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Allison Lindsay Traxler, a 1989 graduate of St. Joseph’s Academy, was among the Catholic school graduates honored at the 2024 Distinguished Graduates Awards Dinner on January 29 at The Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel. The annual celebration is held during Catholic Schools Week each year.

Honored as Distinguished Graduates by their elementary schools were SJA graduates Christina DiVincenti O’Brien ’99 (Sacred Heart of Jesus School) and Joanne Martin Roberts ’74 (St. Aloysius School).

Allison has more than 28 years’ experience in non-profit leadership, including her current role as executive director of Capital Area Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), in which she makes a significant impact on the lives of children. The mission of CASA is to recruit, train and supervise volunteers to advocate for the timely placement of foster children in safe, permanent homes. Prior to this, Allison served for 16 years as the vice president and chief development officer of Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana. She previously held marketing or development positions with Our Lady of Mercy School, Ochsner Foundation and the American Red Cross.

Her active involvement in local organizations reflects a dedication to community service, fostering positive change in education and social services. She is deeply connected to her school and church parish, embodying the values instilled by each.

“Living out my faith in the community started many years ago at St. Joseph’s Academy when I became involved in Key Club as club president,” Allison said. “Being able to organize a like-minded group of friends with the mission of helping or serving another group of vulnerable people was a way for me to see God’s love through my actions. Living out my faith through servant leadership has been a part of every professional role I have had in my career, and I hope this has been a way for me to inspire people to advocate for others without a voice.”

Allison is a graduate of Leadership Baton Rouge, the first cohort for the Louisiana Alliance for Non-Profits and the VOA Executive Leadership program. She currently serves on several local boards and is the recipient of the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from the Association of

Fundraising Professionals. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Attic Trash and Treasure, Quota Club, Catholic High School Mothers’ Club, Elan Cotillion board and Kappa Sigma Mothers’ Club. She has held board or chair positions with Volunteers of America, Our Lady of Mercy, the Junior League of Baton Rouge, St. Joseph’s Academy and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Allison graduated from LSU and is a Pi Beta Phi alumna. She enjoys volunteering and spending time with her husband, Jon, a physician, and children, Emma Callegan, a 2018 SJA graduate, Wesley Callegan, a 2020 Catholic High School graduate; and Grey Traxler, CHS class of 2026. She is an avid dog lover and has two Bernedoodles, a bichon and a Labrador retriever.