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
Tricia Prewitt, Administrative Officer, is the first point of contact at Build Baton Rouge. Tricia uses the skills that she learned as a child in the Felicianas to connect on a personal level with callers and visitors to Build Baton Rouge, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Tricia is essential to the smooth running of the office. Her previous experiences in office management are put to full use on a daily basis.
Tricia is an independent filmmaker and has worked on projects for the DA’s office, 100 Black Men, and other socially conscience organizations.