About First + Constance

First + Constance is a growth and special projects consulting firm that helps purpose-driven organizations scale, solve problems, and navigate inflection points. Whether building infrastructure, charting strategy, or driving execution, we partner with ambitious leaders to accelerate impact.

Meet the Founders

Founded by Beth Lavin and Amy Barad, First + Constance translates vision into action. We’re resourceful strategists and highly effective executors who bring integrity, curiosity, and a bias toward impact to every engagement. Together, we have decades of experience in executive leadership, project management, fundraising, operations, and administration. We met while earning our MBAs from Tulane’s Freeman School of Business and have been trusted collaborators ever since.

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  • Beth Lavin brings 20 years of experience in philanthropy, fundraising, investing, management, and operations, with deep expertise in project management, executive-level fundraising, stakeholder communications, and strategic leadership. Beth has held development roles at major national institutions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Tulane University, and has led fundraising efforts at local New Orleans organizations such as St. George’s Episcopal School and the Contemporary Arts Center. She has also served as a board member, leader, and trusted development thought partner to numerous nonprofits. She is an effective and thoughtful cultivator of ideas and relationships and is a highly-productive, resourceful and organized leader with strong communication skills, attention to detail and follow-through.

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  • Amy Barad has 20 years of experience in private and nonprofit sector leadership. She began her career in operations and global logistics before moving to New Orleans, where she has since launched and scaled high-impact nonprofits and social ventures. In 2020, she founded Trellis to provide an affordable, high-quality college experience to low-income working parents. After scaling Trellis, she sold it to national nonprofit Rivet School. Amy has also served as COO and strategy director for organizations including Tulane University’s Cowen Institute. Her areas of expertise span education, workforce development, youth development, and economic mobility. Nationally, she has contributed research to President Obama’s White House Council for Community Solutions and the Aspen Institute. She holds a BA in Urban Studies from Brown and an MBA in Strategic Management from Tulane.