Lafayette, LA – On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Leadership Institute of Acadiana announced Ruben D. Henderson, III as the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Leadership Award. This award is bestowed on Leadership Lafayette alumni whose professional and civic contributions to the community correlate with the goals, mission, and vision of LIA.
The recipient of the Ignite Leadership Award for 2025 is Dr. Brandi Clay. Launched in 2020, this award honors a graduate of Leadership Lafayette that is blazing a trail for others to follow by quickly engaging in community leadership activities and achieving tangible results.
LIA Executive Director Katrena King shared, “We are excited to celebrate Ruben Henderson and Dr. Brandi Clay for the incredible impacts they are making on our community. At the awards ceremony, Ruben received a resounding standing ovation, while Dr. Clay was unable to attend due to her work as an Assistant Principal. Later being able to deliver her award to one of the places where she changes lives every single day was absolutely worth it.”
Distinguished Alumnus Leadership Award Honorees reflect the following criteria: leaders who have made substantial contributions to the community; innovative, resolute, ambitious, inspirational leaders; and, those who embody the pillars of servant leadership. Learn more about Ruben D. Henderson, III here.
While they may not have been in leadership roles as long as recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus Leadership Award, Ignite Award recipients have already left a tangible impact on the community. Learn more about Dr. Brandi Clay here.
The Leadership Institute of Acadiana (LIA) hosted its 2025 Annual Meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. With nearly 200 attendees present, the event included highlights of the incoming Leadership Lafayette Class XXXVIII, as well as the election of new board members and officers, concluding with this special awards ceremony.
