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 education, healthcare, quality of life concerns, criminal justice, diversity, community involvement and economic development.
Click Here for Class of 2023 Details
The application process takes place each Summer and is a benefit for members of the Jefferson Chamber. A company MUST be a member of the Jefferson Chamber in order to submit an application. For further questions, please contact Melissa Chesterman at melissa@jeffersonchamber.org.
Class of 2024 Registration Runs June 1-30, 2023!
Program Overview
Opening Retreat
Quality of Life
Healthcare
Economic Development
Education
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Governance
Community Involvement
Closing Retreat
Graduation
What Leadership Jefferson Graduates are saying…
As someone who recently moved to Louisiana, the Leadership Jefferson program gave me the opportunity to see how as leaders, we can make a difference in our local community.’
– Matt Dixon, New Orleans Saints & Pelicans
Leadership Jefferson Class of 2019
I would grade my overall Leadership Jefferson experience as an A+. The sessions were diverse and included top notch presenters and the Sloane group, along with the Jefferson Chamber staff, did an outstanding job of facilitating. With that said the biggest takeaway for me were the relationships built. I was able to spend 10 months with the leaders and future leaders of Jefferson Parish across all spectrums of industry. The bonds built will last for years to come and I look forward to the future of the parish with the Leadership class of 2017.”
– Troy Roussel, Cox Business
Leadership Jefferson Class of 2017
After moving to New Orleans after graduate studies to pursue the first stages of my career, I was focused on acclimating professionally and personally in a town where I was know as a “transplant” so, I volunteered through various organizations, but, finally, after 10 years of being a transplanted New Orleanian I had the opportunity to be in the 2019 class of Leadership Jefferson, and less than half way through the 9 month program, I had what I humorously annotate as a DNA mutation and the gene for civic responsibility decided to emerge–and now I look forward to spending the next 10 years and beyond being involved in our wonderful community of Jefferson Parish in a new, more engaged way, more than my volunteerism previously did…and the best part, I have a whole krewe of Leaders/Classmates to lovingly stand beside and serve this community.
– Mona Chawla, Tulane Health System
Leadership Jefferson Class of 2019
Leadership Jefferson Class of 2023
The 2023 class comprises a diverse group of business leaders from the community:
Aaron Baker, Cintas
Madison Boudoin, Cornerstone
Melissa Carollo, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools
Richelle Chategnier, Crescent Payroll Solutions
Zac Cooper, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans
Kassie Cusachs, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
Natalie Cusimano, Bourgeois Bennett, LLC
Daina Dalesandro, ORACLE Lighting
Annette Dowdle, HUB International
Joe Eagan, Service Corporation International
Melanie Garofalo, LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors
Scott Gerhardt, Postlethwaite & Netterville
Christopher Guidry, New Orleans Pelicans and Saints
Beth Himes, Ochsner Health
Bryan House, Metairie Bank and Trust
Lauren Kenney, Automated Control Systems, Inc.
Andrew Koehler, Intralox
Brett Labasse, Cox Media
Chris LaFitte, First Horizon Bank
Joey LaRocca, Fidelity Bank
Scott Lovitt, Audubon Care Homes
Dr. Trent Mackey, Jefferson RISE Charter School
Andrew Martin, Arete Scholars
Shona McKinney-Williams, Peoples Health
Charlie Mentz, Red River Bank
Adam Miller, Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Jeannette Neves, Outfront Media
Ramesh Prabhu, Inclusivcare
Emily Rebert, Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union
Tiffany Riddle, TCK Property Marketplace of McEnery Residential
Brandon Scardigli, Entergy Louisiana
Philip Sherman, Adams and Reese, LLP
Anthea Smith, JEDCO
Chanel Stewart-Mouring, Tulane Medical Center
Teri Tucker, Citizens National Bank
Gretchen Williams, Jefferson Parish Schools
Sherrill Woods, OnPath FCU