Historic New Orleans Collection’s Morrison Lecture to unpack 20 years of post-Katrina urban planning lessons

Written By Alicia Vial

Registration for the free biennial lecture is now open  

NEW ORLEANS – Presented partnership by the Historic New Orleans Collection, Vieux Carre Property Owners, Residents, and Associates and the Vieux Carre Commission Foundation, registration is now open for the 2025 Morrison Lecture, "We're Not Done Yet: Post-Katrina Urban Planning Lessons," Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Williams Research Center. As New Orleans approaches the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the profound lessons in urban planning and equity continue to resonate with unparalleled importance. This free event provides a vital and timely exploration of the complex path to resilience, offering insights that extend far beyond New Orleans borders.

At this year’s Morrison Lecture, nationally renowned urban planner David Dixon – who helped draft the city's post-Katrina Master Plan – will reframe the story of recovery: not as a saga of missteps or a quest for perfection, but as the pursuit of an achievable, community-centered vision. Dixon will explore what was learned and how New Orleans is uniquely positioned for success thanks to its history, cultural diversity and strong neighborhood identities.

Following Dixon’s keynote address, a panel of local community leaders will reflect on their roles during the recovery and discuss ongoing opportunities for growth. The distinguished panel includes B. Mitchell (Broadmoor Improvement Association), Marla Nelson (Freeport Professorship in Urban & Public Affairs) and Mayra Pineda (Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana).

"As we approach the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the lessons learned in urban planning and community resilience remain incredibly vital," says HNOC President and CEO, Daniel Hammer. "This year's Morrison Lecture offers a crucial opportunity to reexamine New Orleans's recovery not as a finished chapter, but as an ongoing pursuit of an equitable, community-centered future. By bringing together voices like David Dixon and our esteemed local leaders, we continue the legacy of Jacob Haight and Mary Meek Morrison in fostering critical conversations that safeguard and shape our city's architectural heritage and its future."

HNOC’s Jacob Haight and Mary Meek Morrison Memorial Lecture honors the memory of two longtime French Quarter residents and staunch preservation advocates. From the 1930s onward, the couple played a vital role in raising awareness of the city’s architectural heritage and advancing preservation legislation. In addition to housing the Mary Meek Morrison and Jacob H. Morrison Papers, which contain nearly 94,000 items, HNOC hosts the biennial Morrison Lecture to honor their legacy.

 “We're Not Done Yet: Post-Katrina Urban Planning Lessons” takes place Saturday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. at HNOC’s Williams Research Center located at 410 Chartres St. in the French Quarter. Admission is free but registration is required at www.hnoc.org.

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About the Historic New Orleans Collection:
The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the distinctive history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Founded in 1966 through the Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation, HNOC operates as a free museum, research center and publisher spanning more than 15 historic buildings in the heart of the French Quarter. For more information visit hnoc.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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