RESTAURANTS
SPORTS
SOPHINA UONG
JENNIFER WEISHAUPT
DR. KIKI BARNES
Chef/Owner Mister Mao
Founder Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group
Commissioner Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
When Uong was a child, her family fled from war-torn Cambodia and found refuge in California. There, the self-taught chef grew up surrounded by families and food. For 25 years, she has worked in nearly every position in the restaurant business. She’s won many awards, including a big one from the Food Network, and is active in civic affairs. She set up shop in New Orleans in 2021.
After 16 years at Shell, Weishaupt used her knack for management and systems engineering to found a 22-unit restaurant group spanning five states. She and her family support local nonprofits through the Weishaupt Family Foundation and were honored with an Ella Brennan “Stand Up for Your Hometown” Award for aiding hospitality workers through their Lagniappe Krewe Emergency Relief Fund.
This award-winning sports executive leads and empowers athletic programs and organizations, provides strategic consulting to national sports organizations, and facilitates mentoring and leadership development opportunities. She founded the “So You Want a Career in Athletics” program and served as athletic director at Dillard University for 16 years. She’s active in civic affairs.
Best Fest: Southern Decadence Hidden Gem: Plume Algiers On the Horizon: “Opening for Sunday dinner, purchasing our building and opening a bar” Advice: “Always give 100%, unless you’re donating blood!” Hobby: Thrifting Who Do You Admire: Chef José Andrés
Education: Tulane University (MS), The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (BChE.) Hidden Gem: “The Wednesday happy hour at the bar at Saint-Germain is a favorite.” On the Horizon: “Ruby Slipper and Ruby Sunshine are celebrating their 15th year of operation, and we’re opening a restaurant in Charleston, S.C.”
Education: University of New Orleans (PhD), University of Louisiana at Lafayette (MS), University of New Orleans (BGS) Advice: “Identify your gift/talent, then develop it and find ways to use it to make a difference.” Hobby: “I love practicing my bass guitar and learning new automation and technology hacks.” Go-to Restaurant: Neyow’s Creole Cafe
SPORTS
SPORTS
SPORTS
GAYLE BENSON
JAY CICERO
KYLE FRANCE
Owner New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans
President Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
Chairman of the Board Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District
In addition to owning New Orleans’ two professional sports teams, Benson owns Faubourg Brewery, several car dealerships, and other businesses that trace back to her late husband, Tom Benson. In 2021, she purchased Corporate Realty. With a net worth of nearly $4 billion, she’s the wealthiest person in Louisiana and a philanthropist known for her dedication to the region.
Once the general manager of the Zephyrs, Cicero has led the GNOSF since 1997. It’s a nonprofit with a mandate to attract major sporting events to the region and manage them once they’re here. Some of the organization’s more notable successes include the NCAA Final Four, NBA All-Star Games, Wrestlemania and several NFL Super Bowls (1997, 2002, 2013 and 2025).
France is the head of a state agency/political subdivision that owns and runs the John A. Alario Center, the Caesars Superdome, the Smoothie King Center, the Saints training facility, TPC Louisiana and the “Shrine on Airline.” He is also a former chair of the board of trustees for the University of Holy Cross, and president of Kehoe-France Inc., which operates two schools.
On the Horizon: “A Super Bowl victory and an NBA championship!” Fave Parade: “We have so many extraordinary krewes that choosing one would be almost impossible. I truly enjoy the costumes and the talent that goes into building the floats.” Advice: “Tough times don’t last but tough people do.”
Education: Louisiana Tech University (BS) On the Horizon: “Serving as the staff of the 2025 Super Bowl Host Committee” Nonprofit Cause: St. Michael Special School Go-to Restaurant: Clancy’s Hidden Gem: Cafe Amelie Honors: In 2022, Cicero was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Education: University of Holy Cross (M.Ed.), Louisiana State University (BS) Nonprofit Cause: Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Go-to Restaurant: Galatoire’s Best Fest: Jazz Fest Advice: “Get up every day and do whatever you can to make a positive difference in one’s life.” Heroes: Teachers
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RESTAURANTS
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