Spotlight Archives - MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism

Lori Archer Smith

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:26:32 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Lori Archer Smith
Creative Director/Copywriter/Social Media Manager
Compucast Web
ExperienceNewOrleans.com
MardiGrasNewOrleans.com
NewOrleansRestaurants.com

Lori Archer-Smith’s career in hospitality began when she answered an ad for a copywriter for Peter Mayer Advertising in The Times-Picayune in 1983. “Bob’s job is open. His window office is taken.” She replied, “I want Bob’s job” and, sure enough, she got it.

At Peter Mayer, where she went from copywriter to creative director, she honed her skills in tourism marketing working on accounts like New Orleans Tourism, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Asheville Tourism and others. She considers a jingle she wrote called “Do They Play Jazz In Heaven?” for New Orleans Tourism one of the highlights of her career. Her work encouraged travelers to come back to the city and the state after Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill. Not an easy task.

After more than 30 years at Peter Mayer, she took her skills to Compucast Web, owners of experienceneworleans.com, neworleansrestaurants.com, mardigrasneworleans.com and other New Orleans hospitality sites. As Creative Copy Director, she handles social media (where many have gone viral) plus creates reviews of New Orleans restaurants, tours and local theaters. She’s excited about the revamp of the experienceneworleans.com site, set to come out soon, where she will continue creating copy about iconic New Orleans brands such as Tujague’s, Court of Two Sisters, Steamboat Natchez and many more.

In addition to her work with Compucast, Lori has also worked on campaigns for New Orleans & Company, Blue Runner Foods, Crystal Hot Sauce, and Acme Oyster House.

Over the years, Lori’s work has garnered many awards, including several Telly Awards and Best of Shows and District and National Addys from the American Advertising Federation (AAF). Early on in her career, she received the “Creative Person of the Year” award at the New Orleans Addys and, more recently, she was honored with the Silver Medal, a lifetime achievement award, from the same organization. Her late husband Dee Smith took home the same award several years earlier which made it especially sweet.

When not hunched over her laptop, taking New Orleans tours or eating at New Orleans restaurants with the Compucast staff, Lori enjoys couch time with her two long-haired chihuahuas, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, as well as traveling with her daughter Zoe. In recent years, they have visited Greece, France, Iceland, Scotland and Italy as well as Joshua Tree, California.

Lori loves MSWIT because “when women get together like this they’re fun, happy, generous, free to be themselves. It’s inspiring to be around so many rockstars—women who built careers in this industry at a time when it wasn’t always so easy to do so. I like that more and more younger women are joining, too. The organization seems to be really fulfilling a need.”

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Joy Alexander

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:24:19 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Joy Alexander
Retired Teacher/New Orleans Tour Guide

Joy loves New Orleans and for all of us who know Joy…it’s truly a “joy” to be around her!

She joined MSWIT in 2021 as a New Orleans Tour Guide on the recommendation of her daughter, Jill, who told her she would meet so many interesting women in the tourist industry. Jill was so right!

Joy’s love and appreciation of New Orleans started back in the late ’50s when, as a teenager, she worked in her parents’ drug store in the French Quarter. After college, she started her career at Louisiana Technical College training ladies to be secretaries, words you would never say now. Besides teaching secretarial subjects, she also taught how to “dress for success” and “interview skills”. She found jobs for them, jobs that suited their talents that offered opportunities for advancement. What a rewarding career…but then came computers and not teaching just ladies! She retired from this teaching position but was not ready to stop working.

Joy moved to Delgado’s Business Department teaching the Microsoft Office Suite and other business subjects. This new schedule allowed her to train outside companies as well. What an amazing learning experience over the course of her 50+ years as a teacher!

Then one day while looking through Delgado’s evening class brochure, she decided to take the tourism class. This class, taught by (MSWIT member) Danielle Barbara, was the best class ever! Joy didn’t realize how little she knew about New Orleans and its history. “It is so great to take people from all over the world and show off this great city, due in no small part to the many jobs held by MSWIT members.”

Joy truly loves her job, but also loves music, theater, traveling, game night and being with family, especially grandchildren. Life is good when you are surrounded by good people.

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Risë Spinelli

Bobbi Mannino — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:06:43 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Risë Spinelli
Sales Manager
Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome

Risë Spinelli is the Sales Manager for the Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome, a role she assumed in 2024, bringing her career full circle back to IHG/Holiday Inn brands where she first began over 30 years ago in Orlando, Florida. Although she grew up near (and worked for) Walt Disney World Resort, she never truly felt at home there. It wasn’t until she first visited Louisiana that she found a place she deeply connected with. She has now lived in Louisiana for over 18 years and embraces the culture, traditions, history, and vibrancy of New Orleans.

