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Chantelle Varnado Honored with 2021 Women's Leadership Award

2021 Women's Leadership Award Winner, Dr. Chantelle Varnado
2021 Women's Leadership Award Winner, Dr. Chantelle Varnado


The Livingston Parish Chamber is proud to announce Dr. Chantelle Varnado as one of the 2021 Women's Leadership Award recipients.

PROFESSIONAL
Chantelle is currently the Executive Director of Launch, a non-profit organization that she founded in 2015 after earning her PhD. The organization provides speech, occupational and physical therapies to children with special needs. Chantelle has held a variety of positions in speech and language therapy since 2001. In 2012, she managed the Communication Outcomes Research Lab where she completed and presented research across the country regarding the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. Chantelle was recognized with the Services Beyond the Call of Duty award for her work with complex populations and families with limited resources.
 
Chantelle attributes her success to her “village” of family and friends who support her and believes it is important to meet people, not to judge, and empower them to help themselves. 
 
COMMUNITY
Besides volunteering with a host of national organizations, Chantelle has taught religion locally and even trained emotional support dogs.  She currently works with Special Olympics as a member of their health launch advisory board. 
 
MENTORING
Through her work, Chantelle empowers mothers how to best help their children and serves an organization that helps them in handling the day-to-day care of their children with complex needs.