2022 Spotlight Keynote Speakers

NATALIE MADEIRA COFIELD, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership, at the U.S. Small Business Administration. In this role, Ms. Cofield serves as a senior executive providing executive oversight, management, leadership, and championship of female entrepreneurship.  As an assistant administrator, Ms. Cofield will oversee the largest expansion of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) network in the history of the Small Business Administration across its nearly 140 center footprint and more than $70 million in federal grant-making to support the growth of women-led firms.

Ms. Cofield is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with over 15 years of experience in securing diverse capital, building strategic partnerships, and leading state and local economic development policy advocacy to successfully incubate and scale small business development and expansion initiatives in communities throughout the United States. Ms. Cofield brings extensive experience leading business and trade associations and working with corporations, and philanthropic organizations to develop programs to support entrepreneurship within women-led, diverse and urban communities and is responsible for securing over $22 million in capital to invest in entrepreneurial ventures and small business programs and initiatives. Most recently she served as Founder & CEO of Walker’s Legacy and the Walker’s Legacy Foundation providing entrepreneurship programming to support thousands of multicultural women entrepreneurs. 

An accomplished advocate for women, Ms. Cofield was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2019 and selected among 137 cover-story business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the nation for her response to COVID-19 in the magazine’s most recent Entrepreneur Magazine July/August 2020 edition cover.

She is a graduate of Howard University where she received her BBA in Information Systems and the Baruch School of Public Affairs where she was a National Urban Fellow. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

JO ANN LAWRENCE is the Deputy District Director for the Louisiana District Office where she manages the district office staff.  She has extensive experience and expertise in providing business development, contracting, and procurement assistance to small businesses in Louisiana.  She is a nationwide expert on the 8(a) Business Development program, HUBZone certification, Woman-owned Small Business certification, 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance, Joint Ventures and Mentor Protégé Programs.  Mrs. Lawrence is frequently called upon for training initiatives across the country, and she has worked on several standard operating procedures (SOP) manuals in all areas of small business development.

Jo Ann Lawrence is a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana.  She has over 44 years of service with the federal government, all with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  She began her tenure with SBA in the Administrative Support Unit and was later promoted to the Finance Division.  In June 1983, she laterally transferred to the Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development Division, now known as the Office of Business Development.


She has demonstrated unequaled leadership and initiative in training new employees as well as mentoring all staff.  Mrs. Lawrence has taken on additional duties and responsibilities in light of recent losses in the local office.  In 2002, Mrs. Lawrence received the Minority Advocate of the Year Award from the Gulf South Minority Supplier Development Council.  In August 2013, Mrs. Lawrence was recognized as a leader for her work in the State of Louisiana by receiving the Louisiana Minority Supplier Development Council’s 2013 Leadership Award.  In April 2014, she was nominated by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity as a Microbusiness Champion for her support of ProsperityNOLA and microbusinesses in Louisiana.  Mrs. Lawrence was recognized by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity during its 2014 National Conference in New Orleans. On July 24, 2014, the Mayor of New Orleans, Senator Mary Landrieu, Congressman Cedric Richmond, Louisiana District Office staff and in excess of 120 current and former Louisiana 8(a) firms recognized Jo Ann Lawrence for 40 years of service to the small businesses in Louisiana.  In early April of 2016, she was nominated for the 2016 Small Business Advocacy Award for Federal Government.  This national award was presented to her on July 14, 2016 in Washington, D.C. at the annual ACT-IAC Small Business Growth Symposium.  She is a 2017 graduate of the Excellence in Government Fellows Leadership Program.

Thursday Conference Reception

- Paid Event -

6:30pm - 9:00PM

Doubletree by Hilton: Hotel Ballroom View Map Location

2022 Spotlight Speaker List

KYONA MCGEE, ATTORNEY AT LAW is Founder of a company that now employees 8 full time employees and has successfully filed over 2,000 federal trademarks for entrepreneurs across the country. We specialize our practice to serve minority owned businesses, and have found this business to truly be a blessing beyond what I could have imagine in just 3 short years! 

