Board of Directors selects new CEO for Emerge

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of the Emerge Center has unanimously voted to select Tara T. Haney as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2nd. Haney brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across healthcare, not-for-profit, government, and mission-driven organizations, with a strong commitment to serving families in the Baton Rouge community. Haney succeeds outgoing CEO Deanna Whittle, who served Emerge for over six years before retiring on December 31st.

Emerge Board Chair Paul Saltaformaggio, thanked Whittle for “solidifying Emerge’s operations, infrastructure and funding“.  Paul added, “Tara is an exceptional leader with the experience and heart needed to guide Emerge forward. She understands how to build strong, sustainable organizations while keeping the mission and families at the center of every decision. Her hire is a huge victory for Emerge.”

Haney has spent 17 years in healthcare leadership, including 13 years in not-for-profit systems. She has most recently held senior executive roles at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health including Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Strategic Integration Officer and Chief of Staff to the CEO. She has spearheaded multi-entity strategic planning processes, and has led large-scale clinical, operational, and financial integration efforts within a $4B+ health system. Her work contributed to system-wide strategic alignment and more than $200 million in value-based savings.

Selection Committee Chair Zelma Frederick noted, “Tara brings clarity, credibility, and an ability to align people around a shared purpose. Her leadership style and deep local roots make her a strong fit for Emerge and the families we serve.”

“I am honored to join The Emerge Center and deeply inspired by its mission,” said Haney. “I look forward to partnering with our dedicated staff, families, board members, and the generous funders who make this work possible. Together, we will continue to strengthen Emerge’s services and expand its impact for children and families across Baton Rouge and beyond.”

Emerge’s CEO Selection Committee (SC) oversaw the search, led by Emerge Center board member Zelma Frederick as SC Chair. Other members of the Selection Committee include current Emerge Center Chair, Paul Saltaformaggio; previous past Chair Steve Cangelosi, Colleen Waguespack, who serves on the Emerge Foundation Board, David Thompson, who serves on the Emerge School Board and Theresa Jones, an HR Consultant to the Emerge Center.

The Selection Committee invited four firms to propose, before selecting Mission Driven Search to lead the CEO Transition project. Mission Driven Search is a national nonprofit Executive Search, Succession Planning and CEO Transition Practice, co-founded by Christina Boudreaux of Connectly Recruiting and Ann Boland of the Boland Group.

“There is no way that we could have accomplished this without you, nor could be have identified such an exceptional pool of candidates…”

immediate past board chair

About The Emerge Center: The Emerge Center empowers children with autism and individuals with communication challenges to achieve independence through innovative and family-centered therapies. The organization’s mission is to empower children with autism and individuals with communication challenges to achieve independence through an interdisciplinary therapy program within an innovative educational model. Support from the community facilitates broad access to services, expands impact and enriches a unique learning environment.