Alaina is fueled by helping regular people take effective action around their interests. She believes fervently in participatory democracy where regular people have clear information and access to decision-making that affects them.
Alaina is a graduate of Louisiana State University, and a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge. As an LSU Ambassador, Alaina began investigating some of the problems facing her city, from food deserts and charter school failures, to national immigration bans whose impacts trickled down to her university.
After receiving a dual degree in International Studies and Spanish, Alaina organized in her hometown. There, she deepened relationships with her neighbors and identified key issues to act on. In 2021, Alaina led a team of 275 Bock Captains to defeat a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have allowed industrial corporations to avoid paying taxes, stealing hundreds of millions from local public services.
Alaina believes everyone has the right to reliable, affordable, and renewable electricity. In 2023, Alaina led a successful strategy to change policy at the New Orleans City Council to make the first workable community solar program in the Southeast United States.
Alaina was a founding member of Community Lighthouse, a project to equip community institutions with solar panels and battery packs to keep the lights on during disasters. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, she led efforts to distribute nearly $50,000 in relief funds directly to River Parish residents.
Alaina has worked with communities across Louisiana to teach folks about the electricity system and who’s in charge of it. She values collaboration and believes meaningful progress is made when different perspectives come together to drive innovation and share success.
In her free time, Alaina enjoys dancing to live music, cycling, and exploring Louisiana’s food scene.
