Keeping Medical Data Private: Tips from Lake Charles Memorial on How to Protect Sensitive Data
October 2025
Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Industry
October 2025
The modern woman has much more autonomy than anyone would’ve dreamed a few centuries ago. It was only in 1974 that women could own a credit card in their own name in the United States. Barely more than a hundred years ago, in 1920, women were granted the legal right to vote nationally (this didn’t include those considered minorities). And females didn’t enter the workforce in large numbers until the first and second world wars. And that was only a temporary increase. In 1950, Harvard officially began accepting women into its law program.
Today, Harvard has more women graduating from its program than men. It’s been a long road for women seeking work and fulfillment outside of the home.
We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the trailblazing women that came before us. But change continues with the hard work of women today.
Thrive honors women who are flourishing and making an impact on SWLA with our 2025 Leading Ladies in Business section. The featured eight women represent industries ranging from retail to petrochem.
Take a moment to read their stories . . . .
Show these women to your daughters . . . .
Then go support a woman-owned business or female business professional.
Missy Amidon – Public Affairs Manager, CITGO Petroleum
“I take pride in identifying needs, bringing people and resources together, and developing programs that fill critical gaps or create new avenues of support.”
by Kerri Cooke
Missy Amidon received a bachelor’s degree in public relations from McNeese State University, and although there are many career possibilities with this education specialty, Amidon says, “I gravitated towards positions that placed me at the intersection of business objectives and community needs—roles that demanded not just technical expertise but empathy, adaptability and vision.”
Gaining experience in industries such as healthcare, education, nonprofits, and oil and gas has opened the door for Amidon to tackle projects from various points of view. She has experience with everything from managing crisis communications to designing major promotional campaigns, which has deepened her “appreciation for the power of strategic storytelling and relationship-building.”
As public affairs manager at CITGO, Amidon thrives in an environment where she can help enact real change. “What I find most rewarding in my profession is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and forge impactful partnerships that make a genuine difference in our community. Working for a company that values generosity and encourages community engagement allows me to channel my efforts toward lasting, positive change—work that is both fulfilling and deeply motivating.”
The challenges of working in the modern world often involve the rapid advancement of technology, yet it is that very technology that helps spread awareness the fastest and easiest if utilized correctly. Amidon emphasizes that when working in public relations, you must stay current on social media platforms and trends and other mass communication tools to reach all consumers. “Engaging a digitally native Gen Z audience while also ensuring clear communication with Baby Boomers who may prefer traditional channels requires thoughtful, multifaceted outreach. Striking this balance means continually adapting approaches, learning new platforms and crafting messages that resonate across a wide technical spectrum.”
Industry provides many opportunities for its employees to volunteer across the community. Amidon found that bringing her children along with her to these events not only provided family time but also taught her children the importance of giving back. “Ultimately, achieving balance is an ongoing journey of self-awareness and adjustment,” she says.
Success isn’t just a destination you arrive at. It’s a learning experience. Amidon advises everyone to “embrace your journey with confidence and a commitment to lifelong learning. Stay flexible in the face of change, know how to access and leverage your resources, and always advocate for yourself. Above all, prepare for the unexpected.”
Awards and Recognitions:
• 2024 West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence
• 2017 CITGO Presidential Award
• 2016 Thomas J. Morris, Sr., United Way of SWLA Volunteer of the Year
Member of/Involved with:
• Council for a Better Louisiana
• United Way SWLA
• CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital Foundation
• West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce
• SWLA Economic Development Alliance
• LA Mid-Continent Oil & Gas
• Lake Area Industry Alliance
• Louisiana Chemical Association
• Southwest Louisiana Public Relations Officers
• West Calcasieu Airport Managing Board
Tii-Aana Alexis – Realtor, Broker & Owner, Reign Realty
“My prayer is to have a huge impact in developing neighborhoods for working families of all kinds.”
by Kerri Cooke
Originally interested in accounting,
Tii-Aana Alexis says her venture into real estate “was an assignment from God. I prayed and God plainly said, ‘I’m sending you into the world of real estate to help families receive a stronger foundation in their lives.’”
