Tammie DeDeaux-Gray is the founder of The LAD Project, a faith-based 501C3 nonprofit corporation based in Pass Christian, Mississippi, which works to empower at-risk youth and families to reach their highest potential through various programs and activities. Ms. DeDeaux-Gray is a graduate of Pass Christian High School and attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston Campus. She also worked in the education field for 20 years in various roles from the elementary to the high school level until just recently when she resigned to commit full-time to The LAD Project.

Marsha Garziano is retired from the Pass Christian Public School District where she served for 31 years as the Business Manager. She is a graduate of Bay Senior High School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree and a Master of Education degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. She also spent 3 years in public and private accounting prior to joining the Pass Christian School District as Business Manager in 1986.

Sharon Loiacano was the owner and artistic director of the Coast Youth Ballet Academy in Bay St. Louis, MS, for 36 years from 1984 until 2020, teaching classical ballet to ages 3 through adult. A graduate of Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, WV, Sharon won a prestigious National Merit Scholarship to attend Texas Christian University where she graduated Summe Cum Laude with a BFA in Ballet Performance and Instruction with a minor in history. Ms Loiacano danced professionally with Fort Worth Ballet and Fort Worth Opera for two years before moving to Bay St Louis to open her own ballet studio. Sharon homeschooled her daughter for 10 years and has been tutoring all levels of math, as well as ACT prep tutoring, for the past 8 years. She has also served as the children’s ministry leader, VBS elementary Bible teacher, and a children’s church teacher at Church of the Good Shepherd in Pass Christian.

Meg Retersdorf is a 72 year old widow who finds richness in life by spending her time helping out in the community. She also treasures time with family and friends. Meg had two children, a daughter, and a son who sadly passed away in 2020. She has three grandchildren that she loves dearly! Meg was a registered nurse for 34 years working in Burn Intensive Care, Organ Donation, and General Intensive Care. She found that caring for patients at bedside to be a very rewarding position. One of favorite things is Pirate’s Cove, specifically the roast beef poboy and fried catfish. Meg has a very special heart for children and enjoys her time with the LAD Project.

Gail Wambsgans was a human resources professional who worked in the automotive and healthcare industries for 40 years. She earned a BS degree In human resource management from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Ms. Wambsgans grew up in Detroit, Michigan and is now happily retired with her husband, Fabian, in Pass Christian

Lisa is originally from Virginia, lived in Scotland for over 20 years, and now has lived in Mississippi for 21 years. After some time working in Human resources and Administration, she earned an Associate’s Degree in Medical Coding and Billing at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Currently, Lisa manages the admin side of her and her husband’s small contracting business. For the past 17 years, she has also been a homeschooling mom to her two daughters. She has taught Sunday school, volunteered with VBS, served on the booster club board at Gulf Coast Swim Club, and is a USA swimming official and coach.