Katie Portier | Executive Director, Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence

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Tell me about your work:

What is the best part of your job? 


The best part of my job is being able to help our local teachers fund their innovative projects and then telling the community about their amazing work. Teachers do so much with so little, so it’s exciting to be able to surprise them with a big check now and then. I also love that we are creating the next generation of readers and leaders through our Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

What is the hardest?

Like many non-profit organizations, fundraising is always a challenge. There are so many worthy causes in our community vying for attention, donors, and grants that it can seem overwhelming at times.


What’s on the agenda for TFAE in 2019 And on the horizon for 2020?   

We just announced a partnership with Chevron and Terrebonne Parish School District to fund the technology for a satellite component to the dual enrollment program. With this technology, students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to dual enroll and earn college credit – whether transportation issues or heavily involved in extracurricular activities – can now do so by attending the classes remotely.

We also have an upcoming fundraising event called Purses & Promises: A Girls’ Night Out For Children’s Literacy on Friday, November 1st at the Courtyard Marriott. Proceeds from this event help fund the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Terrebonne Parish. At this event, we’ll have gently used and new designer purses for sale, silent auction, and live auction. Just by attending, you’ll sponsor a local child in the program for one year.


What’s one leadership skill you feel everyone must learn?

I think being able to communicate (one-on-one and to a crowd) is an incredibly valuable skill to learn.

Tell me about yourself:

As a child, what did you see yourself doing as a career?


When I was young, I wanted to be the person who drew the price on the cars at car dealerships. I like to think that meant I wanted to be creative. As I got older, I wanted a career in journalism as a reporter or a journalism teacher.    

What was your very first job?

I worked the counter at Wing Stop.


What time to do you wake up and how do you start your day?

I’d like to say I have a very productive morning before work, but my morning is spent hitting snooze and snuggling my kid until 6:30 while my husband tells us multiple times we’re going to be late.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?


Obviously my family….but also pasta. Definitely, pasta.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Camping, paddle boarding, going to spin class, reading, volunteering, renovating our home, and binge-watching Netflix.


Favorites/This or that:

Favorite potato chip flavor:
Plain Ruffles

Favorite vacation spot:
Camping (doesn’t matter where!)

Favorite TV series:
Currently loving Schitt’s Creek


How do you take your coffee?
As a Diet Coke

Ice cream or frozen yogurt?
Ice cream

Pen or pencil?
Pen


Early bird or night owl?
Tired pigeon

Disney or Universal?
I’ve never been to either, but Disney!