About Our Staff

Melanie A. Talia
Chief Executive Officer 

melanie@nopjf.org

Melanie A. Talia is the Chief Executive Officer of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. She directs the Foundation in its ongoing role as a principal fiduciary agent, negotiator and advisor to all members of the criminal justice system in Orleans Parish.

Prior to joining the NOPJF, Ms. Talia was an Assistant District Attorney in Orleans Parish for 17 years where she prosecuted capital cases and other violent crimes. As Chief of the Screening Division she managed undercover investigations, conducted joint investigations with the United States Attorney’s Office and advised the Grand Jury, New Orleans Police Department and staff attorneys on legal matters. As Chief of the Economic Crime Unit Ms. Talia reviewed and prosecuted “white collar crimes” including insurance fraud and tax evasion. Ms. Talia was recognized as Prosecutor of the Year by Victims and Citizens Against Crime for her prosecution of misconduct by public officials.

Ms. Talia is a native of New Orleans. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of New Orleans and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola School of Law. She is a faculty member for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, an adjunct faculty member of Tulane University School of Law and a member of the New Orleans Leadership Council for the Louisiana Center for Women and Government. Ms. Talia was appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Council Against Domestic Violence in 1995 and continues to be an outspoken advocate to stop family violence.

Annette C. Bodden 
Chief Financial Officer/Vice President

annette@nopjf.org

 Ms. Bodden joined NOPJF in early 2002. Prior to joining NOPJF, she held executive level financial positions in the commercial and residential real estate, property/casualty insurance, public utility and automotive industries. She most recently was the SFO for Columbus Properties, owned by local commercial real estate developer and hotel owner, Joseph C. Canizaro.

Ms. Bodden is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Louisiana. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans with honors. She was admitted to the University of New Orleans MBA Program and also completed the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Financial Management Training Seminar.

Ms. Bodden is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.

Nathaniel Weaver
Program Manager

nathaniel@nopjf.org

As the Program Manager for Hurricane Criminal Justice Infrastructure Recovery and US Department of Justice COPS Technology grants, Nathaniel Weaver manages wide ranging efforts to rebuild and enhance the capacity of criminal justice agencies in Orleans Parish.  These grant initiatives include targeted projects to integrate information technologies, facilitate improved business processes between agencies, address criminal justice staffing needs and provide training and technical assistance for criminal justice professionals.  

Before joining the NOPJF, Mr. Weaver worked in the City's Office of Criminal Justice Coordination under the direction of Col. Terry J. Ebbert, USMC (ret).  During his tenure with the City of New Orleans he served alternately as the Grant Manager for Edward Byrne Violent Crime and Drug Control formula grants, Crime Victim Assistance Project Manager and Domestic Violence Program Coordinator.  In addition to his grant responsibilities, he acted as the Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety's liaison to the Mayor's Military Advisory Committee during the successful effort to retain the Algiers branch of the Naval Support Activity military installation, initially slated for closure under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act.  Following Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Weaver was the first employee of the Office of Criminal Justice Coordination to report to work at the City's Emergency Operations Center.  There he served as an analyst within the Center's Planning Division from September 2005 through February 2006.  Among other projects for the Emergency Operations Center, he co-designed and directed the City's Rapid Population Estimate Project.  In addition to his work with the City of New Orleans, Mr. Weaver has worked on a contractual basis to assist in the collection and analysis of criminal justice data for Linder & Associates, Inc.

Andrea Flannery 
Executive Manager of Administration

andrea@nopjf.org

Andrea Flannery is the Executive Manager of Administration for the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. She manages the overall day to day administrative functions of the NOPJF, supports fundraising activities as well as the foundation’s newsletter and marketing materials, manages membership drives, and works extensively with the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Fundraising.

Prior to joining the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation in 2008, Mrs. Flannery worked as an Executive Legal Assistant in an Indianapolis based insurance defense firm for six years where she managed numerous case files. She also served as Assistant Committee Treasurer in two election campaigns in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mrs. Flannery serves on a variety of committees and volunteers with numerous  organizations.

Alonzo L. Knox
Director, Grants & Community Development

alonzo@nopjf.org

Alonzo Knox has managed administrative and start up functions in the public service setting for more than a decade. Mr. Knox began his career as a Legislative Correspondent for the Office of United States Senator John Breaux. Mr. Knox was later named Deputy Director of National Outreach and eventually promoted to Executive Director of New York City’s Children’s Scholarship Fund, a start up non-profit funded by a multi-million dollar endowment from billionaire John Walton of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Mr. Knox also held the position of Program Manager at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) where he managed more than 40 corporate and endowed scholarship programs totaling over $10 million. Mr. Knox is a 14 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserves. As an enlisted member with an MOS in Infantry, Mr. Knox served as a Substance Abuse Control Officer and completed an overseas tour of duty in Operation Desert Shield/Storm and state-side in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Just prior to joining the NOPJF Mr. Knox supervised Pre-Closing functions as a Consultant-Manager for The Road Home Program.

Mr. Knox holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and an Associate of Arts degree in Law Enforcement from Southern University, Baton Rouge, and a Master of Business Administration from Trinity University, Washington, DC.

Carole Berke
Vice President of Development 

carole@nopjf.org


Carole Berke has a development career working extensively with a variety of nonprofit organizations, Ms. Berke has assisted them in the development and implementation of effective fundraising strategies that include corporate sponsorship, foundation fundraising and major gifts. She has helped to raise more than $2 million dollars for local and national charities.

Ms. Berke has also coordinated a multitude and range of events that include black tie-dinners, events, promotions, celebrity sporting events, children’s festivals, cocktail receptions, awards dinners, and national conferences.

Ms. Berke has also served as the Director of Marketing for both a national emergency child care company and for a catering company with more than $4 million in gross revenue. During this time she developed and implemented marketing presentations to international companies, produced company-wide marketing plans that incorporated customer satisfaction and retention strategies, and created effective collaborative marketing materials.

Ms. Berke has provided special event consultation to several event management companies including: P.W. Feats, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, Events Management Inc., and Natalie Shear Associates, Inc., Washington, DC, and USA Hosts, a national destination management company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ms. Berke holds a Masters degree in social work.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------