At Leadership Institute of Acadiana, we believe leadership does not end when a program concludes — it evolves through the ways our alumni continue to grow, serve, and make an impact across Acadiana. Through our Legacy in Action spotlight series, we are proud to celebrate Leadership Institute of Acadiana alumni who are leading with purpose and helping shape a stronger community.
This month, we are proud to spotlight Diogo P. F. Tavares, a graduate of Leadership Lafayette Class XXXVI, current Leadership Institute of Acadiana Board Member, and Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual.
Recently, Diogo celebrated a major personal and professional milestone: earning his Doctorate of Executive Leadership (DEL) from the University of Charleston.
For Diogo, pursuing a doctoral degree was rooted in a passion for learning and a commitment to finishing what he starts.
“I wanted to gain more knowledge in an area that I really enjoy learning about,” he shared. “I think partially, I am about finishing what I start, and this terminal degree helps finish formal school education.”
His journey to this accomplishment also carries a meaningful personal story. As a child, Diogo dreamed of becoming a pediatrician, but after realizing a traditional pre-med path was not the right fit, he shifted directions. In many ways, earning his doctorate still brought him to the destination he envisioned — just through a different discipline.
Today, Diogo helps individuals and families create, manage, and protect wealth through his work as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. Beyond financial planning, what he values most is helping educate others so they can make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
“What I enjoy most is educating people,” Diogo shared. “Unfortunately, there are people out there on social media and the internet that provide misleading or incorrect information. My goal is to inform and educate the public so they can make the best decisions for them and their families.”
Diogo credits Leadership Institute of Acadiana with broadening his perspective and strengthening his connection to fellow community leaders.
“I would say that it has enhanced it, while connecting me with other leaders in our community to help make Acadiana better,” he reflected.
When asked what Legacy in Action means to him, Diogo offered a perspective rooted in integrity, service, and lasting impact:
“Doing things today, with integrity, that is in the best interest of others which remind people of you, forever.”
Diogo points to the wisdom of Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn, both of whom emphasized the importance of serving others as a pathway to meaningful impact and fulfillment. One quote from Zig Ziglar, in particular, resonates deeply with him: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
At LIA, we are proud to celebrate leaders like Diogo who continue investing in themselves, serving others, and strengthening our region through both professional and civic leadership.
Know an LIA alum making an impact in our community? We’d love to hear their story as part of our Legacy in Action spotlight series.