The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce has evolved into a powerful advocate for the local business community, representing more than 1,300 members, employing over 140,000 local residents—92 percent of which are small businesses. Under the leadership of President and CEO Sandra Lombana Lindquist and Chief Operating Officer Ashley Hilsman, the Chamber is moving beyond traditional networking to become a catalyst for meaningful policy change and economic growth.
“The New Orleans Chamber is in the business of community,” Lindquist says. “We build connection, spark innovation and advocate for the priorities that drive economic growth.” It is exactly this philosophy that drives the organization’s advocacy strategy.
Ashley Hilsman, who became COO in January 2025 after nearly eight years with the organization, emphasizes the Chamber’s fundamental mission: “to provide the opportunities and resources that will enable businesses to prosper through networking, education and advocacy.” As the voice of its members, the Chamber is a leading advocate for policies that directly impact business success, including permitting, infrastructure, public safety and education.
One of the Chamber’s most visible advocacy initiatives is Washington Mardi Gras. The multifaceted event, which started as a reception in 2023 with 190 RSVPs, has grown tremendously with 350 attendees in 2025. The event provides crucial access to Louisiana’s federal delegation, including Senators Cassidy and Kennedy, and Representatives Scalise and Carter. “More importantly, they have access to us—we are a resource for them,” Lindquist says. “It’s not just a party. It’s about constant connections.”
The Chamber also has expanded its federal advocacy efforts through the Gulf Coast Chambers Network, a collaborative initiative led by former Congressman and Mobile Chamber CEO Bradley Byrne. This partnership brings together chambers along I-10 from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and now Florida for coordinated advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. The group applied for its first federal grant together—a $50 million opportunity that, while not awarded, opened doors for future collaborative funding pursuits.
At the local level, the Chamber has launched several targeted advocacy initiatives. One of the most comprehensive is its permitting and licensing reform, developed in partnership with Market Dynamics Research Group. Recognizing that bureaucratic barriers significantly impact business operations, the Chamber conducted extensive outreach to identify systemic issues.
“From emailing our members [to] social media [and] digital/print advertisements, and even grassroots marketing, our ambassadors and staff walked the streets in small business corridors [like] Magazine Street, Oak Street and Maple Street to talk to business owners in early July,” Hilsman says. The Chamber plans to present these data-driven results to the new city administration with specific recommendations for streamlining processes.
Meanwhile, the Chamber has significantly enhanced its relationship with the New Orleans City Council through annual roundtables with Chairmans’ Council members. According to Hilsman, these sessions provide direct, candid dialogue between business leaders and city council members. Recent discussions have addressed public safety and infrastructure funding priorities and permitting reforms.
Beyond roundtables, the Chamber actively participates in city council meetings, often joining forces with organizations like GNO Inc., the Downtown Development District, and New Orleans & Company to present unified advocacy positions on key issues.
One of these key issues is early childhood development, which the Chamber recognizes as a direct connection to workforce stability and long-term economic growth. “Access to quality childcare helps current employees stay in the workforce and supports future generations with a solid foundation,” Hilsman says.
The Chamber actively supported the early education millage that passed in April 2022, which now generates approximately $21 million annually. These funds are expanding access to quality childcare and early learning programs for infants and toddlers from low-income families, creating hundreds of early childhood seats while strengthening provider quality through teacher training and program support.
The Chamber’s advocacy efforts also extend to supporting major economic drivers. Lindquist points to significant successes, including the Chamber’s involvement in committees for Super Bowl LIX, which generated $1.25 billion statewide—double the amount from 2013 when New Orleans last hosted the Super Bowl. The organization also advocates for Mardi Gras, which has an $891 million impact on the New Orleans economy and generates $14 million in state tax revenue.
Infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements remain key advocacy priorities, with the Chamber supporting public safety initiatives, insurance reform and neighborhood revitalization efforts like those in the River District, which will house Shell’s new headquarters, while also championing Entergy’s resiliency projects and the launch of Delta Utilities operations.
The Chamber’s vision extends beyond traditional advocacy to position New Orleans as an innovation hotspot. Lindquist notes that the city leads in utility patent growth, ranks as the No. 1 city for college students and graduates, and has supported every NASA mission to space—assets that inform the Chamber’s advocacy strategy for attracting and retaining businesses.
“Chambers can act as conveners, unifiers and innovators to lead partnerships with the government to achieve big things,” Lindquist says. This philosophy drives the organization’s approach to building coalitions, whether advocating for federal grants, supporting major infrastructure projects like the Port of NOLA expansion or addressing complex issues like FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0.
Through data-driven advocacy, strategic partnerships and direct engagement with policymakers at all levels, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce has established itself as more than a business organization—it has become a catalyst for comprehensive community development.
