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Celebrating 300 Years: 12 New Orleans Icons Weigh In on the State of the City
JPMorgan Chase asks local leaders to discuss inspiration, progress and the future of NOLA.
JPMorgan Chase asks local leaders to discuss inspiration, progress and the future of NOLA.
Few places in America are as evocative as New Orleans, a feast of music, food and timeless street scenes where streetcars with names like “Desire” rumble past.
To celebrate the 300th anniversary of the city’s founding, JPMorgan Chase & Co. is honoring 12 icons who have helped shape NOLA. They come from all backgrounds, but share a devotion to their hometown. We caught up with each hometown hero to get their thoughts on what makes New Orleans so inspirational and what is necessary to ensure its future is even brighter.
What inspires you about New Orleans?

Michel Varisco Gleason co-founded Team Gleason with her husband, Steve, to spearhead initiatives that increase access to cutting-edge ALS technology and promote greater awareness of the effects of the disease.

Sandy Nguyen is the Executive Director of Coastal Communities Consulting, which focuses on disaster recovery, social services and economic development to help the region’s fishermen.

Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes is the Director of Strategic Neighborhood Development at the New Orleans Business Alliance. She is also the Claiborne Corridor Program Manager at the Network for Economic Opportunity.
How can we make New Orleans even better?

Flozell Daniels Jr. is CEO and President of the Foundation for Louisiana, leading initiatives to increase economic opportunity and improve social wellness.

Andreanecia Morris is Executive Director of HousingNOLA, a ten-year plan to improve housing and increase equity.

Tim Williamson co-founded The Idea Village, a nonprofit committed to attracting, supporting and retaining the city’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Gary Chouest serves as president and CEO of Edison ChouestOffshore and the numerous companies it operates. He provided financial support for the struggling New Orleans Hornets – now the Pelicans – when they were in danger of leaving the city.
Where in New Orleans do you go to find inspiration?

Jane Casbarian is the owner of Arnaud’s, a time-honored New Orleans culinary staple.

Representing a new generation of leaders, Quinndale Ridgeway worked with the Port of New Orleans through the YouthForce NOLA internship program, and as a build apprentice for UnCommon Construction.

Kathy Laborde is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Housing Partnership, which provides accessible housing and diverse commercial development.

Bill Goldring is the chairman of the Sazerac Company. The Goldring Family Foundation has contributed to numerous projects focused on education, welfare and health.

Paige Arnof- Fenn is the eldest daughter of Ian Arnof, who was the CEO of the First National Bank of Commerce, a predecessor to JPMorgan Chase.