LEROY BROWN
Westwego
Summary
Dynamic ecosystem builder and marketing leader with over 15 years of diverse experience in healthcare, construction, and innovation sectors. Expertise in recruiting and inspiring founders, complemented by a strong history of launching workforce development initiatives tailored to industry demands. Proven ability to forge impactful public-private partnerships that enhance founder success and drive community engagement. Recognized for exceptional communication skills and a commitment to creating meaningful community impact.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder
Connextive
04.2025 - Current
- Serve as Chief Networking Officer for the Louisiana Additive Manufacturing Association (LAMA), connecting industry partners, universities, and community organizations to advance the state’s additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
- Recruit statewide talent and founders for MavenWERX, a North Louisiana dual-use accelerator supporting edge technology, clean energy, and climate-tech innovators.
- Lead ecosystem-building efforts that align industry, economic development, and workforce needs, creating pathways for small businesses, veteran-led companies, and emerging founders.
- Develop workforce pipelines by collaborating with STEM programs, community organizations, universities, and two-year colleges, focusing on engaging 9th–12th grade students in career-aligned workforce initiatives that support Louisiana’s economic development priorities.
- Mentor student entrepreneurs as part of StartupUNO, the University of New Orleans’ student pitch competition, providing guidance on business strategy, commercialization, and founder readiness.
- Facilitate partnerships that link economic development, innovation, local business, and education, supporting inclusive growth and strengthening Louisiana’s statewide innovation ecosystem.
- Conducted market research to identify customer needs and trends.
- Developed business model and growth strategies for startup initiatives.
Cofounder
Climate Culture Collective
05.2024 - Current
- Cofounded Climate Culture, a creative–climate initiative designed to expand climate resilience conversations into New Orleans’ artist and cultural communities.
- Produced four Climate Culture Salons, blending the voices of scientists, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to explore climate resilience through accessible storytelling and community engagement.
- Produced two climate-focused art activations, including a NOEW installation in partnership with The Beach at UNO, featuring a collaboration between a local artist and a climate-tech founder.
- Designed programming that centered artists, recognizing them as powerful communicators capable of shaping public understanding and driving community-wide climate awareness.
- Engaged ecosystem partners including GNO, Inc., CRCL, Flambeaux Bike Tours, universities, community organizations, and local creators to expand participation and build interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Elevated climate resilience awareness within broader cultural spaces by making the conversation more inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the communities most impacted.
Ecosystem Development Lead
Opportunity Hub (OHUB)
04.2023 - 04.2025
- Spearheaded OHUB x NOLA’s regional ecosystem strategy, driving inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship across Louisiana.
- Developed and launched the New Energy Technology Incubator (NETI), deploying $275K in non-dilutive support to Black clean-tech founders and expanding statewide participation in emerging energy sectors.
- Focused on engaging underestimated, Black, and Brown founders, working to ignite and reinvigorate their participation in Louisiana’s rapidly growing energy, technology, and infrastructure economy fueled by the Build Back Better investments of the Biden-Harris administration.
- Recruited, coached, and supported founders throughout their participation in the NETI Incubator, helping them refine business models, storytelling, customer discovery, and commercialization strategy.
- Supported the production of four pitch competitions, strengthening founder readiness and increasing visibility of Louisiana-based innovators.
- Built strategic alliances with STEMNOLA, GNO, Inc., HBCUs, Delgado Community College, Baton Rouge Community College, NexusLA, and multiple community partners to strengthen founder pipelines and expand access to entrepreneurial programming.
- Conducted entrepreneurship and workforce development workshops for STEM students across regional institutions and community partners, introducing pathways to energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing careers.
- Served as the first to deploy entrepreneurship programming in New Orleans East, engaging the most diverse community in the city and strengthening access to innovation opportunities.
- Led public programming in AI, climate resilience, advanced manufacturing, and veteran workforce development, aligning regional efforts with national innovation trends.
- Represented OHUB in public forums, podcasts, university events, and regional economic development discussions, advancing the narrative of inclusive innovation across Louisiana.
Entrepreneur and Consultant
Various Clients
10.2007 - 04.2023
- Advised restaurants, nonprofits, and small businesses on brand development, digital marketing strategy, and customer engagement.
- Developed and executed B2B partnerships, online sales strategies, and early-stage social media campaigns that expanded client visibility and revenue streams.
- Consulted nonprofits on fundraising messaging, community engagement, and donor communication, helping strengthen outreach and impact.
- Founded NeoSoul Trading Company, a specialty coffee enterprise featuring two brands — Seventh Sense and Ascention.
- Led product development, sourcing, brand strategy, and go-to-market execution for both coffee brands; Ascention received a 90/100 rating from Coffee Review, placing it among top-tier specialty coffees.
- Co-owned and managed two restaurant ventures — The Bridge Pizza & Grill (Sunset Beach, NC) and The Pizza Shack (Jacksonville, FL) — overseeing operations, marketing, menu development, and customer experience.
- Built a diverse portfolio of entrepreneurial and consulting experience across the food & beverage sector, consumer products, and mission-driven organizations.
Manager – Managed Markets & Sales Training
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
07.2000 - 10.2007
- Led curriculum design for Flonase and Advair ($1.4B and $3.77B brands).
- Founded “Advair University,” training 9,000+ reps nationwide.
- Partnered with Tulane and LSU medical schools on therapeutic strategy.
- Authored diversity grant securing $250K+ for asthma outreach in New Orleans.
- Earned multiple national awards for training and sales performance.
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
- 01.2000
- Built lasting physician relationships across the New Orleans metro area.
- Led targeted sales efforts and co-created local public health initiatives.
- Developed $250K+ in grant-funded DTC asthma education programs.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA06.1992
Skills
- Strategic partnership development
- Podcast hosting proficiency
- Community engagement strategy
- Integrated marketing and event planning
- Integrated marketing communications
- Business networking
- Strategic planning
- Strategic vision
Timeline
Founder
Connextive
04.2025 - Current
Cofounder
Climate Culture Collective
05.2024 - Current
Ecosystem Development Lead
Opportunity Hub (OHUB)
04.2023 - 04.2025
Entrepreneur and Consultant
Various Clients
10.2007 - 04.2023
Manager – Managed Markets & Sales Training
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
07.2000 - 10.2007
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
- 01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Tulane University