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The Office of Professional & Continuing Studies at �������� proudly announces the launch of Cohort 7 of Women’s Leadership Academy (WLA), a prestigious leadership development program designed to elevate leaders across industries. This year’s cohort features an exceptional group of 55 dynamic executives, directors, and emerging change-makers who will engage in an immersive experience designed to strengthen their influence, strategic leadership, and enterprise impact.

Hosted at ��������, this program brings together accomplished leaders in mid- to executive level positions to strengthen their skills, expand their networks, and drive meaningful change in their organizations and communities.

“This program is more than leadership training—it is a movement to position more women at the helm of decision-making spaces,” said Amy Landry, Program Facilitator. “Cohort 7 represents an incredible cross-section of industries, and we are thrilled to welcome these accomplished women into our growing network of influential leaders.”

Meet the Women of Cohort 7

This year’s class includes executives and rising leaders from healthcare, finance, criminal justice, education, government, law, nonprofit leadership, and more. Members of Cohort 7 include:

• Janna Andras – Marketing Coordinator, Sodexo
• Adrienne Bourgeois – Senior Communications Specialist, Incident Response, Entergy Corporation
• Sarah Busch – Vice President of Operations, Landis Construction Company, LLC
• Mari Ann Callais – Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives, Delta Delta Delta Fraternity
• Shanta Chatman – General Manager, Sodexo
• Lisa Cesarini – Director of Text Analytics, InMovement
• Vatsana Chanthala – Director, Ryan White Services and Resources, New Orleans Health Department
• Gina Cobette – Director of Strategic Partnerships and Outreach, alignED New Orleans
• Benita Cochran – Site Coordinator, New Orleans Parent Leadership Training Institute
• Michelle Collins – Dean and Professor, College of Nursing and Health, Loyola New Orleans
• Anna deTiege – Director of Innovation Capital, Louisiana Economic Development
• Latanja Dickerson – Owner, Pre-Teen Essentials
• Monique Ebberman – Director of Nursing- OHN Care Transitions, Ochsner Health
• Andrea Gilich Roussel – Director Talent Management, Ochsner Health
• Catina Gordon-Oates – Director of Clinical Operations, Ochsner Health
• Shukrani Gray – Head of Access and Opportunities, New Orleans Public Library
• Nubia Gutierrez – Director of Human Resources, Mullin Landscape Associates
• Cassie James-Weathersby – Executive Director, Black Women DO Heal, Inc.
• LaShawn Johnson – Tax Operations Manager, Netchex
• Dione Joseph-Breckenridge – School-Based Behavioral Health Clinician Manager, DePaul Community Health Care Centers
• Heidi Kiesling – Community & Employee Engagement Director, Pan-American Life Insurance Group
• Amiyah King – Juvenile Justice Policy Advisor, City of New Orleans Office of Criminal Justice Coordination
• Taneshia Landry – Regional Internal Audit Manager, Churchill Downs
• Liz Langlois – Director, Undergraduate Public Health Studies, Tulane University
• Kiesha Laurent Gaudin – Asst. Chief Operations Manager, City of New Orleans
• Tierra LeDuff – Center Manager, Sage Health
• Brandi Liberty – CEO, The Luak Group
• Allison Lindsey – Founder/Counselor, New Orleans Grief Center
• Lauren Marshall – Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Woodward Design+Build
• Angela Matherne – Compliance Manager, Atmos Energy
• Megan McGarvey – Director, KREWE
• Ciara Mercadel Lowe – Owner, All Things Crafty
• Kourtni Miller – Owner, On Purpose Lifestyle
• Kya Moller – Sr. Manager Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Sustainability, Entergy Services, LLC
• Tavia Patterson – Senior Director of Talent Acquisition and Leave Management, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority
• Shannon Poe – Director of Programming and Services, Life After Hate
• Cammie Proctor – Vice President, Resource Development, United Way of Southeast Louisiana
• Chandra Richardson – Executive Director, People Program
• Sabrina Richardson – Police Lieutenant, New Orleans Police Department
• Amanda Roark – Associate Development Officer, Northwestern Mutual
• Danette Saylor – Director, Office of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion, Tulane University
• Holly Shawhan – Director, Systems Infrastructure and Cloud Services, Tulane University
• Becky Smith – Director, Williams Research Center, The Historic New Orleans Collection
• Christina Sternhell – Manager, Organizational Learning, LCMC Health
• Tenisha Stevens – Criminal Justice Commissioner, City of New Orleans
• Carolyn Stewart – Manager, Population Health, Ochsner Health
• Kate Tannian – Museum Programs and Interpretation Manager, Pontchartrain Conservancy
• Colleen Templeton – Senior Associate, Gasparian Spivey Immigration
• Tayauna Thomas – Clinical Practice Manager, CrescentCare
• Charette Thomas – Founder/President, I. B. Thomas Nursing Institute, LLC
• Dana Trosclair – Principal Investigator, FINRA
• Angel Tutt – Supervisor Performance Improvement, Ochsner Health
• Alexis Walker – Membership and Events Manager, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
• Shelby Wynne – Family Connects Program Manager, City of New Orleans Health Department
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A Growing Legacy of Leadership

Since its inception, the Women’s Leadership Academy has equipped over 300 professional participants with enhanced skills, confidence, and increased networks to drive change in their industries and communities. With Cohort 7, this legacy continues to expand, shaping the future of executive leadership.

If you want to support this cohort or get involved, one way is to sign up to be a mentor—applications are now open and will close on April 16th. To find out more about the program, visit.

For more information about the Women’s Leadership Academy, visit ��or contact wla@loyno.edu.