Leadership Institute of Acadiana

Health & Wellness Day was a full day of learning, conversation and a closer look at the many pieces that shape the health of our community.

Leadership Lafayette Class # # spent the day exploring healthcare in Acadiana from the economics of healthcare and the state of our local systems to community health needs, mental and behavioral health, hospital operations and healthcare innovation.

A big thank you to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana | Louisiana Blue for sponsoring Health & Wellness Day and helping make this experience possible for our class. We’re also grateful to Jet Coffee for keeping Class # # fueled throughout the day! ☕️

And, of course, thank you to all of the speakers, healthcare leaders and Ochsner Lafayette General team members who shared their time, knowledge and perspectives with our class. There was a lot to take in, and we’re grateful for the conversations that will continue long after Class Day.

Another great day with Class # # !

We're highlighting Kristi Waltrip, a leader who is passionate about education, developing leaders, and creating opportunities for students and professionals across Acadiana.

Kristi Waltrip is the Vice President of Education at Unitech Training Academy, a Louisiana-based career college committed to developing skilled professionals across the state. With more than 25 years of professional experience in education and workforce development, Kristi’s work centers on building leaders, supporting educators, and helping non-traditional students discover confidence, purpose, and opportunity through education.

Kristi’s leadership philosophy is grounded in connection, empathy, and accountability. She has spent nearly a decade developing leaders across multiple campuses, aligning academic strategy with workforce readiness, accreditation standards, and student success. In addition to her professional role, she serves as a volunteer site team member for the Council on Occupational Education, supporting accreditation efforts nationwide and bringing best practices back to Acadiana.

Deeply invested in her community, Kristi also teaches continuing education for licensed massage therapists in Louisiana and is on a serve team at Our Savior’s Church Midtown, focused on connection and growth for attendees and members. As a participant in Leadership Lafayette Class # # , she looks forward to building meaningful relationships, learning from diverse leaders, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen Acadiana through education, collaboration, and purpose-driven leadership.

Help us welcome Kristi to Leadership Lafayette Class # # and celebrate the passion for education, leadership, and community she brings to the class! 👏

We're highlighting Taylor Wallace, a leader who is passionate about education, supporting educators, and investing in the future of the Lafayette community. 👇🏽

Taylor Wallace is an instructor in the College of Education & Human Development at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she prepares and mentors future educators. Prior to joining UL Lafayette, she spent 10 years in Lafayette Parish public schools, teaching elementary mathematics and gifted education. Most recently, she served as a 3rd grade math teacher at Dr. Raphael A. Baranco Elementary, where she was part of the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) initiative.

Beyond the university classroom, Taylor is passionate about supporting educators across Louisiana and beyond. Alongside her twin sister, she co-manages the educator-focused social media platform where they share practical ideas and encouragement with teachers worldwide. She is also the co-founder of Teach Out Loud, an organization dedicated to providing high-quality professional learning and fostering community among educators.

Through her work in education and leadership development, Taylor is committed to building strong partnerships that strengthen schools and the Lafayette community. A lifelong Lafayette resident, she is passionate about investing in the future of her community through education, leadership, and service. She enjoys giving back alongside her supportive husband and their two daughters.

Help us welcome Taylor to Leadership Lafayette Class # # and celebrate the dedication to education and community she brings to this year's class! 👏

Our current Leadership Lafayette class had the opportunity to tour Basin Arts, and what an incredible space it is.

Thank you to Clare Cook and Dirk Guidry for welcoming us, showing us around, and sharing the impact Basin Arts is making in our local arts community.

We appreciate the work you're doing to create opportunities for artists and strengthen the creative culture that makes Acadiana so special!

It's Class Member Monday, and we're highlighting Lacey Simon, a leader who is passionate about advancing healthcare, investing in her community, and creating opportunities that make Acadiana a great place to live and work. 👏

Lacey Simon is a Senior Manager of Operations at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, where she leads a team dedicated to ensuring an unconstrained supply of medicine for patients with rare diseases. With seven years of experience in the biotechnology industry, Lacey has successfully led cross-functional teams through significant initiatives such as acquisitions, manufacturing site transfers, and value creation strategies. She feels fortunate to work for a company dedicated to her career development while also changing the lives of patients with significant unmet needs.

