Women Who Mean Business

“Who runs the world? Girls.” Beyonce sang it, and more than a decade after her hit, the numbers are starting to back her up.

In the following section, discover Thrive’s 2026 Leading Ladies—a health clinic founder, an executive director of the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce, a vice president at McNeese, an executive director of the Greater Lake Charles Chamber, a vice president of a local health system, a judge, a parish administrator, a director in local industry, a public relations representative in industry and a director of philanthropy at another local health system. 

Women are in offices where they are making big decisions that affect the community and the individuals within it. Celebrate our local female superstars and discover some early women businessowners and how those forerunners helped women achieve thriving career today.

 

Dawn Hinton

Nurse Practitioner, Certified Menopause Specialist, Founder of Revitalized Health

by Kristy Como Armand

Dawn Hinton’s career has been built one step at a time, beginning long before she became a nurse practitioner and business owner. 

At just 12 years old, she began working as a private sitter for elderly patients in her hometown of Gueydan, Louisiana, an early experience that sparked a lifelong passion for caring for others. 

Hinton became an LPN in 2000 and continued her education while working, earning her ADN, BSN and ultimately her MSN from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2008. In 2010, she began working as an occupational health nurse practitioner for LyondellBasell, where she continues to work part time. 

Along the way, Hinton began caring for patients receiving hormone therapy and discovered an area of healthcare that would become a growing passion. When COVID-19 and Hurricane Laura interrupted her ability to see those patients, the disruption became an unexpected opportunity. 

“I took a leap of faith,” she says. 

In 2021, Hinton founded Revitalized Health. Five years later, what began as one clinic has grown to two locations with a team of six experienced providers. 

For Hinton, the most rewarding part of that growth isn’t measured by locations or numbers. It’s measured by the difference she sees in her patients. “I have always loved taking care of people,” she says. “Watching someone feel like themselves again, regain their energy and confidence and improve their overall health is incredibly rewarding.” 

Hinton’s focus on individualized care also drives her commitment to patient education, particularly when it comes to hormone therapy. She says overcoming decades of fear and misinformation surrounding treatment remains one of her greatest professional challenges. 

“As evidence evolves, so must our understanding,” she says. “I am passionate about replacing fear with education and giving patients current, evidence-based information so they can make informed decisions about their health.” 

Building her career while raising a family also taught Hinton important lessons about balance. Early on, she was raising two young children, working multiple jobs and continuing her education. She credits her husband and children with supporting her ambition throughout that demanding period. 

Today, she has a different perspective on what balance means. 

“Balance doesn’t mean giving everything equal time,” she says. “I make it a priority to enjoy the life I’ve worked so hard to build.”  Family, travel and an active lifestyle help her recharge, whether she’s running, biking, skiing, hiking, scuba diving or pursuing a new adventure. 

That willingness to embrace challenges has also shaped the advice Hinton offers other women pursuing ambitious goals. 

“My career was built one step at a time, from CNA to NP and eventually business owner. I didn’t have the entire path mapped out when I started,” she says. “Be willing to take calculated risks, surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow and don’t let fear of failure make your decisions for you.” 

Some of her greatest opportunities, she says, emerged from circumstances that could easily have caused her to quit. “Stay true to yourself and don’t be afraid to create your own path to success.” 

Looking ahead, Hinton hopes to continue changing the conversation around healthcare by placing greater emphasis on prevention, healthy aging and helping patients understand their individual risks. She plans to expand Revitalized Health’s services while preserving the personalized care, education and trust that have been central to its growth. 

 For Hinton, the goal remains much the same as it was when her healthcare journey began: helping people live healthier, better lives.

Community and Professional Involvement:

• Greater Lake Charles Chamber, member 

• Small Business Association of SWLA, member 

• Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, member 

• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, member 

• Menopause Society, member 

• Konenki Menopause Solutions- Vetted Konenki Provider (VKP) 

• Obesity Medicine Association, member

 

Jeanne Boudreaux 

Executive Director of the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce 

by Kerri Cooke

Before working for the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce, Jeanne Boudreaux worked in the healthcare field. 

