William Stoudt ’07 is often found leading service initiatives that bring the Jesuit mission to life—from helping coordinate the Alumni Thanksgiving Drive to returning to campus to speak with current Blue Jays at Career Day about using their talents in service of others.

As executive director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans, Stoudt carries that commitment into his work each day, focusing on solutions that create lasting impact for families across the region. Rather than simply repairing homes, his team prioritizes long-term resilience—replacing roofs with fortified systems and strengthening structures so they can better withstand future storms.

This forward-thinking approach helps ensure that families can remain in their homes and communities, even in the face of future disasters. Stoudt, with help from the United Way, has also helped expand collaboration across the city through the creation of the Resiliency Center, a shared space that brings together multiple nonprofit organizations working toward a common goal: building a safer, stronger New Orleans.

For Stoudt, the work is about more than construction—it’s about preserving the people and culture that define the city. He emphasizes that when residents can no longer afford to live safely in New Orleans, the entire community is affected, from local businesses to schools and neighborhoods. A thriving city, he notes, depends on the people who call it home.

Through his leadership, Stoudt is not only addressing immediate needs, but also helping shape the community’s future—an example of being a man for others in action.

This story was informed by reporting from NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.