Ruth Lawson

Selected from over 100 candidates in a nationwide search, Ruth serves as the President of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. Under her guidance, the Chamber has seen:

📈 Record-breaking membership, revenue growth, and regional influence

🏆 A 5-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber (held by less than 2% of chambers nationwide!)

🎉 Named Large Chamber of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (LACCE) in 2023

Ruth brings a mix of public and private experience to her role. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Jefferson Parish Finance Authority, where she worked on initiatives to expand access to housing finance. A graduate of LSU Law School, she held multiple senior roles in Jefferson Parish Government and served as corporate counsel and compliance officer at Barriere Construction Company, LLC. She co-owns a Smoothie King franchise in Gretna and has formerly co-owned additional locations nationwide. Professional Involvement and Recognition:

Some recent honors and achievements include:

✨ 2025 Rising Star Honoree, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans ✨ Thought Partner, Jefferson Ready Start Network

✨ Chair-Elect, LACCE Board ✨ Commissioner At-Large, New Orleans City Park Improvement Association

✨ Featured on the cover of the Biz New Orleans 500 list: 2024 Edition for “Influential, Involved,

and Inspiring Business Leaders”

✨ 2023 Forty Under 40, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives ✨ 2023 Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives “Large Chamber of the Year”

✨ 2022 Top Female Achiever, New Orleans Magazine ✨ 2022 Woman of Fashion Prix D’elegance Award Recipient

Join us in celebrating Ruth Lawson and the other fantastic 2025 Role Models at the Awards Evening on October 24, 2025. Learn more at bit.ly/YLCrolemodel ✨