Winter 2025 Commencement

Processional
Southeastern Wind Symphony

Presentation of Colors
Southeastern Louisiana University Army ROTC

National Anthem
Camille Talbot, Graduate/Senior Vocalist
Accompanied by the Southeastern Wind Symphony

Moment of Reflection
Maria Nechaeva, SGA President

President’s Welcome
William S. Wainwright, President

Commencement Address to Graduates
Michael Hecht, the President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. (Morning)
Paige Carter, the Chief Business Development Officer for Louisiana Economic Development (Afternoon)

President’s Medals for Academic Excellence
Eric Skipper, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Conferring of Degrees
William S. Wainwright, President

Presentation of Diplomas
Members of the Platform Party

Alumni Pledge
Sophia Salinas, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations (Morning)
Malayne Sharp, Interim Vice President University Advancement (Afternoon)

Alma Mater
Camille Talbot, Graduate/Senior Vocalist
Accompanied by the Southeastern Wind Symphony

Recessional
Southeastern Wind Symphony

Michael Hecht

Greater New Orleans Inc. President and CEO

Michael Hecht is President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., the economic development nonprofit organization for Southeast Louisiana. The mission of GNO, Inc. is to create a region with a thriving economy and an excellent quality of life, for all. Under his leadership, GNO, Inc. was named “Economic Development Organization of the Year” and a “Top Ten Economic Development Organization in America.”

Hecht was appointed by Governor Jeff Landry as State Coordinator for Infrastructure and Economic Development for Super Bowl LIX, tasked with overseeing over 500 of projects in preparation for the big game.  Recently, the Governor again turned to Hecht, having him lead delivery of the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), a critical project for the state.

Before coming to GNO, Inc. Hecht led the quarter-billion-dollar Katrina Small Business Recovery Program for the State. Before coming home to Louisiana, he worked for Mayor Michael Bloomberg in New York City, running the post-9/11 small business program.

Hecht’s entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding a conglomerate of restaurant ventures, including “Foreign Cinema,” named Restaurant of the Year 2000 in San Francisco. He began his career as a strategic management consultant in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia.

Paige M. Carter

Louisiana Economic Development Chief Business Development Officer

Paige Carter is responsible for leading and expanding LED’s business development operation, inclusive of new business attraction, business expansion and retention, international commerce, and lead development to drive economic growth and prosperity across Louisiana. Since rejoining

LED in June of 2024, the business development operations at LED has more than tippled its active project pipeline to support capital investment and job creation in every economic region of the state.

She brings a wealth of experience to LED, having previously served as the Executive Director of Industry Engagement at the LSU Foundation. In this role, she established the Office of Industry Engagement, driving LSU to national prominence in industry research and philanthropic investments through innovative partnerships and strategic alignments of talent, research, and industry needs.

At LSU, Carter was instrumental in securing the largest philanthropic donation in the university’s history and the largest corporate investment supporting energy-related initiatives. Her efforts in facilitating synergy and collaboration among academia, industry and government resulted in transformative impacts.

Prior to her tenure at LSU, Carter served as Director of Business Development at LED, where she successfully cultivated relationships with global consulting firms, corporate leaders, and statewide partners. Her work led to the creation of over 11,000 jobs and substantial capital investments throughout Louisiana.