Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Baker Donelson
The lawyers of Baker Donelson provide a full array of business legal services, and have received particular recognition in the fields of commercial litigation, bankruptcy and creditors' rights, construction, health care, real estate transactions and litigation, railroad, admiralty, maritime financing, oil and gas and labor and employment. Attorneys in this office are routinely recognized nationally in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, and locally in New Orleans Magazine Top Lawyers, as well as City Business Leaders in Law and Women in Leadership.
LouisianaBIO
From Shreveport to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and from Lake Charles and Lafayette to Ruston and Monroe, university researchers, biotech entrepreneurs, government and hospital labs, energy and fuel companies, and many others are working to develop new technologies and new products in agriculture, food science, chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, medical devices, energy and fuel. And they’re doing it under the biotechnology umbrella. LouisianaBio is a member-driven state trade organization dedicated to supporting biotechnology growth in Louisiana, and being the voice of Louisiana bioscience. We are the official affiliate of the world’s largest biotechnology trade association, the Biotechnology Innovation Association (BIO), and a member of the Council for State Bioscience Associations.
Louisiana Economic Development
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state's business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. Vision: Louisiana consistently outperforms the South and the U.S. in creating jobs and economic opportunities for its citizens. Mission: Cultivate jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana through nine integrated economic development strategies:
- Strategically improve state economic competitiveness
- Engage with local partners to enhance community competitiveness
- Forge partnerships to enhance regional economic development assets
- Expand and retain in-state businesses
- Execute a strong business recruitment program
- Cultivate small business, innovation and entrepreneurship
- Enhance workforce development solutions
- Promote Louisiana's robust business advantages
- Attract foreign direct investments and grow international trade
BARDA DRIVe
DRIVe is transforming health security innovation to protect Americans from 21st-Century health security threats. DRIVe takes a new approach to tackle the biggest national health security threats—developing innovative technologies and practices for transformative solutions. BARDA is responsible for developing and procuring technologies and countermeasures to protect the nation against natural and man-made threats. We have delivered solutions to protect our country and the world from threats like Anthrax, Smallpox, Ebola, Pandemic Influenza, and many others. Since it was established in 2006, as part of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, BARDA has facilitated 35 FDA approvals, licensures, and clearances for products addressing a wide range of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; pandemic influenza; and emerging infectious diseases. BARDA's mission is accomplished through successful public-private partnerships with industry to share risk, improve efficiency, and accelerate development all while sustaining a marketplace that guarantees continued access to the vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other medical products that are vital to our national health security.
JP Morgan Chase
Certain principles are fundamental to our success. They focus on how we strengthen, safeguard and grow our company over time. Adhering to each of these principles is how we will become the best and most respected bank in the world. We cannot promise specific outcomes or risk-free results. From time to time, we may fall short in our efforts and if that happens, we will renew our commitment to these principles and re-double our efforts. What we can and will promise is to be truthful and give honest assessments of our businesses and prospects; act with integrity and honor; and do the right thing—not necessarily the easy or expedient thing. We will work with fierce resolve to make this a company of which our customers, employees, shareholders and communities can be proud.
Silver Sponsors
New Orleans Downtown Development District
The Downtown Development District of New Orleans (DDD) was created by the Louisiana Legislature in 1974 to drive the development of Downtown New Orleans and be the catalyst for a prosperous, stimulating, innovative heart of the Crescent City.
Jones Walker
Since our inception in 1937, Jones Walker LLP has grown over the past several decades in size and scope to become one of the largest law firms in the United States. We serve local, regional, national, and international business interests in a wide range of markets and industries. Today, we have approximately 355 attorneys in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas.
P&N
For more than 65 years, Postlethwaite & Netterville, APAC (P&N) has helped businesses and individuals across the country shape clearer paths forward. Our professional accounting and assurance, consulting, tax, and technology services allow clients to streamline and organize operations, comply with changing regulations, and boost business growth with the right technological tools. We're about reducing clutter, organizing chaos, and seeing beyond cloudy forecasts — helping companies and individuals take clear steps toward success.
Stone Pigman
At Stone Pigman, we believe that outstanding lawyers deliver superior client service. Stone Pigman attorneys are experienced, creative and focused on finding the best solution for our clients. Our goal is to help you advance your interests and grow your business, whether that business is a local start-up, a regional manufacturer, or a Fortune 100 company. We are serious advocates and partners for all our clients, large and small.
EY
At EY, we are committed to building a better working world — with increased trust and confidence in business, sustainable growth, development of talent in all its forms, and greater collaboration. We want to build a better working world through our own actions and by engaging with like-minded organizations and individuals. This is our purpose — and why we exist as an organization. Running through our organization is a strong sense of obligation to serve a number of different stakeholders who count on us to deliver quality and excellence in everything we do. We want to use our global reach and scale to convene the conversation about the challenges facing economies and the capital markets. When business works better, the world works better.
