The Ascension Chamber of Commerce recently completed its 28th year of the Leadership Ascension program. Before a crowd of over 100 community leaders, alumni, supporters, and sponsors, the Chamber honored the Class of 2023 graduates in a ceremony, sponsored by Bonfanti Investment Services, at the Clarion Inn & Conference Center.
Leadership Ascension, like similar programs nationwide, is designed to develop responsible and informed community leaders. Recognized and emerging leaders in the community are selected to represent the diverse demographic of the Ascension Parish Community. Since its inception in 1996, Leadership Ascension has graduated over 800 individuals, from business owners to community leaders, to government officials.
THE TEAM PROJECTS
The 33 participants in this year’s Leadership Class were divided into four groups. Each group was then tasked with developing and implementing a volunteer-based project that would positively affect the Ascension Community. This year’s projects included:
- Ascension CLIMBERS– Focused on impacting and improving children’s lives in Ascension Parish by volunteering with several local and regional child nonprofits
- Elevate Ascension– Beautification of Ascension parks
- SOUPer Servants– Educate, increase awareness, and advocate on behalf of those that are experiencing food insecurity in Ascension Parish and be a connector of resources to all
- Mission Possible, Agents of Change– Dedicated fundraising and volunteer services to the My Belongings nonprofit agency.
While we consider each team and our Ascension community all winners, our judges could only choose one proposal to be the 2023 Leadership Ascension Project of the Year, and this year’s winners are the SOUPer Servants. The team members are Brandon Dove, Jackie McCreary, Selina Loupe, Rachel Vallot, Brian Henderson, Amanda Simoneaux, Clay Runfalo and Raven LaBiche.
2023 Leadership Ascension Project of the Year: SOUPer Servants
Leadership Ascension Class of 2023
Kelly Bordelon, Rubicon
Brandon Boylan, City of Gonzales
Stacey Breaux, Baton Rouge General
Patrick Carpenter, Ascension Parish Fire District 3
Cameron Cason, REV
Isabella Corona, Parc 73
Kim Cox, Ascension Parish School Board
Leslie Daigle, Ascension Parish Government
Jennifer Delatte, The Relaxation Company at Pelican Point
Brandon Dove, Methanex
Ruble Encalade, Shell Chemical LP- Geismar Plant
Brian Henderson, Hancock Whitney
Amy Huck, Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP
Jenna Jackson, Acadian House & Design Renovation
Raven LaBiche, The Arc of East Ascension
Cecilia Li, Domain Architecture
Selina Loupe, Team Smith and the Market Real Estate Company
Brandi McCants, Our Lady of the Lake Physicians Group
Jackie McCreary, CF Industries
Meredith Meliet, Emergent Method
Chelsea Mullins, R.J. Daigle & Sons
Jared Mullins, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office
Lucio Nunez, Terracon
Ryan Plessala, The Lemoine Company, LLC
Alisha Raines, BASF
Nicole Reynolds, LaPorte, APLC
Christina Roudeze, Faulk & Winkler
Clay Runfalo, Ochsner Health
Amanda Simoneaux, Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
Renee Trimble, Adam McCarty State Farm
Rachel Vallot, Pelican State Credit Union
Jackie Walker, B1 Bank
Treasure White, Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area
Thank you to the following for their support of the Leadership Ascension Class of 2023!
Ascension Economic Development Corp
Ascension Parish Assessor’s Office
Ascension Parish Government
Ascension Parish School System
Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Department
Baton Rouge General- Ascension
Bridget Hanna, Ascension Parish Clerk of Court
Bonfanti Investment Services, LLC
CF Industries
City of Donaldsonville
City of Gonzales
Clay Schexnayder, Speaker of the House
Crawford Photography
Domain Architecture
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Our Lady of The Lake Ascension
Ochsner Ascension
Percy, Skias & Schutte Attorneys at Law
River Parishes Community College
Representative Tony Bacala
The Leadership Ascension Committee
The Leadership Ascension Foundation
Find more information and submit your application to become part of the Leadership Ascension Class of 2024 here: https://ascensionchamber.com/leadership-ascension/