About Us

John Deveney is not only DEVENEY’s president and founder; he’s a national leader known for some of the industry’s best campaigns, results and counsel in strategic marketing and communication. A South Florida native, John attended Loyola University New Orleans, graduating in 1988 (later returning for a master’s degree in mass communication).

In November 1996, John left his position at a growing agency to forge a new path. His own. In opening DEVENEY, John created a new approach to strategic communication, specializing in the areas of crisis, healthcare, higher education, tourism and hospitality. John has led on-site communications during the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, managing more than $400 million in media scrutiny in war-like conditions. For his efforts, John received his twelfth IABC Gold Quill and was named PR News’ “Agency Executive of the Year” in 2006. He also led Louisiana’s Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism through the BP oil spill nightmare, reshaping public perception and preserving the state’s $9.4 billion tourism industry.

When he’s not winning industry awards or speaking internationally, John enjoys working out hard at the gym and the dinner table.

Carrie brings 20 years of strategic marketing and communications experience to DEVENEY, with a strong focus on the hospitality and tourism industries. She has led national campaigns, strategic planning, and executive trainings for brands such as AFLAC, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock International, and Chef Emeril Lagasse.

Her work has helped drive major economic impact, generating $7 billion through her leadership with New Orleans’ tourism agency, and earned national recognition, including Top Women in PR by PR News, PR Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Association of Louisiana, and the Individual Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America.

Carrie is APR certified and a Senior Practitioner with the Southern Public Relations Federation. A graduate of LSU, she lives in New Orleans with her husband and their dog, Griffin (@griffinthegoldenirish on IG).

Anne is a seasoned marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience leading successful, multi-faceted campaigns and building strong client partnerships across a range of industries, including travel and tourism, hospitality, health care, consumer packaged goods, utilities, and more. As Director of Client Services at DEVENEY, Anne serves as the strategic liaison between clients and internal teams, overseeing account management, guiding brand strategy, and ensuring the seamless execution of integrated marketing initiatives. She leads the development of targeted, results-driven campaigns from initial planning through final delivery, balancing creative vision with business objectives to drive measurable outcomes. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Anne graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University with a B.A. in psychology and sociology, and enjoys exploring the city with her young daughter.

In true New Orleanian fashion, Lindsey returned to the city after being raised in Nashville. At DEVENEY, she manages media relations, strategic partnerships and special events for a variety of clients. Lindsey holds a B.A. in mass communication, with a concentration in public relations, from Loyola University New Orleans. She is mom to a 2-year-old son and daughter on the way. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys Zumba classes, as it feeds her passion for the performing arts.

Marina serves as digital marketing manager at DEVENEY. A strategic, multilingual marketing professional, Marina creates and implements digital and social media strategies on behalf of clients.

Marina holds a B.A. in Hospitality Management from the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and The Honors College, at Florida International University.

As a new resident of New Orleans, Marina is excited to explore all the local attractions, music and restaurants the city has to offer. In her spare time, she enjoys learning about wine, and holds a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine, and is a Level 3 candidate.

Fran Lawless joins DEVENEY as Of Counsel with more than 20 years of health administration experience. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the New Orleans Health Department and Executive Director of the Office of Health Policy and AIDS Funding (OHP) for the City of New Orleans. A veteran of federal grants, Fran administered all HIV funding for Ryan White Program which included the 8-parish eligible metropolitan area  of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. James, St. John, St. Charles, and Plaquemines. Fran also administered the Healthy Start Program for maternal and child health.

Fran has provided technical assistance to faculty and staff at colleges and universities, and most recently has appeared internationally as a guest speaker with the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) at their conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

The recipient of numerous awards, she was named one of the “Women Making a Difference” and a Healthcare Hero. She most recently served on the Governor’s Commission on HIV and Hepatitis C for Louisiana.

Fran has a master’s degree in health administration from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Fran has two adult children, Aurora, an educator in New Orleans, and Jason, an attorney in San Francisco.

Melissa Lee, APR has more than 30 years’ experience in travel and tourism, healthcare, government and corporate communications. A former broadcast journalist, Melissa is a key member of DEVENEY’s crisis response team and media training program. She is an Oklahoma State University graduate and is internationally accredited in public relations. In 2019, Melissa was named Louisiana Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc.

A DEVENEY alum, turned Founder & CEO of 10th Avenue Consulting LLC, Nick Shapiro has more than 15 years of crisis management, national security and strategic communications experience in the White House, at the CIA and in the private sector.

Previously, Shapiro was the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Director. Shapiro also served in the White House as a Senior Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Aide on the National Security Council, and he was a National Security Spokesperson for President Obama.

While in the federal government, Shapiro helped lead the Obama Administration’s response to the H1N1 Pandemic, the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, the Gulf Oil Spill, the Christmas Day “underwear bomber” Terrorist Attack, the Boston Marathon Bombing, the Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, as well as numerous cyber attacks, data breaches, wildfires, floods, and hurricanes.

Since leaving the U.S. Government in 2015, Shapiro and 10th Avenue Consulting have advised and led global crisis management for a myriad of high-profile individuals and companies.

Griffin is head doggo at DEVENEY. He joined the team in June 2022 and has been busy diminishing stress and doling out hugs (and licks) ever since. He prides himself on being competent, cuddly and cute.

Griffin is a graduate of Underdog Academy in New Orleans. In his free time, he enjoys collecting socks and sticks, and going on sniffaris around town. You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @griffinthegoldenirish.