Women We Admire is pleased to announce The Top 50 Women Leaders of Louisiana for 2023. Holder of the world’s busiest port system, and one of the most important trading stations in the country, Louisiana is a critical link to the larger economy. Many of this year’s awardees are at the helm of some of the state’s largest organizations, including Ochsner Health System, Tulane University and Louisiana Children’s Medical Center. These leaders embody the courage, passion, commitment, and confidence that set them apart from others. Their unwavering dedication propels their organizations toward continued success year after year.
Among this year’s awardees is Cheri Johnson, Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer of Woman's Hospital, whose passion for women and infants inspires her to serve on various committees and task forces, including Baby Safe Haven, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and March of Dimes, to name a few. Awardee Katie Walmsley, Chief Financial Officer of KIPP New Orleans, is accountable for an operating budget of $72 million that supports over 600 employees across the school support center and 12 schools and serves more than 5,400 students. Also awarded is Lisa Neyhart, Senior Vice President of Asset Management at PosiGen, who has been a key player in the company’s expansion from 3,000 solar customers to a portfolio of 20,000 solar customers across five states.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of The Top 50 Women Leaders of Louisiana for 2023.
1. Kimberly Gramm
Chief Innovation & Entrepreneur Officer and VP, Tulane University
Kimberly Gramm began her professional career 18 years ago. Today, she is the Chief Innovation & Entrepreneur Officer and VP of Tulane University. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Tulane University is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities in the nation. With research and educational partnerships that span the globe and its location in historic New Orleans, Tulane offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees in the liberal arts, science and engineering, architecture, business, law, social work, medicine and public health and tropical medicine.
Gramm first got her start in 2005 as a corporate marketing manager at UPS. From there, she went on to Florida Atlantic University, before eventually rising to associate vice president of innovation & entrepreneurship at Texas Tech University, her most recent position prior to joining Tulane University. Gramm graduated from the University of Tampa - John H. Sykes College of Business with an MBA in finance and from the University of South Florida with an undergraduate degree in marketing.
2. Suzanne Haggard
Chief Revenue Officer, LCMC Health
Suzanne Haggard currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer for LCMC Health, overseeing revenue cycle operations for the system’s five hospitals and ambulatory clinics. Suzanne has worked for LCMC Health/Touro Infirmary for 18+ years, driving tremendous growth and increased profitability by strengthening and improving the cost structure and revenue cycle processes.
Prior to her current role, Suzanne served as CFO at LCMC Health and CFO at Touro Infirmary. Additionally, she has worked as a healthcare management and revenue cycle consultant for both nonprofit and for-profit healthcare systems. In 2014, Suzanne was honored by New Orleans CityBusiness as one of its Healthcare Heroes, an award given to industry standouts in the New Orleans metropolitan area. In 2017, she was honored by the same publication as one of its top Women in Business and in 2019, Suzanne received its Money Makers Award. She was also named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 150 Hospitals and Health System CFOs to Know. In 2020, she was named again by Becker's Hospital Review as one of 20 Women in Healthcare Finance to Know. Suzanne graduated from Mississippi State University with an undergraduate degree in computer science and a master’s degree in accounting and finance.
3. Dina Eppley
Chief Tax Officer, Accenture
Dina Eppley started her career in 1990 in the Tax group of Arthur Andersen as an intern while pursuing a degree in accounting from the University of New Orleans. She now has over 30 years in corporate tax leading and supporting domestic and international tax planning and compliance activities, navigating highly complex jurisdictions, providing strategic insight and guidance on complex tax matters, and building and leading tax teams, processes and policies. She currently serves as the Chief Tax Officer of Accenture. Dina graduated from the University of New Orleans with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
4. Stephanie Manson
President, Our Lady of Lourdes Health
Stephanie Manson serves as President of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital along with an employed network of almost 150 providers. The collective market is known as Our Lady of Lourdes Health. Manson has been part of our health system since 1998.
Prior to leading Our Lady of Lourdes Health, Manson was COO for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Her distinguished healthcare career began at Our Lady of the Lake with an administrative fellowship and served in roles with executive responsibilities across both acute and ambulatory areas including the complex planning and implementation for Our Lady of the Lake’s public-private partnership with the state of Louisiana and the LSU School of Medicine. Manson has also served as COO and VP of operations for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System where she led successful implementation of the single electronic health record, Epic, across our Louisiana markets.
Manson received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Louisiana State University and an MBA and a master’s in health administration from the University of Alabama Birmingham. In addition, she is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
5. Vanessa Phillips
Vice President & Branch Executive, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Vanessa Phillips is the Vice President and Branch Executive of Liberty Mutual Insurance for Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. She has 18 years of experience. She began her career in 2005. Before joining Liberty Mutual Insurance, Phillips was a divisional sales manager of professional liability at Gilsbar Specialty Insurance Services, LLC. She graduated from the University of New Orleans with an undergraduate degree in psychology and from Our Lady of the Lake College with an undergraduate degree in biology.
6. Nga Vu
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ochsner Health System
Nga Vu earned her undergraduate degree from Loyola University in 1999 and completed her master’s degree in health administration from Tulane University in 2001. She continued her career in Health Care Administration for the last 10 years working at Ochsner Health Systems in Louisiana in Clinical Operations.
Nga currently serves as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She is also currently completing her Doctorate in Executive Leadership and Organization Studies at the George Washington University in Washington DC. She is currently a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, National Association of Health Service Executives, and the National Speakers Association. In 2004, she was also awarded the Ochsner Community Leadership Award for all her services to her community.
7. Gwen Guillotte
SVP of Payor Strategies & Chief Revenue Officer, LHC Group
Gwen Guillotte is the SVP of Payor Strategies and Chief Revenue Officer of LHC Group. She first joined the company in 2017 as VP of payor strategies. LHC Group, Inc. is a national provider of in-home healthcare services and innovations for communities around the nation, offering quality, value-based healthcare to patients primarily within the comfort and privacy of their home or place of residence.
