ADVOCATE: LED looking for 'CEO Roundtable' applicants, where leaders can learn from each other

Cohab executive director Jessica Schiele says at least once a month in their CEO Roundtable group, a business leader says “I thought only I was dealing with that.”

That is rarely the case, she says, and it's one of the ways the CEO program can help.

Over the next month, Louisiana Economic Development will take applications for its 2026 CEO program and they are looking for candidates. 

Similar to the famous Las Vegas commercial, Schiele says conversations between the CEOs stay in the room. They “find a solid group of their peers that they can learn and grow with in a safe environment,” she says. “All the participation is private.”

“It is always kind of surprising, even to me, and I've been through it 10 times- how similar the issues and the goals, you know, the kind of the hard times and the good times.”

Schiele says she has seen this hold true in even vastly different businesses from IT to oil and gas to healthcare. She said the support that the CEOs provide each other can be vital to their businesses.

Which businesses are wanted?

CEO Roundtable isn't so much interested in the type of business but the size. 

Schiele says LED is looking specifically for second-stage businesses with roughly $600,000 to $5 million in gross annual revenue and between 5 and 100 employees.

There are some caveats to that because in certain situations, businesses that “are getting there and we can see the benefit in having them participate” are chosen, she says.

CEOs who do not make the Roundtable might be directed to other state programs that could benefit them.

All 15-18 participants must commit to a once per month meeting in Shreveport that will begin in July.  The program is free, funded by Louisiana Economic Development. Applications will be accepted through March 31. 

Schiele says a lot of the CEOs come through referrals from business leaders who have been through the program. “We consistently get that feedback from past participants that they've really found their time valuable. So often, you know, the best way to find new participants is by talking with other business owners that have already gone through it.”

She believes all small business leaders would benefit. 

“It's really an opportunity to think strategically and to think really big picture and focus on growth and innovation within their business.”