Leadership Awards Luncheon To Celebrate Honorees 16
The Greater Shreveport Chamber will host the 34th Annual ATHENA Leadership Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 11:30 a.m. Presented by Ochsner LSU Health System, the event will be held at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino and will honor 16 transformative leaders, changemakers and trailblazers who reflect the highest caliber of leadership in Northwest Louisiana.
In keeping with ATHENA International’s mission and vision, this year’s honorees have led the charge to ignite, amplify and celebrate women leaders in every facet of their work. They will join the ranks of 8,200+ recipients spanning 500+ regions, representing 48 states and 11 countries. Each honoree is opening the doors to leadership opportunities for women and girls around the world.
ATHENA International was founded more than 40 years ago by Martha Mertz, who believed that if women were recognized for their leadership achievements, they could not be dismissed. With funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the organization began to research the nature of female leaders’ shared traits — a leadership style that is diverse, inclusive and collaborative. From these findings, the ATHENA Leadership Model was born and has grown into a catalyst for developing, training and celebrating girls and women around the world. ATHENA leaders understand that for women to rise, all must come together to shatter the glass ceiling.
The 2024 class of honorees certainly embodies the ATHENA legacy. The entire community is invited to attend this event, where one of the 16 honorees will earn the prestige of the 56th ATHENA International Leadership Award Recipient. For more information on the event, please scan the QR Code.
~ Adam West, Greater Shreveport Chamber’s Business Development Connection, President 
~ Verni Howard, 2024 ATHENA
Chairman, Greater Shreveport
Chamber’s Business Development
Connection, President-Elect
Meet the 2024 Honorees
Sasha Boyett
Sasha Boyett is a marketing and communications specialist for Prolec GE. Her love for marketing is evidenced by her progressive career, including branding development from General Electric to Prolec GE as well as content and business design. While her career is demanding, she is focused on the development of female leaders. Sasha has organized events that empower women within her workplace, including an International Women’s Day Celebration and Breast Cancer Awareness.
When she is not championing women in the workplace, she spends her time volunteering in support of the greater community. She has served with Volunteers for Youth Justice as well as Gems and Gents, a mentorship program for young adults.
Sasha believes the sky’s the limit and your potential is set by your own parameters; no one else is responsible for you but you!
Tari T. Bradford
With over 30 years of experience, Tari Bradford is a seasoned community and governmental relations professional. Currently serving as the senior assistant to the mayor of Shreveport, she plays a pivotal role in managing the executive team, coordinating with elected officials and ensuring the effective flow of communication within the city’s leadership.
Tari has a proven track record in building coalitions, enhancing community engagement and providing high-level strategic advice. Previously, she held key roles in the U.S. Senate as well as various community organizations, where her expertise in project management, public speaking and team-building significantly contributed to organizational success. Tari holds a Master of Education in mass communications and a Bachelor of Science in business management from Southern University and A&M College.
Kristina Gray, Ph.D., M.B.A./H.C.M.
Dr. Kristina Gray serves as the vice president of access and research at Willis Knighton Health.
Since returning to Shreveport from New York, she has made a significant impact on the local community by addressing the challenges faced by individuals on the brink of homelessness and providing affordable housing options to support those in need.
As a servant leader, Dr. Gray has not only inspired women through her own journey of achieving her dreams as a single parent but has also offered guidance, strength and encouragement for others to continue their education. She has supported many women in various ways, including babysitting their children during classes. Her influence is clear in the lives of women who have returned to college and completed their education. By starting new careers and obtaining various certifications, these women have found their voice.
Nicole Lowe
Nicole Lowe has been the executive director of Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier since 2023. Her mission is to cultivate a thriving community of women who support one another, breaking down barriers of adversity and poverty. Nicole has revitalized the organization by rebranding and introducing innovative ideas that inspire others both personally and professionally. She actively gathers influential women from the community to share their stories of resilience, providing hope and guidance to every woman who walks through the doors.