Risë began her hospitality career in housekeeping and steadily advanced through roles including Front Desk, Night Audit, Accounting, Reservations, Revenue Management, Front Office Management, and ultimately General Manager and Regional Manager positions. Over her 30+ years in the industry, she has worked with major brands such as IHG, Hilton, Choice, and Marriott. She spent over 12 years as a hands-on General Manager before unexpectedly transitioning into sales in 2021 at the Marriott Metairie at Lakeway. Initially hesitant about sales due to past operational challenges, she found that her operations background helped her become a more collaborative and effective Sales Manager.

A lifelong learner, Risë has consistently pursued education alongside her career. She earned her Undergraduate Degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management in 2013, followed by a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management from the University of New Orleans. As the first in her immediate family to graduate high school and college, she takes great pride in her academic achievements and aspires to become a part-time Adjunct Professor to help mentor future hospitality professionals – while keeping her “day job!”.

Among her many recognitions, Risë was named Jefferson Parish Tourism Ambassador of the Year in 2023 during National Travel and Tourism Week. She is also an Ambassador for the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and most recently for MSWIT! She remains active in community and industry events, frequently promoting Louisiana and New Orleans at conventions such as the American Bus Association Marketplace. She loves the supportive connections made in MSWIT and is a happy advocate of MSWIT since her Professor, Dr. Green, invited her to join!

In her free time, Risë enjoys spending time with her husband, Richard, and their Catahoula Cur, Rougarou, at their home on the Westbank. She also enjoys reading her never ending “To Be Read” pile and values her close-knit family, which includes her husband, their dog, and her older brother in Orlando.

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Robin Parson

Bobbi Mannino — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:51:38 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Robin Parson
Owner
Tours by NOLA

As an Oral Historian, Independent Scholar, and Cultural Ambassador Native to New Orleans, Robin has dedicated her career to preserving African American history and culture in Louisiana. Her professional background includes over 20 years as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc., a decade as the curator for Tours by NOLA, and several years as a City of New Orleans Tour Guide and AHI Travel Director.

Robin’s scholarly work involves research collaborations with the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Northwestern State University. Robin also had the honor of presenting research at the Louisiana History Association and the French Colonial Society in Martinique.

Since joining MSWIT in 2020—the same year she launched her tour business, Tours by NOLA—the organization has been instrumental in referring guests seeking educational and historical experiences in New Orleans.

Beyond Robin’s work in history, culture, and tourism, she is the owner and founder of Partnerships in Fitness LLC (PIF), a consulting group that designs health and wellness programs for communities, schools, and workplaces. PIF focuses on sustainable lifestyle changes to prevent obesity-related conditions and currently partners with AARP and Amerihealth. Additionally, she is a certified SBA WOSB and a City of New Orleans certified DBE.

Robin’s extensive talent has also contributed to the ART world in New Orleans. She is a member of the Louisiana Dance Association, a nonprofit dedicated to regional dance preservation.

As a woman entrepreneur in the tourism industry, the support of MSWIT is invaluable. Robin thanks MSWIT for creating a space for women to thrive and for helping Tours by NOLA level the playing field in a challenging market.

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Rosalie Mortillaro

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 15 May 2026 23:48:21 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Rosalie Mortillaro
Director of Marketing & Communications
New Orleans Morial Convention Center

Rosalie’s path into Marketing and Communications began with a strong mentor. After graduating from the University of New Orleans, Lois Sutton gave her start in Marketing and Public Relations at Prudential Louisiana Properties. She often says, “Lois taught me everything I know,” and credits her mentor for shaping her career. She is especially grateful to have reconnected with her through Mid-South Women in Tourism.

After her time at Prudential, she joined the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in 2001 as a Communications Specialist. Like so many in New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina disrupted her career for a year, but she was fortunate to return to the Convention Center in 2007 as Communications Manager. Rosalie spent 18 years working under Tim Hemphill, who retired earlier this year. His ability to “think big” and “think outside the box” continues to inspire her to prioritize innovation in her work. In her current role as Director of Marketing and Communications, she oversees thedevelopment and promotion of key internal programs and signature events such as the Morial Awards. She also serves as the spokesperson for NOLA ChristmasFest, one of the city’s most beloved holiday attractions.