Previously, Guillotte was a director of healthcare policy and services at The Picard Group and before that an SVP of revenue cycle services at Schumacher Group. Earlier in her career she worked with Standard & Poor's Corporate Value Consulting as a senior associate. Guillotte earned an MBA in finance and an undergraduate degree in economics from Tulane University.
8. Laura Valenti
Vice President of Sales & Digital Marketing, HGS Digital
Laura Valenti has combined her corporate experience, psychology, and business degrees to educate, focus, and poise students, franchisees, and small businesses for success. For over a decade, Laura was a marketing professor at Nicholls State University, holding the John C. Daigle Endowed Professorship and directed the university's sales program. In this role, she trained students on how to sell a product (SaaS) through SPIN and consultative selling. She brought students around the country to compete with their sales training and helped them connect to industry. Across 12 courses spanning the marketing gambit, Laura taught many facets to marketing and created the university's social media curriculum. Additionally, she taught marketing strategy to graduate and executive MBA students.
Laura’s capabilities stem from over 20 years of business experience in marketing, sales, recruiting, and entrepreneurship. She has professionally been immersed in strategy, branding, SEO/PPC, social media, in/outbound marketing, branding, lead generation, product and program development/growth, B2B and B2C marketing - most often in an executive capacity via a servant leadership style.
9. Eugenie Guillot
Vice President, Lockton Companies
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans, and the devastation was far-reaching. Eugenie Guillot had started her career in the health insurance field a few weeks before the storm. With close to 80% of the city under water, Eugenie discussed her career choices with her father, Louis Guillot. He said, “You are a leader. Your city is devastated, and people are going to need help.”
Eugenie knew exactly what to do. She made the life-changing decision to pivot her focus and earn her property and casualty license. She was quickly hired as a claims adjuster. After a year and a half working in claims, Eugenie decided to pursue her interest in employee benefits and was hired by an HMO company as their group employer sales representative.
Her position quickly grew from working with small employers to working with the largest and most complex companies in the state. After achieving national recognition for her leadership and sales success, Eugenie was named the #1 sales representative in the country. Achieving several positive performance reviews, she was promoted to management and led a multistate sales and account management team. After her employer was acquired by a Fortune 500 national insurance company, Eugenie was promoted to market head, leading the sales and account management teams for four states. She was the youngest market head in the country and one of only three women to hold the position at that time. Her extensive knowledge in alternative funding arrangements, self-funding, pharmacy, high-cost claims management and technology made her an ideal participant in business forums, and she was invited to speak at numerous professional forums and national business events.
In 2015, Eugenie joined Lockton Companies as Vice President and Producer, where she continues to inspire her fellow associates and passionately help her clients make their businesses better. With 20 years of experience, Eugenie is one of the most respected and trusted advisors in the region. Through her devotion to her clients and colleagues, Eugenie has impacted countless lives. Her mentor-like approach and servant leadership influence positive changes in every life she touches. Eugenie is involved in numerous charities and pays forward her gratitude through her and her husband’s Charitable Trust. Eugenie’s honesty, intelligence and fierce client loyalty have been the root of her long-term client relationships.
10. Cheri Johnson
SVP of Patient Care & Chief Nursing Officer, Woman's Hospital
Cheri Johnson joined Woman’s in 2006 and has over 25 years of nursing experience. Prior to being named Chief Nursing Officer, Johnson served as woman’s VP of perinatal services, overseeing all aspects of the hospital experience for women before and after birth, and as director of obstetrical services. Woman's delivers more than 8,000 babies each year, making it the 16th largest delivery service in the nation and the largest in Louisiana, and performs more than 7,600 surgeries annually.
Johnson was named Louisiana State Nurses Association Nurse of the Year in 2011, and is an exceptional leader and a passionate advocate for women and infants. Johnson has worked tirelessly to support Woman’s mission within the community and region by serving on various committees and task forces including Baby Safe Haven, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Fetal Infant Mortality Review, March of Dimes, Medicaid Quality OB/MFM Subcommittee, Perinatal Associated Mortality Review Subcommittee and the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative.
Johnson also leads several health care initiatives to improve perinatal outcomes with a significant decrease in perinatal harm. She received the 2006 Safe Motherhood Champion Award from the American College of Nurse-Midwives and White Ribbon Alliance, and the 2006 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award from the March of Dimes. She currently serves as a Community Advisory board member of Louisiana Lighthouse for the Blind. Additionally, she has spoken nationally on numerous topics concerning the healthcare of obstetrical patients and their infants.
11. Tammi Griffin-Major
Chief Operating Officer, Algiers Charter School Association
Tamara Griffin-Major is an experienced educator, leader, strategist, and community-relations expert with a proven track-record of setting and achieving systems’ goals, working with community organizations and agencies to formulate mutually beneficial partnerships, and developing relationships among groups that formulate a powerful collective/collaborative. Tamara is single-minded in her efforts to benefit the children of the City of New Orleans while having the uncanny ability to foresee and understand how seemingly extraneous factions interconnect. Her vision and passion have led her from the classroom, where she taught mathematics, to the central office where she currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Algiers Charter School Association.
Tamara Griffin-Major earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics education from Southern University of New Orleans, a master’s degree in educational administration from Xavier University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Education in executive leadership at the University of Holy Cross.
Born, raised, and educated in the City of New Orleans, Tamara is a devoted wife and mother who wants the same incredible education she received for every child and works tirelessly to build the substructure from which every child can soar.
12. Maddy Devine
VP, Strategic Finance, Calibrate
Maddy Devine began her professional career 14 years ago. Today, she is the VP of Strategic Finance of Calibrate, a modern, medical metabolic health business changing the way the world treats weight. Devine first got her start in 2009 as a New Orleans corps member at Teach For America. From there, she went on to become a data manager, before eventually rising to become a VP of finance at Bevy, her most recent position prior to joining Calibrate.
