Women-owned businesses rede ne the path to success
These companies:
“In the Lead: Best Women-Owned Businesses” recognizes businesses that are owned by a woman or women and demonstrate success across many areas.
To be named one of the Best Women-Owned Businesses, a company must be entirely or substantially based in the greater New Orleans area.
• Demonstrate success in the market through growth in revenues or employees.
• Have been a trailblazer in a sector traditionally dominated by maleowned companies.
• Have been recognized as a best workplace because of employee support programs.
• Show a high level of employee morale.
• Are able to demonstrate strong and consistent community engagement.
• Are recognized within its industry as a leader or as an up-andcoming player.
• Are responsible for a product breakthrough or some other innovation. Editor Lance Traweek can be reached at 293-9254 or ltraweek@ nopg.com.
ACCENT NEW ORLEANS, INC., A DMC NETWORK COMPANY
Business Description: A women-owned destination management company creating unforgettable events for over 34 years, blending local expertise with global reach.
Female Company Head: Diane B. Lyons, President, Founder
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It means leading with vision, empathy, and grit, and proving that excellence speaks louder than stereotypes. For us, it’s about creating a space where women can lead, innovate, and set the standard for an entire industry.
Business Description: Boutique architecture and interior design studio
Female Company Head: Wendy Kerrigan
How do you support women in your business and community?
Within the studio, we prioritize creating a supportive environment where women can thrive. We provide exible work arrangements to help balance career and personal responsibilities. Within the community, we actively participate with nonpro t organizations. We provide architectural and design services to create safe and healing environments.
Business Description: A special effects production company.
Female Company Head: Jamie Andrepont - Director of Amazement & CEO
How do you support women in your business and community?
By sharing resources, connections, and knowledge. Networking fosters opportunities and equips women with tools for success. Beyond running a thriving company, we lift others up through partnerships with non-pro ts, providing product donations, nancial support, and extensive volunteer hours. Giving back is core to our mission, strengthening the community and creating pathways for women to succeed.
Business Description: An independent insurance agency focused on delivering personalized coverage and risk-management solutions for small to mid-sized businesses.
Female Company Head: Melissa Bennett, CEO
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It’s important because it increases economic inclusion in the eld of insurance. It differentiates our agency as many other boutique agencies have been bought out by national companies and have lost their ability to provide personalized customer service.
ATELIER DESIGN
BENNETT SIMEON INSURANCE LLC
CITY BABY BOOKS
Business Description: Writer and publisher of children’s books
Female Company Head: Jeanette Weiland
How do you support women in your business and community?
I work closely with women-owned shops and businesses, ensuring they receive the best possible pricing when they sell my books. I also prioritize partnerships with schools and nonpro ts, many of which are traditionally run by women, offering them fair pricing to help support their missions. By doing this, I aim to create a supportive network that uplifts women-led organizations and fosters community growth.
CYPRESS PLANNING GROUP
Business Description: Event management company specializing in comprehensive hotel sourcing and conference planning.
Female Company Head: Angele du Passage, Kathan Dearman & Ashley McCoy, Co-Owners and Founders
What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?
Cypress Planning Group just celebrated 10 years in business, a humbling milestone. From a small team of three, we’ve grown into a thriving company with an exceptional team and loyal clients. We’re proud of our journey and excited for what’s ahead.
Business Description: A creative and interactive agency.
Female Company Head: Jennie Westerman Diemont, President & Chief
Creative Of cer
What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?
Business Description: DPS utilizes innovative drone technology and our patent-pending ltration system to provide superior exterior cleaning solutions that are safer, faster, cost-effective.
Female Company Head: Mullady Voelker, CEO
How do you support women in your business and community?
We’ve strategically invested in dynamic talent, adopted and implementing emerging technologies, and continue to adapt to evolving consumer behaviors. Implementing the EOS business operating system has been transformative for us, enhancing team health, establishing a shared vision, and fostering transparent business practices.
Business Description: A construction company specializing in site preparation, demolition, underground utilities and concrete paving.
Female Company Head: Dana Stumpf
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It means working twice as hard and getting half the recognition. It means not leading on that you are a WBE, in order to con rm that you are still an industry leader regardless. It also means having great pride in what you do and feeling an amazing sense of accomplishment.
Business Description: A digital marketing agency.
Female Company Head: Tallie Merritt, President
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It means we can create a space where women are empowered to do their best work, where they feel appreciated and do not have to worry about wage disparity, glass ceilings, and sexual harassment. To me, it means women can build their career and family without concern of losing momentum. Being a women-owned business means our employee’s gender doesn’t matter and instead, all our employees are given an equal shot at growth and success.
Our executive team is more than 50% women at DPS. We operate in the intersection of both the maintenance and robotics industries where women representation is a grim at 14% by most estimates.
Business Description: The only dedicated pickleball facility combining air conditioned indoor and outdoor courts, food and drinks in the Gulf South.
Female Company Head: Renée Melchiode
What challenges have you faced as a women-owned business?
One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming preconceived notions about leadership and capability—especially in sports where women have been underrepresented. There’s also the balancing act of building a thriving business while being mindful of the extra scrutiny women often face.