She received her nursing degree from McNeese State University and began working as a registered nurse in direct patient care and labor and delivery before moving into leadership roles, including homebound care coordination. 

Boudreaux loved how she was able to help people during a crisis through nursing and says, “It taught me communication, leadership, problem solving and service, skills that have carried into every role since.” Once she made the transition into healthcare business and community involvement, her interest was piqued. She began to seek out opportunities in leadership, business development and how she could invest in the future of her community. 

Last year, Boudreaux became executive director for the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce. She says nursing and working for the Parish are more similar than one would expect. “Both are centered around people, relationships, advocacy and recognizing a need and finding a way to address it.” Through her role in the Chamber, she has the ability to network and connect business, the public and resources together to help both Jeff Davis Parish and the entire five-parish region. 

The ability to help shape the local economy is a responsibility Boudreaux enjoys. “I love introducing people or organizations and later learned the relationship resulted in a new partnership, business opportunity or something positive for our community. I am especially passionate about making sure our small businesses know they matter and have someone advocating for them. At the same time, I enjoy working with our larger employers and regional partners because strong communities require all of us working together. What excites me most is seeing the potential of Jeff Davis Parish. We have incredible people, businesses and communities. I want to help tell their stories, connect them with opportunities and make sure Jeff Davis Parish has a voice at the table.” 

While it’s rewarding to be able to do the work of building bridges throughout the community, it isn’t always easy. Some solutions are not straightforward, and one business might require something totally different than another. Boudreaux says, “Progress often depends on relationships, collaboration and circumstances that cannot always be controlled or accomplished quickly. The needs of a small, family-owned business can be very different from those of a hospital, bank, industrial company or major employer. My responsibility is to listen to all of them and continually look for ways the Chamber can provide meaningful value.” 

Boudreaux’s advice for other women balancing the challenges of modern-day life is simple but has to be put into practice intentionally. “Do not wait until you feel completely qualified or completely ready to take an opportunity,” she says. “Build genuine relationships. Work hard. Ask questions. Surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow. Be willing to sit at a table where you may initially feel uncomfortable or inexperienced, and then have the confidence to contribute. Decide what matters most to you and build your definition of success around that.” 

When it comes to building stronger communities, Boudreaux is far from done. She wants to continue creating an environment where businesses and the community can thrive. “I am particularly passionate about workforce development, leadership development and creating stronger connections between our schools, businesses and future workforce,” she says. “I also hope to continue expanding my involvement throughout Southwest Louisiana and at the state level so I can advocate for our rural communities and help make sure they have a voice and access to opportunities.” Ultimately, Boudreaux wants to stay grounded and show her family that you can “put God and family first” and still use your gifts to make an impact professionally. 

Community Involvement:

• Greater Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors 

• American Petroleum Institute, Board of Directors 

• Leadership EXCEL Acadia and Jeff Davis Parish, Board Member 

• Our Lady Immaculate School Auxilory Board 

• Our Lady Immaculate School PTO Board 

• Serra Club

 

April Broussard 

Vice President for Business Affairs at McNeese State University 

by Kerri Cooke

April Broussard’s career has taken her through a variety of roles in the healthcare and higher education sectors. 

While her path to becoming vice president for business affairs at McNeese State University took unexpected turns, Broussard believes every experience she had helps her better serve in her position today. 

Broussard earned three degrees from McNeese—an associate’s degree in computer information technology, a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration. While in college, she worked on campus as a student worker. 

After graduating from college, Broussard moved to San Antonio, Texas where she would gain experience as an auditor at Brehm, Havel & Company, a public accounting firm. Switching gears, she moved back home to Lake Charles to accept a role at Lake Charles Medical and Surgical Clinic, which is now Imperial Health. After that she would work for CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. Her roles in the healthcare sector spanned accounting, finance and administration.  