Devine graduated from Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business with an MBA in finance and social entrepreneurship and from Boston College with an undergraduate degree in economics and English.
13. Kristen Riegel
Chief Philanthropy Officer, Second Harvest Food Bank
A member of the Executive Leadership, Kristen Riegel joined Second Harvest Food Bank after more than fifteen years of development experience. After several years in event fundraising and major gifts for University of Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center and Rice University, Kristen spent eight years raising funds for social service organizations. A native of New Orleans, she brings her years of major-market experience in fundraising to the mission of Second Harvest. She is a graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and attended LSU for both undergraduate and graduate school.
14. Katie Walmsley
Chief Financial Officer, KIPP New Orleans
Katie Walmsley is the Chief Financial Officer of KIPP New Orleans Schools, which serves as the city’s largest network of open-enrollment public charter schools and educates over 10% of New Orleans’ public school students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. As CFO, Katie is accountable for an operating budget of $72 million that supports over 600 employees across the school support center and 12 schools and serves over 5400 students.
Prior, Katie served as finance and administrative officer of Teach For America-Greater New Orleans where she led efforts to raise and manage $58 million by aligning the priorities of funders with TFA's strategy, bringing over 1200 education leaders to Greater New Orleans. Earlier in her career, Katie joined the founding team of a web-based talent recruitment startup, raising $5 million, growing registered users to one hundred thousand, and spearheading online marketing, communications and product redesign. Prior, she held managerial positions in finance and operations at McMaster-Carr, a large supplier to commercial facilities worldwide, increasing productivity and managing quality and profitability.
Katie began working in education to advance access to opportunity and equity in the city of New Orleans. Through her work on the board of directors of Propeller from 2011 to 2017, she oversaw the launch of their Accelerator programs and incubation of 100+ ventures tackling social and environmental disparities. In 2017, Katie joined the board of directors of College Beyond, which helps New Orleans youth enroll and succeed in college, and the Crescent City Corps, which is building a talent pipeline that creates the next generation of law enforcement leaders. Katie was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with an undergraduate degree in business economics.
15. Lisa Neyhart
SVP of Asset Management, PosiGen
Lisa Neyhart is the Senior Vice-President of Lease Management for PosiGen. She is one of the leaders in the company’s mission of providing residential solar and energy efficiency for low- and moderate-income homeowners. During her tenure at PosiGen, Lisa built the company’s Customer Care, Monitoring and Maintenance, Field Services, and Asset Management departments from the ground up. Under her tutelage, the company has expanded from 3,000 solar customers to a portfolio of 20,000 solar customers across five states. Lisa leads a team of 60 employees and is currently spearheading the development of an educational platform to help teach PosiGen’s customers energy savings techniques to reduce energy costs and their carbon footprint.
A decorated leader in customer service and collections, Lisa’s career has spanned over 30 years. During this time, she gained extensive knowledge of managing LMI customers. As a top executive with Utica Rentals Systems, Lisa worked her way up from sales representative to district manager to VP of the western region. After opening her own franchise and becoming president and owner of Success Rentals, Inc., her stores were highlighted as a Top Ten Franchise multiple times.
Lisa has also been recognized for Revenue Increase and Growth and Profitability with multiple awards. In addition, she has been featured in The Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (ARPO) magazine as one of the first women to break into the male-dominated rental industry successfully. Lisa is also a past president of New York Rental Dealers Association.
16. Amber Bonnette
Senior Vice President, M Booth
Amber Bonnette is the Senior Vice President of M Booth. She first joined the company in 2011 as an account executive. M Booth is a culture-first communications agency that attracts the best people and the best brands to a workplace that’s alive with courage, ideas, respect and humanity. They are relentlessly passionate about their clients and their business, whether that means staying at the forefront of the digital and social evolution, sharpening their earned storytelling skills or unleashing game-changing insights that result in campaigns that win in the marketplace.
Previously, Bonnette was a public relations account executive at BBR Creative and before that an associate director at Lafayette Education Foundation. She earned an undergraduate degree in public relations and communication from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
17. Queenie Razel Olalo
Vice President, Sales, SchoolMint
Queenie Razel Olalo is the Vice President of Sales at SchoolMint. Queenie has dedicated their career to working with underserved communities and advocating for educational equity. Her experience in working with diverse populations and commitment to educational equity makes her a valuable asset to SchoolMint. Under their leadership, the organization has been able to reach more students and families in need of its services.
Before joining SchoolMint, Queenie was the community academic director at The DREAM Project. In this role, they oversaw an educational camp of 125 primary school students, coordinated a book donation program that reached 1,000 students, and initiated a community outreach program to enroll at-risk youth in professional capacitation courses. Queenie also managed 4 cultural exchange and community service trips for 80 students and 10 educators from international schools.
Queenie earned an undergraduate degree in English language and literature from UC Santa Barbara. She is certified in TESOL/TEFL from Global Leadership College.
18. Tonja Jackson
Chief Operating Officer, Generations Security Consultants
Tonja Jackson brings more than 19 years of experience to Generations Security Consultants (GSC). A proven mentor, leader and outstanding record of providing excellent customer service. Prior to joining GSC, Tonja served in several leadership roles including operations manager of seven physicians clinics, regional director of clinical operations and director of nursing services in long term care. Tanya has been successful in leading, budgeting, coordinating, and coaching others throughout the business. Proven, strong, and committed, she oversees all operational and administrative functions of GSC.
19. Cynthia Fontcuberta DiCarlo
Professor & Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, Louisiana State University
Cynthia Fontcuberta DiCarlo holds the Diane Toups Goyette Professorship in Early Childhood Education and is the Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool at LSU. DiCarlo also serves as the coordinator of the Early Childhood Education Teacher Education Program and her research focuses on interventions to improve outcomes for young children and clarification and innovations in recommended practices in early childhood.
