Leaders look to advance Southeast LA through regionalism, inclusion, and nonpartisanship with an experiential civic leadership program
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) has selected 52 individuals to participate in its annual Regional Leadership Program. NORLI, which is recognized as a preeminent organization for educating and connecting leaders from across the parishes of Southeast Louisiana, has brought together some of the most influential and dynamic leaders in the region to discuss key challenges and opportunities for the Greater New Orleans Area.
“While our region faces considerable challenges, it is also distinguished by unique resources, strategic geography, and a passionate community,” said NORLI Executive Director Stephen Reuther. “NORLI provides leaders with the knowledge, connections, and partnerships necessary to address our challenges, leverage our opportunities, and promote collaborative leadership that advances sound policy throughout our region and state. Through NORLI, leaders in our area develop skillsets and perspectives that not only foster personal growth but also strengthen leadership in the civic and professional arenas. Unequivocally, these leaders will define the future of our region.”
The Class of 2026 met on August 28 at the Louisiana Children’s Museum for an orientation event followed by a networking social with NORLI Alumni. The program formally begins with an opening retreat in late September. Subsequent sessions will include discussions centered on public policy, education, economic development, healthcare, criminal justice, inclusive leadership, environment, and art & culture. Through a variety of presentations, panels, tours, and activities, these topics will be explored and dissected from multiple perspectives and offer the class an open dialogue for crafting a shared vision of what the future of the New Orleans Region will look like. The program will conclude in June of 2026 with a closing retreat which will serve as a capstone event for the program.
Members of the Class of 2026 include:
Robresha Anderson, A’sani Heartbeat Foundation
Victoria Bagot, Jones Walker
James Baker, New Orleans City Council
Katie Blythe, Capital One
Blair Bourgeois, University of New Orleans Research & Technology Foundation, Inc.
Katie Boyer, Ryan Gootee General Contractors LLC
Garri Brown, Port of New Orleans
Erin Comeaux, RNGD, LLC
Kassie Cosgrove, The Root Agency
Julie Couret, Exit Momentum
Darrell Creecy, College Track New Orleans
Lacey Cunningham, Baptist Community Ministries
Demoy Dobson, Amazon
Katie Donahue , Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Aaron Frumin, unCommon Construction
Ana Gale-Orellana, Entergy Louisiana
Eric Gallagher, Ochsner Health
Kyle Gilmore, Port of New Orleans
Fred Goodrow, Mayer Building Company
Victoria Gudino, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Lissa Gunn, AOS Interior Environments
Ahmad Hatfield, Chalmette Refining LLC
Celene Hernandez, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
Kristen House, Home Bank
Neal Kirby, Entergy
Harrison Lang, Bunge
Lauren Lee, M C Bank
Helena Likaj, Odyssey House Louisiana
Janae Llopis, alignED New Orleans and Fleurish Wellness & Consulting, LLC
Annie Matherne, Gambel Communications
Lauren Maupin, St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District
LeeAnn Moss, New Orleans City Council
Jeff Mouat, Credit Human
Jocelyn Pinkerton, City of New Orleans Health Department
Krista Pouncy-Dyson, Performance First Digital
Chante’ Powell, Admired Strategies LLC
Elizabeth Ramoni, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
Wanda Rose, Jefferson Community Health Care Centers
Adam Salup, Ochsner Health
Courtney Scrubbs, LGC Ltd
Lynn Spearman, Community Sailing New Orleans
Brian Swaim, Ochsner Health St Bernard Parish Hospital
Heather Sweeney, Bureau of Governmental Research
RoseAngel Taylor, NewCorp, Inc.
Alexandra Tengco, Multistudio
Tracy Tingstrom, NOLA Public Schools
Jason Trew, Savannah College of Art and Design
Leighanne Weeks, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West
Juliana White, Southeastern Louisiana University
Macey Williams, Center for Planning Excellence
Kelly Wilson, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans
Alicia Wood, Louisiana Blue
For more information about NORLI, please visit norli.org.
About the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute
The New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing community leaders the opportunity to identify, collaborate and address key issues for the betterment of the Greater New Orleans Region. NORLI draws upon a diverse group of stakeholders from around the ten-parish region to engage in thought-provoking personal and professional development programs covering topics such as public policy, health care, education, diversity and equity, environment and sustainability, economic development and criminal justice.