Alexis says Marzetta Landry was especially helpful in her journey. “She gave me room to grow into being myself in this career instead of trying to make me a mini version of herself. She taught me to not hesitate, to be proactive instead of being reactive. Most importantly, she taught me to never leave my faith out of my business.”
Alexis founded Reign Realty in 2024 as a faith-based real estate company. “I get to serve people by helping them receive what God has promised them in the world of real estate. I see them believing His promise and receiving the promise through my guidance and advocacy in each part of a transaction. That includes not just a primary home but also legacy building through acquiring investment and commercial properties.”
However, Alexis says that one of the biggest challenges in her career is getting her clients to trust the process and not get discouraged. “They initially are inspired and ready to start, but there is a lot of inspiration and prayer that takes place to help them make it to closing, especially when unexpected challenges arise with the real estate process.”
Obtaining a real estate and broker license, founding her own company and building a great staff are all huge steps Alexis took in the business world. She encourages other women to seek God’s plan for their life in order to best succeed in their careers. “Make sure that your soul is grounded spiritually. You will only be the best version of yourself by God revealing who He made you to be and by you actually believing Him once He reveals it. Start to live that out day by day. Christ is my anchor and without my relationship with Him, I could never fulfil my life’s destiny.”
Despite career success, Alexis emphasizes that her family is always her priority. “My husband, Matthew, is phenomenal with the way he helps out with everything from taking care of the kids and the home without being insecure about gender roles. God is our foundation.”
As to the future, Alexis hopes to continue walking in God’s calling on her life by assisting the local community with all their residential real estate needs and to foster growth for a diverse range of clients.
Member of:
• Women’s Real Estate Commission
• New Life Church International’s women’s ministry
Awards:
• Christian Woman of Distinction for the State of Louisiana from She Leads Louisiana
• Capping awards for six years in a row before founding Reign Realty
Jacqueline Costly Reviel – CEO, Allen Parish Community Healthcare
“At APCH we’re doing healthcare different. It’s high quality, evidence-based and cost effective.”
by Tori Whittaker
Jacqueline Costley Reviel has served as CEO of Allen Parish Community Healthcare (APCH) since 2014. A double alumna of Loyola University, her contributions to healthcare administration and the support of her mentors led her to senior roles such as chief nursing officer, chief clinical officer and chief executive officer. Her 30 years of healthcare experience built the foundation for Reviel to hit the ground running as the head of APCH during a time of uncertainty.
“When I took on the role as CEO, our campus was a faltering rural hospital,” says Reviel, a NRHA Certified Rural Healthcare CEO. “My family instilled in me, and I have passed on to my two daughters, to never give up, but problem solve and get the job done. This is the same commitment I gave the hospital. I was determined that Kinder would not end up as another community without access to care.”
Reviel’s tenacity is a perfect match for Kinder, a community filled with resolve and one that shared her dream to improve and provide healthcare for years to come. Her vision was clear, but it would take a lot of grit and hard work to make it a reality.
“We submitted our first Request for Proposal in 2016,” explains Reviel. “Seven years later we opened our Rural Health Clinic. Since 2022, our clinic cares for over 130 patients a day.”
The work didn’t stop there. Just across the parking lot a new state-of-the-art hospital is standing, providing lifesaving emergency care and mammography services. Surgical services have been added back to the community, including general surgery, ENT, GYN, and orthopaedics.
“In the spring of 2023, we broke ground on phase one of a multi-phase replacement hospital,” Reviel says. “That facility opened last November and is equipped with a new lobby, emergency department, surgery center and mammogram department. We’ve come a long way!”
Rural hospitals like APCH are an important part of the nation’s healthcare system. These facilities provide most or all health services to the communities they serve. Without the lifesaving work of the nurses, doctors and staff of these hospitals, many rural communities would have to drive over an hour to receive healthcare in larger urban areas where there are long waits to see primary care physicians and specialists.
