AI in Action: Leading Innovation in Louisiana Industries

Josh Fleig, CIO at Louisiana Economic Development 

Josh Fleig is the chief innovation officer at Louisiana Economic Development, a state agency that is responsible for attracting businesses to Louisiana and maintaining existing ones to ensure our economy thrives. Before his current position, Fleig worked at GNO, Inc. as the Vice President of Business Development for two years and LED as the Senior Director of Business Development for ten years. Needless to say, he's experienced in the business field and has brought tech and AI to his practices, sharing his support for AI innovation with fellow Louisianians. 

Henry Hays, CEO and Co-founder of DisruptREADY

Henry Hays, a visionary CEO and co-founder of DisruptREADY, spearheads a cutting-edge business intelligence firm focusing on emerging technologies, specially Artificial Intelligence. As co-founder and CEO of DisruptREADY, Hays leads the effort to make AI simple and effective for business executives. To date, DisruptREADY has built custom Large Language Models (LLMs) in banking, healthcare, commercial real estate, state government, retail and chemical companies. As an Adjunct Professor at LSU's Roger Ogden Honors College, he imparts his expertise by teaching courses on AI and LLMs, shaping the minds of future innovators. Globally sought after, he delivers keynote speeches on Disruptive Innovation. Before founding DisruptREADY, Hays played a pivotal role in developing the commercial facet of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, a company that was acquired for $3.5 billion in cash in 2014. His multifaceted experience and entrepreneurial leadership continue to fuel advancements in tech and business strategy.

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Jude Melville, CEO at b1BANK

Bio to come.

Moderator: Andrew Schwarz, Professor at LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business 

As a Professor in the Stephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information Systems in the E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University, Dr. Andrew Schwarz brings to his current position a unique blend of industry and academic qualifications. Prior to pursuing his Ph.D., Andrew completed his undergraduate degree at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, where he majored in social psychology and minored in sociology. Following completion of his bachelor's degree, Andrew worked in the market research industry for Fortune 500 firms, crafting research aimed at developing advertising campaigns for both new and established products and built models to forecast future trends in the credit card and food and beverage industries. In 2003, Andrew graduated with a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston.

He is currently involved in research aimed at investigating: 1. IT acceptance and use 2. Information technology management issues, such as governance, firm boundary choice, and alignment 3. The implementation and diffusion of technology within organizations, and 4. Future technology trends Andrew has been ranked in the top 1% of the globe in terms of research productivity in top tier journals and his work has appeared in MIS Quarterly, Information Systems Research, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, among others.

Erin Bendily , SVP at Pelican Institute for Public Policy 

Erin Bendily is the Senior Vice President at the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, Louisiana's leading free-market think tank. She directs the organization's policy agenda, focusing on technology, education, tax reform, criminal justice, and reducing poverty. Before joining Pelican, Erin led Louisiana's chapter of Propel America, helping young adults transition from high school to careers. She previously served as Assistant Superintendent for Policy at the Louisiana Department of Education, overseeing policy and government relations for nearly a decade. Erin also advised Governor Bobby Jindal on education policy and managed federal response efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She holds a bachelor’s in business management from Southeastern Louisiana University, a master’s in public administration, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Louisiana State University. Erin lives in Baton Rouge with her family.

Tristan Denley, Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation, Louisiana Board of Regents 

Dr. Tristan Denley currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Innovation at the Louisiana Board of Regents, where he leads statewide efforts to improve student success and align higher education with workforce demands. Since joining the Board in 2022, he has spearheaded initiatives such as Meauxmentum, a comprehensive state-wide strategy for college completion, expanding opportunities for work-based learning and career-focused education, and raising Louisiana’s education attainment to an all-time high.

Prior to his role in Louisiana, Dr. Denley served as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at the University System of Georgia, where he developed the Momentum Year strategy. This system-scale approach transformed advising and developmental education, raising system-wide four-year graduation rates by 20%, and by 30% for African American students. He also led the creation of the nexus degree, the first new degree structure in the United States in over a century.

Originally from Penzance, England, Dr. Denley earned his PhD in Mathematics from Trinity College, Cambridge, and has held academic positions in Sweden, Canada, and at the University of Mississippi, where he served as Chair of Mathematics and Senior Fellow of the Residential College program.

A recognized innovator in higher education, Dr. Denley’s work uses data analytics, behavioral economics, and cognitive psychology to drive student success. In 2024, he received the Stan Jones Legacy Award from Complete College America, recognizing his lasting impact on higher education policy and practice.

His career continues to focus on creating transformative educational opportunities for all students.

