About ME
James R. Welch jr.
James Welch | President, Join Compassion – New Orleans, LA
James Welch is a leader, communicator, and city advocate driven by one core passion: helping people flourish. As President of Join Compassion in New Orleans, James brings years of visionary leadership to the intersection of faith, community, and public life.
Born and raised along the banks of the Mississippi River in Hayti, Missouri, James grew up in an entrepreneurial home. His father owned several businesses—yes, even movie rental stores—where James learned firsthand the value of hard work, communication, and serving people. That early exposure to retail and the rhythm of the public square sparked a lifelong passion for leadership and connection.
Drawn to cities from a young age, James has spent the last two decades nurturing voices of courageous compassion in urban spaces. His mission is simple yet profound: to inspire people to care deeply, act boldly, and lead with conviction.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, James founded the Convergence Center for the Arts, followed by the Harbor Community Collective—both focused on renewal, creativity, and community healing. His writings have been featured in outlets such as The Christian Post, and he’s contributed op-eds on culture, faith, and leadership.
When he's not serving his city or mentoring leaders, James is a devoted fan of the LSU Tigers, New Orleans Saints, and St. Louis Cardinals. He finds joy in jogging, photography, drawing, writing, fishing, and most of all, spending time with family and friends.
James holds a B.S. in Organizational Management and a Master of Theology from Campbellsville University. He married his high school sweetheart, Amy, and they make their home in the vibrant Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans. They’ve raised three remarkable young adult children who all love New Orleans and cities.
New Orleans, LA
When I think of the New Orleans, I acknowledge the imperfections—but creativity and color dance in the streets intermingled.
I think of the subtle crescent city winds among ancient oaks bursting forth with green leaves, golden rays peering through their gnarled branches, azaleas erupting in harmonious splendor. Architecture caresses the eye with a pantone of delight, sunrises are an inhale of the spectacle and sunsets look as delicious as they do enchanting.
While the city is raw, it is a kaleidoscope of design and energy. Colorful street art, Mardi Gras Indians, 2nd Line Steppers, Snoballs, sweet fruit, crabs once vibrant blue transform into bright red at the touch of boiling water.
Those that call New Orleans home live in a whimsical land of wonder. There is nowhere like New Orleans.
Coaching Thought Leaders and Creatives
Our present technological world offers extraordinary opportunities. It furthers limitless possibilities for information and connection. However, it can be a path to toxic reactions. Fear, worry, guilt, shame, anxiety, and insecurity can take root from the constant call of more. We can find oursleves pushing, rushing, consuming, and overthinking. We are assaulted with never ending content and stimulation. It leads us to be fixated on the external.
I hope to see people learn to generate creative thoughts internally and refine them collaboratively.
I walk with individuals and cohorts to maximize innovation and implementation of ideas.