KEY TAKEAWAYS: More than 20 female business leaders and professionals mentored juniors and seniors at Chalmette High School. The St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce organized the event through its Women’s Professional Network. Students received guidance on career planning, financial independence , overcoming obstacles and personal development. The twice-yearly mentoring program connects students with professionals in banking, healthcare, law, education, real estate and other industries.   Female business leaders and professionals from across the Greater New Orleans area recently joined forces with the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce to mentor students at Chalmette High School, offering career guidance and insights into professional development, financial independence and leadership. The chamber partnered with Chalmette High School to host its fall 2026 Women’s Professional Network mentoring session, connecting female juniors and seniors with professionals representing industries including economic development, education, law, healthcare, banking, real estate and business. Held in the school’s library, the event featured a “Speed Connections” format, allowing students to rotate among mentors for brief, one-on-one conversations about career paths, personal challenges and decisions they may face after graduation. Left to Right Millie Harris, School Board Member, Executive Director, JDFA Charter School; Lauren Tucker, Social Worker / Therapist, Thriving Mindset Wellness, LLC; Mary Lumetta, SBPSB Superintendent; Katherine Lemoine, Vice President, St. Bernard Parish School Board; Program Chair, Teaching and CDYC, Nunez Community College; Carly Creason, School Board Member, Claims Adjuster, National General Insurance Company The discussions focused on four areas: finding a career path, overcoming obstacles, making major decisions and managing finances, and maintaining personal well-being. Mentors shared experiences navigating professional setbacks, choosing careers, pursuing educational opportunities and establishing financial independence. Students also received guidance on identifying personal interests, setting goals and evaluating opportunities beyond high school. Erin Bigner, executive director of the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, helped organize the event through the chamber’s Women’s Professional Network. Bigner previously participated in the program as a mentor. 45 Chalmette High juniors and seniors spent the morning speaking with professional women from a variety of fields, asking questions and gaining valuable insight into life beyond high school “Events like these give young women the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with professionals who can offer different perspectives, share their experiences, and help them think through the possibilities ahead,” Bigner said. The mentoring session brought together more than 20 professional women, including Ginger Cangelosi, president and CEO of the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation; Danielle Martin, director of recruitment and operations at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business; Dawn Russell, branch manager and vice president at Gulf Coast Bank; and Melanie Licciardi, an attorney with Licciardi Wineski. Other participants represented organizations and businesses including Valero, LexisNexis, Nunez Community College, National General Insurance, Blue Williams and local healthcare and real estate firms. The program is designed to introduce students to a range of career opportunities while helping them build connections with women working in the regional business community. St. Bernard Parish Public Schools Superintendent Mary Lumetta said hearing directly from professionals can help students better understand the different paths available to them. “Students benefit from hearing the real stories behind the careers and accomplishments they see in their communities,” Lumetta said. “These conversations can help them recognize that there is more than one path to success and encourage them to approach their next steps with confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.” The chamber’s Women’s Professional Network hosts the mentoring program twice annually, connecting students with business and community leaders to support career exploration and professional development. ...read more read less