Program Overview
Leadership Baton Rouge was founded as a BRAC program in 1985 to prepare a diverse group of professionals for leadership positions in the community. There are now over 1,000 graduates of the program, many of whom serve in leadership positions on boards, commissions, and hold federal, state and local public offices.
Because Leadership Baton Rouge focuses on key areas of concern – education, cultural and personal diversity, city and state government, healthcare and social concerns, economic development, the arts and culture, the criminal justice system & law enforcement), graduates leave the program with first-hand knowledge of the issues facing our region and the potential for a positive community experience through volunteerism. The program is an excellent resource for organizations seeking capable board members.
Curriculum
The curriculum for Leadership Baton Rouge is designed to use a variety of resources and learning techniques. Topics are chosen based on key components inherent in the daily lives of the people of the Baton Rouge Area.
The curriculum is designed to accomplish the following goals:
- To seek out, train and promote high achievers for positions of voluntary responsibility in the community
- To provide these developing leaders with practical information concerning community issues and assets
- To establish a communication network among the existing and emerging leaders of the community
- To challenge these leaders to increase their involvement in community affairs
Apply for Program
We find ourselves in unprecedented times, and such times demand unprecedented flexibility. Like so many local organizations, Leadership Baton Rouge is making necessary adjustments to its programs and operations in light of COVID-19 to ensure a safe environment for participants, speakers and volunteers.
To that end, applications for the LBR Class of 2021 are being suspended until the science and governmental guidelines allow. Creating opportunities for meaningful social connection and experiential learning is at the heart of what we do. Leadership Baton Rouge will take a temporary hiatus until the Class of 2021 can be afforded these same opportunities.
So many of our alumni represent the area’s first responders, healthcare professionals, social services agencies, and businesses at the front lines providing necessary aid to our community. We wish to express our appreciation and admiration for your strength, compassion, and preparedness.
2020 Class Schedule
Leadership Baton Rouge kicks off nine months of training with a two-day opening retreat in August. From September to April, the class devotes an entire day, monthly, to presentations from subject matter experts, discussions, field trips and practical exercises pertinent to community issues. To conclude the program, a two-day closing retreat is held in May, followed by a graduation dinner in June.
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2019 | Announcement Breakfast (optional but highly encouraged!) |
| August 22-23, 2019 | Opening Retreat |
| September 17, 2019 | Leadership Styles & Diversity |
| October 15, 2019 | K-12 Education |
| November 19, 2019 | Higher Education |
| December 10, 2019 | City & State Government |
| January – February | One non-profit agency visit |
| January 21, 2020 | Arts & Culture |
| February 11, 2020 | Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice |
| March 10, 2020 | Healthcare & Social Concerns |
| April 7, 2020 | Economic Development |
| April 21, 2020 | Hold day for potential makeup session |
| April 30 – May 1, 2020 | Closing Retreat |
| June 2, 2020 | Graduation Dinner (optional but highly encouraged!) |
| Other Activities (anytime) | Attend one (1) Metro Council and one (1) School Board meeting *required |
Selection Process
Nominees are accepted from public and private agencies, corporations, civic and other organizations, and individual nominators. Applicants are accepted based on demonstrated leadership ability through career or community achievements, concern for the future of the Baton Rouge Area, and commitment to the program. Every summer, a selection committee of Leadership Baton Rouge alumni recommend 34 to 40 candidates based on a cross-section of the community in terms of occupation, gender, race, age and affiliations.
Current Class
| Name | Title | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Jason R. Andreasen | Executive Director | Baton Rouge Gallery - Center for Contemporary Art |
| Tasha N. Bergeron Parms | Director, Population Health | Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana |
| Erin H. Blake | Director of Enrollment Services/Registrar | Baton Rouge Community College |
| Crystal H. Blanchard | Account Executive | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana |
| Anita M. Byrne | Partner | SSA Consultants |
| Joseph J. Cefalu | Partner | Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P. |
| Ryan M. Cross | Director of Communications | Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center |
| Summer L. Dann | Executive Director | EBR Career and Technical Education Center |
| Rory A. Denicola | Communications Coordinator | ExxonMobil |
| Tonnisha N. Ellis | Program Coordinator | Louisiana Board of Regents |
| Andrew V. Fitzgerald | Senior Director of Business Intelligence | Baton Rouge Area Chamber |
| Sarah C. Gardner | Project Manager | Baton Rouge Area Foundation |
| Nenette L. Gray | Founder & CEO | Lemonade Creative Marketing, LLC |
| Letrece R. Griffin | Marketing & Communications Specialist | Knock Knock Children’s Museum |
| Deon A. Guillory | Evening News Anchor | WVLA Local 33 |
| Angela B. Hammett | Community Education Manager | Woman’s Hospital |
| Laura B. Hawkes | Director of Operations and Recruitment | Baton Rouge Youth Coalition |
| Teddi H. Hessburg | Senior Director of Events | Our Lady of the Lake Foundation |
| Jason C. Hughes | Owner | Capital City Collision |
| Raushanah S. Hunter | Development Director | City Year Baton Rouge |
| James J. Jefferson III | Sergeant | Louisiana State Police |
| Johnathan A. Landor | Director of Environmental Services | Woman’s Hospital |
| Melvin R. Landry | Louisiana Restoration Area Lead | Department of Commerce - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration |
| Michael K. Leachman | Partner | Jones Walker LLP |
| Regina B. Leingang | Leadership Development Consultant | Baton Rouge General |
| Chrislyn M. Maher | Director of Marketing and Communications | Tiger Athletic Foundation |
| Steven J. Malik | Enterprise Solutions Manager | Turner Industries Group |
| Na’Tisha Natt | Public Affairs Director | Louisiana Housing Corporation |
| Christina P. Persaud | Principal and Director of Brand Management | MESH |
| Robert W. Powell, III | Partner | Cardinal Capital/University of Arkansas |
| Oscar Reed Richard | Assistant Superintendent | BREC |
| Dana P. Salisbury | Director of Learning Systems | Productive Dentist Academy |
| Laura A. Siu-Nguyen | Development and Marketing Coordinator | Gardere Community Christian School |
| Todd W. Smith | Managing Partner/Marketing Consultant | Dubb Hubb Marketing Group LLC |
| Dianne P. Teal | Chief Nursing Officer | Ochsner Health System |
| Linda M. Thompson | Director of Operations | St. Joseph’s Academy |
| Stephanie W. Tomlinson | Executive Assistant to the Commissioner | Board of Regents |
| Tiffani B. Traupman | Director, Quality & Compliance | Choices of Louisiana, Inc. |
| Jessica M. Trepagnier | Manager, Marketing and Community Outreach | Aetna Better Health of Louisiana |
| Monica M. Vela-Vick | Associate | Phelps Dunbar, LLP |
| Rachel C. Veron | Director of Analytics | LSU Foundation |
| Matthew L. Wallace | Vice President- Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships | Easterseals Louisiana |
| Tracy N. White | Senior Public Affairs Specialist Partnerships | Cox Communications |
| Chloe Wiley | Initiatives Program Manager | Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation |
| Marcus J. Williams | Program Director | CSRS, Inc |
| Jared C. Williams | Director, Marketing and Communications | Teach For America |