“Experiencing healthcare can be scary for patients, and if information is not shared in a way a patient can understand, it is often frustrating for patients,” says Reviel. “I firmly believe that we cannot keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome. Access to healthcare continues to decrease as hospital closures and workforce issues make it hard for rural residents to receive care. Being able to provide a new Rural Health Clinic with Saturday hours and a replacement hospital will sustain access to healthcare and the expanded services that are vital to quality of life. At APCH we’re doing healthcare differently. It’s high quality, evidence-based and cost effective.”
Reviel says this is only the beginning of a revitalization for healthcare in Kinder. “A better you begins with us.”
Reviel continues, “Our new hospital is the first milestone of a five-year expansion plan. We’ve only just begun, and it would not have been possible without the support of our staff, community, local, state, and federal representatives and all the folks on our USDA team. APCH not only provides sickness care, but we are also part of several quality programs that prevent chronic disease and increase quality of life. These programs have afforded us the capital to build and add services. The federal Medicare ACO program and State MCIP programs are only two of the shared saving programs we participate in. Rural healthcare is bringing innovation and change to medicine across the United States, including right here at Allen Parish Community Healthcare.”
For more information, visit allenhealth.org.
Glynda Fuselier – Owner, Thrifty Way Pharmacy
“My goal is to strengthen relationships, serve others and improve both the health and hearts of the people in Southwest Louisiana.”
by Kerri Cooke
Studies indicate that only between 4-20% of people end up working in the field they dreamed of as a child. Glynda Fuselier defied the low odds and became a pharmacist after a childhood of “mixing flower petals and making ‘medicine.’”
Fuselier’s first pharmaceutic job was at Spat’s Rexall Drugs while attending pharmacy school at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. After graduating, she had stints at Rite Aid, Fred’s Pharmacy and Ray’s Pharmacy in Alexandria. After moving to Lake Charles, Fuselier gained experience at numerous local pharmacies, including Thrifty Way Pharmacy, founded and owned at the time by Barry Laningham. Laningham eventually gave Fuselier the opportunity to purchase the pharmacy, and a year ago, Fuselier became the owner.
Working in medicine is a fulfilling career for Fuselier because of the collaboration and community components. “The greatest reward is building relationships with patients—getting to know them as people, not just prescriptions. By understanding their lifestyle and routines, we can better care for the whole person and not just their symptoms.”
While the work is rewarding, running a small pharmacy is not an easy task. Fuselier notes that they have issues with the insurance reimbursement system, which is why so many mom-and-pop pharmacies are closing. For drugs without generics or for patients needing the brand name version of a medicine, Fuselier points out that often pharmacies lose money filling those orders. However, she says, “I’m encouraged that legislators at all levels are working to improve reimbursement models so community pharmacies like ours can continue to better serve our patients.”
Fuselier isn’t just building a business but also raising a family. The purchase of the pharmacy coincided with the birth of her third child, so learning how to balance being a small business owner and mother has been a journey. “I’m grateful for my husband, Mark, who reminds me to pause and recharge. We constantly remind ourselves this is just a season—raising young kids while growing a business—and we give ourselves grace to embrace the chaos. We focus on being fully present with our family, and while time may not always be plentiful, the quality is what matters most.”
What helped prepare Fuselier to be a businesswoman were the people along the way who taught her valuable lessons. “I’ve been fortunate to learn from many wonderful mentors along the way: Bill Cooper of Spat’s Rexall Drugs, who first showed me what it means to care for patients; Butch Ray and Rachel LaCroix at Ray’s Pharmacy, who gave me insight into owning and running a business; and Barry Laningham, who trusted me to continue the 40-year legacy he and his wife, Joanna, built at Thrifty Way Pharmacy.”
As with any business model, it’s important to keep in mind what works and what doesn’t and evolve service accordingly. Fuselier’s expansion plans are “to continue identifying and filling gaps in healthcare for Lake Charles and surrounding communities, expand the boutique with more local goods and add services like point-of-care testing for cholesterol and A1C.”
