With more than 15 years of service in philanthropy, Tristi Charpentier is Vice President, People-Centered Initiatives for Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation. In this role, she supports grantees, develops strategic partnerships and collaborations, coordinates gatherings and communications, assesses project performance, and facilitates programmatic improvements for programs supporting returning citizens, impoverished and ALICE families.
Prior to joining HAWF, she was Regional Development Officer for anti-poverty non-profit Single Stop, where she developed and managed the regional infrastructure of Single Stop’s multi-million-dollar annual grant plan in the Gulf Coast. She began her philanthropic career as the Corporate Giving Administrator at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, managing the corporate sponsorship program, where she sought out and developed creative and unique sponsorship opportunities that promoted brand awareness, a high level of community activity and enhanced business development. In that capacity, she also managed the BCBSLA Foundation’s impact grant, Angel Award and Smart Bodies programs, identifying potential non-profit partners and projects that were consistent with the goals of the Foundation and its strategic pillars.
Throughout her career, Tristi has sought opportunities to make connections among people and organizations to improve the quality of life in Louisiana. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mass communication from Louisiana State University, where she was a member of The Golden Band from Tigerland, and has received certificates in Corporate Citizenship Leadership and Corporate Community Involvement from the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. She was a member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s 2021 class of Leadership Baton Rouge, was named one of Baton Rouge Business Report’s Forty Under 40 for 2017, and was a 2013 Hull Fellow of Philanthropy Southeast. She is a Certified Associate with Emergenetics International. Her volunteer work has included the Junior League of Baton Rouge, where she served as the 90th President; secretary of the board of the Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits; the board of Big Buddy Program; the steering committee of the Louisiana Asset Funders Network; and member of the Louisiana Association of United Way’s ALICE Research Advisory Committee. She lives in her hometown, Gonzales, La., with her husband, Devin, and children, Owen and Tori.