Returning to McNeese, Broussard would work as the university registrar for six and a half years. She says, “That position gave me a strong understanding of higher education and university operation. It taught me a great deal about managing people, processes and complex administrative issues within a higher education setting.” 

Broussard then returned to the healthcare field when she became vice president for financial performance for Texas Digestive Disease Consultants in Baton Rouge. As vice president, Broussard says, she received “extensive experience in financial performance, operations and strategic decision-making within a complex healthcare organization.” 

As her next challenge, Broussard accepted the call back to McNeese and became operations director for the McNeese Autism Program and the Kay Dore Counseling Clinic. Making the transition to the Business Affairs Department, she was appointed interim vice president for the program in 2024, and that position became permanent in 2025. 

Broussard never set out with an objective to hold a specific title in a specific job. Instead, she says she focused on doing every job to the best of her ability and learning new skills along the way. But as vice president, she finds the work very rewarding due to the ability to contribute to the efficient running of her alma mater. 

“The work we do in Business Affairs supports everything else that happens at the university,” Broussard says. “We may not always be the most visible part of the institution, but our work touches almost every aspect of campus; from budgets and payroll to human resources, purchasing, facilities, contracts and day-to-day operations that allow our faculty, staff and students to be successful.” 

The challenge with working for McNeese is the swift change institutions of higher education are undergoing across the nation. “Universities have to be willing to adapt while still being responsible stewards of their resources,” Broussard says. “There are increasing costs, changing expectations, new technology, workforce challenges and significant changes taking place across higher education. We have to think about both the immediate needs of the university and its long-term financial health.” 

While Broussard admits to having many mentors, she highlights her first boss, Garrett Caraway, who she worked under at Caraway’s Pharmacy in Westlake. “Mr. Caraway took a genuine interest in my development and expected me to be more than just a good employee,” Broussard says. “A good mentor doesn’t necessarily give you a roadmap for your career. They recognize your potential, challenge you, expose you to opportunities and ideas, and help you develop confidence in what you are capable of achieving.” 

As to what the future holds, Broussard says, “I want to leave Business Affairs better than I found it and continue growing as a leader. I don’t think you ever reach a point where you are finished learning.” 

Broussard’s advice for other women is:  

• Be willing to take opportunities before you feel completely ready for them. 

• Become comfortable with your own expertise and voice. 

• Don’t measure your career against someone else’s. 

Community Involvement: 

• Volunteer at United Way and Banners Cultural Series at McNeese 

 

 Anna Denison

Executive Director, Greater Lake Charles Chamber 

by Kristy Como Armand

When Ana Denison arrived in Lake Charles from Mexico City on a tennis scholarship to McNeese State University, she thought it would be one chapter in her life.

Instead, she found a community that became home and a career centered on helping others find opportunities within it. 

Denison earned undergraduate degrees in marketing and management, then completed her MBA while coaching tennis. Her career has since included roles in real estate, business development, higher education, workforce development and community and industry partnerships. Most recently, she served as director of alternative energy & special projects at SOWELA, working closely with businesses, industry leaders, educators and community partners. 

Those varied experiences came together when she became executive director of The Greater Lake Charles Chamber. “At the heart of everything I have done has been relationships—connecting people, creating opportunities and helping others succeed,” Denison says. “Now I have the privilege of doing that every day for a community that welcomed me many years ago and that I am very proud to call home.” 

That focus on relationships drives Denison’s vision for the Chamber, where the philosophy is straightforward: listen, connect and educate. She wants members to find genuine value through relationships, resources, education and opportunities for greater involvement in the community. 

 “There is something incredibly rewarding about watching a simple introduction or conversation grow into a relationship or new opportunity,” she says.  “Keeping those connections relevant requires continually responding to a changing business environment.” 

With business owners and professionals facing increasing demands on their time, Denison sees creating meaningful engagement as both a challenge and an opportunity to rethink programs and find better ways to serve members. “We need to ask, listen and then be willing to respond,” she says. 

