Tonia Labbé is the Executive Director of the Nehemiah Center. Tonia has been with the Center since 2003 and has served as the Executive Director for the past five years. She holds a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Tonia has fifteen years of experience in the educational sector with ten years of management experience emphasizing a collaborative working style with inner-city children and their families. 

Tonia has successfully overseen all areas of program management and services for the Nehemiah Center with over 500 family members participating each year. Under Tonia’s leadership, the Center has created new programs including the Mommy & Me Program, Nehemiah Middle School and a newly developed character education program starting in August 2013.  

Tonia is directly involved in all aspect of fundraising. She participates in speaking engagements around the community to raise awareness about the Nehemiah Center. Ms. Labbé is passionate about making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children and their families. She is always eager to share stories about the Nehemiah families in order to illustrate the impact the Center is making in their lives.   

Tonia is very committed to pursuing ongoing educational opportunities. She has participated in numerous fundraising courses through the Susan Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. In June 2012, she also completed the Nonprofit Finance Certificate Program at Rice University. In July 2012, she participated in a mission trip to Uganda, Africa, to minister to children and their families living in abject poverty. In June 2013, she graduated from Leadership Houston: Class XXXI. Leadership Houston is an innovative program for leaders in the community, who’re committed to building their leadership skills in order to make major contributions to their organizations for the betterment of Houston.

Ms. Labbé is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Tonia was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and has enjoyed living in Houston for the past 13 years.