Pelican Leadership Academy

Applications are now open! The Pelican Leadership Academy is committed to training and equipping future Louisiana leaders who want to see a free and flourishing Louisiana. This experience is designed to inform, educate, and connect emerging and experienced leaders in Louisiana to some of our state’s biggest assets and most daunting challenges.
Participants—representing a range of industries and ages in both the private and public sectors—will graduate from the program with the tools necessary to grow as thought leaders in their respective professions.

The program will be facilitated in Baton Rouge, one full day a month over a 9-month period of time with a summer break. We will cover leadership and ethics training, free market public policy training, understanding of the legislative process, and demystifying the campaign process. Graduates will leave the program as part of a network of peers connected to the people, organizations, and service opportunities that will make meaningful and lasting changes for the state of Louisiana.

Pelican Leadership Academy

The experience is designed to inform, educate, and connect the emerging and experienced leaders in Louisiana to some of our state’s biggest assets and most daunting challenges. PLA is built on four components:

Leadership Training
Public Policy 101
Learning the Campaign Process
Building Your Personal Network

Leadership Training

Public Policy 101

Learning the Campaign Process

Building Your Personal Network

Testimonials

“PLA played a pivotal role in preparing and inspiring me to run for the Louisiana House of Representatives. This program taught me about the policy process and the inner workings of how government functions. I made lifelong friendships with my classmates and was introduced to a network of leaders that all want to improve our state. I highly recommend PLA to anyone who wants a first-class course in leadership, policy, and government.”

State Senator Robert Allain

Louisiana State Senate

“The Pelican Leadership Academy was a tremendous help to me as a candidate. It provided me in depth and thorough knowledge of the important issues a newly elected legislator would need to make well-informed decisions. The time I spent there was invaluable.”

State Representative Jay Gallé

Louisiana State House District 104

“The resources, ideas, and network of the Pelican Institute and the Pelican Leadership Academy are the fuel for transformational change in Louisiana. I’m proud to be part of it, and I encourage anyone looking to make change real to consider participating.”

State Representative Kim Carver

Louisiana State House District 89

“My journey through the Pelican Leadership Academy was nothing short of transformative. It provided me with invaluable insights into the art of crafting impactful public policy, deeply rooted in the principles of freedom and opportunity. Through this experience, I gained a profound understanding of the profound impact that well-crafted policies can have on shaping the future of our state. It was a journey that not only enriched my professional growth but also ignited a passion for driving positive change through leadership.”

Pam Matassa

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Ascension Parish

“The Pelican Institute and the Pelican Leadership Academy provide the essential elements—resources, ideas, and a network—that drive significant change in Louisiana. As both a graduate and instructor of the PLA, the program has been instrumental in molding me into the leader I am today. It served as the catalyst propelling me into a prominent leadership role within the public sector. Long after graduation, PLA offers invaluable alumni programming. The alumni network isn't merely a network; it’s a tight-knit family.”

Aly Rau

Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

Testimonials

The Pelican Leadership Academy was a tremendous help to me as a candidate. It provided me in depth and thorough knowledge of the important issues a newly elected legislator would need to make well-informed decisions. The time I spent there was invaluable.

State Representative Jay Gallé

Louisiana State House District 104

The resources, ideas, and network of the Pelican Institute and the Pelican Leadership Academy are the fuel for transformational change in Louisiana. I’m proud to be part of it, and I encourage anyone looking to make change real to consider participating.

State Representative Kim Carver

Louisiana State House District 89

My journey through the Pelican Leadership Academy was nothing short of transformative. It provided me with invaluable insights into the art of crafting impactful public policy, deeply rooted in the principles of freedom and opportunity. Through this experience, I gained a profound understanding of the profound impact that well-crafted policies can have on shaping the future of our state. It was a journey that not only enriched my professional growth but also ignited a passion for driving positive change through leadership.

Pam Matassa

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Ascension Parish

The Pelican Institute and the Pelican Leadership Academy provide the essential elements—resources, ideas, and a network—that drive significant change in Louisiana. As both a graduate and instructor of the PLA, the program has been instrumental in molding me into the leader I am today. It served as the catalyst propelling me into a prominent leadership role within the public sector. Long after graduation, PLA offers invaluable alumni programming. The alumni network isn't merely a network; it’s a tight-knit family.

Aly Rau

Assistant Secretary for Family Support, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

PLA played a pivotal role in preparing and inspiring me to run for the Louisiana House of Representatives. This program taught me about the policy process and the inner workings of how government functions. I made lifelong friendships with my classmates and was introduced to a network of leaders that all want to improve our state. I highly recommend PLA to anyone who wants a first-class course in leadership, policy, and government.