PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2025

CVB Contact: Alana Cooper
Phone: 318.387.5691
E-mail: acooper@monroe-westmonroe.org

DMWM Joins the 2025 Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy

MONROE, La. ― The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) proudly introduced Discover Monroe-West Monroe’s Hollis Walker, Sales Operation Coordinator and Krystle Ivey, Director of Operations, as members of the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) class of 2025 at its Annual Meeting on February 18 in Monroe.


The Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) aims to further educate professionals within the tourism industry by developing their leadership skills, strengthening their communication networks, and informing them about the responsibilities of leadership in building and enriching their tourism-related organizations. Throughout the year, class members will participate in six dynamic sessions and tackle group projects, all while learning from the experiences of seasoned tourism professionals.


“I am looking forward to being a part of the 2025 cohort of LTLA! I've always heard great things about the places we will travel to and visit. Networking is a huge benefit to the travel industry and what a joy it is to learn with like-minded individuals, people from different cultures and backgrounds and people who are excited to serve visitors,” said DMWM’s Sales Operation Coordinator, Hollis Walker.


The future class of the 2025 Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy is as follows:


• Dr. Sinella Aghasi, Secretary of State


• Paige Alost, Natchitoches CVB


• Brandi Aube, St. Martin Parish Tourism


• Jenny Cardon, Courtyard by Marriott


• Toni Chapman, Visit Lake Charles


• Katelyn Coombs, Explore Alexandria Pineville


• Casey Cousins, Global Wildlife Center


• Gabrielle Dishman, Explore Houma


• Alex Einerson, Visit Shreveport-Bossier


• Amanda Everett, Hotard Coaches


• Tyler Ginsberg, The National WWII Museum


• Anna Graney, Ruston Lincoln CVB


• Meribeth Huizinga, Lafayette Travel


• Krystle Ivey, Discover Monroe-West Monroe


• Dayna James, Louisiana’s River Parishes


• Kristin Jewel, Baton Rouge (BTR) Metropolitan Airport


• Brooke Kidder, Louisiana Office of Tourism


• Meshelle Morgan, Natchitoches CVB


• Abby Ohrt, Explore Alexandria Pineville


• Trish Rilloraza, New Orleans & Company


• Emily Treme, Visit Lake Charles


• Hollis Walker Jr, Discover Monroe-West Monroe


• Ian Wallis, Louisiana's Cajun Bayou


• Takasha Weaver, New Orleans & Company



About the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy

The Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) was created to build future tourism leaders, develop their leadership skills, and strengthen their networks, thereby enriching their tourism-related organizations. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation.org.



About Discover Monroe-West Monroe

Discover Monroe-West Monroe promotes Ouachita Parish as a destination for leisure travel, conventions, meetings and sporting events, creating a positive economic impact for our local community through increased visitor spending and sales tax collections. For more information about Discover Monroe-West Monroe, visit https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/