With her extensive background in HR and as an entrepreneur, Nicole offers invaluable advice on styling and entrepreneurship. She works tirelessly to build partnerships with other organizations to serve women holistically and dedicates her time to researching resources to empower their ongoing success.
Erica L. McCain
Erica McCain is the community development liaison at ANECA Federal Credit Union. Formerly the executive director of Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier for five years, she has over 15 years of experience in community development and working with various nonprofit leaders in the area.
Erica has been honored with many recognitions, including the Greater Shreveport Chamber 2021 Minority Business Opportunity Awards Nonprofit Professional of the Year Honoree, 2021 Altered Northwest Louisiana Women of Inspiration, 2022 Top 40 Under Forty and Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce 2023 Nonprofit Torch Award Nominee. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Erica is very passionate about women’s issues and was recently appointed to the Shreveport Mayor’s Women’s Commission.
Alex Person, M.S., C.F.L.E.
Alex Person serves as the director of community engagement for Volunteers for Youth Justice. With more than 12 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in the Shreveport-Bossier community, she is deeply passionate about supporting children and families in various aspects of life. Throughout her career, Alex has worked directly with abused children and their families, as well as with children and families in crisis.
As a dedicated volunteer, she has been a member of the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier for 12 years and currently serves as president. She is also a member of the Commission of Women for Bossier City, a board member of the Red River Revel and an active participant in her church. Additionally, Alex teaches as an adjunct instructor at Louisiana Tech University.
Kristen Powers
Kristen Powers has dedicated her work to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After earning her MBA from the University of New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina led Kristen to move back to her hometown of Shreveport, where she made a career serving health care and nonprofit organizations. In 2020, she was called to serve as executive director of the Arc Caddo-Bossier, where she leads with enthusiasm, courage and a belief that anything is possible. Kristen seeks opportunities to empower and encourage women in business and values community partnerships. She honed her skills as a volunteer with the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier and the Rotary Club of Shreveport. Kristen; her husband, Ashley; and their children, Hollis and Mary Olive, are active members of First Baptist Church Shreveport.
Nashunte’ Ragster-Manuel, M.Ed., M.H.S.
Nashunte’ Ragster-Manuel is an educator at Green Oaks Performing Arts Academy. Her versatility allows her to serve as a distributive education teacher, mentor teacher, Business Department chair and DECA coordinator. She also teaches AP Psychology and AP Computer Science and is a dual enrollment professor for Introduction to Sociology at SUSLA.
A Shreveport native, Nashunte’ earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grambling State University and holds a double master’s in education and human services/community resources. Her 24-year career includes serving as the resource case manager for the Caddo Parish School Board Homeless Education Program and the housing/employment coordinator for Providence House. She owns Tigress Jeweler, LLC and the Travel Manuel Travel Agency. Nashunte’ enjoys making memories with friends. Her motto is, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Vita Riner
Vita Riner holds a bachelor’s degree and immigrated to the United States from Mexico in 2002. In 2004, she founded Vita Latina Magazine, and three years later, she joined the first Spanish radio station in northwest Louisiana. As an editor and publisher, she has written thousands of articles connecting and empowering the Latino community while also building bridges between communities. In 2015, she launched her own advertising agency, and in 2019, she and her son started the 318 Latino Podcast.
Vita cofounded the Hispanic Heritage Association of Northwest Louisiana in 2022 and serves on several boards, including the State Fair of Louisiana, Goodwill, SRAC and the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. She has received numerous awards for her impactful contributions to the communities in northwest Louisiana and East Texas.
Maria Rodriguez
Maria Rodriguez is the executive administrative assistant to the director of the Shreveport Job Corps Center and is the leader of the DEIA Communication Committee. Maria is also a member of the Hispanic Heritage Association of Northwest Louisiana, serving as a board member of the Day of the Dead Festival.
She is the proud mother of two children, Ezekiel and Jazzaeel, and raised two nephews and a niece: Joel, Abisai and Stephanie. Her parents migrated to the United States in 1993 looking for a better life. Although her native language was not English, Maria overcame the language barrier in six months while attending school. Throughout her life, Maria has pushed herself to overcome any obstacles that have come her way.
