Leadership Institute of Acadiana

How does the saying go? Never miss a #ClassMemberMonday? Something like that! Get excited to meet our next #reppin37 classmate, Jena M. Roussel! Says Jena: "My name is Jena M. Roussel, and I am the Manager of Public Affairs for Atmos Energy in the Western Region of Louisiana. I grew up in the New Orleans area and graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge with an MBA in Marketing and minor in Psychology. My husband and I moved to Lafayette in June 2023 when I accepted my new position with Atmos Energy. I have worked for Atmos Energy for over 35 years career in various positions including advertising, public relations, market research and sales. Through Atmos, I have had the opportunity to attend many valuable training classes with the American Gas Association, Energy Solutions Center and the Public Affairs Council. I am also a graduate of the Leadership Jefferson program in Jefferson Parish, class of 2012. My relocation to Lafayette has afforded me the opportunity to meet many new people and expand my social and professional network. I have two grown daughters, Madison who lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and Margo who lives in Houston, Texas with her husband. I am excited about the upcoming year as a member of the class of Leadership Lafayette class of XXXVII." Welcome, Jena! #leadershiplafayette

GIRL POWER- Join LIA and One Acadiana for this month's Acadiana Women's Network event, presented by Meritus Credit Union! #LadiesWhoLead Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gNvguKHw For over 30 years, the Leadership Institute of Acadiana (LIA) has brought together the region’s most dedicated leaders from private, nonprofit, and public sectors to drive actionable change for a better Acadiana. Initially starting with the well-known flagship program Leadership Lafayette, LIA’s programming has grown to provide a variety of leadership training initiatives including Acadiana Onboard, Intro Lafayette, the recently launched Community Impact Fellows as well as custom development opportunities for local businesses and organizations. Spearheading the mission of LIA are powerhouse women working to ensure our local leaders have access to the skills, knowledge, and ongoing support they need to positively impact our community and influence the future of our region. Join us over lunch as we hear from Katrena King, Executive Director of LIA and Lacey Maynor, LIA Board President. Learn more about LIA's unique programming and initiatives, how this work strengthens our community, and how you can get involved.

Once you're all prepped and ready for the weather... start thinking about Class XXXVIII! Will this be your year? Applications now open: https://lnkd.in/g_Hz5Maa Know someone who needs to be a part of Leadership Lafayette's next class? You can nominate them at the same link. #LeadershipLafayette #bestclassever

Dr. Elizabeth Romar-Chavis is our next #ClassMemberMonday feature! Say hi and learn more about her. ➡ An Opelousas native and graduate of Westminster Christian Academy, Dr. Chavis has long been committed to community service, shaped by her high school mission trips. After earning a BS in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, she received her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Life University (2011). Licensed by the Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Dr. Chavis returned to Acadiana as the first black female chiropractor in Lafayette, where she resides with her husband of nine years, deeply involved in their church, Philadelphia Christian Church. Her roles are diverse and impactful, ranging from nursing home ministry to audiovisual and evangelism work, and serving as a deaconess. She also serves on the board for Hearts of Hope: Center for Sexual Trauma. Identifying the need for accessible chiropractic care for the people who work to make Lafayette a great place to live, she is now dedicated to providing on-site chiropractic services to businesses here. Her efforts, alongside her husband, have already shown significant impact in the wellness and performance of student athletes at Northside High School, where they offer regular chiropractic adjustments and Bible studies. She enjoys coffee dates, travel (she’s also a travel agent), photography, and staying active. #reppin37 #leadershiplafayette

Get ready…

We are so excited to announce the five members of the Community Impact Fellows inaugural cohort! CIF is a topic-based solutions-oriented program that will provide participants with the knowledge and skillsets they need to take an idea for community impact and transform it into an actionable project plan. 💥 The cohort will be guided by this year’s Program Coordinator, Aleisha Johnson Cook, MBA, PMP, CL6σBB – Principal Consultant of AJC Business Solutions, LLC. #communityimpactfellows #cohortI #changemakers #leadership

Happy Labor Day! Real leadership never takes a break 😉 so let's celebrate with a #ClassMemberMonday! Today we're excited to tell you all about James Proctor. James is the current chair of LaPlace Coterie, an association for the betterment of the LaPlace neighborhood of Lafayette, Louisiana. They help residents apply for grants, prepare for disasters, secure and beautify their streets, and generally improve the welfare of the neighborhood. Formerly an oilfield worker, James now works in digital consulting. #ClassXXXVII #leadershiplafayette #reppin37

Time for another XXXVII #ClassMemberMonday, this time with Micah C. Nicholas! Read on to learn more about him. Micah is the Executive Director of the American Red Cross Capital West Chapter. In this role, Micah supports region-led mission capacity building, identifies community needs and perceptions, and strengthens relationships across the state. Before becoming the Executive Director, Micah served as the Director of Impact for the United Way of Acadiana (UWA), where he oversaw several transformative community projects that improved the lives of individuals throughout United Way’s five-parish footprint. Micah also served as a club director with the Boys & Girls Clubs for five years; president of the board for Solomon House, the longest-operating food pantry in Iberia Parish; chair of the diversity committee for the Episcopal School of Acadiana; and president-elect for the705, Acadiana’s premier young professionals’ organization. Recognized for his innovative leadership, Micah has received several awards and honors, including Louisiana Professional of the Year, Southeast Region Professional of the Year, and a 2018 Top 20 Under 40 award presented by the Daily Iberian. Micah earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sewanee: The University of the South and a master's degree in nonprofit administration with a specialization in disaster preparedness from Louisiana State University at Shreveport. Most recently, Micah was recognized as one of Acadiana’s Top 20 Under 40 award winners. #leadershiplafayette #reppin37

Huge thanks to Jones Walker LLP for hosting members of Class 37, the LIA Board, Leadership Louisiana, and 1A Ambassadors for 2 years in a row!

What a great morning listening to generational expert, speaker, author and CEO Mark C. Perna thanks to Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA)! Many of our LIA board members were there, even more than we were able to snap a picture of! Super excited to read “Answering Why” - break down silos, connect the pipelines! #markcperna #answeringwhy #leadership