillard University, championing STEM initiatives and HBCUs. Under her leadership, NAUW New Orleans Branch created endowments totaling $75K for the three HBCUs in New Orleans.

With 25 years of experience in banking, medical, non-profit, and educational sectors, KaTrina is a seasoned accounting and business professional. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology, a Graduate Certification in Accounting, and an MBA. KaTrina works for a local non-profit, overseeing fundraising and development efforts and ensuring financial transparency.

KaTrina is the founder of the "Cocktails and Conversations for Progressive Women" book club and is deeply involved in her faith as a member of Regular Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. T.A. Hodge’s leadership.

Throughout her career, KaTrina has been recognized with numerous awards, including the March of Dimes Spotlight on Success Honoree, CityBusiness Woman of the Year Honoree, NAUW Phenomenal Woman of the Year and the Louisiana Federation of Business and Professional Women State Community Award. These accolades reflect her exceptional leadership and the positive impact she continues to make in New Orleans.

As a mother of two, KaTrina is committed to ensuring a brighter future for New Orleans. She is focused on reducing truancy rates, advocating for equitable access to high-quality education for all students, and working to improve teacher retention and compensation.

In the next four years, KaTrina plans to address these key areas, ensuring every student, particularly the most vulnerable, receives the support and opportunities they need to succeed.