Ethan Ellestad
Executive Director
Director@Maccno.com

 Ethan Ellestad has been involved in community work for two decades, beginning as a coach and youth mentor, then developing and running after school programs and supervising adjudicated youth.  His work includes a 3 year stint in the Peace Corps, where he developed and ran a community center in Ewarton, Jamaica.  He relocated to New Orleans in 2009, where he attended the University of New Orleans, receiving a Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Community Development.  Upon graduation, Ethan joined the staff of the Foundation For Louisiana, as a member of the Neighborhood Organizing and Planning Fund, where he worked until the end of 2013.  He is a founding member of the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO), and has served as its executive director since 2014.

danovon calhoun-Bettis
director of engagement and partnerships
bettis@Maccno.com

Danovon Calhoun-Bettis, affectionately known as "Bettis," is a dynamic force in the vibrant cultural landscape of New Orleans. A native of the city and a proud alumnus of St. Augustine High School—where he served as the Head Drum Major for the renowned Marching 100—Bettis has dedicated his career to celebrating and preserving the unique heritage of his hometown.

 With a background in music performance and a passion for community engagement, Bettis has become a well-known figure in various artistic circles throughout the city. As a musician, you can catch him performing with T-Ray the Violinist, The Andre Lovett Band, and Big Fun Brass Band, bringing his signature energy and talent to stages across New Orleans. Additionally, Bettis leads his own band, Bettis + 3rd Degree, "The Hot Boys of Frenchmen", comprised of some of the city's hottest musicians, delivering electrifying performances that capture the essence of New Orleans' music scene.

 As the Director of Engagement and Partnerships at the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO), Bettis is poised to make a significant impact on the local arts scene with a clear vision: to champion the voices of local artists, promote cultural equity, and strengthen community connections.

 Bettis's commitment to excellence and his deep-rooted passion for the city's cultural traditions make him an invaluable asset to MaCCNO and the broader New Orleans community. With his infectious energy and innovative spirit, Bettis is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of New Orleans' cultural ecosystem. As a cultural ambassador for the city, he looks forward to continuing to build bridges, foster collaboration, and making meaningful differences in the lives of artists and residents alike.

Hannah Kreiger-Benson
director of programs and research
programs@maccno.com

Hannah Kreiger-Benson, Coordinator of Research and Programs, has been involved in MaCCNO from the very first meeting. Her areas of focus and research include the cultural economy, the ways the cultural landscape is shaped by legal and power structures, and the history of Frenchmen Street. She is also a full-time working musician, on piano, trumpet, and vocals, as well as a music-director for the all-female supergroup N.O.B.A.B.E. She is a Board member for the Musicians' Council on Fair Wages, a Camel Toe Lady Stepper, and the cultural-sector representative on the Regional Sustainability Council.

kendra thompson
director of operations and development
kendrat@Maccno.com

Kendra is an experienced writer, strategist, archivist, and curator based in New Orleans by way of New York City. Kendra's communications and productions career includes multimedia projects for BET, the SyFy Channel, MTV, Fox News, and the A&E Network. From 2019-2023, Kendra worked as the Program Associate for the Joan Mitchell Center, an artist residency in New Orleans. She has worked with over 100 national and New Orleans-based visual artists and curators.  From 2022-23, she served as the  External Affair and Communications Manager for the “Unthinkable Imagination” exhibit at Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University.  Kendra’s videography was also featured in this Spring 2023 show.

In addition to her work at MaCCNO as the Director of Operations and Development, Kendra also works as a Digital Media Technician for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Kendra holds a BA in Journalism from New York University and a post-baccalaureate in Construction Management from Louisiana State University.