Leslie Jacobs, Founder
Leslie Jacobs, Founder
Leslie is a veteran business executive and entrepreneur who has committed her talents to civic, economic development and philanthropic endeavors since the sale of the insurance businesses. Leslie is the CEO of the New Orleans Startup Fund and Founder of 504ward. She has served as Vice-Chairman of the New Orleans Business Alliance and past Chairman of Greater New Orleans Inc.
An award-winning education activist, Leslie has been engaged in education reform for over 25 years, including serving as a Governor-appointed member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. She has received numerous honors, most recently being named by Forbes as one of seven people who “demonstrate the leadership and commitment we need to ensure all children get an excellent education” and as 2011 co-New Orleanian of the Year by Gambit magazine.
Jimmy Roussel, Entrepreneur In Residence
Jimmy Roussel, Entrepreneur In Residence
Jimmy is a native New Orleanian. A 1988 graduate of Dartmouth College, Jimmy has worked for the past 25 years in a variety of startup environments, taking many of the companies from idea to revenue.
Jimmy has experience in all aspects of the startup arena from raising money, to building teams, to setting up sales and marketing plans, and product development. Jimmy’s past experience includes being Marketing Manager for Intralox, CEO of ProTier, EIR for the Idea Village, Managing Member of Global Medium/Clearwater Partners/Mehl Research Labs, and business consultant for Makebuzz.
Today, Jimmy is the Entrepreneur in Residence for the New Orleans Startup Fund. Jimmy is married with 3 children and lives in New Orleans.