Three community leaders were honored as part of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s recent Women’s Leadership Conference.
The conference’s Sarah Brabant Trailblazer Award recognizes longstanding dedication to advancing equity and community service; its Rising Leader and Emerging Leader awards are bestowed, respectively, on women at the middle and early stages of their careers who embody those same traits.
The 2024 Women’s Leadership Conference Award honorees are below.
- The Sarah Brabant Trailblazer Award - Dr. Melinda Oberleitner is dean emerita of the University’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Oberleitner’s influence on the college began in 1982, when she joined the faculty as an instructor. Oberleitner became dean in 2018 after having served as associate dean since 2009. Her accomplishments as dean include overseeing the college’s adoption of its current name. Oberleitner, who ended her tenure as dean in 2022, also played an integral role in helping the college obtain the largest investment to an academic unit in University history – $20 million from LHC Group and the Myers family. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University.
- The Rising Leader Award - Fumilayo "Fumy" Rita is executive director of the Louisiana Gulf Coast Exposition, or LAGCOE. The Lafayette-based energy industry nonprofit advances energy education and awareness, supports businesses, and promotes the region’s technical innovations across the world. Rita, who became LAGCOE’s executive director last year, was previously its director of operations and international affairs. Among her accomplishments, Rita has played a key role in launching the organization’s Energy Leadership Program. She holds three degrees from the University – a bachelor’s degree in modern languages, and master’s degrees in French and in communication.
- The Emerging Leader Award - Sarah H. Berthelot is president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of United Ways. Berthelot leads a nonprofit organization comprised of eight United Ways across the state. Berthelot also serves on the United Way Worldwide Network Advisory Council. In addition, she provides project leadership to nine public-private statewide partnerships in the state. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication from the University.
The annual Women’s Leadership Conference is held in March in conjunction with national Women’s History Month. It fosters personal and professional development. UL Lafayette’s Office for Campus Inclusion coordinates the event.
Photo caption: Fumilayo "Fumy" Rita, Sarah Berthelot and Dr. Melinda Oberleitner were recognized for their contributions to gender equity and service during the UL Lafayette’s recent Women’s Leadership Conference hosted by UL Lafayette’s Office for Campus Inclusion. Image credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
