June 2015 Networking Luncheon

Anita Begnaud

Anita Begnaud is an Acadiana girl through-and-through, who attended UL Lafayette where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and Outstanding Communications Graduate, earning a B.A. in Interpersonal/Organizational Communications in 2011. 

She serves as Marketing & Communications Director of One Acadiana (formerly the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce), which is currently transforming into a national-caliber regional economic development organization serving a nine-parish area in south Louisiana. 

Anita serves as a board member of the705 and is part of the committee that is rebranding the organization made up of young professionals who are passionate about helping Acadiana reach its full potential. Additionally, she serves on the executive committee of CASA of SoLA, which recruits and selects volunteers to be the voice of Acadiana’s abused and neglected children in court. 

When she’s not working and networking, you can find her running, reading, or sharing a meal (and a drink or two) with friends and loved ones. Anita is proud of the place she calls home and is grateful for the opportunity to tell the rest of the world Acadiana's story of its unique culture - a perfect blend of family, food, and fun, unlike any other place in the world. 

Anne Falgout

Anne is a life‐long Acadiana resident, moving to Lafayette as a student of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (Now UL Lafayette). Anne attended the university on full academic scholarship where in 2003 she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Anne was named Outstanding Graduate, won the Owen Reamer Award for Excellence, and earned special honors from the College of Liberal Arts as the student with the second‐highest GPA. Prior to graduation she joined the Lafayette Economic Development Authority staff as a full time Research Associate to assist businesses with their decision‐making process. In the last twelve years Anne rose through the ranks at LEDA serving as Research Coordinator before being promoted to Director of Market Intelligence and Quality Manager. 

In November of 2014, Anne returned to her home parish to work with the newly-incorporated Vermilion Economic Development Alliance. She represents the business community on the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce board and the parish on the Acadiana Economic Development Council and Acadiana Planning Commission Revolving Loan Fund boards. With her extensive research capabilities and ability to bridge the statistical and business worlds, Anne serves as a great resource for area entrepreneurs. 

Anne is an active member of FUEL Vermilion, Vermilion Parish's young professional organization and returned this year to the705 board in her fifth year as the President, formerly serving as President-Elect, and in Programming, Philanthropy and Marketing/Communications. Three years ago, Anne completed a two-year term as the Curriculum Co-Chair for the Leadership Lafayette program and is currently serving as the Lafayette Junior Leadership co-chair. She is Leadership Lafayette graduate of Class XXII and a third-generation member of the Confrerie d'Abbeville, a fraternal organization committed to maintaining this area's French heritage. Anne also shares her cultural commitment through food and storytelling in her weekly community column "Chef Anne Specials" in The Daily Advertiser. With her three children, Anne currently resides in Lafayette, and looks forward to growing her involvement in the community that she loves so much.