Denison credits her parents as her greatest mentors. They taught her to work hard, treat people with kindness and keep God at the center of her life. Their influence shaped a leadership philosophy that values character alongside accomplishment. “Success is not only about what you accomplish, but also about how you treat people along the way. You can be strong, competitive and ambitious while still treating people well.” 

Tennis has been another powerful influence. A two-time McNeese Tennis MVP, Denison says competitive athletics taught her discipline, perseverance, teamwork and how to reset after a difficult point. She continues to play and also enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, entertaining and fishing. 

That willingness to reset and move forward also shapes Denison’s advice to women pursuing leadership. 

“Don’t wait until you feel completely ready,” she says. “Some of the best opportunities in my life have required me to step outside my comfort zone, trust what I had learned and be willing to grow into the opportunity.” 

Denison also encourages women to lead authentically rather than model themselves after someone else. “Work hard, ask questions, cultivate relationships and remain authentic to your own leadership style.” 

Looking ahead, Denison wants to build a Chamber that businesses genuinely want to be part of, creating connections among established leaders, small businesses, entrepreneurs, young professionals and newcomers.  

Ultimately, her vision comes back to the same principle that has guided her career: bringing people together.  

Community Involvement:

• Advisory Board for the Culinary School at SOWELA 

• Technical Community College, member 

• Serve on the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities Board  

• Involved with the Lake Charles Racquet Club Board 

 

Bernita Brown

Vice President, Women’s Hospital Administrator, Chief Privacy Officer at Lake Charles Memorial Health System 

by Kerri Cooke

Bernita Brown grew up in Colfax, Louisiana, where her father was a farmer and factory worker and her mother was a housekeeper. 

“I come from humble beginnings and feel deeply blessed to have been raised by hardworking parents who were people of strong faith and hope who shaped my values and instilled in me a sincere desire to serve others,” she says. 

It was her father’s diabetes diagnosis that sparked Brown’s interest in nutrition and diabetes care. She received her bachelor’s degree in dietetics and nutrition from Louisiana Tech before continuing her education to receive a master’s in business administration from McNeese. She is now working on her doctorate degree, which focuses on healthcare management from a business perspective. 

One of Brown’s first jobs within the Memorial Health Care System was as a dietician for the team that would establish LCMH’s first Diabetes Education Center. Further down the line, Brown was promoted to director of Nutrition Services. She believes these positions were the stepping stones in her career that helped her develop the experience to later become a healthcare executive and administrator. 

Brown says she has been blessed with an opportunity to have cultivated an extensive leadership background of successive positions.  Her leadership roles have ranged from positions in dietary departments to jobs that serve the whole hospital system, including: 

• Direct patient care 

• Healthcare systems, including institutional policies and regulatory compliance 

• Departmental leadership 

• Resource and staff management 

• Strategic planning 

• And cross-departmental collaboration. 

Having a true heart of service, Brown says her experience has “deepened my desire to make a meaningful difference by improving the health and quality of life of the people we serve, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured and facing healthcare disparities. It is a calling and a ministry—an opportunity to serve others and contribute to a purpose greater than myself.” 

As far as mentors go, Brown mentions her parents and the innumerable other people who have influenced her life’s trajectory. (She calls them her village.) In professional development, Brown says, “My first CEO, Elton Williams, saw in me a hidden potential, a willingness to learn and a capacity to grow beyond where I was. As a result, he began to groom my potential, which was the launchpad for my executive health career.”  This launchpad further propelled her to what was at the time, the unchartered territory of pioneering the organization’s compliance with federal HIPAA mandates.   

While the work is fulfilling, it’s not without its challenges. Some of the tough decisions come in the form of: 

• Time management 

• Industry and workforce shifts 

• Maintaining balance to avoid burnout  

• Providing affordable healthcare to the community, especially those that are underinsured or uninsured 

• And cyberattacks targeting healthcare organizations and practices. 

