As the President & CEO of a large, regional mission-driven organization, how do you balance running a strong, sustainable business while staying true to your core mission of serving people in need?
Voris R. Vigee (President & CEO of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana): At the foundation of my leadership are three core pillars: integrity, transparency, and accountability, all grounded in faith. Everything I do must be carried out with deep care and an unwavering commitment to keeping those we serve at the center of our work. But leading a large, regional organization also means I have a responsibility to ensure we are financially strong and operationally sound, because a mission without sustainability is just a vision. The people who depend on us deserve an organization that will be here today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Balancing those two realities requires honest, sometimes difficult decisions. I have learned that mission and business health are not opposing forces; they are interdependent. When we invest wisely, build strong partnerships, and manage our resources with the same integrity we bring to our programs, we are able to serve more people, more effecively, and with greater impact.
Many business leaders are focused on growth and results. How do you measure success at Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana (VOASELA) beyond the bottom line?
Voris R. Vigee: While financial performance is important, and we are proud of our strong track record, at Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, we measure success by something far greater than numbers on a balance sheet. Our truest measure of success is found in the moments that don’t show up in any financial report, in the smile of someone we’ve served, in the quiet gratitude of a family that made it through, and in the words we hear that stay with you long after the workday ends: ‘Job well done.’ ‘You saved my life.’ Those words are not just affirmation. They are accountable. They remind us why we exist and who we answer to. At VOASELA, success means we are transforming lives, strengthening families, and serving our community with excellence, and doing it in a way that is sustainable enough to keep showing up, day after day, for the people who need us most. The answer is the people; it has always been the people.
What do you think has been the key to VOASELA’s longevity and continued impact?
Voris R. Vigee: For 130 years, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana has endured because of individuals who chose to make service their life’s work. Not out of obligation, but out of genuine commitment to this community and the people within it. That kind of dedication cannot be manufactured. It is cultivated over time, passed from one generation of servant leaders to the next.
What has kept us relevant, effective, and trusted across 13 decades is a team that sees their work as a ministry, one grounded in compassion, accountability, and an unshakable belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive. Our longevity is not simply a reflection of organizational strength. It is a reflection of human character.
4152 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
