Leaders for a Better Louisiana Announces 38th Class. Photo provided by Leaders for a Better Louisiana.
BATON ROUGE, La. (press release) – Leaders for a Better Louisiana (Better Louisiana) has announced the 2026 class of Leadership Louisiana, marking the 38th cohort of the statewide leadership development program. Since its inception in 1989, Leadership Louisiana has equipped more than 1,600 civic-minded professionals with the skills, knowledge, and networks to address Louisiana’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
The 2026 Leadership Louisiana class brings together a diverse group of emerging and established leaders from across the state, representing sectors including public service, business, healthcare, education, civic engagement, and nonprofit leadership.
“Leadership Louisiana continues to bring together leaders who are committed to understanding and serving our state’s communities,” said Sheree Blanchard, Program Director, Leadership Louisiana. “This program continues to embody our mission to develop informed, engaged leaders who will help Louisiana thrive.”
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Participants will engage in a year-long curriculum of immersive sessions held throughout the state, beginning in January and concluding in November. These sessions focus on critical topics including workforce development, healthcare, education, coastal restoration and protection, economic growth, infrastructure, and the cultural assets that define Louisiana’s unique character.
For more information about the Leadership Louisiana program or to view the complete 2026 class roster, visit betterla.org/leadership-louisiana.
Leadership Louisiana Class of 2026
Name
Title & Organization
Location
Thad Angelloz
Director of Grants and Communications, Greater Lafourche Port Commission
Thibodaux/Cut Off
Lance Armentor, MHA
President & CEO, Opelousas General Health System
Sunset/Opelousas
Abbey Bain, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement, LSU-Alexandria
Bunkie/Alexandria
Elizabeth Bentley-Smith, MS, MA
Deputy Commissioner for Finance & Administration, Louisiana Board of Regents
Baton Rouge
Pilar Blanco-Eble, Ed.D, MA
Vice Chancellor for Advancement & Executive Director of the BRCC Foundation, Baton Rouge Community College
Lafayette/Baton Rouge
Dani Borel, JD
Partner, Breazeale Sachse Wilson
Baton Rouge
Brett Brown
Senior Financial Analyst, BRF
Shreveport
Eddie Buttross, MBA
Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager, First Horizon Bank
Lafayette
David Carter, MBA, MA
Principal, Emergent Method
Baton Rouge
Justin Centanni
Assessor, Lafayette Parish Assessor’s Office
Lafayette
Steven Ceulemans, D.Sc., MS
President & CEO, Baton Rouge Health District
Baton Rouge
Kalli Christ
CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana
Lafayette
Hardeman Cordell
President, Central Oil & Supply
Monroe
Lyla Corkern, MA
Owner/CEO, Finding Solace
Cahoun/West Monroe
Martha Crenshaw, JD
General Counsel, Roy O Martin
Alexandria
Shannan Cvitanovic
Executive Director, Friends of New Orleans Public Library
New Orleans
Anna deTiege, MBA, MS
Director of Innovation Capital, LA.IO/Louisiana Innovation, a Division of LED
Metairie/Baton Rouge
Megan Duhon, MBA
Director of Economic Development, One Acadiana
Crowley/Lafayette
Karla Edwards
HR Business Partner, Sasol
Lake Charles/Westlake
Bobby Fruge, MBA
Owner/Founder, Radix
Lafayette
Jill Galmarini, MPA
Director of Civic Initiatives, Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana
Lake Charles
Kate Griener, Ph.D.
Senior Community Affairs Advisor, Woodside Energy
Folsom/Sulphur
Judd Jeansonne
Executive Director, Volunteer Louisiana – Office of the Lt. Governor
Leaders for a Better Louisiana (Better Louisiana) is a newly formed nonprofit organization created through the merger of the Committee of 100 for Economic Development (C100) and the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL). Its purpose is to drive positive, transformative change by advocating for data-driven policies, fostering economic development, and empowering leaders across the state. Better Louisiana says it is dedicated to unlocking Louisiana’s potential.