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Mostafa Elseifi, Professor, LSU College of Engineering & LSU AI/Data Analytics Faculty Fellow

Bio to come. 

Moderator: Roy Heidelberg, 
Associate Professor and Department Chair, LSU Department of Public Administration

Bio to come. 

James Ghawaly, Assistant Professor, LSU College of Engineering & Special Advisor to the Provost on Machine Learning

Bio to come.

Roy Martin III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for RoyOMartin

Roy O. Martin III is Chairman and CEO of Martin Sustainable Resources, L.L.C. and Martco LLC, manufacturer of OSB, Plywood, Timbers, and Martin Timberland, owner of 560,000 acres in Louisiana. He was a director and co-founder of Indigo Natural Resources, LLC, a Houston-based oil and natural gas exploration company.

He graduated from LSU in 1982 after receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Tau Beta Pi). He continued his education at LSU, obtaining his MBA in 1985. Martin was named to several Hall of Distinctions, including LSU’s Alumni Hall of Distinction, the LSU School of Business Hall of Distinction, the LSU College of Engineering Hall of Distinction, and Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) Hall of Distinction, and the Society for Engineering Excellence. He is currently serving as the chair of the TAF.

Martin has dedicated decades to public service and leadership roles, including the Lions Club, United Way of Central Louisiana, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity, to name a few. He served on numerous boards, such as the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, LSU Health Sciences Foundation, the Dean's Advisory Councils for the LSU Colleges of Business and Engineering, and Governor-Elect Jindal’s Economic Growth Transition Advisory Council. 

Martin was honored with the LSUA Distinguished Service Award, following in the footsteps of his father, Roy O. Martin, Jr., who was a founding member of the LSUA Foundation and the inaugural recipient of this award 30 years ago.

Brent Wallace, Director of Analytics and AI at Dow

Brent is currently leading enterprise Analytics & AI Hub at Dow, where he is responsible for leading the empowerment of organizations through data-driven decision excellence, using cutting-edge data science, robust business intelligence, and value-driven management to drive enterprise growth and sustainable success. 

Prior to this, Brent held various managerial & leadership roles across the company, including leading the delivery of customer digital capabilities and virtual experiences, shaping the vision and strategy of End to End Business Planning’s digital, analytics, and reporting capabilities, and capturing over $250MM+ in value enablement from Advanced Analytics. 

Brent holds a BSBA in Management Information Systems with a minor in Finance from Central Michigan University and has several certifications and memberships, including being a Lead Certified Practitioner with Oliver Wight and a Six Sigma Black Belt.

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Moderator: Brad Ives, Director, LSU Institute for Energy Innovation

Bio to come.

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Jesse Allison, Associate Professor of Experimental Music & Digital Media, LSU

Bio to come. 

Simonette Berry, Business Agent for IATSE Local 478

Simonette Berry is the Business Agent for IATSE Local 478, representing film industry workers across Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama. IATSE, known as "The Union Behind Entertainment," ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and creative opportunities for its members. In addition to her union leadership, Simonette sits on the Executive Board of Film Louisiana, where she promotes and advocates for the industry's growth, sustainability, and economic impact.

A classically trained artist and writer from New Orleans, Simonette began her film career in 2012 as a sculptor, mold maker, and scenic artist. Her credits include Co-Producer, Writer, and Production Designer for the award-winning documentary City of a Million Dreams, as well as contributions as a scenic artist, sculptor, and mold maker to films like Terminator: Genisys, Geostorm, Into the Badlands: Season 1, Chef, Fantastic 4, and Maze Runner. She and her husband run Scenic Art and Casting Studio, creating specialty props and teaching mold-making classes to industry professionals.

Simonette’s union work has driven impactful programs, including IATSE’s first Parental Leave initiative and a 478 Disaster Response Team that supports both union members and the community during crises.

Before her film career, Simonette was Assistant Editor for Louisiana Homes and Gardens Magazine and a contributing writer to several publications, including the post-Katrina anthology New Orleans: What Can’t Be Lost. Her work reflects her dedication to storytelling, art, and the culture of Louisiana.

Marcus Lyle Brown, Owner of Believe Entertainment & Partner at DigitalTwinStudios

Marcus Lyle Brown is a producer, actor, academic and software development project manager with over 20 years of experience in digital media, economic development, and workforce training. As a Partner at Digital Twin Studios, he leads collaborations with Meta Platforms, Unity Technologies, IBM, Maxar Technologies, and the Louisiana Department of Health, delivering XR solutions that advance education and workforce development. Marcus is integral to the development of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Solar Energy Lab virtual twin, a project that supports renewable energy research and workforce development. He has also contributed to sustainability and environmental resilience initiatives through work with the Do It Greener Foundation.

