One of the most respected public relations professionals in the Greater New Orleans area, Betsie is a “networker extraordinaire,” and her passion is putting people and ideas together.
A native of New Orleans, she received her Sociology degree from Sweet Briar College. Betsie serves on the boards of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, the Jefferson Chamber and the Clarion Herald. She was president of the Junior League of New Orleans and has served on numerous professional and nonprofit boards, notably the International Association of Business Communicators, Louisiana Children’s Museum and the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
A graduate of the Goldman Sachs10,000 Small Businesses Program and certified by the Women Business Enterprise Council, Betsie is a contributing blogger for the Huffington Post.
Betsie has been widely recognized for her professional achievements and community service. In 2016, PRWeek named her to its inaugural list of Champions of PR, which honored the top women PR practitioners across the nation. Most recently, the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI) presented Betsie with the inaugural Regional Leader award. She was the first woman in Louisiana to be inducted into the Southern Public Relations Federation Hall of Fame and was named the United States Small Business Administration Woman Champion of the Year for Region VI of the United States (Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico). She also was twice named a Woman of the Year by New Orleans CityBusiness and a top Woman Achiever by New Orleans Magazine.
Betsie is the proud mother of two grown sons, Gregory who lives in Philadelphia and Meric who lives in Greenville, South Carolina, and she has identical twin grandsons, Collin and William, a granddaughter, Emily, and newest grandson, Sellers, and daughters-in-law, Krista and Page. In her spare time, she loves to travel, bicycle, work out and spend restful weekends in Pass Christian, MS. Betsie treasures her network of friends and her community involvement, and lives life to the fullest, never wanting to miss a beat.
Communications Strategist, Gambel Communications
Dominique Becnel
Dominique graduated magna cum laude from Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication. There, she majored in Public Relations with a minor in Business Administration. At LSU, Dominique participated in a myriad of on campus organizations and professional groups including the Hidden Treasures Study Abroad Program, Public Relations Student Society of America, Pi Beta Phi Women’s Fraternity and Order of Omega Greek Honor Society.
Dominique has always been passionate about writing, and she loves how PR enables her to tell someone’s story and share that with a broad audience. She has received multiple awards for her efforts in public relations, including the Robert Ewing Honor Scholarship award, Tiger’s Excellence Resident award and TOPS Scholarship. In her free time, Dominique enjoys riding her bike with her father, serving on the New Orleans Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Board, reading crime fiction and always makes it to happy hour at the latest and greatest restaurants around the city.
Creative Director, Gambel Communications
Anna Grundmann LeDonne
Anna’s background in writing, editing, marketing and advertising naturally positioned her for a career in public relations where she strives to connect people, products, services and like-minded professionals.
Anna graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Society and minors in Political Science, History and Leadership Development. Much of her professional experience stems from four years in publishing, where she most recently served as editor in chief of Sophisticated Woman Magazine, a monthly lifestyle publication based on the Northshore.
Anna also creates and designs jewelry, calligraphy and hand-lettering services for her personal brand—Anna Liv Design. This side project began as a creative outlet and has evolved into a fully integrated e-commerce website where she can share her passions for interior design, DIY projects, fashion, and food.
A native of Covington, LA, Anna currently lives and is actively involved in the Northshore community. She and her husband, Vinnie, recently opened a modern Italian restaurant, Meribo, in downtown Covington.
Communications Strategist, Gambel Communications
Branda Johnson
Branda Johnson has pursued a career in public relations because of her love for writing, media, fashion and entertainment. Branda has always been amazed by the creativity and work that goes on behind the scenes of a production or a story and found that public relations can be a way to give back and bring joy to others through her work.
At Gambel Communications, Branda works with notable nonprofits, including New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter, Ozanam Inn, as well as the ever-popular Ruby Slipper restaurant brand.
Most recently Branda worked in New York City freelancing in event production, public relations, social media management as well as model and talent booking. Branda has worked with organizations, brands and artists such as Make Up Forever, Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Bell Biv DeVoe, Cardi B, National Urban League, Reverend Jesse Jackson and Circle of Sisters.
Branda graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations. During her time at Hampton she was active in Public Relations Student Society of America, WHOV-FM and the National Association of Black Journalists. Branda also took on several internships throughout her college career. Most notably was her work as a Rent the Runway campus ambassador and an intern at Pretty Girls Sweat, blogging for the websites and hosting or sponsoring events on campus. As a Boston native, Branda was also proud to work with the local radio stations and as a publicity rep for a local fashion magazine.
Outside of work Branda enjoys live music, trying out new restaurants (especially since moving to New Orleans), binge watching tv shows, watching and creating YouTube videos, as well as spending time with her huge family.