Outside of her work at the Convention Center, she operates a side business officiating weddings around the city as a minister. She considers it an honor to be part of one of the happiest days in a couple’s life.

For fun, Rosalie attends water aerobics classes several times a week. What began as part of her fitness journey became a true passion, and with the combination of water aerobics and GLP-1 medication, she has lost more than 150 pounds. She believes water aerobics is an ideal starting point for anyone beginning a fitness journey because it is low-impact and adaptable to individual needs. She has also studied to become an instructor so she can motivate and guide others and hopes to pursue certification and teach locally in the future. She is always open to sharing what she has learned with anyone interested.

Being a member of Mid-South Women in Tourism has been especially rewarding for her, and she values the opportunity to connect with women leading organizations throughout the tourism industry. The organization’s annual bus fam trips are a personal highlight and provide a great way to stay updated on the latest tourism assets in the region. She also enjoyed walking the runway in MSWIT’s annual Fashion F undraiser. Sandra Dartus, her NOLA ChristmasFest guru, recruited her into MSWIT, and her warmth and genuine hospitality made her feel immediately welcome. Rosalie believes Sandra truly embodies the spirit of the organization and looks forward to many more opportunities to connect and learn alongside this incredible group of women.

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Stacey Messina

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 15 May 2026 23:37:18 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Stacey Messina
Owner
Messina’s Catering & Events

Stacey Messina is the owner of Messina’s Catering and Events and has over 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Stacey and her husband George have grown their company over the last 25 years, from one restaurant in Kenner to a leading food and beverage company in the Gulf South with multiple divisions. Messina’s food and beverage operations currently includes a Main Commissary, 3 convention centers, 4 venues, the Fair Grounds Race Track, Messina’s Runway Café, multiple festival food and beverage management, 3 school lunch programs, off-premise events, government food contracts, and disaster relief contracts.

Stacey grew up on the Northshore and graduated from St. Scholastica Academy in Covington. She attended LSU and SLU, graduating with a BA in Communication. Stacey grew up in her family’s restaurant business and after college worked for the New Orleans CVB, New Orleans Marriott and Ovations Food Services before focusing her attention on Messina’s Catering with her husband.

Stacey is proud to be a Certified Professional of Catering and Events (CPCE). Staying ahead of trends and innovations in the catering industry is paramount to Stacey, which she supplements by serving on the National Association of Catering Events (NACE) National Committee and as the current NACE New Orleans Chapter President. She also serves as a Board Member for SKAL and the French Quarter Business Association. She is a member of MPI and MSWIT. Stacey was honored to receive the 2024 NACE Legacy Award for her support of the New Orleans hospitality industry.

When she’s not working, Stacey is probably with her grandkids or playing competitive tennis. She and her husband George love exploring new restaurants and traveling as much as possible.

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Christine Sory

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 01 May 2026 04:01:54 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Christine Sory

Director of Sales

Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans & Convention Center

This story is what networking is all about!

After graduating from college with bachelor’s degrees in management and marketing, Christine was unsure what career path to pursue. She began working in marketing at Eastover Country Club, where she also met her future husband. After moving away from New Orleans and holding several jobs along the way, she returned to the city after marrying and once again worked in marketing at Timberlane Country Club.

Christine’s path into tourism began through networking. During a dinner with her husband, his assistant and his wife, Heather, the General Manager of Maison Dupuy. Heather asked if she would be interested in hotel sales. Christine accepted the opportunity and began as a Conference Services Manager, eventually advancing to Sales Manager and later Director of Sales.

Following her time at Maison Dupuy, Christine moved to Royal Sonesta New Orleans and now serves as Director of Sales at Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans Convention Center. Throughout her career, she has found the hospitality industry rewarding because of the lasting relationships built with coworkers who become like family, while also helping mentor future generations through job skills, people skills, and time management.

In her personal time, Christine loves festivals, volunteering, listening to live music, meeting new people, and the beach. She learns something new with every person she meets.

What she likes most about being a member of MSWIT is the caring that these women have towards each other. If someone is sick, they check on you. If you lose your job or are looking for a new one, someone always has something to offer. Christine learns new things all the time from these amazing, talented and independent women. Some are hoteliers, some are travel agents, some are attractions, some are retired but all are important in their own right. She cannot wait to meet our new members so they can teach her some new tips and tricks! She is truly grateful to be a part of this tribe.