Although BioMarin is headquartered in San Rafael, California, Lacey has chosen to make Lafayette, Louisiana, her home. A native of Lafayette, she graduated from St. Thomas More High School and Louisiana State University, earning both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Biological Engineering. In 2021, she earned her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of California, San Diego. Her career has taken her to Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Louisiana, and San Francisco, California, but she was determined to establish roots in Lafayette.

Passionate about making Acadiana a desirable place to live and work, Lacey has volunteered with Parish Proud, served as a confirmation team member at her church, and mentored local students interested in STEM fields. Through Leadership Lafayette, she aims to deepen her understanding of regional opportunities and collaborate with other leaders to create a lasting impact. Outside of work, Lacey enjoys traveling, fitness, and spending time with her family.

Help us welcome Lacey to Leadership Lafayette Class # # and celebrate the experience, passion, and perspective she brings to this year's class!

✨ Meet the Class # #

Meet a class member who is passionate about expanding access to justice, strengthening communities, and serving Acadiana through leadership and advocacy, Leadership Lafayette Class # # ’s Taylor Robinson.

Taylor Robinson is the Housing Unit Managing Attorney with Acadiana Legal Service Corporation, where she leads a multi-office team providing legal services focused on housing stability and access to justice throughout Acadiana.

A resident of Rayne, Louisiana, Taylor is a proud graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and remains committed to serving the communities of South Louisiana. She is actively involved in the Louisiana State Bar Association and the Lafayette Bar Association, holding leadership roles within the Young Lawyers Divisions.

As a member of Leadership Lafayette Class # # , Taylor looks forward to expanding her civic leadership skills and collaborating with fellow community leaders to support the continued growth and well-being of Acadiana.

Help us welcome Taylor to Leadership Lafayette Class # # and celebrate the leadership, service, and commitment she brings to this year’s class.

Our latest Leadership Lafayette Class # # program day was all about exploring the people, places, and traditions that make Acadiana such a special place to call home – Culture & Quality of Life Day 🌱

Throughout the day, class members heard from community leaders and changemakers about the impact of arts and culture, quality of life, downtown development, parks and green spaces, storytelling, food, and the leadership behind some of Lafayette’s most treasured festivals! We also wrapped up the day with a visit to the Louisiana Music Museum, bringing many of these conversations to life.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took time out of your busy schedules to share your knowledge, experiences, and passion with our class. Your willingness to invest in the next generation of community leaders is what makes this program so meaningful. 🧡

A special thank you to JD Bank for sponsoring our Culture & Quality of Life Day and to Jet Coffee for keeping our class fueled throughout the day. We appreciate your support!

Onward to the next class day!

Meet a class member who is passionate about operational excellence, community service, and making a meaningful impact both inside and outside the workplace — Leadership Lafayette Class # # 's Sharioka Phills. 👇

Sharioka Phills is a healthcare operations professional with over 20 years of experience in operations, staffing, and organizational leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and is passionate about building efficient teams, improving processes, and delivering exceptional results.

Currently, Sharioka serves as a Clinician Experience Specialist at SCP Health, where she manages provider scheduling and collaborates with operations teams to ensure effective staffing across healthcare facilities nationwide. Her experience also includes accounting, process improvement, and team leadership, making her a well-rounded operations professional.

A native of Abbeville, Louisiana, Sharioka is actively involved in her community through Church and has an Associate Degree in Christian Leadership. Outside of work, she is the proud mom of two children and a dog mom. She is committed to leading with integrity, fostering collaboration, and making a positive impact in both the workplace and her community.

Help us welcome Sharioka to Leadership Lafayette Class # # and celebrate the experience, dedication, and heart for service she brings to this year's class! 👏