Pontchartrain Conservancy Announces 2024 Board of Directors

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS — Pontchartrain Conservancy recently named its 2024 board of directors, which will be chaired by LaVerne Toombs.

Dickie Brennan will serve as vice chair, Amy Cohen as secretary, and Michael Kelly as treasurer. Directors on the board are as follows: Jennifer Armentor, Danielle Bourg, Carl Britt, David Campbell, Patrick Cresson, Elizabeth Ellison-Frost, Lee Henderson, Martin Landrieu, John Alden Meade, Zoila Osteicoecehea, Natalie Robottom, Nick Trist, David Waggonner and Robert Williamson.

“I am thrilled about our newly appointed board of directors,” said Kristi Trail, executive director of Pontchartrain Conservancy. “The collective talent within the group will undoubtedly propel Pontchartrain Conservancy further into our mission of scientific research, education, and advocacy to help create an environmentally sustainable, prosperous, and resilient region.”

Pontchartrain Conservancy is a leading environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the water, land, and the future of the Pontchartrain Basin, a 10,000 square-mile watershed encompassing 16 Louisiana parishes.

“I am honored to be the first woman of color named board chair of Pontchartrain Conservancy,” said LaVerne Toombs. “Conservation is everyone’s business, and diversifying our board leadership is an impactful way to show our commitment to seeing and hearing all people in the environmental space. I look forward to putting my 20 years of experience in local and federal government, nonprofit, communications, fundraising, and business development toward the cause of engaging all communities across our region about the importance of scientific environmental stewardship.”  

For more information about the Pontchartrain Conservancy and the board of directors, please visit scienceforourcoast.org 

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About Pontchartrain Conservancy: Pontchartrain Conservancy is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to an environmentally sustainable, prosperous and resilient region. Our mission is to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education and advocacy. Pontchartrain Conservancy consists of a board of directors representing Lake Pontchartrain Basin parishes and regulatory agencies. For more information or to get involved, visit www.scienceforourcoast.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @PontchartrainConservancy and Twitter at @OurBasin. 

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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