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Ashlea Kelly

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 01 May 2026 03:52:43 +0000

Member Spotlight:
Ashlea Kelly
Content Creator, Travel Writer, Marketing Consultant, Photographer, Actress
ashleaMedia

Originally from Georgia, Ashlea fell in love with New Orleans during the summer of 1999, in between her junior and senior year of college. Her best friend’s sister had just gotten a job at a hotel in New Orleans & offered the girls a room in her shotgun house off Bienville St. Isn’t it funny how a seemingly simple decision in your life can affect EVERYTHING that happens after that? Ashlea originally joined MSWIT while she was working at Where Traveler Magazine, after she’d moved back to New Orleans in 2018 Lois Sutton hired her & gave Stephanie Cantrell the charge of training. Stephanie quickly became her ‘work wife’ in her networking mission, mentoring her on her new role which involved A LOT OF networking, which Ashlea had never truly done before…especially in such a well connected SMALL town like this beloved New Orleans tourism industry. Ashlea was like “a kid in the candy store” as Stephanie & Lois showed her all that the city REALLY had to offer: the food that gets better and better because it’s created with real PASSION, the hotels that offer ridiculously amazing amenities and truly take a village to demonstrate because at the core of things it’s all about = SERVICE. HERE is where Ashlea fell in love with tourism: where everyone got an equal opportunity to show off what makes them & their teams so successful; as well as how important places like these are for people to be educated about, so they will visit them, and experience their enchantments and ideally, if we’ve done our jobs right, get them to fall in love with New Orleans the way WE love it. & it’s all down to the people. Being from Atlanta, Ashlea always ached for a ‘small town’. She graduated from high school with almost 800 other seniors, and for someone a bit shy, it felt ENORMOUS. But everything was different here, in New Orleans, and after attending a few MSWIT meetings in 2018, she was smitten & for the first time, felt like she had a women’s group she could fit-in perfectly with, a group of seasoned and not-so-seasoned tourism professionals, of all ages, that were so different and wonderful that insecurities literally flew out the window. So it took her by complete surprise when she was asked to be nominated to be VP of MSWIT, after not even being a member for a year. She was BLOWN away with excitement and pride because after all she saw they were already doing to impact and improve the tourism world & it’s leading ladies, she was bursting with ideas to continue to build enthusiasm and growth for the group. As VP she was excited to work with new tourism partners to find the ideal venues for the monthly meetings. When she joined there were only MSWIT nightly events in the city, but as a single-mom living in Metairie, it was sometimes challenging to be able to attend the meetings that she so looked forward to, since kids always came first, so she suggested things like incorporating brunches/lunches in the city to work with people’s work schedules better, as well as having meetings outside the city, occasionally, and with the members that have services in the greater nola areas/Jefferson parish area. MSWIT always had speakers at the events too so it was imperative she incorporate promoting our own MSWIT members more too, having them as speakers sharing their services & skills, so they started integrating that, as well as brainstorming an event with the other MSWIT chapter for the new year.

Then March 2020 hit. 3.7.20=Ashlea signed the lease at her new place after her marriage was officially over. 3.8.20=Ashea’s brother died in a motorcycle accident off I-85 in Atlanta. 3.9.20=The 1st official case of covid was confirmed in Louisiana. Venues were constantly changing and with the type of calculated planning that we’d had previously, scheduling big events and confirming RSVP’s was ever declining initially, with a bleak outlook. But they endured: Ashlea’s favorite MSWIT meeting of the past, was when she partnered with Christy Dillard, current MSWIT president, to have a ‘speed networking event’ at Game On’s previous space out in Metairie,Kenner area. Pre covid numbers were always high before, over 50 at minimum, AFTER covid, changed because every day things were changing, so when they had they had their first meeting have over 30 of the most enthusiastic participants ever try a new day-speed-get-to-know you event and eat during work hours amidst COVID was amazing. Christy had made personalized ‘get to know you sheets’. It was a fantastic post-covid success event. Every win was a big win then.

Ashlea is only now, 6 years later, truly feeling like she’s coming out of the fog of destruction that became of her life after her divorce, brother’s death & covid hit that weekend in March 2020. At that time she couldn’t have imagined losing everything, then even more in the months that followed all that…but she survived. As we all tend to do. Stronger, reborn, refocused and realigned with WHY this life is so important. & although to most everyone she’s still a ‘new member’, Ashlea, feels like she’s an integral part of MSWIT crew. She can’t wait to pitch her mentoring idea to the new initiatives on the table for the ‘next season’ of MSWIT too but in the meantime runs her own ashleaMedia.com company, working with past & current clients like Annunciation Restaurant, Visit Kenner, Jefferson Parish CVB, Game On Social Hub, Scott Equipment, Rosy’s Jazz Hall & Casino Marketing Boot Camp. She’s a writer at heart & is producing/directing her 1st short film this July 2026. Her favorite past times are gardening, traveling with her kids: Madi (25) & Max (16) & beaching. She currently resides in Kenner, LA with her son, & her humongous dog: Apollo.

