Margaret Orr to keynote fifth annual Women’s Leadership Summit

Written By Alicia Vial

Junior League of New Orleans sets the stage for a day of inspiration and empowerment

NEW ORLEANS – The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) fifth annual Women’s Leadership Summit returns Friday, March 14 and sets the stage for an extraordinary journey of growth, connection and impact with a keynote address by Margaret Orr.

This one-day event features a dynamic keynote to ignite your passion and purpose, interactive breakout sessions focused on professional development, personal growth and community engagement and opportunities to connect with like-minded women committed to making a difference.

“The Junior League of New Orleans’ Women’s Leadership Summit was designed to empower local women through a diverse line-up of speakers and sessions for all women striving to grow personally and professionally, while impacting the communities they serve,” says JLNO President, Tara Waldron. “Our goal is to empower women and equip them with the tools and resources to lead confidently and effectively, pacing the way for a stronger, more equitable future.”

The JLNO Women’s Leadership Summit will be held at the InterContinental New Orleans Hotel and tickets are $150. To learn more or to purchase tickets visit jlno.org.

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About Junior League New Orleans  
Junior League of New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.org 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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