About Our Staff

Melanie A. Talia
Chief Executive Officer 

melanie@nopjf.org

Melanie A. Talia is the Chief Executive Officer of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. She directs the Foundation in its ongoing role as a principal fiduciary agent, negotiator and advisor to all members of the criminal justice system in Orleans Parish.

Prior to joining the NOPJF, Ms. Talia was an Assistant District Attorney in Orleans Parish for 17 years where she prosecuted capital cases and other violent crimes. As Chief of the Screening Division she managed undercover investigations, conducted joint investigations with the United States Attorney’s Office and advised the Grand Jury, New Orleans Police Department and staff attorneys on legal matters. As Chief of the Economic Crime Unit Ms. Talia reviewed and prosecuted “white collar crimes” including insurance fraud and tax evasion. Ms. Talia was recognized as Prosecutor of the Year by Victims and Citizens Against Crime for her prosecution of misconduct by public officials.

Ms. Talia is a native of New Orleans. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of New Orleans and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola School of Law. She is a faculty member for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, an adjunct faculty member of Tulane University School of Law and a member of the New Orleans Leadership Council for the Louisiana Center for Women and Government. Ms. Talia was appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Council Against Domestic Violence in 1995 and continues to be an outspoken advocate to stop family violence.

Annette C. Bodden 
Chief Financial Officer/Vice President

annette@nopjf.org

 Ms. Bodden joined NOPJF in early 2002. Prior to joining NOPJF, she held executive level financial positions in the commercial and residential real estate, property/casualty insurance, public utility and automotive industries. She most recently was the SFO for Columbus Properties, owned by local commercial real estate developer and hotel owner, Joseph C. Canizaro.

Ms. Bodden is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of Louisiana. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans with honors. She was admitted to the University of New Orleans MBA Program and also completed the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Financial Management Training Seminar.

Ms. Bodden is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.

Nathaniel Weaver
Manager, Grants & Capacitu Building Initiatives 

nathaniel@nopjf.org

As the Program Manager for Hurricane Criminal Justice Infrastructure Recovery and US Department of Justice COPS Technology grants, Nathaniel Weaver manages wide ranging efforts to rebuild and enhance the capacity of criminal justice agencies in Orleans Parish.  These grant initiatives include targeted projects to integrate information technologies, facilitate improved business processes between agencies, address criminal justice staffing needs and provide training and technical assistance for criminal justice professionals.  

Before joining the NOPJF, Mr. Weaver worked in the City's Office of Criminal Justice Coordination.  During his tenure with the City of New Orleans he served alternately as the Grant Manager for Edward Byrne Violent Crime and Drug Control formula grants, Crime Victim Assistance Project Manager and Domestic Violence Program Coordinator. 

Benjamin Geary
Orleans Parish Information Sharing and Integrated Systems (OPISIS) Project Coordinator

ben@nopjf.org

Benjamin Geary is the Orleans Parish Information Sharing and Integrated Systems (OPISIS) Project Coordinator at the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. As the Project Coordinator he facilitates and works on the many proprietary OPISIS information technology initiatives as well as many it interacts with. Mr. Geary also performs grant management, project task management, strategic planning, and criminal justice interagency liaison functions for the OPISIS project.

Prior to joining the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, Mr. Geary spent two years at a New Orleans plaintiff’s law firm working on disaster and insurance litigation. His experience included administrative, project management, and marketing responsibilities, as well as legal services for over  6,000 clients in various types of litigation. Mr. Geary graduated from Beloit College with degrees in Creative Writing and Philosophy and Religious Studies.