Lisa Alexis is the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy (OCE) from 2019.  Her extensive professional experience deftly combines communications and government service to her community, navigating the intricate qualities and needs of Creatives and culture bearers in New Orleans. A native of New Orleans who grew up in Gentilly, hit the ground running and led her team through five Carnival seasons, Festival Seasons, and the 2020 COVID pandemic. Lisa was and is committed to keeping cultural creativity alive. She and her team at OCE/NOTCF manage official cultural events for Mayor LaToya Cantrell, from Inauguration to Mardi Gras to a Cultural Tourism Honors Gala to appreciate the economic impact of the cultural ecosystem. Through the Embrace the Culture platform, Lisa brought digital cultural infrastructure to artists and audiences alike to amplify monetization of artist’s work while the world shuttered in place.

Starting her journey in morning news production for CBS affiliate WWL-TV and radio, she also worked in advertising and marketing for major corporate clients such as Coca-Cola and Miller Beer and executed the development of the film apprenticeship model for the State of Louisiana. She then felt called to public administration. Lisa’s government administration and civic service includes executive roles in affordable housing, workforce collaboration, and finance management + contract administration where she worked 12 years for the City of Houston. 

Lisa was elected in 2020 as President/CEO of the newly established New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund Corporation, (NOTCF).  NOTCF is an economic development corporation whose mission is to support cultural industries and culture bearers of the City of New Orleans through partnerships, grants, and programs to advance sustainable tourism.  No one is left behind, from large festivals to individual artists, NOTCF has made diversity its mission and Culture Is Our Open Door its motto. Lisa and her teams are intentional to carry out the Mayor’s vision to preserve, invest in, and promote our unique and wonderful culture and support the men, women and children who create it.