As an actor and producer, Marcus has been integral to the production of over 100 films and television shows, significantly impacting Louisiana’s media industry. He has authored, secured, and led more than $5 million in state and federally-funded workforce development programs. Additionally, he is a former Huel D. Perkins Doctoral Fellow in Communication and Media Studies at Louisiana State University, where he also earned two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master of Fine Arts.

Chris Stelly, Executive Director, Louisiana Entertainment and Director, Legislative Affairs

In early 2024, Chris Stelly was appointed Director of Legislative Affairs for Louisiana Economic Development.  In this role, he is responsible for monitoring and engaging with the Louisiana Legislature on any inquiries or requests for information with the department as well as liaison with other state agencies as needed.  

A native Louisianan and lifelong resident, Chris joined Louisiana Economic Development’s entertainment office in 2004. Under Stelly’s tenure and direction, Louisiana quickly became one of the top film production destinations in the world.  Due to the trailblazing incentive program, Louisiana experienced exponential growth and the state became a powerhouse in the film industry.  Further, he has also been at the forefront of establishing Louisiana as a prime location for software development and has worked to grow Louisiana’s music and live performance industries.   Most recently, Stelly spearheaded and oversaw the creation of the Entertainment Development Fund which has enabled LED to prioritize education and workforce development in the realm of the entertainment industry.   To date, the state has invested nearly $8 M in programs throughout all of Louisiana.   

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Moderator: Jason Jamerson, Director of the XR Studio & Assistant Professor of Virtual Production and Immersive Media, LSU

Bio to come. 

Whitney Breaux, Executive Director, Global Product Marketing at Eli Lilly and Company

Whitney Breaux is the Global Marketing Leader for Eli Lilly’s dermatology portfolio, overseeing the launch of a new biologic treatment in 30 countries. Since joining Eli Lilly in 2011, she has held diverse roles in sales, IT, marketing, and leadership. Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2020 at age 32, Breaux founded the Day 18 Campaign, raising awareness about breast self-exams, especially for young Black women. She also serves on the Woman’s Hospital board, advocating for patients. A Baton Rouge native, Breaux was the first Black Miss Teen Louisiana in 2004 and was named to Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Forty Under 40” at age 22. She holds a BA in Mass Communication and an MBA from LSU and is currently authoring her first book, Be A Badass and Change the World.

Jonas Fontenot, President and CEO at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

Jonas D. Fontenot, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, overseeing clinical and administrative operations. He also serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Louisiana State University. With a strong background in medical physics, Dr. Fontenot holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Medical Physics from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He has extensive research experience, securing numerous grants related to radiation therapy and cancer treatment, including projects on machine learning applications and stereotactic treatments. Dr. Fontenot is a board-certified therapeutic medical physicist and has held leadership roles in academic and clinical training programs. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, contributing significantly to advancements in medical physics. He is also recognized for his involvement in professional organizations, including the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Tonya Jagneaux, Chief Medical Analytics Officer, FMOLHS & Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center

Dr. Tonya Jagneaux completed her medical education at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. She subsequently completed her Internal Medicine residency at the LSU Internal Medicine program in Baton Rouge, where she served an additional year as Chief Resident. She then pursued fellowship training in Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center/Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. In 2005, she joined the LSU Pulmonary and Critical Care department in Baton Rouge, where she has been practicing and teaching within the LSU Internal Medicine program.

Dr. Jagneaux holds a master’s degree in clinical informatics from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, and Clinical Informatics. Currently, she serves as the Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and as the Chief Medical Analytics Officer for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. Her research and clinical interests encompass clinical informatics in quality and safety, predictive analytics in acute care, and the advancement of recognition and resolution of social determinants of health. She holds a joint appointment as an associate professor within the LSU College of Industrial Engineering and recently completed a Master’s in Analytics at LSU, Baton Rouge.

Her professional interests encompass the responsible application of artificial intelligence, particularly in the expansion of predictive tools and models provided by electronic health record (EHR) vendors. This includes automating processes to enhance patient experience and efficiency and simultaneously extracting data for clinical intelligence alongside business intelligence. Additionally, she advocates for incorporating appropriate use of artificial intelligence in our residency and educational programs, as well as point-of-care clinical decision support systems.

Will Landry, SVP Chief Information Officer at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

Will Landry has led Information Technology initiatives with FMOL Health for five years, with prior experience at Ochsner Lafayette General, Louisiana Blue, and Amedisys. With executive responsibilities for traditional IT systems, system architecture, and support services, Will also leads the AI strategy and governance of FMOL Health.