MEET OUR SPEAKERS
SESSION 1: LEADING THROUGH CHANGE
As the keynote session of the SEC ALDP Conference, “Leading Through Change” will explore what leadership requires when the path forward is uncertain. Drawing on his own career, Provost Joseph Messina will reflect on leading through organizational change, budget pressures, evolving expectations for research universities, and moments when difficult decisions required both conviction and a willingness to accept risk. Now, just months into his role as LSU’s Provost, Messina faces his most significant leadership opportunity and challenge yet: guiding a university through a major organizational transition and into a new era.
Joseph P. Messina
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Provost
Dr. Joseph P. Messina serves as Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Provost and the Chief Academic Officer for the research enterprise, which includes the flagship campus in Baton Rouge, the LSU Agricultural Center, LSU Health New Orleans, LSU Health Shreveport, and Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
As Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Provost, Dr. Messina oversees the flagship university’s academic programs, faculty affairs, enrollment management, and student success initiatives in support of LSU's mission as a leading public research university. As Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Messina works closely with Chancellor James T. Dalton and the Senior Vice Chancellors to advance a unified academic and research vision across the statewide research enterprise.
SESSION 2: BUILDING TRUST
Trust is at the heart of leadership; you cannot lead those who do not trust you. When trust is high, people give you the benefit of the doubt, they find your meaning, they are willing to take a chance. When trust is low, they challenge you every step of the way, they misinterpret you, they assume the worst. It’s our job as leaders to build and cultivate trust, both interpersonally and among and between the team. Trust and psychological safety are two key enablers of high-performing teams. This session will explore Brené Brown’s BRAVING framework for understanding how to build trust; how, as leaders, we can assume responsibility for the breakdown of trust; and how we go about restoring trust specifically in the context of higher education.
Jane Cassidy
Senior Vice Provost
Dr. Jane Cassidy currently serves as Senior Vice Provost at Louisiana State University and holds the Roy and Margaret Gianelloni Alumni Professorship in Music. Her responsibilities include advising the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Provost on faculty matters, academic space utilization and allocation, academic policy, institutional accreditation, and budget. The LSU Rural Life Museum, LSU Museum of Art, Brookshire LSU Military Museum, and LSU Press & The Southern Review report to her office.
Previously she served as the Director of the School of Music and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts. She holds an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Hartford and a masters and PhD in music education from Florida State University. Dr. Cassidy’s field of expertise is music education and her research interests center around music therapy for premature infants, musical development of children, and teacher effectiveness.
SESSION 3: TURNING THE PAGE - REIMAGINING THE LSU LIBRARY
This session will explore the university’s plans to replace an aging facility that has long been limited by its location, design, and deferred capital renewal needs. As LSU prepares to break ground on the new Library Learning Commons, presenters will discuss how its state-of-the-art design and new location will reimagine the library’s place on campus. With flexible, functional spaces, the new facility will better support learning, research, and collaboration among students, researchers, faculty, and staff.
Danielle Breaux
Director of Campus Planning
Danielle Breaux is the Director of Campus Planning at LSU Planning, Design and Construction, where she leads the campus planning team across campus planning, strategic planning initiatives, pre-planning and schematic design, interiors, space management, and archiving.A licensed Interior Designer with more than 25 years of experience, Danielle has worked across more than 30 million square feet in the public and private sectors, with expertise in master planning, real estate portfolio strategy, workplace planning, space utilization, and capital project execution.
At LSU, she works to connect institutional priorities with long-term campus planning, effective use of space, thoughtful design, and strategic capital investment. Danielle holds a Bachelor of Interior Design from LSU and an MBA from LSU Shreveport.
Gina Costello
Associate Dean for Technology and Special Collections for LSU Libraries
Gina Costello, Associate Dean of Libraries, oversees the technology and special collections departments in the LSU Libraries. This includes management of approximately 30 faculty and staff, oversight of historic Hill Memorial Library, and responsibility for endowments of over $6 million. She has been involved in the planning and development of the new library building for the past 12 years.
Danny Mahaffey
Assistant Vice President & University Architect
SESSION 4: FROM BUY-IN TO BUILDING - SECURING SUPPORT FOR MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS
How do universities turn ambitious facility visions into funded realities? This session explores the fundraising models, partnership strategies, and campaign structures that have helped advance major capital projects at LSU. Attendees will gain insight into developing a compelling vision, aligning academic priorities with donor interests, engaging corporate and philanthropic partners, and building compelling cases for support that inspire investment in facilities that transform teaching, research, and student success.
Vicki Colvin
Dean, College of Engineering
Dr. Vicki Colvin is Dean of the LSU College of Engineering and the Bert S. Turner Professor of Chemical Engineering, leading one of LSU's primary drivers of innovation and research. A nationally recognized scholar and academic leader, she has launched major research initiatives, secured more than $100 million in gifts and grants, and is passionate about advancing technology, education, and partnerships that drive economic growth.
