Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni

✨ Our Aluminute Feature of the Week for October ✨

Meet Brian Rodriguez, President and Founder of Gatorworks and a proud graduate of the of 2017.

Brian reflects on his time in the Leadership Baton Rouge program as one of the most impactful experiences of his professional and personal development journey. The connections he made have blossomed into meaningful relationships with influential leaders across the Baton Rouge region. He values the Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni organization for keeping these relationships strong and providing opportunities to stay informed about the latest community initiatives while catching up with friends.

Join Brian Rodriguez and renew your dues today to continue being part of the ! To learn more, visit leadershipbr.org.

Ever wish you could relive your LBR experience for just one more day? Now's your chance! Join alumni from all cohorts for a day of shared learning, networking, and inspiration as we focus on the future of Baton Rouge.

🗓 November 15, 2024

📍 Louisiana Leadership Institute

⏰ 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

💼 Speakers, Breakout Sessions, Networking, and Social Hour!

Registration is $25 for LBRA members, but spots are limited to just 60 participants – so don’t wait! If you need to cancel, please let us know by November 8, 2024.

💡 Stay tuned for the full program, but here’s a sneak peek:

8:30 AM – Coffee & Networking

9:00 AM – Keynote & Breakout Sessions

11:45 AM – Networking Lunch

1:30 PM – Afternoon Breakouts

3:00 PM – Closing Remarks & Social

For questions, email us at [email protected].

Register today and reconnect with your LBR community! 🙌

https://leadershipbr.org/event-5905437

🎉 We are incredibly proud to celebrate Dr. Jaleesa Thompson, Class of 2023, for being named the inaugural recipient of the Trailblazer Award from the Southeastern Louisiana University African American Alumni Chapter. Your dedication and leadership continue to inspire us all!

Join us for a ForwardBR and NetworkBR event to learn about BREC’s impactful work driving growth in our city. We’ll also explore key initiatives shaping Baton Rouge’s future and discover how you can contribute to the city’s development in partnership with CPEX. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage and collaborate!

🎤 Our Speaker for the evening is Corey K. Wilson, Superintendent of BREC Parks.

➡️ October 30, 2024 | 5:30 pm to 7:30 PM | Baton Rouge Gallery

$10 for LBRA Members and $15 for Non Members.

🗒️ Register at leadershipbr.org/events

The Class of 2024 continued their Education Day during their October session last Friday! The class had an immersive field trip exploring education initiatives across Baton Rouge, with visits to:

🚍 Woodlawn High School for a campus tour and a discussion with school leadership.

🚌 Their second stop was at the EBR Career & Technical Education Center (CTECH), where Lori Melancon addressed the class.

🏫 The last stop was a tour of Glen Oaks Magnet High School, where they engaged with leadership and explored the facilities.

The class wrapped up the day back at CTEC with further conversations and reflections on the insights gained.

We extend a special thank you to the leaders who shared their expertise, providing a deeper understanding of our local educational ecosystem.

✨ Our Aluminute Feature of the Week for October ✨

Meet Makesha Judson, a proud graduate of the and of 2015 and the Community Relations Advisor for Shell Geismar & Convent.

Makesha stays active with the Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni group because the program added immense value to her career and professional development. She fully immersed herself in all things Baton Rouge, forming meaningful relationships that continue to serve her both personally and professionally. Staying engaged with LBRA allows Makesha to remain connected to Baton Rouge’s growth, contribute to community engagement initiatives, and build relationships with other amazing professionals dedicated to moving the city forward.

Join Makesha and renew your dues today to continue being part of the ! To learn more, visit leadershipbr.org.

We are excited to welcome the next to Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni, Class of 2024. The LBR Class of 2024 will graduate on Tuesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. at St. Francis Hall, FranU Campus, and we want you there. Join us in celebrating these leaders!

Tickets are available online! Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the program will begin at 6 p.m. Come network and represent your class ( ).

