Announcing the 2024 City Stars Soirée Rising Stars

Prepare for an unforgettable evening at the 19th annual City Stars Soirée, presented by Susco Solutions, where Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans will honor the 2024 Rising Stars—an extraordinary group of young entrepreneurs under 40 who have exhibited remarkable leadership, vision, and integrity. This celebration will be nothing short of spectacular, with vibrant live music, an enticing silent auction, and a delectable array of food and drinks that will keep the energy high throughout the night.

This dazzling event is brought to life by the dedication and passion of our phenomenal Co-Chairs, Karen and Perry Eastman, and Bridget and Karl Senner, along with an exceptional committee, including Pepper Baumer, Sara Brennan, Pike Howard, Chase Mullin, Brett Perrier, Brandon Smith, Neel Sus, and Townsend Underhill. Their unwavering support ensures an evening brimming with joy, camaraderie, and celebration of the future stars of entrepreneurship.

When: Thursday, November 14, 2024

Where: Il Mercato, 1911 Magazine Street, New Orleans

Time: 7:00–10:00 pm

Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans is incredibly excited to present the 2024 Rising Stars:

Jarrett E. Cohen, Founder and CEO of JECohen, stands as a trailblazer in the financial services industry. As the head of one of the few independently Black-owned wealth management firms in Louisiana, Jarrett has built a $62 million firm that prioritizes democratizing financial advisory services. A former consultant at Deloitte and financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, Jarrett’s passion for serving underserved communities has earned him local and national recognition, including the 2023 ACLU Trailblazer Award.

Meghan Donelon, Greater New Orleans Market President of Red River Bank, has been an influential leader in Louisiana’s banking industry. With over 15 years of experience, Meghan is responsible for Red River Bank's expansion in Greater New Orleans. A graduate of LSU's Executive MBA Program, Meghan serves on numerous boards, including United Way of Southeast Louisiana, and has been named United Way's 2024-2025 Campaign Chair. Her dedication to her community and industry exemplifies her as a leader of excellence.

Lauren Gibbs, CEO of Gibbs Construction, took over her family’s business in 2019, guiding the firm through over $300 million in commercial and institutional projects. Her leadership has earned Gibbs Construction multiple safety awards and recognition as one of the region's “Best Places to Work.” Lauren, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of New Orleans, is also a community advocate, lending her expertise to organizations like unCommon Construction and SOUL Nola.

Dr. Neil Jolly, CEO/President of Louisiana Pain Specialists, is a visionary physician whose work in anesthesiology and pain management has impacted thousands. With double-board certification and training from prestigious institutions like Yale and Wake Forest, Dr. Jolly oversees nearly 40,000 patient encounters annually. His career achievements include leading Crescent View Surgery Center through significant growth and consulting with Fortune 500 companies on neuromodulation. Dr. Jolly also pioneers innovative treatments for Long Covid symptoms and severe anxiety, positioning him as a thought leader in his field.

Ralph Mahana, General Manager of The Windsor Court Hotel, has built a career around hospitality excellence. Since taking over leadership in 2018, Ralph has focused on blending The Windsor Court’s Old-World charm with modern service, helping the hotel maintain its iconic status in New Orleans. A graduate of Cornell University’s General Managers Program, Ralph is deeply committed to supporting the community through philanthropic work and mentorship.

Junior Achievement extends heartfelt thanks to our incredible sponsors, whose generosity makes this event possible. Their support will help empower JA to reach nearly 40,000 young people across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi during this academic year!

Presenting Sponsor: Susco Solutions

Mega Star Sponsors: The Windsor Court Hotel and The Berger & Tiller Families, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, and EMR

All Star Sponsors: Blessey Marine Services, Inc., First Horizon Bank, Louisiana Pain Specialists, Peoples Health/United Healthcare, Red River Bank

Super Star Sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, Anne and Sandy Villere, III

Rising Star Sponsors: Capital One Bank, Dardis & Associates, Favrot Shane, GHK Developments, Inc., Bill Hammick, Kings & Jurgens, Laborde Products, LCMC, McEnery Residential, Ashby & Al Navarro, Perrier Esquerré Contractors, LLC, Regions Bank, RNGD, Stokes Family Office

We look forward to celebrating the incredible accomplishments of our 2024 Rising Stars and hope to see you at the City Stars Soirée! Click here to become a sponsor or to purchase your tickets now!

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