Missy Setters
Missy Setters has been with the Independence Bowl Foundation since 1996, where she now serves as the executive director. Prior to that, she spent two years with the Shreveport Pirates and six years working in sports information at LSU.
Missy won the State High School and State Junior Golf Championships, then became a four-year letter winner on the LSU women’s golf team, where she served as team captain during her senior year. She recently spent eight years on the Bowl Season Executive Committee, serving as chair of the national organization in 2020, and for a time was the only female bowl director in the country. She has served on the boards of the Military Affairs Council, Community Renewal and FCA and taught girls’ Bible study.
Lynn A. Stevens
Lynn Stevens is the director of workforce development for Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana.
She has been with the organization for nearly seven years, and in this role, Lynn initiates, fundraises for and oversees all activities related to workforce development programming.
Lynn approaches all that she does with a passion to serve others and create positive change. She has used her 25 years’ experience and leadership skills to guide and direct many types of local, regional and national organizations. Lynn is active in the community and has been recognized and received numerous awards. Lynn has helped to secure more than $70 million for nonprofit organizations. Prior to her nonprofit work, Lynn was employed by PepsiCo Brands.
Lynn and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Kaitlyn and Colin, and help to care for her elderly mother and mother-in-law.
Lisa Ann Sweeney
Lisa Sweeney leads with passion and dedication as the executive supervisor for Restoration Crisis Center Therapeutic Home for Troubled Girls. She is committed to serving the organization’s mission of empowering girls to greatness to overcome adversity and reach their fullest potential. With a distinguished career spanning 27 years with Sisters International Inc., Lisa has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to volunteerism and community mentoring.
She has shared her expertise with numerous women, equipping them with valuable skills through the Strategies to Empower People Vocational Education Program. As a licensed, ordained minister and practical nurse, Lisa has cultivated a unique blend of spiritual and medical expertise.
Affectionately known as “Dat Cajun Girl,” she is the founder of Dabayou Seasonings Spice Company and is a published author of three books. Lisa continues to inspire and uplift those around her.
Wanda Henderson Thomas, M.D.
Dr. Wanda Henderson Thomas is a full professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program director and associate dean for admissions at LSU Health Shreveport, where she has served for 24 years.
She is an active member of Shreveport Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Red River Chapter Jack and Jill of America Inc. and Shreveport Chapter of Links Inc. She is a board member and treasurer for the Community Foundation of North Louisiana, which affords her opportunities to positively influence women, children and members of our greater community. When she is not working, Dr. Thomas enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. Eric Thomas; children, Kennedy, Brady and Gabrielle; and sweet dog, Demi. She attends Zion Missionary Baptist Church.
Donesa Walker, M.Ed., B.C.C.S.
Donesa Walker is the owner and CEO of the Brain Train, LLC, dba LearningRx of Shreveport. After a career of over 20 years in the public school system, Donesa opened the local LearningRx franchise in August 2008 and has continued to be an integral part of the community as a small business owner.
As a dyslexia expert and reading specialist, Donesa has a passion for learning and believes that everyone should be able to enjoy learning, which is why she opened her center. Donesa has attained the highest honors in her professional career, both in the LearningRx franchise system and locally. She has continued to lead our community in literacy engagement and in helping other women-owned small businesses to thrive through mentorship and partnership. She created and leads support groups for those who struggle with learning at all ages.
Mary Lois White, Ph.D.
Mary Lois White serves as dean and professor of economics in the College of Business at LSU Shreveport and holds the Armand and Lynn Roos Professorship in Business and Health Administration. White has been a valued LSU faculty member since 2008. She currently sits on the Provost’s Council and Academic Dean Council and has been a past chair for the Campus Federal Teacher Enhancement Fund Committee as well as the University Curriculum Committee.
An active supporter of nonprofit organizations in our community and a 2023 Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman nominee, Mary Lois has served on the boards of Slow Food North Louisiana, the Philadelphia Center and Robinson’s Rescue.
She also chaired Authors in April and is a longtime member of PACE.