 

Since founding this firm, Kyona has successfully filed thousands of trademark applications, and held the hands of hundreds of entrepreneurs as they navigate the demands of growing a new business. Kyona now leads a legal team of seven phenomenal women and men helping push the mission of this firm forward every day.

GAYLE YOUNG, a Holistic Health Practitioner, is the creator of Laughter in Your Belly Wellness, a full-service wellness practice where she practices transformational medicine.

A 1993 graduate of the LSU Law School, she has practiced law for 28 years and uses her legal adeptness to dissect a chart of symptoms, finding the root cause, then addressing the client’s entire needs: physical, emotional, and spiritual, through a process known as “Defying Your DNA.”

 

Her own healing journey took her from bedridden to blessed. A three-year journey of 22 daily medications, 15 doctors, and still living with chronic migraines, lupus, fibromyalgia, liver failure, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, alopecia, Hashimoto’s, celiac disease, a brain tumor, 11 other tumors, and a myriad of other diseases and dis-eases.

LAUREN GRIMES-JACKSON, is a three-time author. She is the Amazon Best-Selling author of “Purposeful Pain”, the blog turned E-book entitled “Intimacy”, and her most recent publishing, “Vulnerability: The Art of Letting Go.”

 

Lauren’s niche is helping business owners & corporate clients create an infrastructure that affords them the ability to successfully thrive. Lauren uses her self-designed infrastructure wellness plan to help her clients identify areas of opportunities, implement strategies and processes that can be duplicated successfully and increase profitability.

A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a B.S. in Accounting. She has been employed for 21 years with Tulane University where she is a Senior Accountant in the Grants & Contracts Accounting Department. She manages and provides post-award accounting functions for all awards received by the university, School of Medicine, School of Public Health, and Primate Center. She also manages the financial duties for Tulane International (TILLC) bank accounts and international award expenditures. Currently serves as President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Greater New Orleans Chapter, Inc. and formerly served as the 3rd Vice President of Membership and Chapter Development.

A self-described public-servant, Courtney L. Hunt, is a Community Engagement Specialist who is committed to creating sustainable change.  She has spent over 25 years delivering measurable outcomes and is currently most passionate about the work she is doing at Ochsner Community Health Centers to help improve the overall all health of the state of Louisiana by 2030.  At Ochsner, Courtney is responsible for building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders while promoting the initiatives of the Community Health Centers. She convenes community advisory councils, works with providers and government relations to bring awareness to the initiatives of the centers. During her short time at Ochsner she has already been recognized for her spirit of excellence in her work.

TINA L. TAYLOR is Co-Founder & Co-Executive Officer of a commercial and technology management firm, Core3 Innovations, Partner of TMG Affiliates, LLC, UNUM Capital Investments, and Founder of Heritage STEM Camps Foundation. These organizations engineer ideas and unlock capital that impact thousands of minority women and children in the US and Africa by driving community transformation and building economic parity. Taylor is passionate about equitable participation and empowering women and children in STEM education. Taylor’s end-goal is to propel financial and entrepreneurial freedoms, challenge the status quo, and ignite future leaders’ confidence. She believes that by investing in untapped communities you will unlock tremendous growth potential. 

MYLA POREE is an accomplished Entrepreneur, Operational Leader, Business Coach/Strategist, and Economic Development Advocate skilled with the sense of ideating new business and finding market opportunities. With over fifteen years of exceptional experience in top-level business environments coordinating, designing, and managing a wide range of business practices, Myla has proven to be a visionary leader, adept with the knowledge of organizational development through visioning, strategic planning, evaluation, monitoring, and trusted advisory support. 

 

She is the founder and CEO of MRP Coaching and Consulting, – a New Orleans-based company founded on the basis of professionalism and committed to serving as a catalyst for positive social and economic change. Myla also hosts a Podcast titled “Momming, Surviving, and Thriving.” She came up with the concept of establishing MRP Coaching and Consulting to help women and minority-owned businesses access all the resources and tools needed for them to build wealth, increase opportunities, and strengthen the communities they live in. 