No business can run without good staff, help from friends and family, and patronage from the local community. Fuselier emphasizes that you can’t build in a bubble. “Just like raising a family, running a business takes a village. Recognize that you likely will not know how to manage the ins and outs of the entire business and be willing to find the experts you need to guide you in those areas. Success is always stronger when it’s shared.”
Member of:
• Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association
• Louisiana Pharmacists Association
• National Community Pharmacists Association
• American Pharmacists Association
• Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce
• DCFS Community Collaborative Initiative
• Prien Lake Elementary PTO
Supporter of:
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Louisiana
• Families for Inclusion
• Lake Charles Symphony
Jacquelyn Kraemer – Owner & CEO, Bare Body Waxing Studio
“My purpose is bigger than waxing or skincare. It’s about raising the standard for an entire industry.”
“God has blessed me with the ability to develop people, create effective treatments for the skin and to possess a deep foresight for business, along with a keen intuition for what people truly need,” Kraemer says. “It is a gift, and I am grateful that I am living in my true purpose, which God put me here to fulfill.”
Kraemer’s path to leadership started early. After earning her esthetics license from the Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics in New Jersey, she began her career in cosmetics, where she quickly discovered her talent for both business and leadership. Within three years, she was promoted three times and ultimately oversaw a cosmetics counter generating more than $1 million annually. Yet even as she achieved success, she felt a growing disconnection from the reason she had begun, which was helping people feel confident in their own skin.
That pull led her into waxing, where she mastered the art of Brazilian waxing. Her skills earned her the opportunity to train new waxing specialists across multiple stores, sparking a passion for education and team development. Those experiences planted the seeds that would eventually become the leader she would become.
Life brought new challenges in 2017 when Kraemer gave birth to her daughter, and the following year, when she moved to Louisiana to start over. “I needed to regroup after a failed relationship, navigate single motherhood and rebuild from scratch,” she says. While managing a professional supply store for stylists, she immersed herself in the local community and prepared for her next leap.
In 2020, just before the world shut down, she opened BARE Body Waxing Studio in a single-room suite. In just a few years, BARE grew into a thriving studio, employing several estheticians. By 2025, she officially stepped away from services to focus fully on her CEO role, where she mentors her team, leads growth and drives the company’s bold vision for the future.
At the heart of Kraemer’s work is transformation. She finds joy in helping clients walk in unsure of themselves and leave with confidence. Equally fulfilling is seeing her team grow under her mentorship. “As an esthetician, it’s powerful to change how someone sees themselves in the mirror. As a business owner, it’s equally powerful to pour my 15+ years of knowledge into my team and watch them develop. Their growth is my greatest reward.”
Of course, success hasn’t come without lessons. Kraemer is candid about the challenges of hiring and culture. “The hardest lesson I’ve learned is how much the wrong hire can cost you, not just financially, but culturally,” she admits. “While I see my team as family, I’ve learned that you can’t be afraid to part ways with people who no longer align with your vision. The wrong hire will ruin your company faster than any economic downturn.”
She is equally candid about balance. For Kraemer, balance doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by clarity. “Yes, you can ‘have it all,’ but it comes at a price for a season,” she says. “The key is knowing what you’re working towards. Time-block. Outsource where you can. And always maintain the mindset: ‘I will only do what I can do.’”
Her advice to other women is both bold and compassionate: “Be relentlessly resilient. Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done. And don’t let anyone make you feel less of a mom because you prioritize your career. You’re not less, you’re stronger. You’re showing your children what it means to chase your dreams.”
Looking ahead, Kraemer sees only growth. She envisions BARE expanding into storefronts across the country and creating opportunities for both clients and the next generation of estheticians and entrepreneurs. “My purpose is bigger than waxing or skincare,” she says. “It’s about raising the standard for an entire industry, developing people and creating opportunities that last. That’s what legacy looks like.”
