Junior League of New Orleans announces 2026 Women’s Leadership Summit: Conditioned for Courage

Written By Alicia Vial

Annual full-day event to spotlight women’s leadership, wellness and financial empowerment

NEW ORLEANS – The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) will host its 6th annual Women’s Leadership Summit, “Conditioned for Courage: Fit in Every Way to Go Further,” bringing together dynamic leaders, innovators and change-makers for a full day of inspiration, connection and empowerment. The event, presented by Ochsner Baptist, takes place at the InterContinental New Orleans Hotel Friday, March 6 and sets the stage for an extraordinary journey of growth, connection and impact.

The 2026 Women’s Leadership Summit is designed for women at every stage of their career, from emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to seasoned executives. This one-day experience is crafted to help elevate leadership potential and serves as a platform for women to connect, learn and sharpen the skills necessary to lead with confidence in today’s evolving business landscape.

Sessions will explore topics including building leadership legacy, investing for long-term financial health, strengthening local charities, mastering the art of influence, prioritizing women’s wellness and leading boldly — equipping women with the tools to grow personally and professionally while strengthening the community around them. The event will also feature a keynote luncheon with Commander’s Palace co-proprietor Ti Martin, networking opportunities and a curated vendor marketplace.

“The Women’s Leadership Summit reflects our mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact,” said JLNO President Michelle Clarke Payne. “This year’s theme, Conditioned for Courage, celebrates resilience, growth and the power of women to go further,  together.”

The Women’s Leadership Summit is made possible thanks to the support of presenting sponsor, Ochsner Baptist, as well as Northwestern Mutual, Women’s United, Liberty Bank and Trust, Gallagher, ECCO Community Center, Raymond James, Biz New Orleans and The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com.

The JLNO’s 6th annual Women’s Leadership Summit is open to the public and tickets are $150, with lunch-only tickets available for $115. To learn more or to purchase tickets visit jlno.org/wls.

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 bout 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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