Make a Difference
About Leaders in Philanthropy
The general public can nominate an outstanding individual, couple, and/or business or corporation that has made a philanthropic impact throughout Acadiana and beyond to support nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, or community initiatives.
Leaders in Philanthropy Award recipients are chosen from each of CFA’s primary service areas of Acadia Parish, Evangeline Parish, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, St. Mary Parish, and Vermilion Parish. An optional Corporate Award and Community Impact Award may be presented annually. The Corporate Award winner(s) need not be headquartered in Acadiana.
Nominees do not need to be fund owners at CFA nor contributors to the Foundation to be selected for an award. Parishes with affiliate foundations review and choose their honorees. CFA’s past board of directors review and choose the honorees for all parishes without a CFA parish affiliate as well as the Corporate Award and the Community Impact Award. Once selections are made, a final list is submitted to CFA’s board of directors for final approval.
Leaders In Philanthropy Awards Honorees
2023 Honorees
Lee & Patty Lawrence are the recipients of the 2023 Leaders in Philanthropy Award for Acadia Parish.
Martha Brown is the recipient of the 2023 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Iberia Parish.
Bob & Sandy Giles are the recipients of the 2023 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Lafayette Parish.
Gary & Dr. Marelle Yongue Schoelerman are the recipients of the 2023 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Martin Parish.
Phyllis Taylor is the recipient of the 2023 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Vermilion Parish.
Tony Robichaux † is the recipient of the 2023 Leaders In Philanthropy Community Impact Award.
Stuller, Inc. is the recipient of the 2023 Leaders In Philanthropy Corporate Award.
View the 2023 Program for more information.
2022 Honorees
Sandy & Wayne Melancon are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders in Philanthropy Award for Acadia Parish.
Linda † & Charles Buller are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Evangeline Parish.
Lillian & Ernest Breaux Jr. are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Iberia Parish.
Elaine & Richard Zuschlag are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Lafayette Parish.
Peggy & Dr. Albert † Huguet are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Landry Parish.
Jennifer & Glenn Angelle are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Martin Parish.
Jodi & Burt Adams are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Mary Parish.
Karen & Fred Hoyt are the recipients of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Vermilion Parish.
Anna Olivier of the Jim Olivier Family of Companies is the recipient of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Corporate Award.
Kimberly Boudreaux of Catholic Charities of Acadiana is the recipient of the 2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Community Impact Award.
2021 Honorees
Dr. Cason & Mrs. Isabella L. de la Houssaye, Jr. are the recipients of the 2021 Leaders in Philanthropy Award for Acadia Parish.
Connie Acosta Lamke is the recipient of the 2021 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Evangeline Parish.
Denise and Larry Miller are the recipients of the 2021 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Iberia Parish.
Doug and Claire Ashy Sr. are the recipients of the 2021 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Lafayette Parish.
Harold and Ammy Taylor are the recipients of the 2021 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Landry Parish.
Bruce and Stacy Montesano are the recipients of the 2021 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Martin Parish.
Joe and Gina Sanford are the recipients of the 2021 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Mary Parish.
John T. and Sandra B. Landry are the recipients of the 2021 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Vermilion Parish.
Nelson and Jan Warner are the recipients of the 2021 Community Impact Award for their decades of service and commitment to Bridge Ministry of Acadiana.
2019 Honorees
Nancy Broadhurst is the recipient of the 2019 Leaders in Philanthropy Award for Acadia Parish. She is a highly motivated fundraising leader who thrives on working to make an impact in her community. Over the years, her volunteer efforts, financial support, fundraising abilities, board leadership, and dedication toward helping for the public good, is recognized through the many initiatives. Click here to view Nancy’s philanthropy video.
Joan and Eugene Fontenot are the recipients of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Evangeline Parish. They have spent decades opening their hearts to serve others in their community. The couple has a passion for supporting education and religious organizations throughout Evangeline Parish. Click here to view Joan and Eugene’s philanthropy video.
Becky Gerami and Edward Stewart Shea III of New Iberia are the recipients of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Iberia Parish. Guided by philosophy, Becky and Stewart have been supporting charities such as St. Francis Diner, Solomon House, and the Disch Declouet Social Service Center for many years. Organizations such as these, along with their many volunteers on the front lines, do essential work. Click here to view Becky and Stewart’s philanthropy video.
Carolyn Doerle and Dr. William C. “Kip” Schumacher are the recipients of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Lafayette Parish. Their philanthropy spans decades, and their generosity has impacted communities in our state, in our country and around the world. In 2018, Carolyn and Kip founded the William C. Schumacher Family Foundation, establishing the foundation as a supporting organization of Community Foundation of Acadiana. Click here to view Carolyn and Kip’s philanthropy video.