Tickets are $30 for Active Members and $50 for Non-Members and Non-Active members. Receive a 25% discount if you renew or reactivate your membership when you purchase your graduation celebration ticket.

Head over to leadershipbr.org/events to get your ticket today!

Spotted: Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni at the Opportunity Data Project talking about K-12 Education!

The application window for the Leadership Baton Rouge Class of 2025 closes today (9/30) at midnight! Do you know someone who would be the perfect addition to the next class? Share the application with them now!

Read about Jasmine Simmons’s experience from the of 2024.

Deadline to apply: September 30, 2024, at midnight.

Apply today at: http://brac.org/programs/leadership-br/

The application window for the Class of 2025 closes on Monday, September 30! Do you know anyone who would make the perfect addition to our new Leadership BR Class? Share the application with them today!

Deadline to apply: September 30, 2024.

Head over to http://brac.org/programs/leadership-br/ to apply today!

The Class of 2024 attended their Session 9 on Education Day 2 today! They had the chance to learn at Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) Ardendale Site at the McKay Automotive Center and East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Court from:

➡️ Dr. Sarah Barlow, Provost/Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development at BRCC
➡️ Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Commissioner of Higher Education, Louisiana Board of Regents
➡️ Heather Guidry, Dean of Technical Education at BRCC
➡️ Judge Adam Haney, EBR Juvenile Court, Div. A
➡️ Judge Gail Grover, EBR Juvenile Court, Div. B
➡️ Allison Traxler, Executive Director, CASA
➡️ Dr. Tamiara Wade, Director, EBR Parish Juvenile Services

It was an insightful day learning about education and juvenile services in Baton Rouge!

🚨 Calling All LBR Alumni!

BRAC is bringing back a classic event with a fresh twist – introducing the BTR Dinner! Reviving the concept of Around the Table, BTR Dinner encourages people to mingle, munch, and make memories at dinner parties hosted around the region for one night only.

Join us for an evening of good food, great company, and endless conversations. Whether you're a longtime local or a newbie in town, this dinner is your ticket to connecting with cool people and diving into the heart of our community.

Once you sign up, as an individual or a pair, you will be matched with a local host home for an evening of dinner and conversation. The event is $50 per person and open to the public. Spots are limited, so snag yours now.

The deadline to register is October 6 to allow time for participants to be matched to host houses. We keep your host home a secret until the week of the event, trust us, it’s part of the fun!

➡️ Register at brac.org/events

Join the Baton Rouge Area Chamber on Wednesday, September 11, at the Baton Rouge Community College Magnolia Theatre, for an East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Candidate Forum. This event, moderated by WBRZ-TV and broadcast live, will feature mayoral candidates tackling questions central to BRAC’s elections platform.

➡️ Register here: brac.org/events

✨ Our Aluminute Feature of the Week for September ✨

Meet Luz Danela Randolph, Ed.D., a proud graduate of the of 2023 and the Sr. Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Baton Rouge.

Luz remains an active member of the Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni (LBRA) group because, as a transplant to Baton Rouge, it was imperative for her to get engaged and learn about the community she now calls home. Choosing to remain active reflects her commitment to continued growth as an invested leader and participant in East Baton Rouge. It also provides her the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded individuals who are actively contributing to the community. Most importantly, it allows her to support the next generation of leaders by sharing her experiences and insights to help others succeed.

Join Dr. Luz Randolph and renew your dues today to continue being part of the ! To learn more, visit leadershipbr.org.

✨ Our Aluminute Feature of the Week for August ✨

Meet Rowdy Gaudet, a proud graduate of the of 2013 and a Metropolitan Council Member with City/Parish of Baton Rouge. He is also a Director at V. Graham, LLC.

Rowdy remains an active member of the Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni (LBRA) group because it keeps him connected to so many who genuinely care about making East Baton Rouge a thriving community for the future. After completing the program, his desire to lend his talents and skillsets to bettering the quality of life in the community is unwavering. He finds it uplifting to be connected with leaders who share this commitment.