LORENA K. CLARK, PCC CPC ELI-MP is the founder and Managing Partner of Pinnacle Leadership Consulting. She is a certified executive coach and management consultant with more than 30 years of leadership experience with multinational corporations, providing business strategies, talent and executive development solutions and coaching to companies globally. She is highly skilled in managing the human resource components of mergers, acquisitions and startups. Having worked and lived abroad her knowledge of international business issues, laws, regulations and customs allows her to advise companies that are expanding rapidly across international boundaries.

PAULA MERRICK RODDY is the Director of Compliance with the Louisiana State Department of Transportation and Development. She has a B.S. degree from Louisiana State University in Secondary Mathematics and History and a Master’s Degree from Southern University in Public Administration with a concentration in Finance. She is a former high school mathematics teacher and has served in several positions with many state and local agencies for the past 30 years. She is a member of the Association of Governmental Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association, the American Contract Compliance Association, the St. Paul Church of God in Christ and the state DBE Liaison Officer for the Federal Highway and Safety Administration.

 

IAM CHRISTIAN TUCKER serves as the President and CEO of Integrated Logistical Support, Inc. (ILSI Engineering).  She is a graduate of the University of New Orleans, and is currently enrolled in Tulane University’s graduate school for Equitable Economic Development.


Founded over two decades ago, ILSI Engineering is a 100% female, minority owned, 8(a) Certified civil engineering firm that provides highly qualified, cost-effective services in the civil engineering field. ILSI Engineering specializes in sewer, water, streets, and drainage design projects, as well as Program and Construction Management.

ANGELICA RIVERA proudly holds the Presidency at Colmex Construction, LLC, and has been recognized for her achievements by many different organizations. Not only for her visionary leadership in the competitive construction industry in New Orleans, but also for her entrepreneurial spirit that has been an integral force towards the organizational growth at Colmex.

Over the past 15 Years, Angelica has received many nominations and awards including: City Business 2019, 2020 & 2021 Excellence in Construction award, she was selected as one of our “heroes’ locales” by Telemundo 42 and Gulf Coast Bank.

KRISTA POUNCY-DYSON is a strategic and innovative senior digital media executive who has developed a winning strategy for hundreds of businesses across the country based on their marketing objectives. Krista has been in the digital space since 1999. During her tenure as a direct digital sales professional, she was a 7-figure biller for six consecutive years before moving into a senior leadership role at Advance Digital – NOLA Media Group. 

DENAGE PIPER is Commercial Relationship Manager with Citizens Bank and Trust with 16 years of banking experience.  She is a proud alumnus of Southern University with a passion for growing your business.

“As a champion of integrity and hard work, I aspire to instill an authentic sense of pride and nobility within the culture. My purpose encompasses the core values of community, humility and awareness which will instill a lifelong legacy that will exceed expectations and significantly sustain. Fueled by a passion for excellence, I adamantly strive to curate the highest version of myself – which in return will empower generations to follow.”

FATEMEH MALEKIAN is a Professor of Food Science and Nutrition and Director of Southern Institute for food, Nutrition and Wellness at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC) in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Dr. Malekian received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Food Science/Food Chemistry and Processing from Louisiana State University (LSU), LA.

Dr. Fatemeh’s influence and leadership is not confined to Louisiana alone.  She has been an invited participant internationally in nutrition and food safety programs in Armenia, Kenya, Malawi (Africa) and China.

TERRI PUGH, a life strategist and public speaker, is the CEO and chief life coach
of On Purpose Life Coaching Services, Mind Body & Soul Womb Spa, and
founder of Setting the Standard Barbering and Natural Hair Academy. Her life-
transformative message has an intriguing message with emphasis of the
African word Sankofa, Sankofa is often associated with the proverb, “Se wo
were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi," or “Sankofa w’onkyir” which translates as: "It
is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.", guiding clients to
reach back and change the narrative of their past giving them a tool of
empowerment to obtain the live they desire and deserve. She is a California
native that resides in Shreveport, LA since 1990 with her two daughters
Taylor, Zoe and grand-daughter Marlie Lynn.
Her company provides coaching and resilience training and have served
clients across all the 50 states. Since 2012, she has hosted several workshops
and retreats about entrepreneurship, life transformation, toxic masculinity
amongst others. She loves gardening, small social gathering with friends, and
most importantly helping others get to their fullest potential.

