The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has announced the 35th class of local business and community leaders selected to participate in its Leadership Gulf Coast program.
“Leadership Gulf Coast is one of the most impactful ways we invest in the future of our region. By bringing together emerging and established leaders from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the program creates meaningful connections, provides a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our communities, and equips participants to become more engaged leaders.” said Dr. Ben Weldon, Chief Executive Office of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. “At the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to host a program that not only develops individuals but strengthens the network of leaders who will help shape the Coast for years to come.”
Selected for the 2026-2027 Leadership Gulf Coast Class are:
Kari Bailen EGH Architect, PA
Mandy Beard Barnes, Bailey, Janoush & Dick PA
Chassity Bilbo City of Gautier
Aaron Broussard Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, Inc
Jessica Bush The Peoples Bank
Joseph Cook The Peoples Bank
Michelle Eubank WXXV
Amanda Fenger Rain Residential/Rain Travel Collection
Brent French Brown, Mitchell & Alexander, Inc.
Jennifer Glenn Renasant Bank
Kimberly Jones Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Etta McCray Navigator Federal Credit Union
Shantel McKay Biloxi Housing Authority
Emma Miller MS Gulf Coast Community College
John O’Neal OakTrust Insurance Group
Anna Claire Perronne MS Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce
Lauren Ray Hancock Whitney Bank
Mandalyn Ros Singing River Health System
Cory Rouse Roy Anderson Corp
Amy Rowell Ingalls Shipbuilding
Rachel Ryan Catholic Diocese of Biloxi
Pam Sanders Bacchus Wine & Liquor
Chris Sexton Harrison County Sherrif’s Office
Molly Shea Coast Transit Authority
Jeff Shepard Mississippi Power
Kerry Stoddard The Prime Time Agency
Kimberly Stringer IDR Agency
Andrea Thames Little Blessings Learning Center
Andy Westfall ECORESTORE, LLC
Amand Williams The University of Southern Mississippi
Taylor Wilson Hancock Whitney Bank
Leadership Gulf Coast, a division of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc., is a program designed to prepare the area’s current and potential leaders for the future. The program’s goal is to understand real problems and opportunities in the local community, and to create a communication network between present and emerging leaders dedicated to the improvement of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. More than 1,000 leaders have graduated from the program since its inception in 1990.