New Orleans, LA – The Urban League of Louisiana has named a new President and CEO, Judy Reese Morse, former Deputy Mayor for the City of New Orleans. Morse, the third woman to lead the 80 year old civil rights organization, will begin on September 17; she follows Erika McConduit who has served as President and CEO since 2013.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be chosen to serve as President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana,” said Morse. “I am passionate about the mission of the Urban League and understand well the leadership role the Urban League must play in Louisiana to ensure equity and economic self reliance for African Americans and others,” she said.
Morse’s initial focus as President and CEO will include expanding the League’s programming and advocacy across Louisiana, making the case for equity and economic self reliance for those served by the Urban League and increasing the level of engagement with Louisiana residents. She will work closely with the Urban League of Louisiana’s Board of Directors and staff, who have built a strong foundation for the work ahead.
“Judy brings to the Urban League deep knowledge and experience in championing causes that advance justice and racial equality. She is a proven leader, who will expound upon the League’s legacy of advocacy and impact. I look forward to supporting her as she endeavors to fulfill the mission of Empowering Communities and Changing Lives across Louisiana,” said Chris D’Amour, chairman of the Urban League of Louisiana’s Board of Directors.
Morse was chosen following a national search that included a local and national certification process. The Urban League of Louisiana is an affiliate of the National Urban League, led by Marc Morial.
“Judy Reese Morse is an excellent choice to continue the progress and momentum that accelerated under Erika McConduit’s leadership. Judy brings extensive experience in both city and state government as well as a zeal to lift up the most vulnerable citizens. I look forward to working closely with her,” added Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League.
Morse brings to the Urban League of Louisiana vast executive level experience in the government, not-for-profit and media sectors. She has served at all three levels of government, working early in her career in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill for Congresswoman Lindy Boggs. She would later work in the Louisiana Lieutenant Governor’s Office as Chief of Staff for Mitch Landrieu and then as a Deputy Mayor in the Landrieu Administration. During her time in Washington, DC, Morse worked at National Public Radio as Director of New Audience Development and Director of Corporate Communications. Prior to her time at NPR, she worked at WWL-TV New Orleans gaining experience in production and management.
Morse, born and raised in New Orleans, attended St. Mary’s Dominican High School and Loyola University of New Orleans, earning an undergraduate degree in Communications. She received a master’s degree in Public Administration from American University in Washington, DC. and was selected as a U.S. Presidential Management Fellow. She is married to Chuck Morse, who serves as the Executive Director of Launch NOLA, an incubator for new and emerging small businesses. They have two children, Grace, 18 and Trey, 16. She is also the daughter of Claude Reese, a Freedom Rider during the Civil Rights Movement and a member of the New Orleans Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).