The Leadership Institute of Acadiana recently named Ashley Mudd as its director.
The non-profit organization counts as graduates nearly 700 of Acadiana’s top leaders including, CEOs, public officials, non-profit heads, and a U.S. congressmen.
Mudd, a program alumna, will oversee all LIA programs, including Leadership Lafayette.
She said, “In this position I see an opportunity to do something really special for our region, and I look forward to working with program volunteers and the hundreds of LIA alumni to deliver on the mission of building community through leadership. I know we are going to take this program to the next level, and I’m honored to lead this initiative as the first full-time director.”
The newly created position is part of a joint initiative between LIA and One Acadiana to strengthen existing leadership programs and build new capacity for developing and training regional leaders.
A graduate of the Leadership Lafayette program, Mudd previously served as membership director for Girl Scouts of Louisiana – Pines to the Gulf, and as coordinator for United Way of Acadiana.
A native of Abbeville in Vermilion Parish, Mudd earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she served as student body president in her senior year and led the development of a new Leadership Studies minor for the University.
Kevin Blanchard, COO of Southern Lifestyle Development and LIA chairman, said, “LIA has a storied history in this community and it continues to be a positive force by bringing together change-makers from different walks of life. Ashley’s addition to the team raises the stakes for LIA’s legacy and will no doubt challenge our current and further Acadiana leaders to dare greatly.”
Jason El Koubi, president & CEO of One Acadiana said, “Cultivating a pipeline of exceptional Acadiana leaders is the only way our region is going to sustain the progress we’re making. By deepening our long-standing partnership with LIA, the business community is investing in our region’s capacity for stewardship of the economy. Given the passion and experience Ashley brings with her, we can expect great things for leadership development.”