Prior to joining LSU, Cynthia was a clinical assistant professor at LSU Health Sciences Center. She has been recognized for her research, teaching and service; her research on children's attention during whole group instruction received the 2012 Research Paper of the Year from the Journal of Research in Childhood Education; she was recognized for excellence in teaching receiving the Tiger Athletic Foundation Teaching Award (2010). Additionally, she has received recognition for her service, receiving the College of Human Sciences and Education Faculty Service Award (2016) and the Louisiana Champions of Service Volunteer of the Year: Plantation Region (2013).
Dr. DiCarlo has incorporated her passion for research into the courses she teaches and her work in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Since its inception in 2014, Dr. DiCarlo has mentored 67 undergraduate students who have subsequently presented at LSU Discover Day. She currently serves on the editorial boards for Infants & Young Children, the Journal of Teacher Action Research, and Beyond Behavior.
20. Judy Schott
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, HealthComp
Judy Schott serves as Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives facilitating the integration of several HealthComp areas focusing on operations. She has a deep knowledge of third-party administration especially claims, eligibility, customer contact centers and compliance. As Chief Operating Officer at Gilsbar, Judy oversaw the property and casualty division as well as operations for the health and life division. She is particularly skilled in sales and underwriting of property and casualty, corporate compliance, licensing, and HIPAA Privacy.
Judy’s insurance industry experience began as a professional liability loss prevention counsel for the Louisiana State Bar Association as well as practiced law in New Orleans. She has lectured widely and published articles on a variety of topics including HIPAA Privacy, professional liability, and risk management. She received her undergraduate degree in accounting and graduated from Loyola University School of Law.
21. Dana Neucere
Chief Financial Officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
In a career spanning more than twenty years, Dana Neucere has held positions of increasing scope and responsibility within the healthcare industry while working for many high-profile organizations. She possesses an MBA from the University of Southern California, as well as an undergraduate degree in accounting from Louisiana State University.
Dana Currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. She previously served as CFO at Tenet healthcare/Coast Healthcare Managemen. She previously served as Partner at Tatum LLC, CFO at New Century Health, CFO and controller at Monarch Healthcare, and executive director at Keck School of Medicine – University of Southern California, among others.
In all of her positions, Dana has been involved in all aspects of financial management, and has presided over financial operations which have consistently met the highest in organizational expectations. She is also adept in taking on new or underperforming operations, facilitating new programs and practices, and seeing all organizations to their peak performance potential in an ever-changing environment.
22. Jonna Turner
VP & Commercial Relationship Manager, Fidelity Bank
Jonna Turner is a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager for Fidelity Bank. Since 1908, Fidelity Bank’s mission has been to remain the long-term institution of choice in the marketplace. Fidelity Bank is client focused, community minded, financially stable, and operationally sound.
Jonna has been in finance for 25 years, specializing in commercial lending for over 20 years. She plays an active role in the Greater New Orleans community where she resides. She has served on several boards, both past and present, including Leadership Northshore Alumni Association, Olde Towne Main Street, Steel Mimosas, Junior Auxiliary of Slidell, Emerging Young Professionals, and Camellia City Kiwanis Club. She is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Northshore, was nominated for the Athena Leadership award in 2017, and has been a volunteer for East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity as part of their “Rosie the Riveter” Women’s build program for the past 4 years.
23. Angela Weber
Chief Marketing Officer, OrthoSynetics
Angela Weber joined the OrthoSynetics (OSI) team in 2000. As Chief Marketing Officer, she leads a marketing team of 17 seasoned professionals that encompass every discipline in the field. Weber is also responsible for all strategic public relations initiatives and marketing tactics executed in the promotion of the corporate brand. Weber transformed the service offerings of OrthoSynetics into a comprehensive, full-service advertising agency.
Weber has over 15 years of experience in the advertising industry with a vast knowledge of current and past trends, philosophies and strategies for marketing within the healthcare industry. Her expertise is in motivation and pushing the envelope. She approaches each day with a ‘whatever it takes’ mind set.
Prior to joining OrthoSynetics, Weber worked for an advertising agency on both the creative and sales side of the business. She led the agency efforts in developing new business leads and attracting a diverse clientele to increase gross profits and market share. It was here she learned the inner workings of an advertising agency which would later be the inspiration for the OrthoSynetics marketing department business model which is unlike any other.
24. Lauren Gibbs
Chief Executive Officer, Gibbs Construction
Lauren Gibbs is the second-generation owner and CEO of Gibbs Construction. A daughter of company founder Lawrence C. Gibbs, she took the helm in July 2019. Lauren came to Gibbs in 2011 after starting her career in Nashville, where she earned both an undergraduate degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in engineering/construction management from Vanderbilt University, and worked in project management for American Constructors. She also has an MBA from the University of New Orleans.
At Gibbs, Lauren has served as an estimator, project coordinator, project engineer, project manager, and executive in charge, and was named a vice president in October 2017. She is gifted with innate organizational skills which are complimented by her ability to quickly and clearly perceive the basic components of complex topics. She is a leader and collaborator with the insight and experience to elevate the team.
Energetic, enthusiastic, bold and aggressive, Lauren has the ability to see the big picture while also handling minute details very well. She is tenacious, digging into details, and diving deeper than most. She goes above and beyond the call of duty, both from the technical aspect and the task completion aspect, driving toward the resolution of issues and problems and pushing for completion.
25. Valerie Wheatley
Chief Operating Officer, Clover New Orleans
As a skilled civic and community leader with over 25 years of executive management experience, Valerie Wheatley provides leadership and direction as the Chief Operating Officer. Wheatley is a key contributor to the organization’s strategic growth, sustainability and impact as she is responsible for all daily programmatic, administrative and financial operations. In 2016, she oversaw the development and construction of Clover’s Patrick F. Taylor Campus, a 24000 sq. ft. facility that houses an early childhood learning and an adult day health care center. She currently leads a programmatic and operational shift to support the two generation, whole family approach across all programs and services.
