The ACE Scholarships Board of Directors has named Melissa Landry as its new president, effective Feb. 14, 2022.
“In Melissa Landry, we have chosen an energetic, proven leader who holds a clear vision for how to position ACE for a new phase of growth in Louisiana,” says Boysie Bollinger, Chairman of the National Advisory Board for ACE Scholarships, one of the largest providers of privately funded K-12 scholarships for economically disadvantaged students in the U.S. “It is no secret that far too many children are trapped in failing schools and, in the aftermath of COVID-19, the crisis has only gotten worse. Creating educational opportunities for low-income families is more important than ever. I’m confident she possesses the skills and the passion necessary to scale ACE to have an even greater impact in the years ahead.”
Landry comes to ACE as a veteran communication strategist and fundraiser, with over 15 years of experience working on some of Louisiana’s most demanding public policy challenges. An accomplished writer and speaker, Landry has developed and implemented a wide array of campaigns and initiatives on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and not-for-profit organizations. Before joining the private sector, Landry held several high-profile positions in state government, including her work with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to secure billions of dollars from Congress to rebuild Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
“As a first-generation college graduate, I have a deep, personal connection to ACE’s mission to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education,” says Landry. “It is truly the honor of a lifetime to join this talented team in working with our dedicated donors to continue to expand upon ACE’s impact in Louisiana.”
Landry holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University (’03) and is a distinguished graduate of George Washington University’s Semester in Washington program (’01). She is currently pursuing an M.B.A from Tulane University (’22).
Landry is the past president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana, and the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Federalist Society.