The Walking Ladies of Opelousas are the recipients of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Awards honorees for St. Landry Parish. Alice Morrow, Cathy Hebert, Cynthia Lormand, and Susie Glowacki have been exercising together three days a week for 20 years. During their walks, they canvas the city and discuss ways to enhance and beautify the community. Their most passionate project was to magnify the Christmas Nativity display that sits in the Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas. Click here to view The Walking Ladies philanthropy video.
Cheryl and Michael Robicheaux are the recipients of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Martin Parish. St. Bernard School has always been an essential facet of the community and has been influential to Cheryl’s life. In 2011, they established the “Angels for Education Scholarship Fund.” There are presently several students attending St. Bernard School under the Angels for Education Scholarship program. Click here to view Cheryl and Mike’s philanthropy awards video.
Joy and Frank Guarisco are the recipients of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Awards honorees for St. Mary Parish. As a young boy, Frank worked at his parent’s grocery store in Patterson. It was housed in the same building as his insurance business which he still manages today. Frank witnessed his mother give food to families in need. It was her loving and generous spirit that led to his philanthropy. Frank has been an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. He’s been a member and a leader of the organization for 56 years. Click here to view Joy and Frank’s philanthropy video.
Cleco is the recipient of the Corporate Award. Bill Fontenot, the CEO of Cleco, will accept the award. Becoming the leading energy company in Louisiana—helping the people and state thrive—means being mindful of the larger opportunities and evolving needs of all Cleco’s serves. Cleco believes that electricity is not just a product. It’s what powers better lives, brings our people and communities closer together. Click here to view Cleco’s philanthropy video.
Margaret H. Trahan is the recipient of the Community Impact Award for her decades of service to philanthropy throughout Acadiana. Margaret has more than two decades of experience as a nonprofit director and leader. Currently, Margaret serves as the Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Lafayette. Before her new role with the Diocese, she was the President/CEO of United Way of Acadiana (UWA) for 24 years. Click here to view Margaret’s philanthropy video.
Matthew G. Stuller Sr. was the keynote speaker of the 2019 Leaders In Philanthropy Awards. He is the founder, chief executive officer and global strategist of Stuller, Inc., North America’s largest fine jewelry manufacturer and distributor. Over time, he built the business into an ever evolving organization that produces 360,000 jewelry-related products that can be shipped overnight. Since its founding, Stuller, Inc. has become one of the largest overnight shippers in the country.
Our 2019 keynote speaker is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.
2018 Honorees
Donna Shetler Corley is the recipient of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Acadia Parish. Sponsored by Home Bank.
Leonard & Mary Fontenot are the recipients of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Evangeline Parish. Sponsored by Cleco.
Mary Carol & Thomas R. LeBlanc Sr. are the recipients of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Iberia Parish. Sponsored by The Shea Family and Iberia Bank.
Nick & JoAnn Pugh are the recipients of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Lafayette Parish. Sponsored by MidSouth Bank.
Bruce Gaudin is the recipient of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Landry Parish. Sponsored by City Club at River Ranch.
Alice & William Pecoraro are the recipients of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for St. Mary Parish. Sponsored by Taco Bell.
Charles R. “Charlie” Sonnier is the recipient of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Award for Vermilion Parish. Sponsored by Gulf Coast Bank.
Kermit Duhon & Maegan Sonnier of Travel Machine are the recipients of the 2018 Business/Corporate Award. Sponsored by Travel Machine.
Paul Hilliard was the keynote speaker of the 2018 Leaders In Philanthropy Awards. He is the chairman emeritus of Badger Oil Corporation and a longtime independent operator. A Wisconsin native, Paul has been the recipient of the Leaders In Philanthropy Award, Lafayette Civic Cup, and the Horatio Alger Award. He and his late wife, Lulu, contributed $5 million in seed money to start the Paul and Lulu Hilliard Art Museum at UL-Lafayette. The keynote speaker is proudly sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana.
St. Mary Role Models
2021 Role Models
Emily Berry
Bella Burchfield
A.J. Cannata
Den Hussey
Raymond Price
Clarence Robinson
2019 Role Models
Travis Richard
Robert Allain III
Javon Charles
Kellye Patterson
Robert “Bobby” Dufrene
2018 Role Models
Mark Chauvin
Danika Foley
Jonathan Scully
Mason Carbonell
Lauren V. Hebert, CPA/PFS
Roye Bell Pontiff
Nancy Boudreaux
2017 Role Models
Clint Judice
Victoria Simoneaux
Claire Guarisco
Drs. Carla and Jared Thurston
Nakisha Singleton
2016 Role Models
Lisa Parsiola
Niki Fryou
Matthew and Phyllis Glover
Jeremy Callais
Drs. Abby and Bill Cefalu