Kay LeSage is a highly experienced leader in disaster recovery and project management, with over 27 years of expertise in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs, mitigation efforts, and state-level initiatives. As Associate Vice President of Programs at GrantWorks, Kay provides strategic leadership, guiding local, state, and federal agencies through complex regulatory landscapes to develop and implement impactful, compliance-driven programs.
Before joining GrantWorks, Kay served as the Director of Economic Development & Infrastructure Programs for the Louisiana Office of Community Development, where she managed over $16 billion in disaster recovery and mitigation funding. She played a pivotal role in designing and implementing programs that supported the Louisiana Watershed Initiative, resolved regulatory challenges, and secured funding for critical infrastructure projects. She also developed Louisiana’s first Non-Federal Match Program for FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Global Match, showcasing her ability to create innovative funding solutions.
Kay’s extensive background includes direct coordination with the Department of Housing Urban and Development (HUD) and other federal agencies, program design and compliance oversight, and leadership of multidisciplinary teams. Her deep knowledge of disaster recovery and mitigation ensures GrantWorks’ clients receive expert guidance in securing and managing grant funding to build resilient communities.