Brown has advice for other women trying to manage and grow their career. She advises women to “embrace and lean into every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, remain in a posture of seeking God for guidance in all things, and engage with a team mentality and posture of servant leadership.” She also advises women not to compare themselves to others. Instead take a look at your strengths and weaknesses and assess where you want to be in the future to continually self-improve. 

As she continues to work hard for the betterment of others, Brown says her goals are “to continue to positively impact the lives of those with healthcare disparities; to have an improved and well-rounded quality of life; to pay-it-forward by mentoring other young men and women to be a servant leader; and to be an overall blessing to our community and the world.” 

Community Involvement:

• SWLA Center for Healthcare Services Board of Directors, Secretary 

• CARC Board of Directors, Nomination Committee Chairperson 

• Community Foundation Southwest Louisiana, Civic Committee

 

Patricia Prudhome

Executive Director Philanthropy, CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation

by Kristy Como Armand

Patricia Prudhomme’s career is proof that professional success does not always follow a predictable path. 

As executive director of development for the CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation, she has built a career around connecting people, resources and opportunities to strengthen healthcare and the community she serves. 

With an undergraduate degree in religion and graduate work in counseling, Prudhomme did not initially envision a career in philanthropy. Some of her most valuable early professional lessons came during college breaks while working for a family-owned electrical supply company whose owners encouraged her to learn and take on as much responsibility as she was willing to accept. 

“I learned about business, customer relationships, operations and, most importantly, people,” she says. “That experience gave me a broad foundation that I still draw from today.” 

Her career eventually took her from North Carolina to Louisiana, then into the non-profit sector and, ultimately, healthcare philanthropy. Rather than following a carefully mapped career plan, Prudhomme continued taking the next step that felt right. 

“Looking back, the path makes more sense than it did while I was walking it,” she says. “Each experience taught me something I needed for the next one.” Coming to Louisiana, where she met her husband Brian, was an unexpected part of the journey, and she says finding that life partnership brought new dimension. “His passing brought a painful turn in the path, but even through loss, I learned valuable lessons about resilience, perspective and continuing to move forward.” 

Today, what makes her work most rewarding is seeing the tangible difference philanthropy can make in people’s lives. In healthcare, that impact may come through better access to care, new equipment or services, support for a family during a difficult time or helping make an important new initiative possible. “I love connecting people who want to make a difference with opportunities to do exactly that,” Prudhomme says. “The work is about people and strong, trusted relationships. That is what keeps me passionate about it.” 

Caring deeply about a community, however, can create the desire to solve every problem. Prudhomme has learned that meaningful leadership also means recognizing where you can have the greatest impact. “Meaningful impact does not require solving every problem,” she says. “It means understanding where you can make a difference, doing that work exceptionally well and partnering with others who can address the needs you cannot.” 

That perspective extends to balancing professional and personal priorities. Prudhomme doesn’t view balance as something achieved once and maintained indefinitely. Instead, she believes the boundaries between work and personal life require ongoing attention. Time with family and friends, travel, laughter and simply stepping away provide grounding and perspective. “Creating that distance doesn’t make me less committed to my work. It helps me return to it with more energy and clarity.” 

Prudhomme’s advice to other women pursuing professional success is equally clear: “Protect the parts of yourself that make you uniquely effective.”  Women, she says, can sometimes receive feedback suggesting that qualities such as passion, emotion or empathy need to be tempered to be taken seriously. While self-awareness and growth are important, Prudhomme cautions against changing the very qualities that can make someone an effective leader. “You do not have to become someone else’s version or definition of a successful leader to be one,” she says. “Learn. Grow. Be willing to change. But know the difference between something you need to improve and something that is simply part of what makes you good at what you do.” 

Looking ahead, Prudhomme isn’t sure what her next step will be, but she hopes to continue doing work that helps Southwest Louisiana become an even better place to live, work and raise a family.  Her career has taught her that a straight path isn’t necessary to make a lasting difference. 

