JLNO’s announces winner of 2025 Woman Entrepreneur Fellowship Pitch Competition

Written By Alicia Vial

A yearlong program that supports local female business owners

NEW ORLEANS – On Thursday, April 10, six finalists competed in the Junior League of New Orleans’ (JLNO) Woman Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship Pitch Competition presented by Fidelity Bank P.O.W.E.R. The WE Fellowship Pitch Competition program creates an opportunity for one female-owned business to grow over the course of the following year by providing funding, mentorship and in-kind support. 

This year’s pitch event was held at JLNO headquarters located at 4319 Carondelet Street in New Orleans. At the conclusion of six fantastic pitches, Laura Fenner of Chateau Sew & Sew, a fabric retail store and sewing-enthusiast hub that offers classes and private lessons for all experience levels, was declared the 2025 Woman Entrepreneur Fellow.

As the 2025 winner, Fenner receives an award package that includes a $7,500 cash grant from Fidelity Bank P.O.W.E.R., $5,000 in accounting services from Padgett Louisiana, $5,000 in legal services from Jones Walker, use of JLNO’s headquarters facility, tuition to JLNO’s Get on Board nonprofit training program, a feature story in JLNO’s quarterly magazine, Lagniappe, and Inside New Orleans Magazine, strategic business consulting services from Trepwise and much more.

This year’s finalists were all inspirational women with unique and diverse business ventures, and, in addition to the winner, included the following:

  • AEDO + TERRA Studio led by Ashley LeJeune

  • ASE Learning Academy under the leadership of DeShaunya Ware

  • Brown Ribbon Exchange led by Diana Davis

  • ReJu Juice under Kelley Wolfe’s leadership

  • Jardin du Dupuy founded by Stephanie Dupuy

JLNO President Tara Waldron emphasizes, “The WE Fellowship demonstrates the Junior League of New Orleans’ commitment to empowering women through mentoring, training and support. Since 2016, the program celebrates women-owned businesses and highlights the dynamic impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our region and has provided results.”

Past JLNO WE Fellowship winners include Pillar Homecare, Bomb Ass Fro, Water Block Kids, and Cocktails and Sons. 2024 WE Fellowship recipient Kaitlin Guerin of Lagniappe Bakehouse has continued to grow her business and expand her reach over the past year through the successful grand opening of her brick-and-mortar location last fall and the world has taken notice as she was recently named a finalist for the prestigious James Beard Emerging Chef Award.

Women eligible to participate in the annual WE Pitch Competition must have at least a 50% stake in an enterprise operating between one to five years, with revenue under $750,000.

To learn more about the program, visit jlno.org/community/woman-entrepreneur-fellowship/.

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About Junior League New Orleans
Junior League of New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. More information on the organization can be found at www.jlno.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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