BATON ROUGE — The president and chief executive of the East Baton Rouge Parish redevelopment authority, Build East Baton Rouge, announced Thursday she will step down to pursue a new career opportunity, leaving the agency at a transition point for local redevelopment efforts.
In a news release, Build EBR named Deidre Deculus Robert as the departing leader, crediting her with shoring up the institution and winning funding that supported the authority’s work. Under Robert’s tenure, the agency secured more than $1.5 million in grants, the release said.
Leadership departure amid institutional rebuilding
Board Chair Charles Landry praised Robert’s stewardship in a prepared statement, saying she had accepted responsibility during “a pivotal and challenging moment” and focused on strengthening Build EBR “from the inside out.” The organization did not specify an exact last day for Robert or outline an immediate succession plan in the release.
“Serving as President and CEO of Build East Baton Rouge has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life,” Robert said. “This was not an easy decision for me to make. But, as I prepare for a new career opportunity, I do so with deep pride in what Build EBR has accomplished and full confidence in the people who will carry the work forward.”
The departure comes at a time when redevelopment authorities across the state are juggling limited public dollars, competitive grant programs and high expectations for neighborhood revitalization. Build EBR’s role in coordinating projects, securing external funding and guiding policy decisions makes the agency’s leadership a focal point for Baton Rouge residents watching for progress on blighted properties, infrastructure gaps and economic development initiatives.
Funding and focus
The news release highlighted the authority’s success in attracting grants during Robert’s tenure. The grants are a tangible measure of the agency’s ability to bring outside resources to parish projects, though the release did not list specific grants or the projects they funded.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Leader | Deidre Deculus Robert (President & CEO) |
| Reported grant funding secured | $1.5 million+ |
| Board comment | Emphasized internal strengthening and transitional leadership |
Build EBR’s work intersects with city-parish planning, neighborhood groups and private developers. The coming weeks will be important for clarifying how ongoing projects will be managed and whether the board will appoint an interim chief or begin a national search for a permanent replacement.
- Robert’s departure raises questions about continuity for current redevelopment projects and grant administration.
- The board’s next steps will determine the pace of hiring and whether an internal leader will temporarily fill the role.
- Residents and community groups will be watching for transparency on project priorities and funding allocations.
In the statement, Robert expressed pride in the organization’s progress and confidence in the team that remains. The board’s note that she assumed leadership during a difficult period indicates the exit follows a phase of institutional stabilization, not a single controversy referenced in the release.
For Baton Rouge, the change at the top of Build EBR is more than an administrative shuffle: it is a moment that could influence how the parish leverages grants, coordinates redevelopment and engages neighborhoods seeking investment. The coming transition promises scrutiny from elected officials, neighborhood advocates and developers eager to see whether momentum carries forward.
Build EBR did not attach a timeline for recruiting new leadership or expand on which projects were tied to the cited grant funding. Local stakeholders and residents can expect updates as the board negotiates next steps and outlines an interim plan or formal search process.
As the city steams under its familiar humidity, the steady work of redeveloping neighborhoods often depends on steady leadership. With Robert stepping away, the parish faces a test: can Build EBR sustain funding momentum and community confidence through its next chapter?
