Staff & Board Members

Ralph Wright
Executive Director

Born: Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Education: Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, 1973.

Moved to Southwest Louisiana in 1985. Joined American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana as Executive Director in July of 1995. Trained in and served in all areas of disaster operations, including multi-family and single family operations. A national instructor for the American Red Cross in a course entitled "The Inclusive Leader: Maximizing our Diverse Workforce". 


Donna Branham
Office Manager

Born: Gueydan, LA

Education: Delgado College, New Orleans, LA

Raised in the Crowley area and joined the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana as a temporary employee in October 2005, after Hurricanes Katrina & Rita.  Donna began her career as the Accountant of the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana in January 2006


Chad Theunissen
Emergency Services Director

Born:  Jennings, LA

Joined the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana in 1995 as a volunteer for the Ben Ruhl Learn to swim program, in 1997 became an instructor in First Aid & CPR.  Served as a volunteer during many local disasters, moved to Baton Rouge in 2003 as an instructor specialist in the Health & Safety Department and came back to Southwest Louisiana in 2005.  Every second of every minute of every day the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana is here to help you prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations.  “TOGETHER WE PREPARE”


Beki Derise 
Director of Health & Safety and Development

Born: Sulphur, LA 

Education: McNeese State University

Joined the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana in 1986 as a CPR & First Aid instructor.  Beki is a current member of the Board of Directors for the Safe Kids Coalition.  The mission of the Health & Safety department is truly based on the concept of "together we can make a difference". Proper CPR training can save a life and that life saved could be yours.