Women in Business: Brooke It Forward Foundation

Marie Gregory

BROOKE IT FORWARD FOUNDATION

On March 16, 2017, Marie Gregory’s life changed forever. She received a call that her youngest daughter, Brooke Posey, had been killed by a reckless driver. At the time, Marie had been practicing law for nearly 25 years and had already navigated a major career shift following Hurricane Katrina. But this loss marked a new and deeply personal turning point.

In 2019, after stepping away from the workforce for two years, Marie founded the Brooke It Forward Foundation (BIFF) to honor Brooke’s legacy. The foundation’s mission is to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ with children experiencing abuse, neglect, homelessness, and life in foster care by making sure every child feels celebrated on their birthday.

What began as a simple gesture - delivering “Birthday Boxes” to local children’s organizations like CAC Hope House, Youth Service Bureau, Samaritan Center, and Family REACH Alliance - quickly grew. To date, BIFF has delivered over 1,700 Birthday Boxes across 19 parishes.

Each box is thoughtfully packed with everything needed to create a meaningful birthday celebration: cake mix, frosting, gifts, party treats, SPRINKLES (Brooke’s favorite!), a small olive wood cross, and more. These boxes are more than just a party kit. These boxes give caregivers the tools to connect with the children in their care and create a moment of joy and bonding.

As the foundation has grown over the last six years, Marie has recognized both the deep need this mission fulfills and the importance of building a strong, sustainable organization to support it. She’s proud to have assembled an exceptional team, including a dedicated Board of Directors and a skilled Office Manager. Today, her focus is on strengthening BIFF’s leadership and infrastructure so the foundation can continue to expand its reach, while remaining deeply rooted in its purpose.

Marie’s definition of success is simple but powerful: that every child facing hardship gets to feel seen, loved, and celebrated - especially on their birthday.

HER ADVICE FOR OTHERS

“When life throws you unexpected change, let it be the start of something new. It might take you down an uncharted path, but it could also lead you to your greatest purpose.”

530 E. Rutland Street • Covington, LA, 70433 • (985) 900-2433 • brookeitforward.org