Leadership Livingston Presents Class of 2025 at Graduation

The Leadership Livingston Class of 2025 celebrated their graduation on Tuesday, June 17, at the Suma Hall Community Center, marking the completion of the program’s 13th year. A signature initiative of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Livingston has now graduated 294 participants since its launch in 2012.
 
This year’s class of 24 emerging and established leaders gathered with sponsors, alumni, Chamber board members, and proud supporters to reflect on their journey through the program. Attendees enjoyed a celebration that honored the achievements of the class and the impact they’ve made throughout the parish.
 
Special recognition was given to the 2025 program sponsors—North Oaks Health System, First Guaranty Bank, and the City of Walker—for their vital support in making the program possible. Parish President, Randy Delatte was also in attendance and addressed the class, thanking them for their commitment to making the parish better.
 
Class representative Don McPherson, chosen by his peers, delivered remarks on behalf of the class. He spoke with insight and warmth about the lessons learned, the strong connections formed, and the many memorable experiences shared during the program year.
 
A standout component of Leadership Livingston continues to be the community service projects. The Class of 2025 completed three major projects that delivered measurable results: more than 442 volunteer hours, a financial impact exceeding $41,215, and over 1,460 local residents directly impacted. These projects reflect the program’s core mission—equipping leaders to make meaningful contributions in Livingston Parish.
 
The Sweet Dreams Fund focused on addressing a critical need in our local community: access to beds for children and families in crisis. Funds raised will be presented to The Family Village in Walker, LA, a nonprofit organization that serves as a vital resource hub for families in need.
 
Turning the Page will provide new cabinets, flexible seating, book trucks, books, and a new teacher’s desk and chair for the library at Pine Ridge Alternative Program. Combined, these items will help create an inviting environment where students can “turn the page” and thrive.
 
Lastly, Dog People of Livingston Parish received facility upgrades including cosmetic needs, new trim paint, window tinting, an alarm system and a desperately needed commercial washer and dryer. The organization is improving the welfare of pets and their families by offering low cost spay/neuter services, education, and community outreach.
 
From each project, participants selected one team member as an honor for an Above and Beyond Award. Sweet Dreams group selected Grace Kennedy, Turning the Page group selected Dianna Tassin, and Dog People of Livingston group selected Amanda Cook. For additional information on this year’s projects, as well as projects from previous years’ classes, visit the Livingston Parish Chamber website.
 
“Each year, welcoming a new class into Leadership Livingston represents a powerful step forward for our parish,” said April Wehrs, Chamber President and program facilitator. “Participants gain a deeper understanding of how our community functions and, more importantly, they put that knowledge into action through their class projects. This program plays a vital role in shaping leaders who care deeply about our region, and we’re proud to celebrate this newest group of graduates.”
 
With each new graduating class, Leadership Livingston continues to grow a strong network of engaged leaders who are driving progress and building a better future for the parish. Applications for the Class of 2026 are open and available on the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce website through July 15th. 

Graduates of the Class of 2025 presented includes Amanda Cook, Brandy Robertson State Farm; Brandon Cohea, Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center; Chris Anderson, Livingston Parish Government; Colleen Hebert Bible, Our Lady of the Lake; David Gray, Livingston Parish Library; Dianna M. Tassin, Mears Sand & Gravel; Don McPherson, Bank of Zachary; Duane G. Black, Denham Springs City Court; Grace Kennedy, Forte & Tablada; Hailey Russell, The Kinchen Group; Jason Damian Harris, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office; Jessica G. Legath, Entergy; Jessica Wagner Perault, Dept. of Children & Family Services; Jim G. Gilbert, Denham Springs City Council; Kayla Rogers, Ochsner Health; Laura Jones Dunlap, Students Against Destructive Decisions; Lauren Ryan Crow, DSLD Homes; Lisa Frey, City of Walker; Marley Stilley, North Oaks Health System; Sandy Acardo, Livingston Parish Clerk of Court; Sarah Sibley, Pelican State Credit Union; Shane Rogers, Rogers Service Group; Stephanie Harris, REV Business; Steven Lea, Martin Brower.
 

About Leadership Livingston: Leadership Livingston is a community leadership program which informs and engages participants in the inner workings of their parish community. Leadership Livingston is a program of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce for more information visit the Chamber’s website www.livingstonparishchamberofcommerce.org, also follow Leadership Livingston’s Facebook page and the Chamber’s Facebook page.  You can also follow the projects through the group’s tab on the Leadership Livingston Page. 

Pictured from left: April Wehrs, class facilitator, Lisa Frey, Hailey Russell, Shane Rogers, Sandy Acardo, Jessica Perault, Brandon Cohea, Kayla Rogers, Duane Black, Laura Dunlap, Don McPherson, Marley Stilley, Jim Gilbert, Amanda Cook, Lauren Crow, Steven Lea, Stephanie Harris, David Gray, Jessica Legath, Jason Harris, Colleen Bible, Dianna Tassin, Chris Anderson, Grace Kennedy.