Women To Watch Awards 2026 honors Dr. Markey W. Pierré

Dr. Markey W. Pierré is a nationally respected thought leader, strategic advisor, executive, public policy advocate, educator, and community leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations and leaders navigate complex challenges, build meaningful partnerships, and turn strategy into measurable impact. Her career reflects a distinctive ability to connect business, government, education, healthcare, and community to advance ideas and initiatives that create lasting change.

As President of The Strategy Group of North Louisiana, Dr. Pierré serves as a trusted strategic advisor on governmental affairs, public policy, advocacy, organizational strategy, and stakeholder engagement. She previously spent 15 years as President and Managing Partner of Southern Strategy Group of North Louisiana, advising corporations, governmental entities, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and professional associations.

Dr. Pierré also served as Vice Chancellor of External Affairs and Chief of Staff at LSU Health Shreveport, where she provided executive leadership for government relations, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and institutional priorities at the local, state, and federal levels. She currently serves as a Doctoral Research Chair in the School of Business at Liberty University, where she mentors and guides doctoral candidates through advanced research and the development of scholarly work. Her academic leadership reflects her commitment to developing emerging scholars and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and thought leadership in business.

A recognized trailblazer, Dr. Pierré made history as the first African American woman to chair both the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Independence Bowl of Shreveport. Her leadership has earned numerous distinctions, including appointment by the Louisiana Supreme Court to the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, the Lifetime Achievement Award and Businesswoman of the Year Award from the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce, and the Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman Award.

An author, speaker, mentor, and longtime member, Silver Star, and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Dr. Pierré believes leadership carries both the opportunity and responsibility to create pathways for others.

Her recognition as an inaugural Black Leaders Worldwide 2026 Women To Watch Award honoree celebrates a career distinguished by more than achievement. It recognizes a woman whose voice, vision, scholarship, strategic insight, and influence continue to shape leaders, strengthen organizations, build bridges across communities, and open doors for generations to follow.