Celebrate 40 Years of Leadership at the 2025 LBR Alumni Membership Luncheon
Join us for LBRA’s biggest event of the year: a high-energy summer celebration of connection, recognition, and legacy.
This year marks 40 years of Leadership Baton Rouge, and we’re bringing the alumni community together to honor the impact our members have made across the Capital Region. At our only seated luncheon of the year, you’ll reconnect with classmates, hear exciting updates on LBRA’s future, and help us honor two standout alumni whose leadership in education, race relations, poverty, and transportation/infrastructure has made a lasting difference.
Doors open at 11:00 AM | ️ Lunch served at 11:30 AM
This event doubles as our annual meeting and member celebration, and it’s the perfect time to renew your membership and register all at once.
Don’t miss this milestone moment. Questions? Email us at leadershipbtr@gmail.com.
Thank you to our generous sponsor: Nexus Louisiana!
MEET OUR GUESTS
Keynote Speaker: Donna Maddox Saurage
Donna Maddox Saurage is a community activist and philanthropist who has been a shareholder of Community Coffee Company for 68 years.
She serves on the board of Community Coffee Company, the #1 family-owned and operated retail coffee brand in America, where she serves on the board of directors and as Chair of the Citizenship Committee.
She has been in a leadership position with more than fifty nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for citizens in our state and is an advisor and seminar presenter on Board Governance, Board Development, Building Effective Boards and Philanthropy and graduated from Leadership Greater Baton Rouge in 1988.
Currently, Donna serves as a director or Director Emeritus on the boards of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU), the Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation, New Schools for Baton Rouge (NSBR), First Presbyterian Church Foundation and Public Affairs Research (PAR). She is past chair of Woman’s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.
Previously, Donna was involved in project development in the for-profit sector when she designed, built and operated six retail coffee, tea and gift specialty stores for Community Coffee Company. She was also responsible for the start-up of the first all-suite hotel in Baton Rouge, The Residence Inn, where she served as General Manager from 1983-1985.
Donna is a native of Ada, Oklahoma and proudly claims 5 children, 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren!
Award Recipient: George Bell
George Bell joined Capital Area United Way in 2016 as President and CEO after working 30 years as a health care executive in physician practice management, business development, and hospital administration. He worked for Baton Rouge General from 1999 until December 2015, where he served in a number of executive level positions, most recently as Administrator, Baton Rouge General – Mid City.
Prior to that, he served as Sr. Vice-President, Physician and Community Relations, including BRG’s Arts in Medicine Program; Vice-President of Physician Relations; and President of Baton Rouge General Physicians, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of General Health System which he grew from 14 physicians to 85+ physicians over 12 years.
Mr. Bell is a native of Thibodaux, LA, and is a 1981 Hall of Fame graduate of Nicholls State University with a B.A. degree in Political Science. He also attended The Ohio State University, where he studied graduate level courses in Public Policy and Management, and Wharton School of Business, Health Care CEO Talent Development Course. He also received Certification as a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma in December 2015.
Mr. Bell has been active in the Baton Rouge community, having been presented the Camelot College Community Award of Excellence in 2015, the 2016 Medical Professional of the Year Award by Mu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and the Louisiana Role Model Award presented by the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Links in 20234.
He currently serves or has served on the following boards: Past Board Member of Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, Board Chairman at Louisiana Association of United Ways, Board Member and Past Treasurer of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, Past Board Member of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), Past Board Member and Education Committee Chair at Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Past Board Member of Kid’s Orchestra, Diversity Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Past Steering Committee Co-Chairman Urban Congress, and Past Chairman of the Salvation Army Board of Advisors.
In addition to his professional calling, Mr. Bell has maintained a lifelong passion for music as a musician/band leader. Over the last ten years, he has produced and performed over 25 mostly sold-out concerts at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge with his George Bell and Friends ensemble. He also occasionally performs at churches, hospitals, and volunteers in local schools to promote and support music education.
Mr. Bell resides in Baton Rouge, LA, with his wife, Terri. Together, they have one son, Gordon (Dana), and four grandchildren, Talia, Seyan, Grant, and Gianna.
Award Recipient: Frederick Link Thomas
Major Thomas's dedication to service has been evident throughout his remarkable journey, marked by a steadfast commitment to his community, his country, and his profession.
Major Frederick L. Thomas is a 36-year law enforcement veteran and a strategic visionary. He is a part of Leadership Baton Rouge Class of 2018. His leadership style builds trust, respect, and credibility. His influence serves to motivate, encourage self-development, and foster the best in individuals to achieve team success and optimal results.
Major Thomas started his career in Louisiana at the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office in 1989 as a Sheriff Deputy. He later joined Uniform Patrol after completing the LSU Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Promoted to Captain in 2008, he has commanded both the Scotlandville and Gardere Substations. In 2023, he promoted to the rank of Major leading the Community Engagement division.
Thomas, a retired U.S. Military Combat Veteran with 26 years in the Louisiana Army National Guard, earned the Combat Action Badge for his service in "Operation Iraqi Freedom."
He has served as president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and represented them in congressional hearings, including the confirmation hearing for Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first African American Female Supreme Court Justice.
Thomas has received several commendations and awards, including the Professional Excellence and Unit Citation Awards. He has served on Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards’ COVID-19 Task Force and Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Western Broome’s Racial Inclusion Task Force. Thomas is a graduate of the Louisiana Leadership and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation Non-Profit Board Fellows.
Always actively engaged in the community. He currently serves as vice president of the board of directors for the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) and is a recently elected board member of the Council on Aging. He also serves on the East Baton Rouge Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Major Thomas is an active member of 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Baton Rouge, Ltd., NOBLE, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Magnolia Peace Officers Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Police Executive Research Forum, and the American Criminal Justice Association. Thomas is married to Desireé Honoré Thomas (Class of 2003) and has two children and one grandson, Kayden. He is affiliated with Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge.