As the Vice President & Managing Director of TruFund’s Southeast Region, Kim Carter Evans is responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of market operations, lending, program implementation and economic development community strategies. Ms. Carter Evans leads the lending and program teams with an emphasis on growing the portfolio while enhancing the entrepreneurial education and support culture as well as market expansion. In addition, Ms. Carter Evans oversees all corporate communications & marketing functions across TruFund’s national footprint building brand awareness and advancing TruFund’s strategic agenda.

With 18 years of experience as a business and economic development professional having worked in both the government and non-profit sector, Ms. Carter Evans brings extensive experience in disaster recovery program implementation; municipal economic development strategy consulting, federal fund administration to include Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG); strategic partnership and relationship management. Ms. Carter Evans joined TruFund in 2012 responsible for resource development, strategic partnerships and program implementation in the Louisiana market.

Prior to joining TruFund, she serviced in roles of increasing responsibility with the State of Louisiana Department of Economic Development; City of New Orleans Department of Economic Development; United States Department of Commerce – Minority Business Development Agency and Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation – Urban Entrepreneur Partnership. As a management and strategy consultant with CCMG Management, Ms. Carter Evans serves as senior business and municipal strategist.

Ms. Carter Evans is an active community volunteer currently serving on the Board of Directors of Jubilee Impact Fund (Chicago, IL); Center For Empowerment and Development (Atlanta, GA); Jefferson County Revolving Loan Fund Advisory Board (Birmingham, AL) and IGNITE Alabama Advisory Board. (Birmingham, AL)  Ms. Carter Evans holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communications – Public Relations from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) – International Business Communication.

As a longtime associate at Hancock Whitney, Amanda Moulliet’s banking expertise has helped thousands of clients during her 27 years in the financial services industry.

Moulliet is an example of how success and leadership are cultivated at Hancock Whitney. She joined the company as a teller while in college working to support frontline clients. After earning her degree in business from the University of New Orleans (UNO), she joined the company management training program in order to learn every facet of the banking industry.

She continued her studies graduating from both the Louisiana State University School of Banking and the UNO MBA program. Her career path saw her work in a range of jobs within the company including Credit Analyst, Regional Sales Associate, Branch Manager, Business Banker and a Regional Branch Manager.

In her current role, she directs a talented team of 11 associates serving the entire New Orleans metropolitan area. Moulliet’s team focuses on providing quality service while building strong relationships for their business clients. The number one focus for Moulliet is helping clients achieve their dreams.

Giving back to the community is a core value for Moulliet. She works with many non-profits in the region and regularly volunteers at organizations that are making a difference in the local community. She gives of her time and energy to United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Catholic Charities, Crescent City Classic, Fore Kids Foundation, Rebuilding Together, Second Harvest, YMCA, Christian Brothers School, Brother Martin High School, Junior Achievement, Juvenile Diabetes, March of Dimes, and the Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival.

 

Moulliet was recently selected to serve on the UNO Research and Technology Foundation Board.  In addition, she actively participates in the Westbank Business and Industry Association, Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry and the Algiers Economic Development Foundation.  She has participated/presented in many seminars to provide Financial Literacy to adults, including many small business owners, as well as children in the community.  She has worked with many local public and private schools, Junior Achievement, Operation Hope, Good Work Network, NOLA Business Alliance, Small Business Economic Development Programs as well as SBA Programs.  Moulliet spearheaded a HW event to promote networking for Women in Leadership and is also a participant in the New Orleans Women’s Leaders Organization. 

Finally, Moulliet is there to help the community from natural disasters such as the tornado that damaged the New Orleans East area and the multitude of hurricanes that have devastated our area.   

Brenda Guess is the new Assistant Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development.  Ms. Guess is chiefly responsible for guiding LED’s programs that grow Louisiana’s small business sector. In addition, Ms. Guess will be directing the State Small Business Credit Initiative effort in our state to partner with financial institutions and other lenders, and the communities that they serve.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Guess served as the Director of Business Incentive Services for 10 years.  In this position, she administered programs geared to give companies a competitive edge through tax incentives, and developed a variety of state programs for the retention, creation, and expansion of Louisiana businesses and industries.

