Meet Cheri Ausberry
Occupation: Director of Community Development & Governmental Relations, Our Lady of The Lake Regional Medical Center
Affiliation: Board Chair, Capital Area Finance Authority
BRAC Involvement: BRAC board member, Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair, 2018 Canvas Co-Chair
What does your organization do?
CAFA (Capital Area Finance Authority) provides financing for commercial development, residential development and public infrastructure projects as well as single family home mortgages in the nine-parish region. CAFA continues to be a positive catalyst for building the community and contributing to the region’s growth and progress.
What are some advantages of being located/doing business in the Capital Region?
- Having the state capital. Being located in the epicenter of state government allows you to have a front row seat to what is taking place and where the action is.
- Our strong colleges, universities and technical institutions. That said, we need to do a better job of investing in our higher education system if we want our young people to stay once they graduate.
- The region’s innovativeness and creativity. We can point to the new Water Campus as one example. We have the tools to build upon this and keep the momentum going.
Why did you decide to invest in BRAC?
To be an investor allows you to be at the table to collaborate with other corporations that want to have a positive impact on our economic vitality and growth as a region and state.
What would you say to companies contemplating joining BRAC?
If you have a desire to influence change with your business or corporation, BRAC offers a number of ways for you and your business to get involved.
What do you anticipate for your company in the next five years? For the Capital Region?
We expect to play a significant role in providing support and financing alternatives for major projects such as city infrastructure, housing and community development initiatives throughout the nine-parish region. Cheri was recently featured in a BRAC video. See what makes her #thinkBR.BRAC is an investor-driven organization leading economic development in the nine-parish Baton Rouge Area. BRAC’s investor base includes small businesses, midsize firms, large industry and entrepreneurial startups, as well as other individuals and organizations.
Each month, BRAC highlights one of its investors in the Investor Spotlight. To learn more about becoming an investor, visit the Join BRAC page or schedule a meeting with BRAC’s Investor Development and Relations team.