Board of Directors

Manuel Darby - Scott, Louisiana

EMAIL: MDarby@louisianaleaderscouncil.org

Manuel Darby started his professional career with the McDonalds franchise in the Lafayette, Louisiana area. Through an intensive executive training program, Mr. Darby graduated from McDonald’s corporate-facilitated university. Over the course of his tenure with the company he has assisted in opening the fourth only McDonalds in Quito, Ecuador and provided managerial oversight for several redevelopments and expansions throughout Acadiana. Currently, Mr. Darby is the General Manager of two franchise-owned McDonalds in the Acadiana region. Mr. Darby brings a vast amount of experience in redevelopment and expansions to aid the Louisiana Leaders Council. Mr. Darby is a native of Scott, Louisiana where he resides with his family and coaches girls’ softball.

Donald Lavanty - Washington, D.C.

EMAIL: DLavanty@louisianaleaderscouncil.org

Donald Lavanty is a tenured Professor at the School of Business Administration, Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, where he instructs for the Graduate Programs in Legal Administration and Health Care Management and Policy. He also serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Naval School of Health Sciences, Department of the Navy, Bethesda, Maryland, instructing on the Political Aspects of Health Care.

In addition to teaching, Mr. Lavanty is a seasoned legislative advocate. Mr. Lavanty previously served as the Legislative Counsel for the American Hospital Association and Associate Director of the American Optometric Association. He is currently a partner with The Federal, Inc., a full service government relations firm.

Mr. Lavanty earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. After law school, Mr. Lavanty served during the Viet Nam Conflict in the United States Marine Corp, 1st Marine Brigade Legal Office, where he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. He has been published in the International Society of Technology Assessment in Health Care and the American Association for Advancement of Science.

Mr. Lavanty brings a wealth of legal experience to the Louisiana Leaders Council.

Melanie Lewis Lafayette, Louisiana

EMAIL: MLewis@louisianaleaderscouncil.org

Melanie Lewis is a native of Lafayette. Melanie is a graduate of Northside High School, Dillard University, and Columbia University. She studied French at Dillard focusing on language and identity. At Columbia Melanie studied International Affairs where she focused on Africa, cultural identity, and human rights, including women’s rights. Her special interests continue to include human rights and the impact of societal issues on women’s lives.

Melanie returned to Lafayette in 2003 where she presently serves as the Director of Community Development for Lafayette Consolidated Government. She also serves on the boards of Festival International de Louisiane, Downtown Lafayette Unlimited, Lafayette’s Commission on Diversity and Economic Development, and Junior League of Lafayette.