Community Sailing New Orleans (CSNO) is thrilled to announce that Heather West will assume the role of Executive Director, effective December 8, 2025. Taking the helm as CSNO launches its sixth year of serving the community from its newly established Alexander Community Sailing Center and expanded fleet, Heather brings deep experience, a strong connection to the organization, and a passion for youth development.

A longtime partner and close friend of CSNO, Heather joins the organization from LOOP NOLA, where she dedicated nearly a decade to youth development and program leadership. Heather is already familiar to CSNO staff, instructors, and program participants, having been one of the organization’s first U.S. Sailing-certified instructors. For more than four years, she taught across CSNO programs and brought groups of young people from LOOP NOLA to experience sailing on Lake Pontchartrain.

“Heather has been practically part of the CSNO team for many years through our partnership with LOOP NOLA,” said Warner Tureaud, Board Chair of CSNO. “We are thrilled to officially welcome her as Executive Director and look forward to building on our momentum and strengthening our impact in the community under her leadership in 2026.”

Heather will transition into her new role over the coming weeks, stepping into an organization poised for growth after an exciting period of development. We look forward to her visionary leadership and growth mindset as she works to develop new initiatives to propel organizational growth and deepen relationships within the community.”

About Heather West
A New Orleans native, Heather brings extensive experience in experiential education and youth development. After transferring to King College in Tennessee following Hurricane Katrina, she worked for five years with Outward Bound leading 20-28 day wilderness expeditions for teens. Upon returning to New Orleans, Heather became Program Director at LOOP NOLA in 2016, revitalizing core programming, developing new initiatives, and cultivating strong community relationships. She took on the role of Executive Director in 2022, guiding the organization through sustained growth while strengthening its long-term stability.

As Executive Director of CSNO, Heather will combine her passion for outdoor experiences and youth development with her leadership background to guide the organization’s strategic vision and expand opportunities for young people on the water.