YLC Selects Chris Kane Among 2025 Role Models

Adams & Reese Partner Chris Kane has been selected by the Young Leadership Council (YLC) among its 2025 Role Model class of 10 business, community, and civic leaders recognized for contributing to the betterment of the Greater New Orleans region.

The class will be honored at the 39th Annual YLC Role Model Awards on Oct. 10, at 6 p.m., at The Sazerac House. The YLC has selected a class of outstanding New Orleanians since 1986 as these role models are an inspiration to YLC’s young professional members and to the community at large.

The 2025 YLC Role Model Class includes:

• Lisa D. Alexis, New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund/City of New Orleans
• Wayne Baquet, Imperial Trading Little Desi
• Clara Baron-Hyppolite, College Beyond
• Treva T. Brown, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
• Jim Cook, Sheraton Hotel/Marriott International
• Lowrey Crews, The 18th Ward
• Chris Kane, Adams & Reese
• Ruth Lawson, Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
• Margaret Orr, Retired, Former WDSU Meteorologist
• Leon Rittenberg III, Liskow

At Adams & Reese, Kane is the Global Trade, Transportation & Logistics Team Leader; a leading member of the Crisis Preparedness & Disaster Response Team; and a member of the Intersection of Business & Government Practice Group. For 20 years, Kane has counseled clients on economic development projects, transportation law, construction law, regulatory and government relations, disaster recovery, and highly specific litigation matters.

In the community, Kane is outgoing chair of Greater New Orleans, Inc., and in his role, he recently helped the economic development arm ready and improve the infrastructure for the city to host Super Bowl LIX in 2025.

Kane has been instrumental in helping businesses recover from both the pandemic in 2020 and from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Following Katrina, Kane co-founded Desire NOLA, a nonprofit to assist small business recovery. That organization was nominated for numerous service awards and recognized by community leaders for its impact on helping business owners get back on their feet. Kane’s experience with disaster recovery informs his volunteer work for chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. Their work helped members manage COVID-19 response as Kane assisted businesses with CARES Act and PPP-related guidance. 

In addition to the YLC Role Model recognition, Kane has been honored among the “Top 500 New Orleans Business Leaders” by Biz New Orleans; with the Christian Brothers University Distinguished Young Alumnus Award; by Louisiana Rising Stars® in Litigation; by Best Lawyers® in Economic Development; and in “Leadership in Law” by CityBusiness.
“These leaders are doing amazing things in so many industries and areas across the greater New Orleans region, and they are making room for others to learn from them,” said 2025 YLC Board President Josie Delaune. “We are excited to introduce our members to this group of community leaders throughout the year so they can share their passion and leadership and fulfill YLC’s mission to create the next generation of New Orleans leaders.” 

Each year’s class of honorees is selected by a committee including members of YLC’s Board of Directors and past YLC Role Model Award recipients. Honorees are selected based on significant contributions to their field of work and to New Orleans as a whole. Notably, a person can only receive the honor of YLC Role Model once in his or her lifetime.

The annual YLC Role Model Awards Evening will spotlight the accomplishments of the members of the 2025 Role Model class. This year’s event is chaired by YLC Board Members Brooke Laizer and Katie Neeb. For information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Allison Hotard, Executive Director, at allison@ylcnola.org or call 504-585-1500.