FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORLI Announces Leadership Class of 2027

Leaders look to advance Southeast LA through regionalism, inclusion, and nonpartisanship with experiential civic leadership program.

NEW ORLEANS (Sept. 16, 2026) – The New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) has selected 48 individuals to participate in its annual Regional Leadership Program. NORLI, which is recognized as a preeminent organization for educating and connecting leaders from across the parishes of Southeast Louisiana, has brought together some of the most influential and dynamic leaders in the region to discuss key challenges and opportunities for the Greater New Orleans Area.  

 

“While our region faces considerable challenges, it is also distinguished by unique resources, strategic geography, and a passionate community,” said NORLI Executive Director Stephen Reuther. “NORLI provides leaders with the knowledge, connections, and partnerships necessary to address our challenges, leverage our opportunities, and promote collaborative leadership that advances sound policy throughout our region and state. Through NORLI, leaders in our area develop skillsets and perspectives that not only foster personal growth but also strengthen leadership in the civic and professional arenas. Unequivocally, these leaders will define the future of our region.”

 

The Class of 2027 met on August 27^th at the Louisiana Children’s Museum for an orientation event followed by a networking social with NORLI Alumni. The program formally begins with a two-day opening retreat on September 17–18. Subsequent sessions will include discussions centered on public policy, education, economic development, healthcare, criminal justice, inclusive leadership, environment, and art & culture. Through a variety of presentations, panels, tours, and activities, these topics will be explored and dissected from multiple perspectives and offer the class an open dialogue for crafting a shared vision of what the future of the New Orleans Region will look like. The program will conclude in June of 2027 with a closing retreat which will serve as a capstone event for the program.

 

Members of the Class of 2027 include: 

• Ryan Albright, Louisiana Department of Health and Tulane University

• Sara Ashe, Ochsner Children’s

• Joel Babe, The Windsor Court

• Taylor Brett, Adams & Reese LLP

• Karen Buck, Independent Brand and Communications Strategist

• Ginger Cangelosi, St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation

• Clerc Cooper, Phelps

• D’Ann Davis, Washington Parish Economic Development Foundation

• Torry Dean, Junior League of New Orleans

• Nadra DeMagnus-Marshall, Nadra Tylise, LLC and SWYNTS in PRINT, LLC

• Kim Ellender, Ochsner Health

• Tim Finn, First Horizon Bank

• Ashley Floyd, Greater New Orleans Foundation

• Gaynell Gibson Gautier, PBF Energy Chalmette Refinery

• Philip Giorlando, Breazeale Sachse

• Christine Glaudi, Home Bank

• Willie Green, Gulf Coast Social Services

• Ariane Greenidge, HRI Hospitality

• Mark Hash, EskewDumezRipple

• Taylor Jackson, New Schools for New Orleans

• Jennifer Jaskierny, Credit Human

• Michelle Jenkins (Miller), St. John the Baptist Parish Government

• Kourtney Jones, Delta Utilities

• Christy Kane, Entergy Corporation

• Annalisa Kelly, Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO)

• Kelsey Kojeski, Louisiana Public Health Institute

• Todd Lawson, Hancock Whitney Bank

• Janet Lopez, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans

• Lesley Lucas, Entergy Corporation

• Adam Matasar, Jones Walker LLP

• Allyson Mills, Coptis

• Whiton Paine, Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans

• Sidd Patel, RNGD

• Kyle Piller, Southeastern Louisiana University

• J.R. Ross, JDR Growth Advisory

• Sarah Solet, Hancock Whitney Bank

• Brandy Spencer-Byrd, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana

• William Stoudt, Rebuilding Together New Orleans

• Ge’ron Tatum, Teach For America Greater New Orleans

• Eric Theard III, Collegiate Academies

• Arielle Vavasseur, Inside Projects

• Alexis Walker, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce

• Ben West, Deep Fried Advertising

• Jennie West, Studio West

• Shondra Williams, InclusivCare

• Stephanie Willis, Entergy New Orleans

• Renita Woolridge, United Way of Southeast Louisiana

• Danielle Wright, Ochsner Health

 

For more information about NORLI, please visit norli.org. 

 

Editor’s Note: Photos from the recent orientation event can be found here.

 

About the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute 

The New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing community leaders the opportunity to identify, collaborate, and address key issues for the betterment of the Greater New Orleans Region. NORLI draws upon a diverse group of stakeholders from around the ten-parish region to engage in thought-provoking personal and professional development programs covering topics such as public policy, healthcare, education, inclusive leadership, environment, economic development, art & culture, and criminal justice.