Leadership Jefferson
Class of 2026 Graduation - Kenner, LA
About Leadership Jefferson
Leadership Jefferson is a nine-month program designed to develop a diverse network of dedicated business and community leaders. Facilitated by a professional leadership team, the interactive workshops expose participants to local leaders and activists working to resolve critical issues facing Jefferson Parish. Specific session topics include civic & community engagement, healthcare, economic development, education & workforce development, equity & inclusion, criminal justice, and advocacy & state government.
Class of 2027
Applications are now open through June 30th!
The application process takes place each Summer and will be open from June 1-30, 2026. The Leadership Jefferson program is a benefit for members of the Jefferson Chamber, and a company must be a member of the Jefferson Chamber in order to submit an application. For further questions, please contact: Alyssa Bergeron | alyssa@jeffersonchamber.org.
Program Overview
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To facilitate the intense discussion and interaction we expect from program participants, we must allow them to develop a mutual respect and connection with each other. The opening retreat focuses on recognizing individual leadership abilities and their application in a team environment. During the overnight opening retreat, program participants engage in a full day and a half of sessions and enjoy a class dinner to end the first full day. This retreat is the start of learning new leadership skills, challenging their comfort zones, and forming new friendships.
The class learns about the Emergenetics of their brains and how we all work together as structural, analytical, social, or conceptual leaders and colleagues. Through activities and discussion, each class member learns more about how and why we act and react in various situations.
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The Civic & Community Involvement session encourages program participants to understand and get involved in local government and to advocate for an improved social well-being. We invite nonprofit organizations to educate program participants on their organization and ways to get involved.
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Healthcare is crucial to the quality of life in Jefferson Parish. The session seeks to identify the key concerns our region is facing in healthcare. We invite leaders from major healthcare systems, including LCMC, Ochsner Health, and Tulane, to speak about the positive outlook and growing concerns in the healthcare industry.
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A bright and healthy future for Jefferson Parish rests on the area’s economic development. By introducing program participants to the major players in the Parish’s development (like JEDCO and GNO, Inc), the program successfully makes a large concept an understandable subject. Historically, this session includes a behind the scenes tour of the Port of New Orleans.
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A panel is invited to field questions by participants on the growing concern of our national education system and how new bills/laws will affect us locally. A visit to a Jefferson Parish school rounds out the day. This day proves to increase the perspective and understanding of education and its direct relationship to the economic climate and workforce development of Jefferson Parish and our region.
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Participants spend the day building a shared understanding of what diversity should mean within the context of workplace objectives. Program participants create awareness of their personal knowledge, understanding, acceptance, and behavior with reference to diversity, and they expand their knowledge of perceptions that create misconceptions.
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A major challenge facing communities across the country is educating and informing citizens about our government and criminal justice systems. This session gives program participants an insight into our parish’s courts, law enforcement, and emergency operations. Historically, this session includes a behind the scenes tour of the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center and the JPSO Crime Lab.
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This session immerses participants in the heart of Louisiana’s political landscape through a trip to the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Participants will attend committee meetings, meet with legislators, and receive a comprehensive overview of the legislative process. This session is designed to empower participants to effectively advocate for their interests and engage with state government.
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The Closing Session is the final session to conclude the Leadership Jefferson program. During this session, program participants reflect on the year and apply their new leadership skills. This day ends with a final class dinner to celebrate the completion of the program with fellow program participants and facilitators.
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Program participants gather for their final event, a graduation ceremony commemorating the learning experiences and friendships they have made. Each program participant is awarded a completion plaque.
“Leadership Jefferson was truly one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had. Being surrounded by people who are genuinely passionate about moving this parish forward reminded me why I care so deeply about this community. Every session offered new insight, not just into the issues we face, but into the incredible potential we have when we come together. It was inspiring, energizing, and reaffirmed my belief in the power of local leadership to create real change.”
Leadership Jefferson Class of 2026
The 2026 class comprises a diverse group of business leaders from the community.
Ashley Abrusley
LAMAR Advertising
Jordan Bloom
Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLC
Jackie Bryant
Fidelity Bank
Blake Burmaster
Bonvenu Bank
Ashley Carey-Betts
Dr. Ashley Carey-Betts, LPC
Cristin Cortez
Woodward Design + Build
Ben Donald
OnPath Credit Union
Erin Ducote
First Horizon Bank
Paul Fischer
JEDCO
Andrew Folse
Atmos Energy
Shane Gerdes
Ochsner Health
Karen Henderson
Discovery Schools
Phoebe James
Entergy
Cohen LaCour
Red River Bank
Dani Lisotta
LAMMICO
Leslie Louviere Keen
Peoples Health
Mark McCormick
Kenner Police Department
Sean Melendreras
Dignity Memorial
Amanda Morey
Chateau Golf & Country Club
Michael Naquin
Port of New Orleans
Brent Neal
Barriere Construction Co.
Natalie Nguyen
EisnerAmper
Mitch Olinksy
Xplore Federal Credit Union
Savanna Orgeron
Jefferson Parish Council: District 5
Vincent Orlando
Quality Engineering & Surveying
Joseph Ory
DDG
Frank Rabito
LaPorte APAC
Mignon Richard Diaz
NAI Rampart
Ashley Ruckert
GNO, Inc.
Stephanie Sarrat
Primary Care Plus
Michael Schilling
LCMC
Dixie Sevin
Cornerstone
Justin Soileau
Cox Communications
Lucian Stamps
InclusivCare
Sophia Stevens
CSRS, LLC
Kathleen Sullivan
Jefferson RISE Charter School
Trista Thomas
Hilton New Orleans Airport
Heather Troxclair
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust
Alexis Vinson
AV Services, LLC
Amberlyn Walsh
T. Baker Smith, LLC
Chance Williamson
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
