03/19/2026
The 2026 ULM Women’s Symposium was truly historic. This 10th year celebration, “From Now to Next: Celebrating 10 years of Breakthrough Voices”, honored the progress, power, and promise of women leading across every sector. Dr. Carrie Castille, ULM’s 10th President and the first woman to hold the role delivered the keynote address. Two of our members were featured as panelists and delivered exceptional insight. Latetao Hutchison, VP & Senior Program Manager of Communications and Community Engagement at JPMorgan Chase, brought candor to the Women in Finance & Insurance panel. Her insights on leading with both expertise and empathy resonated deeply, especially her reminder that even “superwomen” must know when to take off the cape.
Deidra Adair, Executive Director of the Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana, delivered an equally powerful message in the Women in Social Sciences session. Her reflections on how community engagement intersects with social responsibility, and the importance of elevating diverse voices, left a lasting impact.
We also celebrate the Trailblazer honorees, Gwen Amelin, Jennifer Zimmerman. Dr. Joyce Zhou, the recipient of the Lisa Miller Distinguished Leader Award. Their achievements continue to inspire and elevate women across our region. A remarkable milestone for the ULM symposium and an unforgettable moment for women’s leadership in Northeast Louisiana.