Wheatley received her master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in state and local finance from Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In 2020, Valerie was recipient of the New Orleans Women of the Year Award, and in 2008, she was honored as CFO of the Year by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Valerie is an alumna of the Campaign for Equity NOLA and is a current member of the Campaign’s Economic Development and Business Equity Team. Valerie is also a member of the Educare Learning Network’s Educare Governance Council, the leadership body that fosters shared governance among the national network of Educare Schools, Start Early and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund.
26. Christina Bolling
VP & Chief Administrative Officer, DSC Dredge
As Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of DSC Dredge, Christina Bolling's day-to-day responsibilities include oversight of various organizational functions including human resources, marketing, health, safety & environmental, project management, corporate administration and leadership development. She served the first five years with DSC as the corporate HR director where she fostered an integrated culture throughout DSC headquarters and three production facilities in Reserve, LA, Greenbush, MI and Poplarville, MS. With over 20 years of proven leadership experience, Christina's substantial knowledge and expertise reinforces DSC culture of cross-departmental excellence.
In addition to Bolling's experience and leadership at DSC Dredge she is also co-owner of an executive consulting firm, Winning Work Teams, Inc., and is active with various international nonprofit organizations including Dress for Success Worldwide and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Coming from a large southern-based family, Christina believes family is fundamental and among her goals at DSC one is to help nurture a family friendly culture.
27. Rhonda Hotard
President & CEO, Louisiana Federal Credit Union
Rhonda Hotard is a proven visionary and strategic leader that translates business strategies into results aimed at maximizing strong growth commensurate with the best interest of members, staff, and the community. She currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Louisiana Credit Union where she is dedicated to maintaining a reputation built on quality, service, and uncompromising ethics.
Rhonda has a strong ability to interpret and apply the policies of the board of directors and to guide and develop long-range planning and evaluate activities in terms of objectives. She directs management in a manner that achieves superior financial results and creates exceptional member experiences. Rhoda creates and maintains professional relationships and community partners that complement the initiatives of the credit union and promotes the credit union philosophy.
28. Elise Bouchner
Managing Partner, EXCELERANT
Elise Bouchner is an advisor to business owners and an expert in meeting facilitation and business strategy. As a former business attorney specializing in employment law, she applies her experience in providing employers legal counsel and training to helping companies identify and execute a plan of action that aligns strategy with people resources. Elise’s unique background brings a different skill set to the executive table. Her role is to help executives leverage the unique talent and resources of both their team and EXCELERANT to establish and accomplish their mission-critical company goals.
Elise is passionate about working with small to medium-sized business owners and executives as they focus on the people side of their business. She believes that EXCELERANT’s customers are the experts in their business and that her role is to work together with them to design and implement a practical, proactive plan to achieve the business and people-related results they desire.
29. Michele Casi
Chief Executive Officer, Property One
Michele Casi has been practicing commercial real estate since 1996 and joined Property One, Inc. in 2018 as the director of operations for Baton Rouge. She was promoted to managing director of Property Management in 2019 and was appointed CEO in 2021, where she oversees the property management division and its makeup of diverse properties.
Casi possesses an extensive background in commercial real estate including brokerage, portfolio management, facility and property management, due diligence, performance reporting, distressed assets and restructuring. She is also adept with extensive leasing knowledge and innovative marketing techniques.
In her previous experience, Casi worked with the management and disposition of large REIT portfolios for major companies such as Trammell Crow Company and Brookfield Asset Management.
30. Bianca Guidry
VP of Client Strategy & Operations, Bridg
Bianca Guidry is the VP of Client Strategy and Operations of Bridg, a data and audience platform built exclusively for brick-and-mortar retailers and their CPG partners that powers retail media success. The platform solves a longstanding – challenge identifying and targeting in-store customers that aren't part of loyalty or rewards programs – using their exclusive offline resolution capabilities and clients' point of sale (POS) data. Bridg clients can leverage credit and debit cards to expand their loyalty database, launch targeting measures previously reserved for program members, optimize media spend and accelerate top-line growth. Guidry has 12 years of experience. She began her career in 2011.
Before joining Bridg, Guidry was a VP of client strategy at Relevant Mobile and before that a director at Mackinac Partners. Earlier in her career she worked with Digital Media Management as a digital manager. Guidry graduated from the University of San Francisco with an undergraduate degree in design.
31. Laura Shanteler
Chief Learning Officer, NurseHub
Laura Shanteler is the Chief Learning Officer of NurseHub. NurseHub’s goal is to help individuals pass their nursing entry exam. Before joining NurseHub, Shanteler was an educator in residence at Jacob Burns Film Center and before that a network curriculum designer at ReNEW Schools Charter Management Organization. Earlier in her career she worked with Teach for America as a corps member. Shanteler graduated from the University of New Hampshire with an undergraduate degree in biology and psychology.
32. Theresa Stewart
Chief Commercial Officer, Tollos, Inc
Theresa Stewart is an accomplished sales leader with many years of experience in the healthcare industry having begun her career as a cardiac nurse before being promoted into hospital administration. Theresa subsequently moved into the corporate world where she has spent the last 25+ years in various field leadership roles primarily with Philips Healthcare. Theresa has worked with multiple modalities including imaging, patient monitoring, ultrasound, dervice, cardiology, healthcare IT and diabetes education. Her passion is around understanding the impact of chronic condition management and how we may best use education and technology to reduce costs and optimize the patient experience. She has led multiple national sales teams covering customer segments ranging from large government equipment implementations and strategic IDNs to the smaller, rural accounts. Theresa also has extensive experience in sales operations, M&A, and post-merger integration.
Theresa earned her master’s degree in healthcare systems management from Loyola University, New Orleans and her undergraduate degree in nursing. She has also earned master’s certificates in marketing and management policy & practice from Tulane University. Over the course of her career, she has earned certifications in strategic selling, legal nurse consulting and cardiovascular technology.
