Mandi Mitchell

Mandi D. Mitchell has served as President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) since November 2021, where she leads efforts to attract and retain jobs while fostering private investment and entrepreneurship in Lafayette Parish. A Lafayette native with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of New Orleans, she holds the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation and serves on numerous prestigious boards, including the International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, and Louisiana Board of International Commerce. Under her leadership, LEDA has earned multiple IEDC awards for its innovative workforce development and entrepreneurship initiatives. Prior to LEDA, Mitchell served in both Republican and Democrat administrations at Louisiana Economic Development (LED), most recently as Assistant Secretary overseeing Small Business, State Economic Competitiveness, and Community Competitiveness teams. During her tenure at LED, she helped secure major projects including three Amazon facilities across Louisiana, established the Veterans First Business Initiative, and championed diversity in state procurement through the Hudson Initiative. Her career also includes roles in governmental affairs, business consulting, and electrical engineering with organizations such as AT&T and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.