BATON ROUGE, La. (press release) - Leaders for a Better Louisiana (Better Louisiana) has announced the 2026 class of Leadership Louisiana, marking the 38th cohort of the statewide leadership development program. Since its inception in 1989, Leadership Louisiana has equipped more than 1,600 civic-minded professionals with the skills, knowledge, and networks to address Louisiana’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
The 2026 Leadership Louisiana class brings together a diverse group of emerging and established leaders from across the state, representing sectors including public service, business, healthcare, education, civic engagement, and nonprofit leadership.
“Leadership Louisiana continues to bring together leaders who are committed to understanding and serving our state’s communities,” said Sheree Blanchard, Program Director, Leadership Louisiana. “This program continues to embody our mission to develop informed, engaged leaders who will help Louisiana thrive.”
Participants will engage in a year-long curriculum of immersive sessions held throughout the state, beginning in January and concluding in November. These sessions focus on critical topics including workforce development, healthcare, education, coastal restoration and protection, economic growth, infrastructure, and the cultural assets that define Louisiana’s unique character.
For more information about the Leadership Louisiana program or to view the complete 2026 class roster, visit betterla.org/leadership-louisiana.
Leadership Louisiana Class of 2026
Name
Title & Organization
Location
Thad Angelloz
Director of Grants and Communications, Greater Lafourche Port Commission
Thibodaux/Cut Off
Lance Armentor, MHA
President & CEO, Opelousas General Health System
Sunset/Opelousas
Abbey Bain, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement, LSU-Alexandria
Bunkie/Alexandria
Elizabeth Bentley-Smith, MS, MA
Deputy Commissioner for Finance & Administration, Louisiana Board of Regents
Baton Rouge
Pilar Blanco-Eble, Ed.D, MA
Vice Chancellor for Advancement & Executive Director of the BRCC Foundation, Baton Rouge Community College
Lafayette/Baton Rouge
Dani Borel, JD
Partner, Breazeale Sachse Wilson
Baton Rouge
Brett Brown
Senior Financial Analyst, BRF
Shreveport
Eddie Buttross, MBA
Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager, First Horizon Bank
Lafayette
David Carter, MBA, MA
Principal, Emergent Method
Baton Rouge
Justin Centanni
Assessor, Lafayette Parish Assessor's Office
Lafayette
Steven Ceulemans, D.Sc., MS
President & CEO, Baton Rouge Health District
Baton Rouge
Kalli Christ
CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana
Lafayette
Hardeman Cordell
President, Central Oil & Supply
Monroe
Lyla Corkern, MA
Owner/CEO, Finding Solace
Cahoun/West Monroe
Martha Crenshaw, JD
General Counsel, Roy O Martin
Alexandria
Shannan Cvitanovic
Executive Director, Friends of New Orleans Public Library
New Orleans
Anna deTiege, MBA, MS
Director of Innovation Capital, LA.IO/Louisiana Innovation, a Division of LED
Metairie/Baton Rouge
Megan Duhon, MBA
Director of Economic Development, One Acadiana
Crowley/Lafayette
Karla Edwards
HR Business Partner, Sasol
Lake Charles/Westlake
Bobby Fruge, MBA
Owner/Founder, Radix
Lafayette
Jill Galmarini, MPA
Director of Civic Initiatives, Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana
Lake Charles
Kate Griener, Ph.D.
Senior Community Affairs Advisor, Woodside Energy
Folsom/Sulphur
Judd Jeansonne
Executive Director, Volunteer Louisiana - Office of the Lt. Governor
Leaders for a Better Louisiana (Better Louisiana) is a newly formed nonprofit organization created through the merger of the Committee of 100 for Economic Development (C100) and the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL). Its purpose is to drive positive, transformative change by advocating for data-driven policies, fostering economic development, and empowering leaders across the state. Better Louisiana says it is dedicated to unlocking Louisiana's potential.
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