Maryellen Fazenbaker-Kellner

Maryellen Fazenbaker-Kellner, RN, BS Ed., MURP, is from Cincinnati, OH, and has lived in New Orleans for over 10 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Miami University of Ohio as a first generation college student. After relocating to Louisiana, she earned a Masters of Urban&Regional Planning with a focus in Housing and Community Development from the University of New Orleans and an Associates in Registered Nursing from Charity School of Nursing through Delgado Community College. Maryellen has 20 years of experience in the service and hospitality industry, has worked in alternative education at the high school level, and worked helping prepare students with disabilities and first generation college students for the transition to postsecondary education. She has previously held nonprofit positions working to support mental health and housing case management, housing equity outreach, reading intervention, and substance use treatment.

Spending over a decade as a working single parent has given Maryellen both personal and professional experience in navigating systems to help families meet their needs. She is an advocate for underserved families, substance use recovery, housing access, and public schools. Outside of work, she participates in mutual aid networks, gardens, sees live music, and is an avid reader of translated fiction from around the world. Her and her husband enjoy raising their two teenage daughters, spending time with two teenage bonus kids, and are looking forward to welcoming a new baby this summer.