Boys Town Louisiana welcomes two new board members to advance mission for children and families

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS — Boys Town Louisiana proudly announces the appointment of two community leaders, Torry Jacob Dean and Jacinta Massey, to its Board of Directors. Their commitment to service and passion for empowering youth will support the organization’s ongoing efforts to strengthen children and families across the region.

Torry J. Dean is a dynamic leader, arts advocate and community builder dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and cultural enrichment in New Orleans. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in  Vocal Music Performance from Grambling State University and a Master of Science in Management. She is currently pursuing here Ph.D. in Leadership and Development.

Torry serves as Director of Operations for the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO), where she leads strategic initiatives that promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and improve communities. Her influence extends through service on boards of the New Orleans Opera Association and the Grambling State University National Alumni Association.

Jacinta Massey brings over a decade of experience in higher education, focusing on student support services, accessibility, mental health advocacy and Title IX compliance. She currently serves at Nunez Community College, where she is committed to fostering equitable access, empowering students to achieve their full potential and building meaningful partnerships both on campus and in the community.

Passionate about youth empowerment, Jacinta is eager to serve as a new board member at Boys Town Louisiana, where she hopes to bring her dedication to advocacy, mentorship and community well-being to support the organization’s mission.

“Torry and Jacinta reflect the very best of our community,” said Boys Town Louisiana Executive Director Rashain Carriere Williams. “Their leadership, deep compassion for young people and drive to create meaningful opportunities will guide our work forward. We are grateful for their partnership and excited to welcome them to the Boys Town Louisiana family.”

Together, Dean and Massey join a dedicated board of professionals who help guide Boys Town Louisiana’s vision and expand its reach across the region. Their diverse expertise and shared commitment to empowering youth will play an essential role in advancing programs that provide stability, healing and opportunity for children and families in need.

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About Boys Town Louisiana: 

An affiliate of the national Boys Town organization, Boys Town Louisiana is a "go-to" resource for vulnerable children and families in the New Orleans area, especially those hit hard by instability brought on by social and economic problems. Boys Town Louisiana opened in 1989, and today meets the needs of youth and families through a variety of Continuum of Care® services. The site offers Diagnostic and Assessment Services to provide immediate help to youth in dangerous situations. The site has three Family Homes for Adolescents in New Orleans and provides In-Home Family Services to troubled families. These services and programs touch the ​lives of ​7,600 children and families in Louisiana each year. To learn more visit www.boystown.org 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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