Co-Founder, Logistics, Project Coordinator

Kila is a 38-year-old wife to Cesar Gonzales and mother of five—three living children, Maxwell (7), Mia (3), and Luke (1), and two in heaven, Gabriella and Eva Katherine. Originally from Arkansas, she has called Monroe, Louisiana, home for 18 years. She earned her Bachelor’s in Nursing from ULM in 2008 and has spent 14 years as a Registered Nurse in Cardiovascular ICU, ER, Recovery, Case Management, Marketing, and Addiction Medicine.

After years of infertility, Kila became pregnant but heartbreakingly learned at 16 weeks that her daughter, Eva Katherine, had a fatal condition, Limb Body Wall Complex. Determined to find purpose in her pain, she trained as a Certified Birth & Bereavement Doula and co-founded the nonprofit I Will Carry You with her husband, Cesar, her biggest supporter. Passionate about serving families through pregnancy and infant loss, she finds peace in honoring Eva by helping others.

Kila also co-founded The Angel’s Gala with Maranda Salters (The Zoey Renee Project), a growing event that continues to bless the Northern Louisiana community.

Co-Founder, Procurement Coordinator

Maranda is a 40-year-old mother to three living children—Keegan (10) and twins Kelbie and Shelbie (9)—and one in heaven, Zoey. A nurse for 15 years, she has specialized in geriatrics, addiction, med-surg, and Long-Term Acute Care.

Originally from Bastrop, Louisiana, she now calls Calhoun home. While living in Ohio, she founded The Zoey Renee Project after losing Zoey at six weeks to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S. Believing Zoey’s purpose was to help save other babies, Maranda’s nonprofit provided 2,000 Owlet monitors before closing in 2022.

She describes grief as “waves from Heaven”, a reminder that Zoey was real. To continue supporting bereaved parents and breaking the stigma of infant loss, Maranda co-founded The Angel’s Gala with Kila Gonzales (I Will Carry You).

Entertainment/Program Coordinator

Shady Honaker, an East Texas native, now calls West Monroe, Louisiana, home. Married to Don since 2015, she is a mother to Luke, Chandler, and Samuel (Sam), who was stillborn on January 27, 2021.

A ULM graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Shady has six years of NICU experience, including three at Willis Knighton South’s Level III regional transport center. She later earned her Master of Science in Nursing and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner certification from Northwestern State. She now serves as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner for the Louisiana Department of Health in regions 6/8, with a passion for infertility and pregnancy after loss.

In Sam’s honor, she founded the nonprofit Sam’s Love and actively serves on The Angel’s Gala committee, supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss. In her free time, she enjoys CrossFit West Ouachita, family time, and watching Friends or The Big Bang Theory.

Guest Experience & Volunteer Coordinator

April was raised in Northeast Louisiana and now calls West Monroe home. Married to Mike since 2003, they have four children: Justin (22), Kaitlyn (20), Jacob (18), and Rebekah (16).

She runs Bagby Business Solutions, helping others through bookkeeping, and enjoys connecting with families through Bagby Rental. In her free time, she loves camping, kayaking, traveling, and reading.

After losing their son, Joshua, at 19 weeks, April and Mike developed a deep compassion for families facing pregnancy and infant loss. They strive to provide comfort and give grieving families a voice. April is honored to be part of The Angel’s Gala, having seen firsthand how it unites families, removes stigma, and brings comfort in unimaginable grief.

Public Relations/Media + Sponsorship Coordinator

Chandler Gaiennie, a Northeast Louisiana native, is living her dream as a stay-at-home mom while also working as a self-taught digital creator in social media and graphic design.

Married to Jimmy since 2017, they have five children—three earthside: Adaleigh (9), Mac (6), and Sally (2 months), and two in heaven, Olivia and Teddy. Their journey through infant loss ignited a passion for supporting other grieving families.

Chandler serves on The Angel’s Gala committee as Sponsorship & PR Coordinator, while she and Jimmy also serve on the Bereavement Suite Committee, helping create a space for families navigating loss.

Decor + Guest Experience/VIP Coordinator

my Snow, a NELA native, is proud to raise her family in the Monroe/West Monroe area. She has four children, including two bonus daughters, Madi and Tiffany, and her son Ethan and daughter Chloe Grace.

As Business Manager at Strategic Counseling Solutions, Amy helps bring hope, healing, and restoration to those in need. She believes in the power of sharing stories to foster understanding, love, and grace.

Amy began as a volunteer with The Angel’s Gala and now serves as a committee member, passionate about raising awareness for infant loss. She enjoys traveling, family time, girls’ nights, and listening to live music, as well as event planning, decorating, and making cake pops. Honored to be part of such a meaningful event, Amy is committed to supporting families and honoring their angel babies.

Grant Coordinator

Staci is a single mother to three children on Earth and one angel in Heaven, Roman, who was born silent. For five years, she led Roman’s Wings of Hope, a nonprofit in Lafayette, LA, that made history by bringing the first cuddle cots to Louisiana.

In 2018, she felt God had fulfilled her son’s purpose and continues to watch his legacy unfold. After relocating to North Louisiana, Staci is honored to once again be part of the pregnancy and infant loss community, breaking the silence and reminding the world that “our babies exist, and they matter.”