Community Service Roles:

• Volunteer Louisiana, Commissioner  

• Rotary Club, member

 

 Hope Buford 

14th Judical District Court Judge – Division D

by Kerri Cooke 

Hope Buford’s passion for the legal system runs in her blood. 

Her father, retired Judge Robert Wyatt, served as an assistant district attorney for 17 years. “This gave me the opportunity to experience and learn the legal system as a prosecutor and as a public servant. I loved witnessing my dad combining these two services on a daily basis, which resulted in an outcome of satisfaction and passion he had for his job. I knew then that this is what I wanted to experience in my career choice.” 

After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a minor in business administration from Louisiana State University, Buford attended Southern University Law Center and graduated with her juris doctor. While working towards her degree, she interned under Chief Judge of the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Gene Thibodeaux and at the Baton Rouge Office of the Attorney General in the medical malpractice division. 

Buford was hired an as assistant district attorney at the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office upon graduation. She served in that position for 14 years in divisions including traffic, misdemeanor, appeals, domestic violence, felony, severe child abuse, and adult sex crimes. Next, she became the section chief for the Special Victims Unit and was also the District Attorney’s representative in Drug, DWI and Veterans Court. 

Desiring to further her career, Buford ran to become a district judge for Calcasieu Parish. “I knew this would take me to the next step in making a difference in the lives of those in the courtroom. I believe everyone deserves their day in court, no matter which side of the courtroom you are sitting on during a civil or criminal case. As a judge, I am there to listen and come to a resolution.” 

Buford didn’t have to look far for a mentor since her father preceded her in the same career path. “His career consisted of clerking for a district judge in Calcasieu, working as an associate at a local law office, opening his own law office, then beginning his career as an assistant district attorney for 17 years before being elected as a district judge, where he served for 22 years. He instilled in me how to be a judge for the people of our community by having the courage to do what is right and the compassion to be fair. Through all these years, learning from him and listening to his peers in the legal community, I saw the kind of person I wanted to become. From the love of his community to his ethical standards and his temperament in the courtroom, I could not have had a better mentor than my dad.” 

One of the keys to success, Buford says, is to have a strong support system. In addition, she advises women to not be afraid to ask for help and to recognize the importance of faith and prayers.  

The future looks bright, and Buford hopes to continue contributing to the betterment of the community. “I am part of the modernization of the new Calcasieu Parish Courthouse, and I hope to make sure that we get the maximum use of this facility for the betterment of the community and legal system. Also, I would like to become a part of the many specialty courts offered by the 14th Judicial District Court. With every passing year on the bench, I strive to become a better jurist and to make Calcasieu Parish an even better place to live.” 

Community Involvement:

• Junior League of Lake Charles 

• SWLA Young Lawyers Section 

• Alliance to Fight Human Trafficking in SWLA, board member 

• Southwest Louisiana Bar Association 

• SWLA Republican Women’s Association 

• Graduate of Leadership of SWLA 

Supporter of: 

• Local Heart Foundation, Whistle Stop SWLA, Girlie Girls Mentoring Program

 

Katie Armentor 

Parish Administrator, Cameron Parish Police Jury

by Haley Tarasiewic

A career in local government has never been simply about budgets, projects or policies to Katie Armentor. Instead, it’s about people, places and understanding how the decisions made today can shape a community for generations to come.

After graduating from Louisiana State University, Armentor began her career with the Cameron Parish Police Jury in grant management. She later became parish treasurer before stepping into her current role as parish administrator. Each position gave her a deeper understanding of the parish she serves—both where it has been and where it is going.

“I learned the financial and operational side of local government, but I also learned the institutional history that you simply can’t get from a textbook, such as why a project was built, why another one wasn’t built 50 years ago and how those decisions still shape Cameron Parish today,” she says.

Much of that knowledge came from the people around her, including Darrell Williams, who served as parish treasurer before her. As a mentor, he taught her the practical skills of the job while also encouraging her to understand the reasons behind past decisions.