Join Rowdy and renew your dues today to continue being part of the ! To learn more, visit leadershipbr.org.

Congratulations to 5️⃣ of our for being selected as part of the Baton Rouge Alliance for Students 2024 CHANGEMakers Cohort!

We are so proud of y'all!

Our Aluminute Feature of the Week for August ✨

Meet Adam Beary, a proud graduate of the of 2023 and the CEO and President of Bear Process Safety.

Adam remains an active member of the Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni (LBRA) group, driven by the persistence his class has shown to better the community even after their sessions ended. He finds continual inspiration in this alumni network, which motivates him to maintain forward momentum through meaningful conversations and impactful work. Adam is committed to being part of the solutions for the Capital Area.

Join Adam Beary and renew your dues today to continue being part of the ! To learn more, visit leadershipbr.org.

👏🏻 The Alumni Class of 2023 have a big message for you: Apply today to be part of the next of 2025!

⏱️ Applications close on Friday, September 30!
🔥 Head over to BRAC.org/leadership to apply!

Thank you to all the amazing for participating in our Teacher Supply Drive! We are excited to announce drumroll 🥁 that the Class of 2018 and Class of 2024 have earned the bragging rights as the ! 🎉👑 We raised a total of $4,798.03 in supplies!

We made two special deliveries to two EBR Schools:
🚌 Winbourne Elementary School
✏️ Capitol High School

Wishing everyone an amazing start to the school year!

Thank you to Baton Rouge General Medical Center for hosting our supplies!

The Class of 2024 attended their Session 8 on Education Day 1 today at Southern University and A&M College - Baton Rouge, LA! They got the opportunity to learn from:

➡️ Renada Deschamp, Chief Diversity Officer at Woman's Hospital
➡️ Chris Meyer, President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation
➡️ Q&A Session with Barry Erwin (President and CEO of Council for Better Louisiana), Ethan Melancon (Advocacy Director for Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana)
➡️ Robyn Merrick, VP of External Affairs and University Relations at Southern University
➡️ Adonica Pelichet Duggan, CEO of the Baton Rouge Alliance for Students
➡️ Superintendent of Education LaMont Cole
➡️ Allie Diefendorf, Chief of Programs at BRYC

✨ Our Aluminute Feature of the Week for August ✨

Meet Regina Burrough Leingang , a proud graduate of the Class of 2020 and a Leadership Development Consultant at Baton Rouge General Medical Center.

Regina continues to be an active member of the Leadership Baton Rouge Alumni (LBRA) group because of the profound impact it has had on her. As a member of the of 2020, she gained several lifelong friends and has been able to connect with alumni from past classes as well as welcome those in future classes. LBRA offers numerous benefits, including networking opportunities, community engagement, personal and professional growth, and influence in local decision-making. Regina finds it incredible to be part of such an amazing group of passionate individuals who are dedicated to Baton Rouge and is inspired by the positive impact that LBRA Alumni are making in the community.

Join Regina Leingang and renew your dues today to continue being part of the

! To learn more, visit leadershipbr.org.

BRAC’s third annual Economic Inclusion Symposium, presented by DOW, will take place on August 28. This year’s event promises to surpass last year’s success, thanks to the valuable feedback received from attendees. BRAC has introduced new, timely topics and additional opportunities for engaging discussions on economic inclusion that you and your colleagues will find invaluable.

For more details and to register for the event, visit www.brac.org/eis.

Congratulations to Chelsea Wade Morgan, Class of 2022, for being recognized by the American Heart Association of the Southeast Region with the Catalyst Award! This recognizes a staff member for exceptional performance in advancing the mission.

We are so proud of you!

Applications for the next of 2025 are now open! The deadline to apply is September 30, 2024!

Leaving you with a photo from the Class of 2024 🎉