Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System Welcomes Two New Members to Its Board of Directors and Announces Officer Elections

August 25, 2025—The Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System is proud to announce the addition of Judith Anderson and Mary Beth Derrickson to its Board of Directors. Both bring a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to advancing educational opportunities for students across East Baton Rouge Parish Schools.

Judith Anderson serves as the Architectural Program Manager at CSRS, where she oversees major construction projects for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. With years of experience in facilities planning and development, Anderson is passionate about ensuring that students and educators have access to quality learning environments.“I truly believe Baton Rouge’s success as a city depends heavily on the quality of education and the resources our school system can access,” Anderson said. “The mission of enhancing the quality of our school system is important to my family directly, as well as indirectly through the city.”

Mary Beth Derrickson, Director of Government Relations at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), advocates for education, workforce development, and transportation policy. Her work at LABI has centered on building opportunities that strengthen Louisiana’s future workforce.“Louisiana students are our most precious resource, and they should have access to the best education possible,” Derrickson said.

In addition to welcoming new members, the Foundation is pleased to announce recent officer elections. Greg Upton has been elected to serve as Treasurer, and Michelle Hardy will serve as Secretary. Their leadership and dedication further strengthen the Foundation’s ability to deliver on its mission.

The Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System works to enhance education, champion innovation, and provide sustained financial support to public schools within the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. By mobilizing community, business, and philanthropic partnerships, the Foundation ensures that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

“We are excited to welcome Judith and Mary Beth to our Board,” said Executive Director Jennifer Lightfoot. “Their leadership, insight, and passion for education will be invaluable as we continue our mission to support students and educators throughout East Baton Rouge Parish.”