About

Dr. Markey W. Pierré’s lifetime commitment to professional excellence, community service, and good public policy has led to substantive progress for the State of Louisiana in many areas, including K-12 and higher education, construction, health care, maritime law, and municipal government. During her 20-plus-year career as a successful business owner and executive, author, thought leader, motivational speaker, lobbyist, and adjunct professor, Dr. Pierré’s philosophy of inclusive leadership resulted in pioneering legislation that has had far-reaching positive consequences for generations to come.

As a former lobbyist and governmental affairs professional, Dr. Pierré championed the interest of her clients as the President and Managing partner of Southern Strategy Group of North Louisiana, a full-service governmental consulting firm based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Pierré has been extremely successful in building partnerships across different ideologies, sometimes bridging deep divides to drive public policies that benefit everyone involved. Her client list ran the gambit from Fortune 500 corporations to school boards to gaming and entertainment venues, municipal entities, and professional and trade associations. In this role, Dr. Pierré cemented her reputation as a powerful force and highly effective advocate. As the Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Chief of Staff for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Dr. Pierré is the point of contact for critical initiatives and is responsible for the development and implementation of the strategic agenda to represent both organizational and operational initiatives as well as ensure there is diversity and inclusion in recruitment and retention of groups underrepresented in healthcare.

Throughout her professional career, Dr. Pierré has earned numerous honors for her professional excellence and her unwavering commitment to community service. But beyond all of her honors and accomplishments what she says really matters most is in all that you have done, were you able to help someone in the process, did you make a difference. As a 35-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she passionately engages in the international program initiatives and actively works at the local and regional levels. Dr. Pierré funds two annual college scholarships in the amount of $1,000/semester. One in her grandmother’s name, The Essie Mae Winfield “Pursuit of Excellence” scholarship award and one in her deceased husband's name, Louis Tramell Pierre’ Kappa Alpha Psi annual scholarship award. These scholarships allow students from traditionally underserved populations to attend college and pursue their dreams. Pierre received her Bachelor of Science in General Studies with a focus in business and finance from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and a Doctor of Business Administration for Walden University in Minneapolis, MN. She is also certified in diversity, equity and inclusion through Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.