33. Joia Crear-Perry
Founder & President, National Birth Equity Collaborative
Joia Crear-Perry is the Founder and President of the National Birth Equity Collaborative and a thought leader around racism as a root cause of health inequities, speaker, trainer, advocate, policy expert, and fighter for justice. Previously, she served as the executive director of the Birthing Project, director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Jefferson Community Healthcare Center and as the director of Clinical Services for the City of New Orleans Health Department where she was responsible for four facilities that provided health care for the homeless, pediatric, WIC, and gynecologic services within the New Orleans clinical service area.
A proud recipient of the Congressional Black Caucus Healthcare Hero’s award and the Maternal Health Task Force at Harvard University Global Visionary Award for Commitment to Advancing Women’s Health, Joia is most known for her work to remove Race as a risk factor for illnesses like premature birth and replacing it with Racism. She currently serves on the advisory committee of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, principal at Health Equity Cypher and on the board of trustees for the National Medical Association and the New Orleans African American Museum.
A graduate of Princeton University, Joia completed her medical degree at Louisiana State University and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Tulane University’s School of Medicine.
34. Kim Rice
Vice President of Operations, Delta Field Services
Kim Rice is the Vice President of Operations at Delta Field Services. Delta Field Services was built upon the bedrock of hard work and decades of experience. They are the one-call solution for all project needs from routing/survey to inspection and execution with the oil and gas industry. Their teams are considered one of the top in the US, with the craftsmanship and technical expertise to ensure a system is on the leading edge of today's technology. Rice has 19 years of experience. She began her career in 2004.
Before joining Delta Field Services, Rice was a vice president of operations at R-Squared Global and before that a vice president of survey resources at EnSiteUSA. Earlier in her career she worked with UniversalPegasus International as a senior survey operations manager.
35. Brittany Martin
Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Hello Seven
Brittany Martin is a founding leader of Hello Seven who has spent her time with the company bringing the dream of the visionary leader from idea to execution. She has held multiple roles in her tenure with Hello Seven from business coach to creative director to director of operations, and in each role she’s brought a high level of empathy, structure, drive, and a creative approach to problem solving. Her key tenet for success is through developing top quality talent, with a focus on curiosity, transparency, and candor, while building a culture that nurtures the individual contributions of each team member.
Brittany also serves as a board member of The Hello Seven Foundation, which provides funds for life-changing and life-saving services to Black mothers in need. Prior to joining Hello Seven in 2018, Brittany worked as a business coach and creative entrepreneur, had a brief career as an actress off Broadway, and supported CEOs managing multi-million-dollar portfolios as a treasury management officer with BancorpSouth.
36. Amy Collins
Chief Executive Officer, Gambel Communications
Amy Collins is an accomplished communications expert with deep roots in the Gulf South region. As Chief Executive Officer, Amy leads a multi-talented team at Gambel Communications to provide integrated marketing and public relations services to clients across a myriad of industries.
Amy graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with an undergraduate degree in communication and from Louisiana State University’s Manship School with a master’s degree in mass communication. She is certified in crisis communications by the Public Relations Society of America, and she has served as adjunct faculty at Loyola and Tulane University.
In addition to her role at Gambel, Amy and her husband, Sherwood Collins, created the Beignet Fest Foundation and Beignet Fest in 2016. Through their journey with their son, Liam, who is on the autism spectrum, the couple recognized a need to create awareness and funding for programs to serve children with developmental differences in Greater New Orleans. As a result of Amy and Sherwood’s efforts, Beignet Fest has become a signature festival in the South, raising tens of thousands of dollars to support local advocacy, education and enrichment programs serving special needs children.
37. Camille Manning-Broome
President & CEO, Center for Planning Excellence
A native Louisianan, Camille Manning-Broome is internationally recognized for her expertise in resilience and adaptation planning. Her leadership on issues of land loss, coastal community sustainability, climate change resilience and adaptation as well as resident-led community planning has contributed to the transformation of cities, towns and parishes throughout Louisiana and has created knowledge of interest to peers throughout the US and the globe, from South Africa to Scotland to Denmark.
As President and CEO, Camille oversees CPEX’s multidisciplinary team as they develop plans and provide technical assistance, data and research, policy guidance, communications support and thought leadership to communities seeking to make thoughtful decisions about how they develop and grow. Camille works closely with the CPEX Board of Directors to set the organization’s vision and advance CPEX’s mission to bring people and planning together to make great places.
Camille has an undergraduate degree in art history and a master’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on disaster science and management from Louisiana State University. She is currently a PhD candidate in environmental sciences at LSU; her dissertation research is focused on community adaptation to climate change.
38. Kelsey Bailey
Chief Financial Officer, Chatterkick
When it comes to business, Kelsey Castille doesn’t play games. She utilizes her BBA from McNeese State University and her MBA from Louisiana State University to help companies showcase their brand, values, and culture using social media platforms.
When it comes to life, Kelsey enjoys a game or two. She plays everything from Diablo and World of Warcraft to Magic the Gathering and Settlers of Catan. Whether it’s a board game, card game, or video game, Kelsey will undoubtedly love it.
She also appreciates being on the forefront of social trends, puzzles, painting, and playing the piano. The Chatterkick team greatly benefits from Kelsey’s skills, and she adds, “I’m thrilled to be part of such a talented group of creative gurus that I learn from and gain inspiration from daily!”
39. Maria Bhacca
Owner, Accent Travel
Dr. Maria Bhacca, a native of Italy, came to the US, while she was working on her doctorate in foreign languages and literatures. The complexity and fascination of the American culture and lifestyle seduced her mind and soul and she decided to make the USA her new home.
She is the owner of Accent Travel founded in 1984, a pre-internet corporate travel Agency taking care of companies with multimillion dollar travel budgets until the late nineties when Internet travel took over the brick-and-mortar Travel agency business. Swiftly responding to the crisis, Maria, who was born and raised in the charming countryside of Italy with priceless treasures and one of the most evocative places in the world shifted her business from structured corporate travel to unrestricted, fanciful and stress-free leisure travel to Italy.
