Audience seated in rows faces a Leadership Louisiana panel of speakers at a conference in a brightly lit room.

Leadership Louisiana

We Connect and Inspire Leaders from Across Louisiana to Improve the State

Leadership Louisiana enhances the capacity of emerging and current leaders to effectively address key public issues. The program empowers civic-minded citizens to become involved in issues affecting their communities and the state. And they have. 

A group of six professionals stands by a glass wall with sticky notes, as a Leadership Louisiana member gestures and speaks to the others.

Program Overview

Participants in Leadership Louisiana make a one-year commitment to six two-day sessions. Regional sessions begin on Thursdays late afternoon/early evening and adjourn Saturdays at noon.

Opening and Closing Retreats are mandatory.

Participants are allowed to miss one of the remaining four sessions and graduate from the program.

For almost 40 years and with more than 1,600 program graduates, Leadership Louisiana has empowered the people who shape the future of the state. Then and now, it shrinks the distances across the state through strong relationships.

Session Information

Major session topics:

  • Education and workforce 
  • Economy and strategies for growth
  • History and politics
  • News media
  • Arts and culture
  • Criminal justice
  • Healthcare and poverty

Host sites:

  • Lake Charles/Alexandria
  • Lafayette
  • Houma/Thibodaux
  • Baton Rouge
  • New Orleans
  • Shreveport/Monroe

Core elements of Leadership Louisiana sessions:

  • Fun and casual settings that foster new relationships and camaraderie
  • In-depth information about critical issues from leading experts
  • Unique access and behind-the-scenes tours 
  • Meet current leaders working on solutions
  • Diverse geographical and cultural experiences
  • Open dialogue and frank exchanges through round-table discussions
  • Insight into the people, places and history that influence public policies
The Louisiana Capitol building in Baton Rouge illuminated at dusk, reflecting off of the Mississippi River.

Leaders need to know Louisiana

Connecting and inspiring the best from across the state.

Support Our Leadership

Thank You to Our Sponsors!  

Turner Industries logo with green text and a geometric design, highlighting Leadership Louisiana, on a light gray background.
Adams & Reese logo with "Adams" and "Reese" in blue, a red ampersand, and a nod to Leadership Louisiana on a light background.
The Entergy logo with a stylized purple and pink "e" and "entergy" in black, highlighting its commitment to Leadership Louisiana.
Blue and white Hancock Whitney logo with the company name in a circular border, highlighting Leadership Louisiana and a stylized "HW" in the center.
RoyOMartin logo with the tagline "Building Tomorrow Together" and a nod to Leadership Louisiana, on a light gray background.
Red oval logo with white text reads "Family Owned Community Coffee Est. 1919"—a Leadership Louisiana favorite on a light gray background.
A square navy blue logo featuring stylized, mirrored white letters "F", "S", and "cfs" in a geometric Leadership Louisiana design.
Logo with the words “Louisiana Blue” next to a blue cross and a blue shield, each with white medical symbols inside.
CLECO logo featuring blue text and green rays above the letters, with the tagline “Energizing Your Tomorrow” below the company name.

Wurtele Fund

Thanks to Our Session Sponsors!

Lafayette Opening Session
  • First Horizon
  • The Picard Group
  • Tides Medical
  • Acadian Companies
  • One Acadiana
  • Vermilionville
Terrebonne/Lafourche Session
Baton Rouge Session
New Orleans Session
Monroe Session
Alexandria Closing Session