Full-time Staff and Interns
Deidre Deculus Robert
President and CEO
Robert brings a wealth of leadership, legal, and community development experience to the role. Most recently serving as Director of State Operations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program, she has overseen national economic development initiatives, infrastructure investment, and community revitalization efforts. Her prior experience includes serving as State Director for USDA Rural Development in Louisiana, Executive Counsel at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and General Counsel for the Southern University System. With deep expertise in public-private partnerships, economic development, and strategic planning, Robert is well-positioned to guide BBR’s efforts to create more equitable and vibrant communities throughout Baton Rouge.
Marlee Pittman Miller
Executive Vice President and COO
Marlee Pittman Miller, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, oversees the organization’s daily operations and leads strategic initiatives focused on revitalizing underutilized and blighted areas across East Baton Rouge Parish.
Miller brings nearly a decade of experience in community development, federal grants management, and public-private partnerships. She has consistently focused her work on aligning public investment with the priorities of neighborhoods and residents.
Most recently, Miller served as Director of the Office of Community Development for the City-Parish of East Baton Rouge. There, she administered over $47 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Treasury.
Under her leadership, the department reduced audit findings by over 75% and grew to a team of 13. Her tenure supported the creation of over 800 units of affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, a $10 million homelessness initiative, and a fresh food access program in North Baton Rouge. She also authored the parish’s first CDBG Disaster Recovery Action Plan.
Earlier in her career, Miller served as Director of Community Development at Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance and supported recovery efforts following the 2016 floods in East Baton Rouge Parish. In the Mayor-President’s Office, she led the city’s first housing and neighborhoods planning process.
Miller is a Truman Scholar and Scoville Peace Fellow, holding a BA from Louisiana State University, along with advanced certificates in Urban Planning from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and Real Estate Finance from MIT’s Center for Real Estate.
Kendra Hendricks
Senior Planning and Development Coordinator
In her capacity as Senior Planning and Development Coordinator, Kendra Hendricks leads economic development initiatives, supports program management, and coordinates projects. Prior to joining BBR, she was the economic development manager for Capital Region Planning Commission, where she was responsible for grant writing technical assistance, grant management, project development, and community outreach and engagement for the capital area. Kendra’s previous experiences include higher education, local government, and nonprofit organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications with a minor in political science and a Master’s in public administration from Southern University and A&M College. She is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.
Tricia Prewitt
Administrative Officer
In her position as Administrative Officer, Tricia Prewitt plays an essential role in the smooth running of the office.
Gretchen Siemers
Chief Operating Officer
Gretchen serves as Chief Operating Officer, and is responsible for our urban planning-related programs and place-based initiatives. Prior to joining BBR, she worked at Kaiser Permanente as a Corporate Real Estate Land Use Manager responsible for the land use and property entitlements for the company’s over 1000 building portfolio. With over 15 years of community development experience, Gretchen has worked for Los Angeles County as a Planner and the City of Los Angeles as a Project Consultant providing the best practices for urban planning and real estate. She is a New Orleans native and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona and a Master of Planning from the University of Southern California. She holds an American Institute of Certified Planners credential.