That foundation has become an important part of how Armentor approaches leadership. Her career path was not something she mapped out; it has evolved as she took on more responsibility and discovered that she genuinely enjoyed finding workable solutions to move things forward.

“I think one of the best things about working in local government is that the work is very real,” she says. “You can see the people, the problems and, hopefully, the results.”

For Cameron Parish, those results increasingly depend on finding the right balance between growth and preservation. Armentor wants the parish to embrace new opportunities while protecting the culture and quality of life that make it home. “We want to grow and embrace opportunity, but we also want to make sure the community still feels like it belongs to the people who live here,” she says.

With significant growth anticipated over the next five years, that means planning beyond the needs of today. Resources are limited, and local government must provide quality services while remaining responsible with taxpayer dollars. For Armentor, preparing for the future is part of the job now.

“We aren’t just responding to today’s needs, we have to build an organization prepared for the needs of the next five to ten years,” she says.

For Armentor, thinking about what comes next extends beyond her work. As a mother, she is intentional about making the most of the present, knowing that some seasons of life cannot be revisited. She credits her own mother with showing her what it means to be fully present and engaged with family, and she has found that many of the qualities that make her a good mother, patience, empathy, rationality, fairness, and occasionally, refereeing arguments, also make her a good coworker and public servant. 

“I believe in giving people grace, listening to criticism without taking it personally and, perhaps most importantly, not being afraid to ask for help,” Armentor says. “Leadership is not about getting credit but about doing what needs to be done for the good of the organization and the people it serves.”

Looking ahead, Armentor wants to continue investing in her own personal and professional growth while helping the Police Jury evolve alongside Cameron Parish.

“The better I become at my job, the better I can serve Cameron Parish,” she says. “I want to contribute to a community where people are proud of where they come from, proud to live and work there, and proud of what we’re building together.”

Community and Professional Involvement:

• Cameron Lions Club, member

• Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation Commissioner 

• Louisiana Community Development Authority board member

• Southwest Regional Planning Commission, board member

• SWLA Alliance Foundation, board member 

 

Amy Miller

Director of Local Government & Community Affairs, Cheniere Energy

by Haley Tarasiewic

Amy Miller’s career path has been anything but traditional, but looking back, each chapter has prepared her for the work she does today.

 After graduating from Johnson Bayou High School, Miller earned a degree in English Education from McNeese State University and spent 13 years teaching English in Calcasieu Parish schools before moving into the energy industry. In 2013, she joined Cheniere Energy, where she held several roles within the engineering department before moving into her current position as director of local government and community affairs.

While the transition from education to energy may seem unlikely on paper, Miller sees a natural connection between the two. Her years in the classroom taught her the importance of communication, relationships and adaptability, but perhaps most importantly, they taught her to put people first.

“Teaching taught me very early that leadership isn’t about me,” Miller says. “It required me to put my ego aside, connect with individuals from different backgrounds and learn that my success was not measured by how much I knew or how well I performed. It was measured by whether my students were learning, growing and gaining confidence. Those skills are incredibly valuable and serve me well today.”

That mindset continues to guide her as she works with community leaders, elected officials, nonprofits, employees and other stakeholders connected to Cheniere’s facilities in Cameron Parish and Corpus Christi, Texas. Her experience in engineering also gave her firsthand knowledge of the technical, operational and safety sides of the LNG business, allowing her to understand complex issues and confidently communicate them in a way that makes sense to others.

The most rewarding part of Miller’s work is seeing those relationships turn into meaningful results, whether supporting education through scholarships, helping address infrastructure needs or simply sitting down with someone for an honest conversation. But relationship-driven work is not always immediately measurable. Some of the most important progress happens quietly through developing a record of consistency and credibility. “You must be patient and understand that trust is built long before you need it,” she says. Not every conversation ends with everyone getting exactly what they want, either. As a self-described people pleaser, Miller jokes, “I would love for everyone to leave every conversation happy, preferably smiling and maybe even giving me a hug.” Over time, she has come to see that leadership is less about making everyone happy and more about listening, respecting different perspectives and finding a way forward.