Business Description: An award-winning rm known for its innovative approach and consistent delivery of exceptional results.
Female Company Head: Amy Collins, CEO
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
Our agency was established by Betsie Gambel in 2009 with a clear vision: to create an organization that not only excels in public relations but also champions the advancement of women. This commitment is in our DNA, from the clients we choose to represent to the team we build.
DRONE POWERED SOLUTIONS (DPS)
THE EXCHANGE PICKLEBALL & BAR
GAMBEL COMMUNICATIONS
DEEP FRIED ADVERTISING, LLC
DURR HEAVY CONSTRUCTION
INTERACTIVE
GCE SERVICES, LLC/GREEN COAST ENTERPRISES
Business Description: Specializing in real estate development, Green Certi cations for affordable housing, energy management, retro commissioning, and utility program implementation.
Female Company Head: Jackie Dadakis CEO
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
HOMESTEAD TITLE CORP
Business Description: Residential and commercial title services & escrow.
Female Company Head : Daye Gilbert & Tara Waldron
How do you support women in your business and community?
The work we do is meaningful and impactful, contributing to the communities we serve and the industries we’re part of. Being womanowned is a statement of leadership, resilience, and representation in industries where diverse voices are still underrepresented.
As a woman-owned business, it can serve as a role model for other women, offering mentorship and guidance in navigating the title and real estate industries. By prioritizing women’s needs in their services, Homestead Title can advocate for gender equality and representation in the real estate sector. They can provide resources, workshops, and educational materials speci cally designed for women.
Business Description: A unique tness studio concept that combines infrared sauna technology with various workout routines.
Female Company Head: Ali Landry
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
Ali Landry is an amazing business owner and single mom who juggles both with ease. She is a true inspiration to all of the women in this parish that can do both and succeed.
Business Description: An attorney and mediator who takes a personal, holistic approach to legal counsel, especially for small businesses.
Female Company Head: Kristen Amond, Attorney
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
Designing a practice around outcomes, not optics. I deliver outside counsel, complex litigation, and Louisiana guidance with speed, clarity, and integrity.
In a city full of women doing bold, meaningful work, my rm is a small part—lean, collaborative, transparent, and committed to excellence, and access to justice.
Business Description: A commercial general contractor in New Orleans and across the Gulf South.
Female Company Head: Anne Teague Landis, CEO
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
In such a historically male-dominated industry it shows opportunity for women as well as other demographics who may have traditionally felt excluded. It feels like honoring the strong women leaders we’ve had for decades, trailblazers in their time. It means to me a responsibility to help shepherd the next generation of leaders.
Female Company Head: Iam C. Tucker
How do you support women in your business and community?
The company is a 100 percent woman-owned, minority owed, and SBA certi ed small business. ILSI Engineering has assembled a team of professionals with over 600 years of experience in a variety of elds including civil engineering, construction management, and emergency management. Many of these are led by women.
Business Description: A metal fabrication company delivering high-quality, reliable industrial solutions with precision and purpose.
Female Company Head: Kayla Nguyen, Owner
What challenges have you faced as a women-owned business?
As a young woman in a male-dominated industry, I’ve often been underestimated or not taken seriously. People assumed I wasn’t the owner or didn’t belong in the room. Those moments were tough, but they pushed me to prove myself through hard work, skill, and resilience. I’ve earned respect by showing that leadership and quality aren’t de ned by age or gender.
Business Description: A national law rm specializing in affordable housing, public nance, and real estate, delivering strategic, inclusive, and results-focused legal solutions.
Female Company Head: A. Kelton Longwell
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
Our philosophy has always been to provide the best legal services in our eld. We strive to create an environment that provides opportunity for growth for everyone, especially women. We have created an environment that supports women where they are.
Business Description: A certi ed 8(a) 100% woman-owned, minority owned small business.
INTEGRATED LOGISTICAL SUPPORT INC. (ILSI ENGINEERING)
HOTWORX- COVINGTON
LA METAL WORKS LLC
LONGWELL RIESS, L.L.C.
KRISTEN AMOND LLC
LANDIS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LLC
LYNNETTE BOUDET, REALTOR
Business Description: Full time licensed residential Realtor specializing in Greater New Orleans & the Mississippi gulf coast.
Female Company Head: Lynnette Boudet
How do you support women in your business and community?
As President of the Professional Women of St. Tammany, the largest professional women’s organization in the parish, I’m dedicated to supporting our members and the wider community. Our organization focuses on educating our members about community and philanthropic initiatives.
MAROON INC. AND MAROON WORKSPACE
Business Description: Fostering innovation and collaboration that focuses on helping to improve our communities primarily through our small business training programs and educational leadership support.
Female Company Head: Jawan Brown-Alexander, CEO; Jade Brown-Russell, Founder
How do you support women in your business and community?
Our team is always looking for ways to connect with women business leaders and aspiring leaders through our mentoring, coaching, and internship programs.
Business Description: An award-winning architecture and interior design rm.
Female Company Head: Terri Dreyer, Owner and Managing Partner
How do you support women in your business and community?
