Leadership Jefferson

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 program emphasizes teamwork, and the orientation session focuses on recognizing individual leadership abilities and their application in a team environment.

The Leadership Jefferson Class of 2021 kicked off an exciting year at the Opening Retreat at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel on September 3-4, 2020 . The class learned 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 learned more about how and why we act and react in various situations. The class also enjoyed time getting to know each other with a class dinner at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and social hour at Loft18 in Metairie.  The retreat closed on Friday afternoon with everyone prepared to take on the issues of Jefferson Parish with new and more focused perspectives!

       

This session bridges the Kick-off retreat with the framework for the rest of the year. A trip to Westwego kicks off the first official session of the year. The day’s focus includes, but is not limited to, the elements that improve the quality of life/quality of place.

The Quality of Life session was held on Tuesday, October 13th at the Westwego Community Center. The Slone Group facilitated the morning segment which included a simulation of “Pontchartrain Parish.” In the afternoon, the class heard from Jefferson Parish Councilmen Dominick Impastato, Ricky Templet, and Scott Walker.  Following the quality of life panel, the class heard from Gretna Mayor Belinda Constant about the quality of life improvements in Gretna over the last fifteen years. The class also toured the Westwego Museum and learned more about the history of our great parish.

   
   

Healthcare is crucial to the quality of life in Jefferson Parish. The session seeks to identify the key concerns our region is facing (i.e. reimbursements) and participants are asked to give their solutions to a snowballing problem.

The Healthcare session was held on Tuesday, November 12^th at Tulane Lakeside Hospital. Speakers included Beth Walker, CEO of Ochsner Baptist, Dodie McElmurray, COO of West Jefferson Medical Center, and Tom Patrias, COO of Tulane Medical Center. Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office representatives, Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich and Chuck Credo, and NAMI representative, Shannon Williams, spoke to the class about mental illness in our community. The session closed with a presentation by Dr. Gregory Stewart, Director of the Sports Concussion Management Program at Tulane University.

   

Special thanks to session sponsor:

A bright and healthy future for Jefferson Parish rests on the area’s economic development. By introducing 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.

The Economic Development Session was held on Tuesday, December 8th at The Forum. Participants learned from Kevin Dolliole of the Louis Armstrong International Airport, Cathy Alfonso of the Port of New Orleans, Jerry Bologna of JEDCO, Michael Hecht of GNO, Inc., Stephen Waguespack of LABI, Todd Murphy of the Jefferson Chamber, Simone Maloz of Restore or Retreat, and Evie Sanders and Josh Tatum from GNO, Inc. The class learned about the vital impact the port and new developments have on the region.

    

Historically, a panel is invited to field questions by participants on the growing concern of our national educational 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 connection to economic development and overall strength of Jefferson Parish and our region.

The Education session was held virtually on Tuesday, January 12^th. Our morning started off with Rudy Gomez of SSA Consultants sharing about RESET Louisiana’s Future. Following, Dr. Libbie Sonnier spoke about the Policy Institute for Children. Natalie Newton of Discovery Schools closed out the morning session. After lunch, the education leadership panel was dynamic and informative. Dr. James Gray, Superintendent of JPPSS, Jim Garvey, District 1 representative of BESE, and Paula Polito, Owner/Director of Beary Cherry Tree, took time to present to the class and enlighten them on the importance, struggles, and initiatives of our education system.

   

Participants spend the day building a shared understanding of what diversity, equity and inclusion should mean within the context of workplace objectives; Creating awareness of their personal knowledge, understanding, acceptance, and behavior with reference to diversity; Expanding their knowledge of facts surrounding perceptions that create misconceptions.

The DEI session was held virtually on Tuesday, February 9^th and was facilitated by the Slone Group. Guest speakers included Ramona Graham of CASA Jefferson, Martin Gutierrez of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Dr. Monica Sylvain of Sylvain Consulting LLC. The session broadened our class members’ perspectives on DEI in the workplace and our community!

   

A major challenge every community faces is trying to inform citizens about government. Many perceive the political structure to be complicated and beyond their reach; the program works to give the participants an up close look at our parish’s political structure to demystify and educate everyone on local government. The highlight of the day is when participants are able to take a jail tour and see what life is really like behind bars.

On Tuesday, April 13^th, Leadership Jefferson was able to experience several aspects of our law enforcement first hand. The day began with a zoom visit to Judge Darensburg’s Drug Court in the 24th District. The class sat through Judge Darensburg’s dockets and was given a unique perspective into how Jefferson Parish is tackling the drug use in our community. The class was given a guided tour of the Jefferson Parish 4-story Crime Lab. This facility is truly state of the art and impressive to see first-hand. The class then headed over to the Emergency Operations Center, where they saw behind the scenes of what goes on during an emergency in Jefferson Parish. Judge Scott Schlegel followed by sharing about his Prisoner Re-Entry Program. The day ended with Sheriff Lopinto speaking to the class. We thank the JPSO and Sheriff Lopinto and his staff for being such generous hosts to the Class of 2021!

   
   

The Community Involvement session is held at the New Orleans Saints Indoor Training Facility. The session touches on the importance of being good citizens, as well as leaders and professionals. The class is even treated to a tour of the facilities where the Saints & Pelicans practice during the year!

The Class of 2021’s Community Involvement Session was held virtually on Tuesday, March 9^th. The class heard from Michael Williamson of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Kevin Gardere of Bridge House Grace House, and worked on two projects with Hands on New Orleans. The class day concluded with an invigorating discussion about community service and volunteer work, with panelists Lynn Burkart and Kim Sport.

A compilation of all of the sessions and what “stuck out” the most to each participant is reviewed. This is the final session before graduation.

The Class gathered for its final session at Fidelity Bank on Tuesday, May 4. Participants shared reflections of the program year, identified learnings, integrated Emergenetics and program knowledge into how to design a community coalition, and celebrated with a class dinner at Ruth’s Chris.

   
   

Program participants gather for the final event, their graduation, for dinner and a ceremony commemorating the learning experiences and friendships they have made.

The Class of 2020 were presented with their graduation plaques after the Closing Retreat. The class will be celebrated with a formal graduation dinner in 2021.

The 4th Annual Holiday Social was a hit! The current class and alumni gathered at Zea Rotisserie & Bar for happy hour drinks and appetizers to celebrate the holiday season.