Program Schedule

Game Changers: Infrastructure, Investments, and Innovation in Louisiana’s New Economy

7:30 a.m.

Registration & Continental Breakfast

7:55 – 8:10 a.m.

Welcome Remarks & Program Overview

  • Laura Beauchamp
    President, Tulane Association of Business Alumni
    New Orleans, LA
  • Jim Cook
    President & CEO
    New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

8:10 – 8:20 a.m.

President’s Remarks

Michael A. Fitts
President, Tulane University
New Orleans, LA

8:20 - 9:10 a.m.

Panel Presentation:
Rewired - Automation, Transformation, and AI in the Gulf South

Moderator:

Kimberly Gramm
Chief Innovation & Entrepreneurship Officer, Tulane Innovation Institute
New Orleans, LA

Panelists:

9:10 – 9:40 a.m.

Closing the Gap:
The State of Healthcare in Louisiana

Erica J. Washington
Data Analytics Program Manager, Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health
Metairie, LA

9:40 – 10:10 a.m.

Fireside Chat:
Building Influence, Impact, and Industry with LA.IO (Louisiana Innovation)

  • Josh Fleig
    Chief Innovation Officer, Louisiana Economic Development (LED)
    New Orleans, LA
  • Rob Lalka
    Albert R. Lepage Professor in Business & Executive Director, Freeman School of Business
    New Orleans, LA

10:10 – 11 a.m.

Panel Presentation:
From Seed to Scale – How Venture Capital Funds and Private Equity Partners Measure Success

Moderator:

David C. Rieveschl
Member, Stone Pigman
New Orleans, LA

Panelists:

  • Kwamena Aidoo
    Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Corridor Ventures
    New Orleans, LA
  • Tom Ambrose
    Partner, Black Bay
    New Orleans, LA
  • Tyler Houin
    Managing Director, Carr's Hill Capital Partners Management, L.P.
    New Orleans, LA
  • Evan Nicoll
    Co-Founder and Managing Partner, 1834 Ventures
    New Orleans, LA

Sponsored by Our Raising the Bar Partner, Stone Pigman

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Happy Networking Hour

Featuring company activations, student ventures from the Freeman School, and opportunities to connect with fellow business and community leaders

Sponsored by our Networking Sponsor, Spencer Fane LLP

12 – 12:30 p.m.

Luncheon

12:30 – 12:45 p.m.

Luncheon Welcome Remarks & Introduction of the Keynote Moderated Discussion

Paulo Goes
Dean, Debra and Rick Rees Professor Freeman School of Business, Tulane University
New Orleans, LA

12:45 – 1:45 p.m.

Moderated Discussion:
New Orleans' Next Generation of Sports Infrastructure and Investment

Moderator:

Kevin Ferguson
Deputy Mayor & Chief of Staff, City of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Participants:

1:45 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Laura Beauchamp

as of 10/1/2026.