Monica Taylor has been appointed by Governor Jeff Landry to serve as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Programs and Planning. She will be working with eight programs housed within the Governor’s office. These programs are responsible for providing leadership, support and some grant funding on various community issues related to woman and children, victims of crimes, drug abuse, disability services, and other related issues.

Previously, Ms. Taylor was the Director of Human Trafficking Prevention for the Governor’s office. Ms. Taylor was responsible for leading the states continued efforts in the fight against both labor and sex trafficking. Additionally, Ms. Taylor oversaw issues of domestic violence and sexual assault.

From 2016 to 2023, Ms. Taylor worked for the Louisiana Department of Justice where she focused sexual assault policy, human trafficking, educational outreach, grant writing, and policies/programs dealing with addictive disorders. Ms. Taylor travels the state yearly to host and teach trainings on these issues to law enforcement. Additionally, Ms. Taylor served as the Attorney General’s designee Louisiana Human Trafficking Prevention Commission and as a board member of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, and the Louisiana Alliance of Children’s Advocacy Centers.

Before returning to Louisiana, Ms. Taylor spent 9 years in Washington D.C. where she served on the legislative staff in both the U.S House of Representatives and in the United State Senate. She worked for a national campaign committee and on a presidential race. Ms. Taylor went on to serve as the fundraiser and then the legislative director for the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN).

Ms. Taylor received her undergraduate degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (currently ULL). Additionally, during that time, Ms. Taylor has completed 56 hours of PhD course work in Public Policy from University of New Orleans.