Lori Melancon has always been on the move. Perhaps that’s one reason she’s always so open to the new opportunities and exciting challenges that have marked her brief but interesting career.
Though just 30 years old, the communications and special projects director for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber has already been involved in more cutting-edge projects and programs than most. But then, Melancon isn’t afraid to just plunge in and go for it.
“For me, it’s all about getting to do really cool stuff,” says Melancon, a Louisiana native who joined the Chamber in 2005.
Melancon is a natural in her latest position, and she knows the area well. Born in New Orleans, she grew up in Lafayette then moved to Houston because her father was in the oil business. She returned to Louisiana to attend LSU then moved back to Houston to get a graduate degree in occupational technology at the University of Houston. From there, she had a string of interesting positions—from running teen leadership programs at a Houston-area YMCA to heading her own consulting firm to working with famed New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme.
In 2002, she returned to Baton Rouge to work for BREADA, where she helped grow the Red Stick Farmers Market among other noteworthy projects. In early 2005, newly appointed Chamber director Stephen Moret asked her if she wanted to help him build the “new” Chamber.
“We kind of call it building the dream—it’s what we hope for Louisiana—to make Louisiana a better place to live,” Melancon says. “It’s really a tremendous opportunity to be part of that—especially post-Katrina. The Chamber is an exciting place to be.”
As she looks to the future, Melancon says she has no plans to leave—at least not anytime soon.
“I plan to stay here as long as this is a great place to be,” she says. “I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”
If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be?
“Oprah; Lisa Williams, a medium and clairvoyant; and author Toni Morrison.”
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