Strategically Reducing Local Economic Vulnerability with NOLABA

In this discussion with President and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, Quentin Messer, Jr. will share thoughts on New Orleans' economic life, particularly in response to the recent Covid-19 pandemic. He'll address how we might pivot our local economy to deal with likely further pandemics and the ongoing challenges posed by climate change that exposes similar vulnerabilities. 

About Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEcD, President and CEO, New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA):

As the leader of the accredited economic development organization (AEDO) focused on growing the Orleans Parish economy, Quentin leads initiatives and programs related to making New Orleans the most attractive city of its size for financial and human capital investment.  These initiatives and programs are conducted across four workstreams:  business attraction/retention, small business growth, talent and workforce development, and strategic neighborhood development.  He was named by Biz New Orleans as Businessperson of the Year (2019, Consultants Connect as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers (2019) and selected by Ebony Magazine for its Ebony Power 100 as a Power Player (2018).  Immediately prior to joining NOLABA, Quentin was the Assistant Secretary for Louisiana Economic Development, (LED) the state department of economic development.  To learn more about the Business Alliance, please visit, www.nolaba.org.

About Nolan Marshall III, Chief Engagement and Solutions Officer, New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA): 

Nolan is responsible for representing the organization and the business community with public partners and elected officials at the local, state, and federal level, and leading the Business Alliance’s Small Business Growth, Strategic Neighborhood Development, and Industry Attraction and Retention teams in an integrated approach to creating an adaptive and equitable economy that benefits all New Orleanians and is a beacon for the region. Nolan began his career by building a successful small business but turned his attention to public policy and advocacy in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina. His work has included grassroots and grasstops community organizing in public safety and public education policy, place-based economic development strategies, and creation and implementation of both broad and place-based economic development policies and programs. Nolan’s civic engagement has included serving as Chair of the New Orleans City Planning Commission, President of the Young Leadership Council, President of Einstein Charter School Board of Directors, a gubernatorial appointee to the New Orleans BioDistrict, and service to numerous other non-profits, boards, and commissions. His passion for public spaces and their role in community vibrancy is evidenced by his service on the boards of New Orleans City Park, the Audubon Institute, and the Friends of the Laffite Greenway.