PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 2, 2026

CVB Contact: Alana Cooper
Phone: 318.387.5691
E-mail: acooper@monroe-westmonroe.org

DMWM’s Hollis Walker and Krystle Ivey Graduates from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy

LAFAYETTE, La. – The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) celebrated the graduation of Hollis Walker, Destination Marketing Sales Developer and Krystle Ivey, Director of Operations of Discover Monroe-West Monroe (DMWM) from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) at the association’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Lafayette, La.

The twenty-six members of the LTLA class spent all of 2025 developing their leadership skills while learning from seasoned professionals across the tourism industry. The goal of the program is to equip each class with knowledge and skills that will enrich their tourism-related organizations, thereby strengthening the state-wide tourism industry.

“The Louisiana Travel Leadership Academy equipped me with deeper insight into Louisiana’s tourism while strengthening my leadership, strategic thinking, and statewide professional connections. The program helped me learn about long-term tourism growth and collaborative impact across the state,” said Ivey.

“A year of travel across the whole state of Louisiana was truly an experience. Through LTLA, I gained insight into local fairs and festivals and the deeply rooted stories of family businesses. It strengthened my drive to keep bringing people together,” Walker explained.

The graduates of the 2025 Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy are as follows:


• Dr. Sinella Aghasi, Louisiana Old Governor's Mansion


• Paige Alost, Natchitoches CVB


• Brandy Aubé, St. Martin Parish Tourism


• Jenny Cardon, Courtyard by Marriott


• Toni Chapman, Visit Lake Charles


• Katelyn Coombs, Explore Alexandria- Pineville


• Casey Cousins, Global Wildlife Center


• Tori Davis, Experience Ruston


• Gabrielle Dishman, Explore Houma


• Trish Douglas, New Orleans & Company


• Amanda Everett, Hotard Coaches


• Tyler Ginsberg, National WWII Museum


• Anna Graney, Experience Ruston


• Meribeth Huizinga, Lafayette CVC


• Krystle Ivey, Discover Monroe-West Monroe


• Dayna James, Louisiana’s River Parishes


• Kristin Jewel, Baton Rouge Airport


• In Memorium of Brooke Kidder, Louisiana Office of Tourism


• Meshelle Morgan, Natchitoches CVB


• Abby Ohrt, Explore Alexandria Pineville


• Alex Tindall, Visit Shreveport Bossier


• Emily Treme, Visit Lake Charles


• Hollis Walker, Jr., Discover Monroe-West Monroe


• Ian Wallis, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou


• Takasha Weaver, New Orleans & Company



About Discover Monroe-West Monroe

Discover Monroe-West Monroe promotes Ouachita Parish as a destination for leisure travel, conventions, meetings and sporting events, creating a positive economic impact for our local community through increased visitor spending and sales tax collections. For more information about Discover Monroe-West Monroe, visit https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/