Charmaine Thomas-Johnson In-House Counsel Charmaine Thomas-Johnson is In-House Counsel of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, where she leads the Legal Department and advises the Executive Director, Board of Commissioners, the organization and NORA’s departments on matters regarding NORA’s vast real estate portfolio further NORA’s mission of redeveloping underserved communities in the New Orleans area. Three years prior to joining NORA, Charmaine advised and assisted the Deputy CAO of Infrastructure at the City of New Orleans on key Infrastructure projects for six departments including Superbowl LIX, the redevelopment of Armstrong Park, Touro Shakespeare, Lincoln Beach and others.  Prior to joining the City, she owned and operated a private practice firm providing legal counsel and services to private citizens and small businesses with a variety of legal challenges for 15 years.     Charmaine received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of New Orleans and a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge.  In addition, she is barred with the State of Louisiana as well as in the Eastern District of Louisiana in District and Bankruptcy Court.

Brenda M. Breaux

Brenda M. Breaux is the Executive Director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), where she leads strategic initiatives to foster community revitalization, organizational stability, and growth. With over two decades of legal and executive experience, Brenda has played a pivotal role in shaping housing and redevelopment policy and projects in New Orleans.

Before her current role, she served as NORA’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operations, legal strategy, and key departments including Human Resources, Land Management, and Real Estate Development. Her public service career also includes serving as Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of New Orleans, where she managed a legal team and led major housing and development initiatives, including the Mayor’s Blight Initiative and intergovernmental negotiations for the downtown medical complex.

Brenda also held the role of Deputy Executive Director at the Housing Authority of New Orleans, managing development, construction, Section 8, and administrative services. Her leadership guided complex real estate and affordable housing projects across New Orleans and Biloxi, MS.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

Board of Commissioners

Former President New Orleans City Council and District B Councilmember

President, The Hackett Group

Partner, The Berger Group

President, Circular Consulting, LLC

Senior Pastor & CEO of Abundant Life Ministries

Managing Partner, Le & Le Consulting

Partner, Leger & Shaw Attorneys and Counselors

Chief Executive Officer, Green Pastures Unlimited, LLC

Business Attorney, Chehardy Sherman Williams

Derrick Muse

Derrick A. Muse serves as the Chief Financial Officer for New Orleans Redevelopment Authority where he is responsible for all financial and compliance matters for the organization. Derrick previously served as the Deputy Director of Finance for the City of New Orleans, with responsibility for the accounting functions, purchasing operations, treasury cash management, tax collection enforcement and accounts receivable billing efforts. Prior to joining the City of New Orleans, Derrick worked as the Executive Director over Budget and Finance for Orleans Parish School Board where he managed the budget operations and preparation of the annual financial audit.

Derrick holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette and received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.