40. Jaci Russo
CO-Founder & CEO, brandRUSSO
Jaci Russo is the Co-Founder and CEO of brandRUSSO, a strategic branding agency located in Lafayette, Louisiana. As a brand strategist, Jaci has more than 25 years of experience working with clients across multiple categories and disciplines.
Jaci began her career at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Los Angeles, California, and then for media mogul Barry Diller, developing brands such as the Home Shopping Network, Ticketmaster, USA Network, and Savoy Pictures. She returned to her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, where she co-founded brandRUSSO in 2001.
Jaci is a published author and sought-after speaker on all things branding, having taught branding and marketing skills across the country. To further fulfill her passion for helping businesses build successful brands, Jaci founded Brand State U, an affordable online learning platform for small businesses and do-it-yourself marketers. She is also a founder of the University of Louisiana’s NIL management program called ULTRA.
41. Libbie Sonnier
Executive Director, The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
Libbie Sonnier has served as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children since 2019. Recognized for her tenacity and deep commitment to children, Dr. Sonnier has led teams in system-wide initiatives for the betterment of children, families, caregivers, and practitioners for more than two decades. During her time at the Louisiana Policy Institute, she has helped secure and direct more than $1B for early care and education in Louisiana, including the state’s largest new early learning investments in a decade and a 20-year millage that creates one of the nation’s largest dedicated funds for infant and toddler care in New Orleans. Since 2019, she also doubled the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children’s research and media engagement outputs, tripled its staff, doubled its annual revenues, and secured its first three seven-figure grants. She also helped conceive, launch, and co-chair the Steering Committee of Geaux Far Louisiana, a comprehensive effort that engages parents and early childhood health and education providers in leading the transformation of the state’s early childhood systems to better meet the needs of families.
Prior to taking on leadership of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, she served as a state director of two federal programs, where she managed multi-million-dollar budgets. She developed and implemented pilot programs for children, birth to age five, in four states across multiple agencies and community partners to improve the efficiency and efficacy of direct services for children and their families. Dr. Sonnier’s experiences conducting longitudinal and experimental research allow her to translate scientific findings into meaningful and practical policies that support better life outcomes for children. She is coauthor of multiple publications and technical reports, training curricula, and, with Drs. Sharon and Craig Ramey, The Four Diamonds Checklist and The Quality System to Achieve Results for Young Children in all Settings (Q-STAR).
Dr. Sonnier is the recipient of the Hulick Serving Spirit Fellowship Award for her commitment to individuals with disabilities across the life course, the Rotary Club’s Extraordinary Woman Rising Star Award, a New Orleans City Business 2020 & 2022 Women of the Year honoree, a 2020 Leadership Louisiana participant, one of 2021 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana’s 16 Women Paving the Way for Louisiana’s Future, a St. Charles Magazine 2022 ChangeMaker, and a 2022 Friends of Children award recipient from the Louisiana Early Childhood Association. Dr. Sonnier received a Doctor of Philosophy in human development from Virginia Tech, a Master of Education in early childhood intervention and family support services from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science in special education with an emphasis in early childhood intervention from the University of Southern Mississippi.
42. Anne Foundas
Executive Director, Brain Institute of Louisiana
Anne Foundas is the Executive Director of the Brain Institute of Louisiana, Managing Partner of NOLA Brain and Behavior, and Research Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Wellesley College, medical degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, and completed residency and fellowship training in neurology, and cognitive and behavioral neurology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville.
Dr. Foundas has extensive experience in graduate and undergraduate medical education. Many of her students have become leaders in academic and healthcare settings. She served as director of the Neurology Residency Training Program at the Tulane University School of Medicine, vice chair of clinical research in the Department of Neurology at the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, and chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri.
Her clinical practice focuses on patients with memory and cognitive disorders. Her research is designed to learn how atypical brain architecture leads to developmental disorders of speech and language, and how brain aging can be enhanced through early detection and treatment of memory problems. Their current strategy is to use this information to develop innovative treatment programs to enhance speech function, language learning, and memory in brain-injured patients. Dr. Foundas’ research program has been funded by local, state, and national funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
43. Tori Davis
Chief Communications Officer, Green Clinic Health System
Tori Davis serves as the Chief Communications Officer for Green Clinic Health System in Ruston. She is a Shreveport native who received her undergraduate degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Louisiana Tech University.
Prior to joining Green Clinic, Davis gained experience in marketing, public relations, social media, and strategic planning while working in the travel and tourism industry. She is passionate about her community and doing her part to ensure the best quality of life for residents and students who call the area home.
44. Angela Domingue
Chief Schools Officer, Helix Community Schools
Angela Domingue is an accomplished educator whose career has spanned from the K-12 classroom, to the university, to the executive leadership of school districts, both urban and rural. Her guiding principle has always been to provide the means by which all students can achieve high standards. Her direct work with national foundations such as Stupski and Gates-Marshall, who are credited with fueling the school turnaround movement, has informed her professional practice and research. Dr. Domingue offers breadth and depth of school and district leadership experience. She offers expertise in change management, leadership development, and strategic planning.
45. Amanda Parfait
President, Engel & Volkers Baton Rouge
Amanda Parfait is a determined and relentless broker in the South Louisiana area that is known
for her passion and integrity. With over 30 years of real estate experience, Amanda makes each transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible for her clients.
Amanda began her career in real estate in 1992, and since then has joined and purchased Engel & Volkers Baton Rouge, where she has been able to provide numerous clients and advisors with her knowledge, expertise, and unparalleled passion for the field. In addition to helping clients buy and sell homes, Amanda is also highly skilled in property management, investing, and flipping/rehabbing.