The post Ashlea Kelly appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Tabather Moriley

Bobbi Mannino — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:10:59 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Tabather Moriley
Event Manager
Five O Fore Golf Entertainment

Tabather Moriley got started in tourism as early as 2016 booking her own trips as well as her friends’ trips and someone suggested she should become a travel agent. She became an independent travel agent for the next four years and absolutely loved it. Then came the pandemic for the better part of the next two years!

Planning events has always been her passion, with weddings being at the forefront. Tabather currently serves as Lead Wedding Planner for Leigh and Co Events in the New Orleans market.

At the same time, Tabather is also the Event Manager at Five O Fore Golf Entertainment booking all types of group events for this beautiful new unique entertainment venue.

If having two full time jobs is not enough, she also sits on the board as Director of Leadership Development for Meeting Planners International and Vice President of the Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Association at University of New Orleans where she will earn her MS in Hospitality Management on May 8th.

She became a member of MSWIT just 5 months ago and, once she receives her degree, we should get to see her at many more meetings in the future.

In her personal time, Tabather enjoys reading and traveling. “And I’m always up for a good afternoon nap in my spare time.”

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Ashley Hartman-Taylor

Bobbi Mannino — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:04:39 +0000

Member Spotlight:

Ashley Hartman-Taylor
Regional Business Development Manager
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd

Ashley is a Business Development Manager in the travel and hospitality industry with a background in hotel sales, events, and partnership development. She specializes in building meaningful relationships within the travel community and is passionate about connecting people through travel and curated experiences.

In her current role with NCL, Ashley works closely with travel advisors and industry partners to support business growth while creating opportunities that bring people together through travel and events.

Outside of her corporate role, Ashley also curates experiences through her company, MCE Management. Most recently, she partnered with New Orleans Fashion Week to curate a fashion line debut showcasing local designer Romey Roe, highlighting her passion for celebrating creativity, community, and culture.

Her love for travel continues to inspire her work and perspective. Ashley recently returned from a 12-day sailing through Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands, and Ibiza — an experience that deepened her appreciation for cultural connection through travel.

Originally from the Westbank of New Orleans, Ashley continues to blend her passion for travel, hospitality, and events while creating spaces and experiences that bring people together.

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Spotlight Archives - MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism

Lori Archer Smith

Member Spotlight:

Lori Archer Smith Creative Director/Copywriter/Social Media Manager Compucast Web ExperienceNewOrleans.com MardiGrasNewOrleans.com NewOrleansRestaurants.com

Joy Alexander

Member Spotlight:

Joy Alexander Retired Teacher/New Orleans Tour Guide

Risë Spinelli

Member Spotlight:

Risë Spinelli Sales Manager Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome

Robin Parson

Member Spotlight:

Robin Parson Owner Tours by NOLA

Rosalie Mortillaro

Member Spotlight:

Rosalie Mortillaro Director of Marketing & Communications New Orleans Morial Convention Center

Stacey Messina

Member Spotlight:

Christine Sory

Member Spotlight:

Ashlea Kelly

Member Spotlight: Ashlea Kelly Content Creator, Travel Writer, Marketing Consultant, Photographer, Actress ashleaMedia

Tabather Moriley

Member Spotlight:

Tabather Moriley Event Manager Five O Fore Golf Entertainment

Ashley Hartman-Taylor

Member Spotlight:

Ashley Hartman-Taylor Regional Business Development Manager Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd

Lori Archer Smith
Creative Director/Copywriter/Social Media Manager
Compucast Web
ExperienceNewOrleans.com
MardiGrasNewOrleans.com
NewOrleansRestaurants.com

Joy Alexander
Retired Teacher/New Orleans Tour Guide

Risë Spinelli
Sales Manager
Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome

Robin Parson
Owner
Tours by NOLA

Rosalie Mortillaro
Director of Marketing & Communications
New Orleans Morial Convention Center

Member Spotlight:
Ashlea Kelly
Content Creator, Travel Writer, Marketing Consultant, Photographer, Actress
ashleaMedia

Tabather Moriley
Event Manager
Five O Fore Golf Entertainment

Ashley Hartman-Taylor
Regional Business Development Manager
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd