Her Story
About Lindsay
My background is rooted in education which shapes how I approach economic development today. I started my career in the classroom working with secondary students, then moved into school leadership and later into district leadership where I managed federal funding. Those roles helped me understand how talent is developed, how systems operate, and how people move from one stage of opportunity to the next.
When I transitioned to our community college as Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Grant Development, I continued supporting people who were preparing for what comes next. I focused on short term training, rapid upskilling, and programs that helped adults move quickly into meaningful work. I also wrote and managed grants that funded innovative programs designed to strengthen communities and expand access to opportunity. That work helped me see how funding, partnerships, and program design come together to support regional growth.
Recently, I stepped into regional economic development and joined our ten-parish organization in Central Louisiana. The work is broader, but the purpose feels familiar. I build relationships with executive leaders across business and industry, connect them with workforce pipeline solutions, and help them navigate the challenges that influence business growth and community prosperity. I stay familiar with federal, state, and local programs that can support employers and residents, and I help stakeholders connect the dots when needs arise.
My experience across education, workforce development, grant strategy, and regional partnerships gives me a clear view of how talent, training, funding, and industry needs fit together. The muscles are the same, just stretched in new ways, and I enjoy helping our region prepare for what is next and what is possible.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lindsay
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the work ethic my parents instilled in me from a very young age. They taught me that your word and your reputation are your personal brand. If you say you will do something, you do it. If you commit to something, you follow through. That mindset shaped how I show up in every role.
They also taught me to take pride in my work. Whatever you do be the best at it, and be proud of the effort you put in. That lesson has carried me through every stage of my career, from the classroom to workforce development to economic development. It has guided how I build relationships, how I lead teams, and how I support the communities I serve.
At the end of the day, I believe success comes from consistency, integrity, and honoring your commitments. Those values were given to me early, and they continue to anchor the way I work and the way I lead.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from the mentors who shaped me throughout my professional life. They taught me the importance of honesty and the value of owning both the moments that go well and the moments that do not. That mindset has stayed with me in every role.
When I stepped into leadership, I was reminded to never forget where I came from. It is easy for executive offices to become secluded drift away from the people who are ultimately impacted by executive-level decisions. I was taught to stay connected to that reality, to think about the impact of every decision, and to consider the ripple effects before moving forward. That advice has guided how I lead and how I support others.
I also learned that relationships matter. Loyalty matters too. It builds credibility, strengthens partnerships, and creates the kind of trust that allows teams to do meaningful work together.
Those lessons have stayed with me and continue to guide how I show up, how I lead, and how I support the people around me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My biggest advice is to stay true to who you are. As women, we often try to fit into roles that make everyone else comfortable. We want to help, we want to support, and we naturally nurture the people around us. Caring for others is fulfilling, and it is a strength. But sometimes that strength leads us to juggle so many things that we forget to take care of ourselves.
I learned early in my career that you can be in a place for all the right reasons and still not feel fulfilled by the work or the environment. When I made my most recent career move, I decided to put myself first and look for an organization that valued everything I brought to the table - not just the parts that were convenient, but the full range of who I am and what I have to offer. That shift has been incredibly fulfilling.
So my advice is simple. Do not lose yourself. Your path will not be linear, and it will not unfold exactly the way you planned. But the path you get is often better than the one you imagined. Do not be afraid of closed doors. They are usually redirecting you to where you are supposed to be. And remember that not every experience is meant to last forever. Some roles, teams, and seasons are there to teach you something important. You take the lesson, take the growth, take the confidence, and then carry it with you into your next adventure.
Trust yourself. Trust your voice. And trust that you deserve to be in spaces that value your full potential.
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