46. Imanni Sheppard
Director of Medical Education & Social Scientific Research, The Medical Humanities and Health Disparities Institute
Dr. Imanni Sheppard is an alumnus of the University of New Orleans and the University of Houston where she received her undergraduate degree in biological anthropology and her master’s degree in medical anthropology, respectively. Thereafter, she continued her education at the University of Texas Medical Branch where upon graduation she became the first African American in the United States with a PhD in the medical humanities. This academic journey afforded her the opportunity to later become the Director of Medical Education and Social Scientific Research at the Medical Humanities and Health Disparities Institute, where she works with private companies, community organizations, and any interested stakeholders to help build medical educational materials and develop health and wellness programming to address health disparities and medical inequities. Dr. Sheppard, is also the co-director of the bioethics and medical humanities curriculum thread, an assistant professor, and a medical education facilitator at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign-Carle College of Medicine, touted as the first engineering-based medical school in the world.
Dr. Sheppard is a member of Xavier University’s community advisory board for the College of Pharmacy’s Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education, an op-ed fellow, and a newly appointed ambassador for the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Collaborative for Health Equity: to Act, Research, and Generate Evidence (CHARGE). Over the last ten years, she has authored the text Health, Healing, and Hurricane Katrina: A Critical Analysis of Psychosomatic Illness in Survivors (sold globally), “Embodied Trauma and the Dissociation of the Self” in Dark Denials and Domestic Violence, was supplemental author of Anthropology textbook: What Does it Mean to be Human, and has written numerous encyclopedia articles, and several poems in Kaiser Permanente Journal. Her forthcoming book, entitled The Parallax of Medical “Progress” is due out May of 2023. Finally, Dr. Sheppard is the recent recipient of the Osmosis Faculty Raise the Line Award.
47. Leigh Ann Ripka
Senior Director of Culture & Marketing, Rudick Construction Group
Leigh Ann Ripka is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana and graduate of ULL where she earned her undergraduate degree in public relations. She has built a career for herself across various industries in South Louisiana such as healthcare, oil & gas, nonprofit, maritime and commercial construction. A core theme throughout her career highlights success in business development, marketing, customer service and scaling corporate growth across multiple locations.
Currently, Leigh Ann serves as Senior Director for the Rudick Construction Group's growing operation across Louisiana and Texas which essentially means that anything that's publicly visible throughout the company, she has a heavy hand in. She is also leading the company's internal organizational and talent development efforts which has been a brand new arena for her and she's loving every minute. In addition to her position at Rudick Construction Group, she founded and leads Let's Vibe, LLC, an organization that supports women and female interests, particularly in areas of fundraising for special causes and elevating our women. She is also actively involved in One Acadiana, LIA and KOK Advisory's board.
48. Dolfinette Martin
Housing Director, Operation Restoration
Dolfinette Martin, Housing Director at Operation Restoration, is a strong community leader. She manages all housing programming provided by Operation Restoration and supervises staff, interns and volunteers working for Hope House NOLA.
Dolfinette earned a college degree in 2015 after her release from prison in 2012. She sets a powerful example for her children, grandchildren, and her community. She is frequently asked to contribute her knowledge, expertise, and wisdom to panels and media. Dolfinette serves on the Formerly Incarcerated Transitional Clinic Advisory Board, a clinic created for formerly incarcerated people, where she also has co-authored, a publication titled “Healthcare in Louisiana Prisons-Women”. She is a panelist on the Criminal Background Check Review Board for the Housing Authority of New Orleans and fierce advocate of safe and affordable housing for people touched by the criminal legal system.
Dolfinette was appointed to New Orleans’ first female mayor Latoya Cantrell’s transition team and in 2019 was appointed to the New Orleans Audubon Zoo Board of Commissioners. She was a founding member and former president of the New Orleans chapter of the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. She is a recipient of the John Thompson Leadership for Change Award and a Freedom Fighter Award.
Dolfinette is an equal partner in Tulane University’s Newcomb Art Museum’s (Per)Sister exhibition, an exhibition that highlights the stories of 30 formerly and currently incarcerated women and girls. This exhibition received the museum exhibition of the year award by The Louisiana Art Endowment for Humanities. She is also an equal partner in the latest iteration of the exhibition Unthinkable Imagination, which focuses on Youth touched by the criminal legal system. Dolfinette was instrumental in creating the first Women’s Gathering Fellowship for women of color with the Center for Community Change and was one of the first ten cohorts. She also contributed her expertise to help create The Power Coalitions-SheLeads Fellowship which also focuses on women of color doing on-the-ground organizing.
Based on her legislative advocacy Governor John Bel Edwards appointed her to sit on the Louisiana Women’s Incarceration Task Force in 2018, and in 2021 after the unanimous passage of SCR 45, she became a member of the Survivor Informed Task Force. This task force was created to study the link between trauma, abuse, and subsequent incarceration, including secondary survivors of domestic or intimate partner violence, and to make recommendations to the Louisiana legislature.
49. Kimberly Chopin
Director of Communications, Louisiana Lottery
Kimberly Chopin is the Director of Communication of Louisiana Lottery. The Louisiana Lottery Corporation’s mission is to maximize revenue for the state of Louisiana while upholding the highest standards of integrity and public trust. Established in 1991 by an act of the Louisiana Legislature and subsequently approved by voters, the Louisiana Lottery Corporation has become a regular source of funding for public education. Chopin has 31 years of experience. She began her career in 1992.
Before joining the Louisiana Lottery, Chopin was a senior communications specialist at LWCC and before that, a communications director at Safety Council of the Louisiana Capital Area. Chopin graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with an undergraduate degree in mass communications.
50. Grace Ann Ourso
Human Resources Director, Covalent Logic
With ten years of experience in a variety of industries and corporations, Grace Ann Ourso has intimate knowledge of multinational corporations, publicly traded companies, small businesses and start-up ventures. Grace Ann is certified as a Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) by HRCI and was awarded her SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) in 2015. A skilled communicator with professional employees and trade craftsmen, she is capable of recruiting, retaining and developing a modern, diverse workforce for your company. She currently serves as the Human Resources Director for Covalent Logic.