Kellee Powell – Owner, Epic Pilates in Lake Charles, Moss Bluff and Sulphur
“Getting to know women on a personal level and help them get stronger, no matter what season of life they’re in, gives me purpose and community.”
by Kerri Cooke
Kellee Powell’s journey to opening a reformer Pilates studio began while she was attending college at Louisiana State University. She was a dancer involved with the LSU Tiger Girls and helped train the team during her senior year in college. Powell says that experience introduced her to personal training and she fell in love with it. At the same time, she was training to teach barre classes at a wellness studio when she was introduced to reformer Pilates. It then became her dream to open her own Pilates studio in SWLA.
Powell says when she moved back to Moss Bluff after college, she worked and saved as much money as she could to support her dream. 10 years later, in 2023, she opened Epic Pilates in Lake Charles, the first of three reformer Pilates studios. Epic Pilates is notable for being SWLA’s first standalone reformer studio.
Pilates focuses on improving core strength, which benefits overall health. Powell says the rewarding part of her job is “watching women grow healthier, stronger and more confident. My clients include college-aged women, young adults, mothers, and older women who want to stay active with their grandchildren.”
Focusing on growth and expansion is what Powell loves to do, but she had to “abandon the fear of failure” before opening each of her locations. She is always in pursuit of offering the best experience she can. “I constantly want to improve our studios, our team and ensure our community is challenged as well.”
When it comes to overcoming obstacles in her career, Powell says a quote from her father is always front of mind. “He has always told me, ‘Your life is an accumulation of the decisions you make.’ That has been a quote I constantly think about. For 10 years, while working multiple jobs, I had one goal—to open a reformer Pilates studio. Every decision I made was with that one goal in mind.” Powell credits both her parents with providing her with unwavering support and “advice, encouragement and honest feedback.”
Quick to admit that she struggles with a work-life balance, Powell says her husband helped her learn how to admit when she needs help from others so she doesn’t get burned out. When she knows a period of intense work is coming up, she now communicates with her home and work families to help things run more efficiently. She has also learned to put boundaries in place to better support her family and mental health.
Success isn’t a one size fits all, Powell points out. “I believe you must decide what success means for you and your family. Success to me isn’t of monetary value. It’s being able to do what I love every day and be there for my family. Every single season of growth has been met with prayer. I genuinely ask God where he wants me to be. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a woman chasing a dream career, you are inspiring your kids to live the life they choose and one that is fulfilling. Chase your dreams! You and your family deserve that.”
Powell’s long-term goal is to continue to build a community of women dedicated to health at Epic Pilates. “If you are truly healthy, happy and strong, every aspect of your life will follow,” she says.
Clare Burke – Attorney, Sanchez Burke, LLC
“Helping People through life’s toughest moments is what I find most rewarding. Providing clarity, support and a path forward during uncertain times is at the heart of why I practice law.”
by Kerri Cooke
After graduating from Westminster College with a degree in biological sciences, Clare Burke found herself at a crossroads. Instead of heading to medical school, she pivoted to law school at Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, inspired by both her father’s and grandfather’s law careers.
Burke began working at Taylor Porter in Baton Rouge post-graduation. A few years later, she moved to Lake Charles with her husband-to-be, Joe Burke. Now married to Joe, Burke enjoys a law career where she gets to work alongside both her husband and her father, Walt Sanchez at Sanchez Burke, LLC.
Practicing both family law and commercial litigation, Burke values the experience of providing a helping hand to her clients during their time of need. Legal issues can be scary, especially for those who don’t understand the ins and outs of the law. Providing clear explanations, guiding clients with practical paths forward, and offering steady support have been the hallmarks of Burke’s career.
Yet no career is without its challenges. In family law in particular, the emotional weight is unique and the stakes are high. Burke says, “Balancing compassion with objectivity while navigating complex situations requires focus, resilience and a deep sense of responsibility to every client.”
