Leadership Jefferson is a program with an ambitious mission: to develop a diverse network of dedicated business and community leaders to improve the quality of life for all citizens in Jefferson Parish and the Greater New Orleans region.
Over the course of the school calendar year, class members meet monthly with other motivated professionals and local leaders to discuss and analyze the impact of business and community. Throughout the program, founded by Jefferson Chamber Foundation, they engage in various activities that demonstrate the possibilities for improvement of our overall quality of life.
As the Leadership Jefferson Manager, Stephanie O’Brien coordinates all logistics and communications for the program. “Our goals include developing an enhanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Jefferson Parish, as well as providing an opportunity to become more actively involved in organizations that are working to improve the Parish’s quality of life,” she said.
Leadership Jefferson works with a number of other organizations. The Slone Group facilitates an opening retreat, monthly sessions and a closing session. The class is limited to 35 women and men of various professions.
“Each session involves multiple speakers from the business community who present on a specific topic,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien believes that by focusing on vital topics such as education, economic development, diversity and healthcare, the class has the opportunity to receive first-hand knowledge from local experts and political and business leaders on the direction of Jefferson Parish’s future.
O’Brien also strives to encourage networking opportunities for class members and promote business growth within the communities.
Each year, the program is gaining more momentum in the community. With more applicants this year than ever before, this was the first year people had to be turned away until next year’s applications begin. Leadership Jefferson is evolving according to each class experience, strengthening the program for future graduates.
“This year we will be adding an opportunity for the class to spend the day at the state legislature to give the class an opportunity to understand what is happening at a state level and learn how they can positively impact the future of our region,” she said.
O’Brien said she is overwhelmingly impressed by the alumni who have completed the program and continue to use the lessons learned and implement strategies into their careers and positively impact the community. The program is also a valuable social networking opportunity.
Take for example Francis Maness, who moved to the area from Florida in 2016 to join the team at Tulane Health System. Maness serves as Assistant Chief Operation Officer and Ethics and Compliance Officer, and he says the Leadership Jefferson program — which he graduated from in 2017 — has proven to be immensely helpful in establishing business skills and also in finding a community of friends and colleagues.
“The broader implication of the program is that as individuals, we can make a difference,” he said. “We should be getting involved.” He noted that the program is helpful in turning “thinkers into doers” and “doers into thinkers.”
Through the program, Maness says he gained a much better understanding of the challenges and burdens in the area. This, in turn, has led to problem solving when dealing with various challenges he encounters as a top executive at Tulane Health System.
“In addition to networking avenues, aspiring leaders will exit the program with an enhanced perspective of the challenges and possibilities for our local community,” O’Brien said. “By strengthening an understanding of the needs of our community and broadening their leadership skills, we give them the opportunity to truly improve our parish and region.”
Maness said, “You can start by trying to figure out how your organization can make a difference. You hear from business and nonprofit leaders. Since graduating the program, I have joined two different community boards to further inspire and affect change in the community.”
The program, he said, did a “really good job of networking the alumni from previous years and by hosting a variety of events,” including introducing participants to a wide variety of businesses and municipal issues.
For Maness, and many others who have completed the program, it was an eye-opening experience that help them feel more invested in the community.
“We really hope that, as a collective, we can make a difference,” he said.
Leadership Jefferson received more applications for the class of 2018 than ever before. The application process takes place every summer.