Before joining LED, Brenda spent six years in municipal government and 6 years in private sector business management. 

Brenda received a Bachelor’s degree in marketing and a Master’s degree in public administration from Southern University.   

Juan Nathan is a Business Development Officer for TruFund Financial Services. With over ten years of experience working in the Financial Services Industry, Juan has a vast amount of experience creatively assisting clients gain access to capital. Juan’s two professional passions include commercial lending and community development. Those two passions were perfectly merged at TruFund Financial Services as he currently helps minority-owned, women-owned, and businesses located in low to moderate income areas find solutions for their lending needs. During his tenure at TruFund Financial Services, Juan has helped 18 small businesses gain access to $1.5M in capital.

TruFund’s mission is to help historically disadvantaged individuals and communities create thriving and resilient small business and entrepreneurial ecosystems to close racial and economic disparities to ensure an inclusive and equitable society. Juan helps to further TruFund’s mission by meeting as many business owners as possible to spread the word about resources available to minority-owned businesses.

Kathy Cobette Saloy is the Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development, Market Leader for the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast for Hope Enterprise Corporation.  She focuses on asset building strategies and facilitates investments in community infrastructure including fresh food retailers, charter schools, affordable housing and other community facilities, infrastructure projects while connecting communities with HOPE resources and expertise. In the role she manages, structures, and leads the organization’s business development financing and debt associated with specialized sources. Kathy manages and develops community and economic development programs and lead, coach and develop a team of Commercial Loan Officers in her market. As Market Leader, she collaborates with retail and other lines of business to leverage the credit union’s full suite of products and services.  Kathy maintains contact with a range of community and economic development entities including municipalities, Goldman Sachs 10KSB, HBCUs community organizations, technical assistance providers and professional organizations. 

Kathy has also been instrumental in working with municipalities in Louisiana that have budgeted funds for healthy food to develop Heathy Food Programs.  The Louisiana Healthy Food program and a program for the City of BR recently launched under Kathy’s leadership.  Kathy has facilitated the Fresh Food Retail Initiative in New Orleans from the CDFI fund, Goldman Sachs and others, leveraging over $49 million for Healthy Food projects and managing budgets over 19 million of loan program funds.

Kathy leads Hope Supplier Diversity Pilot, focusing on increasing access to contracting procurement opportunities for small businesses. She works to expand Hope’s Small Business initiatives with a focus on growth and business development through outreach to a range of community and economic development entities, determining eligibility and financial report management. She was very instrumental in leading, promoting and processing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications.  She is also the project manager for the Deep South Economic Mobility Collaborative

Kathy has been at Hope for 10 years. Her works dates back to Hibernia / Capital One where she spent  23 years of her financial  in Commercial Business Development and Vice President Officer in  management level positions.

Kathy is also a commissioned Notary in the State of Louisiana and Managing member of Cobette Saloy Investments, LLC.

Lisa J. Lee, is a Vice President/ Regional Manager with Home Bank in Baton Rouge, La.  She is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a B.S. in Marketing. She has worked in the retail banking segment for 32 years.  She supervises six managers with 13 branches throughout the Baton Rouge, Northshore, and Natchez, Ms. markets. She appreciates   developing her teams to understand the needs of their clients. She believes the relationship and the service given is what stands out in a bank.  Lisa is the mother of two amazing young adults.  She values her time with her family and enjoys watching them accomplish their goals.  

Lisa understands her blessings come solely from God. He has blessed her throughout her banking career, and she believes in being a blessing to her clients. Lisa is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she serves as the Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee.

Lisa has a passion for teaching financial literacy. She enjoys working with small business clients to help each achieve their personal and professional financial goals.

Lisa believes every small business owner needs to develop a strong foundation before launching their business.  As a small business owner, meaningful relationships matter.  The best advice is to work with the LSBDC and SBA in your local market, gain advice from a mentor in your same industry, establish a relationship with your Banker, hire a CPA/Bookkeeper who understands your business, and work with an attorney who specializes in legal matters pertaining to your small business. These are effective keys to success.