Mrs. Marie Collins is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Addictions Counselor, and Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Practitioner. She joined The Family Tree in 2016 after working for ten years at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office. Prior to that, she worked in residential and outpatient addiction treatment. She is originally from Acadiana and graduated with her Master’s in Counseling from Louisiana State University. Mrs. Collins is passionate about enhancing meaningful programs that assist the community and working families. Her experience in working with both adults and youth makes her a wonderful asset to The Tree. She enjoys working with people from all walks of life and assisting them in their personal growth journey. She also enjoys her time working with staff on skills to regulate their nervous system.

A co-owner of SilverWulf’s Computer Service in Lafayette, Lance Winder has spent his career on the front lines of small-business IT — and the last several years immersed in the rapidly evolving world of AI. He believes the biggest impact of artificial intelligence won’t unfold in Silicon Valley, but in places like Acadiana, in the hands of teachers, counselors, parents, and local business owners. Lance is passionate about demystifying technology so his community can embrace what AI makes possible while staying clear-eyed about its risks. He and his wife Christy are raising their two sons, Slade and Ronin, in Broussard.

André Williams is an experienced strategic communication advisor with over 25 years of proven success in various industries (government, sport, media, medical, environmental, oil and gas, entertainment, education), and has worked with major businesses and organizations like Sodexo, Shell, HCA Healthcare, Black Enterprise Magazine, the NFL, and the National Urban League. He currently serves as the founder and principal consultant for Answer Key PR, where he advises clients on public relations and strategic communication strategies. He also teaches public relations and strategic communication courses at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and serves as a contributing writer to several online and print publications. André uses both his academic teachings and practical experience to present engaging conversations that highlight real-world solutions to the challenges of communicating effectively. He has been recognized by the Southern States Communication Association for his research on “Crisis Management”  and was named a Sunbelt Conference Faculty Member of the year for his contributions to the area of “Sport Communication” and his work with college athletes.

Destin Ortego champions entrepreneurship and innovation as Executive Director of Opportunity Machine, driving tech startup growth in Louisiana’s Acadiana region. Under his leadership, OM has launched transformative programs including Innovate South, Tech Tank, Launch Academy, Emerging Tech Internships, and Builder Programs that connect founders with mentors, investors, and strategic resources, positioning Acadiana as an emerging technology hub. Companies supported by OM have collectively generated over $2 billion in economic impact for the Lafayette region through jobs created, capital raised, and new industry development.
His work expanding access to capital, talent, and market opportunities for tech startups has earned recognition including The Daily Advertiser’s Top 20 Under 40, Silicon Bayou’s 100 most influential figures in Louisiana’s startup ecosystem, and Junior Achievement’s Richard Baudoin Jr. “Friend of Business” honor.
Destin serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Acadiana and the Lafayette Regional Technology Council. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Dr. Donna Aucoin is a licensed Medical Psychologist and founder of Aucoin & Associates Psychology Practice in Lafayette, Louisiana. With over 25 years of clinical experience, she specializes in psychological evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment across a wide range of mental health conditions.
Dr. Aucoin is also the creator of Harper Clinical, an AI-powered decision support platform designed to enhance clinical interviews, improve diagnostic clarity, and streamline the evaluation process for mental health professionals. Her work sits at the intersection of psychology and technology, where she is focused on using AI responsibly to support (not replace) clinical judgment.
As both a clinician and innovator, Dr. Aucoin brings a grounded, real-world perspective to conversations about the benefits, risks, and ethical considerations of integrating AI into mental health care.

Michelle O’Neal is the VP of Operations & HR for Comit Developers and Rally Marketing, where she helps lead strategy, team development, and daily operations. With over 20 years of experience leading digital marketing and web development teams, she brings a practical, real-world perspective to how businesses use technology in everyday operations.
Currently pursuing the SHRM HI+AI Specialty Credential, Michelle is especially interested in how AI can support growth and efficiency while still keeping people at the center of the conversation. She enjoys helping clients navigate both the opportunities and risks of AI in a thoughtful, approachable way. She holds an MBA with a concentration in HR from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, is SHRM-CP certified, and earned her BA from New York University.

Ben Johnson is the CEO and co-founder of Techneaux Technology Services, a Lafayette, Louisiana-based technology firm with over 180 team members across Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma. Since founding Techneaux in 2010, starting literally in his garage, Ben has built the company into a respected regional technology leader with a people-first culture and a track record of growing careers in markets that need them most. Beyond Techneaux, Ben serves as Chairman of the Lafayette Regional Tech Council, working to strengthen the region’s tech ecosystem and keep local talent rooted in Acadiana.