At NANO, we foster a supportive environment prioritizing mentorship and professional development, empowering women to thrive. We equip women with the resources and opportunities needed to succeed in architecture and beyond. Our goals include expanding mentorship programs, establishing scholarships for women in architectural education.
Business Description: A neighborhood wine shop and bar specializing in lowintervention, agriculturally-focused wines.
Female Company Head: Leslie Pariseau, Owner
What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am so proud of building a team of very smart people who make our neighborhood and our city feel that they can be curious about wine without pretension. Wine is a conversation about agriculture, politics, people, and emotion that brings into focus the importance of human connection.
Business Description: Delivering veri ed data and AI powered insights, connecting diverse communities to innovation opportunities and transforming how organizations engage with underrepresented voices.
Female Company Head: Charae Cornelius, Co-founder & COO
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It means I get to build something that re ects who I am: resilient, intentional, and rooted in purpose. I have always led by showing up fully, and owning this business lets me create opportunities for others to do the same. It is about creating space where people feel seen, valued, and heard.
Business Description: A creative-led integrated marketing and advertising agency.
Female Company Head: Michelle Edelman, Partner & CEO
How do you support women in your business and community?
Women have seats at every level of our company. Our DEI efforts keep a consciousness about many aspects of quality in business and culture. We introduced fully paid family leave last year, and have exible work conditions so that people feel their roles as people and mothers/ fathers are taken into account.
Business Description: Delivering outsourced, executive-level consulting in nance, accounting, risk management, marketing & operations.
Female Company Head: Natalie Barranco, CEO/ Co-founder
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It is both a responsibility and a privilege. It means leading with resilience, vision, and empathy while breaking barriers in industries where women remain underrepresented. It’s about creating opportunities, inspiring future leaders, and proving that diverse perspectives drive innovation and success—while committing to empowering others.
Business Description: Search engine optimization and digital marketing agency specializing in analytics-backed strategies for SEO, paid digital advertising, and email marketing.
Female Company Head: Angie Scott, COO and Co-founder
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It means leading with empathy, inclusion, and strength. It means creating a workplace where women thrive at every level—through exible schedules, mentorship, and growth opportunities. At Search In uence, 75% of our leadership and 79% of our team are women. nities grow stronger.
P3 TECHNOLOGY
PETERMAYER
SEARCH INFLUENCE
NANO LLC
PATRON SAINT
PRIME BUSINESS ADVISORY SOLUTIONS
SHIRLEY “TONI” MCCORD, CPA, APAC
Business Description: A Certi ed Public Accounting rm with a concentration on Tax Preparation, Tax Planning and IRS Representation.
Female Company Head: Shirley “Toni” McCord
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
I have been able to create a company culture where other women can experience a ful lling career while having the exibility for work/life balance and taking care of their families. Understanding the challenges women face as well as their desire to succeed professionally has led me to develop a workplace that is caring and creative.
Business Description: A full-service tourism marketing agency with a reputation for data-drive strategies, creative angles, and world-class results.
Female Company Head: Marica Mackenroth Brewster
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It’s about perspective, resilience, and representation. It means leading with creativity and con dence while building a space where diverse voices thrive. It’s a point of pride that our agency re ects the independence, drive, and ingenuity of women entrepreneurs, while showing others in our industry what’s possible.
SSE STEEL FABRICATION
Business Description: An AISC-certi ed steel fabrication contractor specializing in structural fabrication utilizing CNC and robotic machinery.
Female Company Head: Mindy Nunez Airhart, President/CEO
What does it mean to you to be a women-owned business?
It’s about challenging the traditional norms and proving that women can excel in spaces where we’re often not seen. It’s about bringing a kinder and more inclusive perspective to the construction industry, offering solutions and approaches that might not have been considered before.
Business Description: Zoning matters, land use, mixed-income & affordable housing, historic district compliance. Historic Tax Credits, Restoration Tax Abatement, Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT)
Female Company Head: Nicole Webre, Founder and Lead Consultant What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?
As a developer partner of the River District, I was instrumental in securing the zoning and Development Master Plan for the River District Development, a $1 billion economic impact project. The River District will bring a new mixed-use neighborhood to this site.
Congratulations!
WEBRE CONSULTING, LLC
VON MACK AGENCY
Business Description: Scented candles and home fragrance products inspired by the rich culture of New Orleans.
Female Company Head: Tiffany Brown, Owner
What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?
Business Description: Creating unforgettable events and bespoke gifting, blending creativity, precision, and community to deliver experiences that inspire and connect.
Female Company Head: Susan Zackin, President/Owner
What recent accomplishments are you most proud of?
In 2020 we were named one of Oprah’s 22 Best Scented Candles, a moment that brought national recognition to our brand. In 2023, we received a $10,000 grant from Beyonce’s BeyGOOD Foundation, a powerful af rmation of our mission and impact. Recently, we won the rst ever pitch competition at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Growing my business in a competitive market, expanding my client base and service offerings. I’ve produced large-scale experiential events for high pro le clients, created bespoke gifting experiences that celebrate local culture, and strengthened partnerships.