Katie O'Neal
Chief Academic Officer, FMOL Health
Catherine O’Neal, MD, has served as the Chief Academic Officer at FMOL Health since August 2024, where she works to advance the health system’s strategic academic vision. She previously served as the Chief Medical Officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s largest hospital, from 2020 to 2024 as well as the Medical Director of Infection Prevention from 2010 to 2020. She has practiced medicine specializing in the research and treatment of infectious diseases since 2003 and continues an active clinical practice seeing inpatients and outpatients. Dr. O’Neal was one of Louisiana’s foremost voices during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a national leader providing frontline information from hospitals, offering invaluable guidance to state officials, and advocating for community vaccination. In addition to her role at FMOL Health, Dr. O’Neal has served on the faculty of LSU Health New Orleans since 2009, most recently as an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine and Infectious Diseases. She was also appointed as the Chief Medical Advisor for the Southeastern Conference in 2022, where she is responsible for facilitating the development of conference-wide medical initiatives and standards to ensure consistent policies related to physical health, mental health and holistic wellness.
Krista Raney
President & CEO, LSU Foundation
Krista Raney is President and CEO of the LSU Foundation, where she oversees strategic fundraising efforts that advance LSU's top academic priorities on behalf of students, faculty, and donors. During her 16+ years with the LSU Foundation, she helped lead the record-breaking $1.5 billion Fierce for the Future Campaign and has played a key role in securing major investments that strengthen LSU's future.
Thad Rispone
President, ISC
Thad Rispone serves as President of ISC, bringing more than 35 years of experience and leadership to one of the nation's premier industrial construction firms. Having been with ISC since its founding in 1989, he is known for his people-first leadership approach, championing innovation, and cultivating a culture built on the belief that great companies are truly powered by great people.
SESSION 5: LEADING FOR LOUISIANA - RESEARCH, PARTNERSHIP, AND PROBLEM SOLVING (PANEL)
Moderated by Dean Clint Willson, this panel will explore how LSU works with state agencies, industry, and community partners to address some of Louisiana and the world's most pressing challenges. Vice Chancellor Robert Twilley, Associate Professor Carol Wilson, Baton Rouge Area Foundation BRAF President & CEO Chris Meyer, and CPRA Executive Director Michael Hare will discuss past, current, and future efforts to protect Louisiana’s coast and sustain the Mississippi River as a vital environmental and economic resource. The dinner’s setting overlooking the river—and at the intersection of major rail and roadway corridors—will offer a fitting view of Baton Rouge’s role as a hub connecting resources to the nation and the world.
Michael Hare
Executive Director, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA)
Michael Hare serves as Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA). He brings nearly two decades of experience in government affairs, coastal restoration, environmental markets, and strategic communications to the role.
Chris Meyer
CEO, Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Chris Meyer is President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, where he leads efforts to expand opportunity and improve quality of life across South Louisiana through strategic investments and civic leadership. A Louisiana native and father of four boys, Chris previously founded and led New Schools for Baton Rouge, raising over $80 million to launch two dozen schools serving more than 10,000 students and catalyzing significant new investment in school facilities. He began his career as a Teach For America corps member in New Orleans, teaching high school social studies and coaching basketball in New Orleans and, following Hurricane Katrina, in a neighboring, rural parish—experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to educational opportunity. Chris has also served at the highest levels of state and federal government, including at the White House and as Deputy Superintendent at the Louisiana Department of Education, where he helped lead statewide school transformation efforts. He holds degrees from Tulane University, Harvard University, and the Wharton School, and served as a White House Fellow under U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Robert Twilley
Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development
Dr. Robert R. Twilley serves as Vice Chancellor of Research and Economic Development at LSU since October 2022. He has been a Professor in Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, College of Coast and Environment, at LSU since 2004. His research has produced over 200 publications and spans some of the largest ecosystem restoration efforts in the world including the Mississippi River Delta, Chesapeake Bay, Florida Everglades and mangrove projects throughout the neotropics of Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico. He received his BS and MS from East Carolina University, PhD from University of Florida, and post-doctoral studies at Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies.
Clint Willson
Dean, College of the Coast & Envrionment & Associate Vice Chancellor for Water & Coast
Clint Willson, PhD, PE is Dean and Callais Woods Professor of the LSU College of the Coast & Environment and was recently named Associate Vice Chancellor of Water & Coast. Clint spent his first 25 years at LSU as a faculty member in Civil & Environmental Engineering where he taught classes and conducted research in environmental and water resources engineering. He was an SEC ALDP Fellow in 2012-13.
Carol Wilson
Associate Professor, Department of Geology & Geophysics
A wetland sedimentologist and geomorphologist, Dr. Carol Wilson grew up along the Gulf Coast in Mobile, Alabama, and attended school in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Wilson returned to Louisiana to put down roots and study the Mississippi Delta. Much of Dr. Wilson's time is spent working in the mud and talking with local residents about how the landscape has changed over time.