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United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society presents its highest award each year to recognize exemplary leadership in community volunteerism and philanthropy. For 2026, we are proud to honor Lynn and Drew Marsh at our Alexis de Tocqueville Gala presented by Entergy Corporation. Drew Marsh serves as the chair and CEO of New Orleans-based Entergy Corporation.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the Marshes
and their impactful work across Southeast Louisiana.


The celebration will occur on the evening of Thursday, October 1, at the New Orleans Marriott.

Presented by

“Giving back has always been deeply personal to me. United Way gives us a way to lift up our neighbors, support families, and build a stronger community together. It’s not just about generosity; it’s about responsibility and heart.”

José S. Suquet

Chairman of the Board and CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group

Tocqueville Honoree

“Giving back has always been deeply personal to me. United Way gives us a way to lift up our neighbors, support families, and build a stronger community together. It’s not just about generosity; it’s about responsibility and heart.”

José S. Suquet

Chairman of the Board and CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group

Sponsor the Gala

Sponsoring the 2026 Tocqueville Gala offers valuable benefits, including increased community recognition and appreciation for your philanthropic leadership and dedication to families across Southeast Louisiana. Your support helps strengthen the communities where your employees live and work, while affirming your commitment to making a difference before an audience of the region’s most engaged and generous residents.

Sponsorship Levels

Leading the Way Forward 

  • VIP seating for 20 guests
  • Recognition as the presenting sponsor in all event materials, advertising, and publicity
  • Sponsored Content:
    • Blog post with sponsor and UWSELA President and CEO, Michael Williamson
    • Live United Radio with Michael Williamson that airs on Audacy and iHeart Media radio stations throughout the region
  • Pre-Event:
    • Stand-alone social media event announcements with sponsor logo and tagged posts
    • Logo included in all social media organic and paid event promotions, including paid ads on Facebook and Instagram
    • Spotlight on event website
  • Event
    • Elegant name placement on signage and program
    • Recognition from podium
    • Speaking opportunity at the 2026 gala
  • Post-Event:
    • Stand-alone social media posts and e-news thanking sponsors
    • Society press coverage
  • Taped interview to be included in the 2026 gala video – played at event, shared on social, and posted online for one year
  • Recognition on Tocqueville website for one year
  • Sponsor logo featured on photo wrap of featured photos on Flickr and social media

Pioneering Pathways to Prosperity

  • Premium seating for 20 guests
  • Logo in the 2026 gala video(s) – played at event, shared on social, and posted online for one year
  • Sponsor name featured in event program
  • Sponsor logo/name displayed in all event materials, advertising, and publicity
  • Pre-Event: Social media event announcements with sponsor logo and tagged posts, & spotlight on event website
  • Event: Elegant name placement on signage and program and recognition from podium
  • Post-Event: Social media posts and e-news thanking sponsors
  • Recognition on Tocqueville website for one year

Building a Strong Community for the Future

  • Preferred seating for 10 guests
  • Company name in the 2026 gala video(s) – played at event, shared on social, and posted online for one year
  • Pre-Event: Social media event announcements with sponsor logo and tagged posts
  • Event: Elegant name placement on signage and program
  • Post-Event: Social media posts and e-news thanking sponsors

Empowering Communities for the Future

  • Event seating for 10 guests
  • Program recognition

Partnering for Transformational Impact

  • Event seating for two (2) guests
  • Sponsor one (1) seat for a United Way program participant
  • Program recognition
  • Sponsor an interactive event experience celebrating the Tocqueville honoree while supporting United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s work across the seven parishes we serve. Recognition signage included.
  • Perfect for guests unable to attend or for those who would still like to make a meaningful gift in their honor.
  • Preferred Event seating for one (1) guest
  • Recognition from the podium
  • Event seating for one (1) guest
SPONSOR 2026 TOCQUEVILLE GALA

 

Please note: In order to be included in pre-event publicity and publications, we need to have your sponsorship commitment by September 11, 2026.

Presented by

Tocqueville Gala Sponsors

Community Builders

Past Tocqueville Events

2023 Tocqueville Gala Honoring Bob Merrick - 9.29.23
Tocqueville Gala 11.13.25
Tocqueville Gala Honoring Demario Davis 10.27.22

Helena Moreno

Campaign Email:  letsgo@helenamorenola.com
Contact Phone Number:  (504) 655-2878


Campaign Website and Social Media Handles
www.helenamorenola.com
@HelenamorenoHQ  |  @helenamorenola

Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

Yes.

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment:  If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

Yes.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs. Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school. This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments?

Yes.

How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them. If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.