That perspective also shapes how Miller approaches balance. Rather than trying to give every part of life equal attention every day, she focuses on being present in whatever season she is in.  “As women, I think we sometimes place unrealistic expectations on ourselves to excel in every area of life at the same time” she says. “Balance is something you continually adjust rather than something you permanently achieve.”

For women building their own careers, Miller emphasizes preparation, consistency and humility. She encourages women to keep learning, treat people well regardless of their title and never underestimate the value of being someone others can trust. “Empathy, listening, emotional intelligence and communication are not weaknesses,” she says. “They are leadership skills.”

Looking ahead, Miller hopes to continue developing the next generation of leaders and creating opportunities for people to grow into roles they may not have initially imagined for themselves. Her own career is proof that the path does not always have to be predictable to be purposeful. Sometimes it is only when you look back that you realize each experience was preparing you for what came next—and that every chapter was shaping the story all along.

 

Kayla Powers

Senior Public Relations Representative, Cameron LNG 

by Haley Tarasiewicz

“Dream it, then do it” is more than career advice for Kayla Powers; it is a philosophy she has put into practice throughout her professional journey. 

After graduating from McNeese State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in marketing, Powers moved to Houston and began her career with a global custom clothing manufacturer and retailer. She valued the experience but knew she ultimately wanted to build her career in her hometown. 

Powers returned to Southwest Louisiana and joined Cameron LNG as an administrative associate supporting the Health, Safety, Security and Environmental department. Nine months later, she was promoted to Human Resources, where she spent seven years before transitioning to her current role as senior public relations representative in 2022. 

When she joined Cameron LNG, Powers already had a vision for her future. 

“In 2014 when I began working for Cameron LNG, my dream was to transition to Human Resources or Public Relations,” she says. “My mom, who is also my mentor, told me I would have to work hard to earn the opportunity to be promoted by excelling in my initial role as administrative associate.” 

More than a decade later, Powers has worked in both departments, an achievement she attributes to determination and diligence. 

Today, her public relations role allows her to connect Cameron LNG with its employees and surrounding communities. She finds fulfillment in seeing the impact the company makes throughout Southwest Louisiana through strategic partnerships, charitable contributions and volunteerism. 

Although born and raised in Calcasieu Parish, her work has also given her a strong connection to Cameron Parish. She is passionate about advocating for its residents, locally owned businesses, civic organizations and nonprofits. 

“I am committed to ensuring residents, locally owned small businesses, civic and nonprofit organizations within the parish receive the support they need from Cameron LNG,” she says. 

Powers also makes time to recharge outside of work. Travel gives her an opportunity to experience new places and return refreshed, often with new ideas and perspective. She says navigating the unexpected challenges of travel also strengthens adaptability, problem-solving and the ability to embrace change. 

Throughout her career, Powers has learned from many leaders, but one mentor has had the greatest influence. 

“My mom has served as my most significant mentor,” she says. “Her guidance has been a consistent catalyst for my personal and professional growth.” 

After attaining an executive-level position with a major telecommunications holding company, Powers’ mother became a successful entrepreneur in the hospitality industry. Her experiences have provided Powers with valuable guidance throughout her career. 

That influence can also be seen in the advice Powers shares with other women. She encourages them to be reliable, responsive and consistent, communicate clearly and be willing to take on greater responsibilities before officially stepping into the next role. 

“Lastly, my personal favorite piece of advice is to dress for success,” she says. 

For Powers, that advice goes beyond clothing. It means presenting yourself with confidence, professionalism and intention. Looking the part can also build your own confidence and help you believe in the possibilities ahead. 

After more than 12 years with Cameron LNG, Powers is proud of the milestones she has reached and looks forward to continuing to grow. Her career reflects the advice that helped guide her from the beginning: Set the goal, put in the work and be ready when opportunity comes.