Mentors are extremely valuable in careers such as law. Burke names Mike Walsh from Taylor Ports as a great mentor “who gave me unwavering support and trusted me to take on meaningful work as a new lawyer.” However, it’s her dad who has had the biggest impact on Burke. She says, “It’s not just because we practice together, but because his integrity, compassion and professionalism shape who I am every day, both as a lawyer and as a person.”
Work-life balance is challenging for lawyers of both genders. It’s an intense job which sometimes requires long and unpredictable hours. Burke says, for her, “balance comes from setting clear priorities, leaning on support at home and at work, and accepting that perfection isn’t possible. Being present where I am matters most.”
Encouraging women to follow their dreams and aspirations, Burke emphasizes, “Don’t wait for permission to take up space. Trust your instincts, speak with confidence and know that your perspective adds value. Build a strong network, support other women and remember that success isn’t about doing it all but doing what matters well.”
Burke is committed to continuing to advance her own career while mentoring newer lawyers to ensure they have the best support for success. She also hopes to inspire her children as they watch “both their parents pursue meaningful work and family with purpose.”
Awards and Recognitions:
• Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2021-2025
• Listed in Top Attorneys-Rising Stars, Louisiana Life Magazine, 2021-2025
• Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch, 2021-2025
• Listed in Top Lawyers of Acadiana, Acadiana Profile, 2021-2025
• Best Lawyers – Women in the Law, 2022-2005
Member of:
• LSU Law Alumni Board of Trustees
• SWLA Bar Association
• Baton Rouge Bar Association
• Louisiana State Bar Association
• Louisiana Bar Foundation
Supporter of:
• The Community Foundation
• Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA, Chuck Fest
• This is Home Fest
Mia Mouton-Rene – Owner, Mia’s Downtown
“What’s rewarding is that magical feeling I get when I witness a woman find her confidence. This makes me not only feel like I have won but gives my spirit confirmation that I am living in my purpose.”
by Kerri Cooke
Originally known for her photography, Mia Mouton-Rene spent 15 years not only snapping photos but also styling clients for the images before deciding to open a shop selling clothing and accessories in summer of 2021. “After losing my first office/studio location to Hurricane Laura, I found one on Pujo Street that I had photographed in front of. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would later occupy it. My goal was simple—I would edit the day away, giving home life a bit more balance. Then, I would add a few racks of clothing and accessories, which could help me with my new overhead. Here we are four years later and to occupy two spaces on Pujo Street amazes me every single day.”
Mouton-Rene finds her “why” helping customers discover their potential. “For some people, shopping is loads of fun. For others, it is their least favorite thing to do. We, as women, are a beautiful creation, flaws and all. We are perfectly imperfect, and for some, that realization makes shopping a bit less fun. No matter what, I am my customers’ biggest fan. It’s not about just buying the outfit but the confidence that goes with it. It’s funny how an outfit can bring out an alter ego trapped inside of us. We tend to stand a little taller, strut a little longer ….”
Connie Guillory, Mouton-Rene’s mother, was also an artist and entrepreneur. Mouton-Rene says her mother inspired her by following her dreams and instilling standards and “old-fashioned values” in her. “Those values, along with life lessons, have set the foundation and tone for my customer service mindset.”
You can be as prepared as possible, but when running your own business, there are sure to be unexpected challenges, setbacks and sacrifices. Mouton-Rene says, “Business is HARD! We can be smiling while drowning on the back end.” And it’s difficult to maintain a work-life balance since being off the clock doesn’t mean the workday ends. “I’m the last to go to bed every night and the first up every morning,” she says. However, the thought that someone needs what she has to offer at Mia’s Downtown is what continues to drive her. Another business challenge is the ups and downs of the local and national economy. Consistent business, even in difficult financial times, is essential to the survival of small businesses.
To fellow women in the workforce, Mouton-Rene encourages women to frame success in a personal light. “Success is not only, or always, measured monetarily. Recognize the rewards outside of the dollar. When you know you are living in your purpose, you are already successful.”
Longevity is what Mouton-Rene hopes to achieve as she continues to walk out her purpose by serving the community.