New Orleans Business Alliance
A public-private partnership, New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) is the official economic development agency for the City of New Orleans. Now an accredited economic development organization (AEDO), NOLABA was formed in 2010 through a coalition of business and civic leaders to employ the best practices in economic development to reposition New Orleans as the ideal intersection of commerce and culture. NOLABA, a non-profit organization, is led by a 17-member board of directors, composed of a cross section of New Orleans leaders, including the Mayor and representatives of the city’s diverse industries. As the city’s official economic development partnership and the hub of its business community, NOLABA can help inform, educate and prepare you to capitalize on the many opportunities New Orleans has to offer. Our vision is to reposition New Orleans as the next great American city for business investment, quality of life and economic opportunity.
The Conafay Group
The Conafay Group was created by veteran Washington, D.C. government affairs executive Stephen R. Conafay in 2012. In addition to Steve’s decades of experience in non-dilutive funding, federal affairs and public policy, our team includes engineers, scientists, and policy experts, as well as former federal staff, and industry executives, all of whom have a wealth of scientific and policy expertise in issues relevant to the life sciences. We have a unique and intimate understanding of the federal funding landscape, healthcare and innovation policy, federal government priorities, and commercial/institutional partnering opportunities. Our strength lies in putting this knowledge, and our keen grasp of the science behind our clients’ science and technology, to work for our clients.
Bronze Sponsors
Chaffe and Associates
The Chaffe Difference Large and small companies alike can benefit from the services provided by Chaffe & Associates, Inc. Chaffe’s financial specialists have the knowledge and experience to guide any company, its executives, and its stockholders when the stability and security of the firm must be safeguarded. Chaffe & Associates is known as much for its character as for its professional expertise. The enduring relationships Chaffe enjoys with its clients spring from the Company’s unswerving commitment to a particular set of principles. These principles used to be the hallmark of the financial industry at large. In an economic climate where compromise is the norm, Chaffe is unbending in its stand.
Simon Peragine Smith & Redfearn
Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn was founded in New Orleans in 1979 by a small group of talented attorneys committed to providing efficient quality legal services. The firm has steadily grown to a full service firm of nearly 40 attorneys. Our firm’s attorneys are licensed to practice in both state and federal courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Georgia and South Dakota. Since the firm’s inception, our attorneys have remained committed to a strict standard of professionalism and to providing superior, cost-effective legal services. The firm advises and provides litigation support to a variety of clients, ranging from individuals to Fortune 500 companies.
New York Life - Michele Guerin
Michele is a second generation agent who has been with New York Life Insurance for 29 years. She has earned numerous industry and company awards, including Lifetime Member of Million Dollar Round Table, and Chairman’s Council Member of New York Life in 2014. Recently, she was also selected as an honoree for the Money Makers program presented by New Orleans CityBusiness, which honors the area’s top financial providers, and was also chosen to lobby in Washington D.C. on behalf of New York Life. She has a BS in Management from Louisiana State University, and a BS in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism from University of New Orleans. She belongs to the New Orleans Estate Planning Association, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Rotary Club of New Orleans (Board Member), New York Life Agent's Reinsurance Company (Board Member), and Executive Women International. She also volunteers with The Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association and is a Junior League Sustainer.
LPHI
The energy of LPHI is built on the foundation of our principles for change. Who we are unites us. Our theory of change is realized in the mechanics of our work as we rally behind a shared purpose and vision. We use our cross-sector knowledge to build trusted partnerships that produce proven solutions to align action for health.
Lafayette General Health
With your generosity, and by eagerly listening to our staff, patients and our community, Lafayette General Foundation (LGF) helps provide innovations that transform how care is delivered. We fundraise, boost projects and aim to improve outcomes, satisfaction and create a healthier future for all. The Foundation's mission is, To Link Investors' Passion to the mission of Lafayette General Health (To Restore, Maintain and Improve Health). Our role is to find and connect the pieces, people and processes with our resources, our supporters and our heads and hearts. Lafayette General Health (LGH) is Acadiana’s only community-owned nonprofit health system. As the philanthropic arm of the health system, LGF raises funds to supplement LGH resources, provide services and offer additional technology to further the progress of healthcare. By supporting innovations that transform how healthcare is delivered, LGF enhances the health system’s ability to treat patients, leading to improved outcomes, satisfaction and financial stability.
innovation Ochsner
We are at a defining moment in healthcare, and Ochsner Health System is leading the way with innovationOchsner. This innovation accelerator uses technology and data to create precision-focused, patient-centered solutions to keep patients healthier and providers more efficient.