Louisiana’s next chapter in energy depends on leaders who can connect statewide strategy with practical results. This year’s finalists are helping shape nuclear development, strengthen the electric grid and secure the power infrastructure needed for major new investments.
Laura Beauchamp
Vice President, business operations and strategy, Entergy Louisiana
In her role, Laura Beauchamp recently coordinated the development of the advanced gas-fired power plants in Richland Parish to feed Meta’s new AI data center, completing timely filings with regulators to ensure grid reliability and lower fuel costs shared by all customers.
She was also instrumental in bringing Hyundai Steel’s manufacturing facility to the state and strengthening Louisiana’s clean-energy ecosystem by partnering on the First Solar facility in New Iberia, strategically linking local solar manufacturing with grid delivery.
Beyond execution, Beauchamp’s leadership in developing Entergy’s Integrated Resource Plan and her service on the Louisiana Climate Taskforce and LSU advisory councils illustrate her strategic influence in shaping policy, innovation and sustainable growth across the region.
Through her leadership at Entergy Louisiana, Beauchamp has advanced the state’s transition to cleaner energy by guiding major solar and renewable initiatives, helping move the company toward long-term environmental goals while maintaining reliability and affordability for customers.
She has also shaped the regulatory and policy landscape by leading key filings and testimony that support expanded renewable capacity and innovative customer programs, reinforcing Louisiana’s credibility as an energy leader.
David Carter
Principal, Emergent Method
David Carter has more than a decade of experience supporting major energy, economic development, infrastructure and public affairs initiatives across Louisiana and the Gulf South.
He advises public sector leaders, private companies and industry partners on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, communications, project implementation and complex policy issues.
Carter recently played key leadership roles in several of Louisiana’s most consequential energy and economic development initiatives. He led Emergent Method’s support of LED’s 2025 strategic planning process and served as a key contributor to the state’s “Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy,” aligning state agencies, regional and local partners, regulators, utilities, and private industry around a coordinated approach to energy production, industrial growth, infrastructure, workforce and investment.
He also supported Louisiana’s Nuclear Strategic Framework and the Louisiana Nuclear Strategy & Supply Chain Summit, both of which position the state to compete across nuclear manufacturing, generation, fuel conversion and fuel enrichment.
In parallel, he leads Emergent Method’s management of the Louisiana HERO Program, a $500 million grid resilience initiative administered by the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy.
At the local level, Carter has worked with elected officials, private sector CEOs and C-suite executives, regional economic development organizations, public agencies and community stakeholders to connect major energy opportunities to local priorities, site readiness, workforce development and long-term prosperity.
At the state level, his work has supported Louisiana’s broader strategy for competing in energy, process industries, nuclear, hydrogen, grid resilience and industrial investment.
And at the national and global level, Carter has helped strengthen Louisiana’s position as a nation-leading energy and industrial platform with the resources, infrastructure, workforce and execution capacity to serve growing demand.
Dustin Davidson
Secretary, Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy
Dustin Davidson is the youngest person to have ever served as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, where he leads initiatives to drive sustainable energy solutions and manage natural resources effectively across the state.
He has also helped author, write and lead legislative efforts to deliver and coordinate statewide business solutions to meet the needs of the workforce, the state economy and regions of Louisiana.
Earlier this year, Davidson assisted in rolling out the “Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy,” the state’s blueprint for delivering the resources, execution and innovation required to meet global energy demand.
Davidson also helped author and introduce Louisiana’s first ever Nuclear Strategic Framework to address unprecedented energy demand, fuel conversion and enrichment, and a path for working with Louisiana’s existing manufacturing base to create and expand workforce opportunities within the state.
Under his leadership, the state also hosted its first ever Nuclear Strategy and Supply Chain Summit earlier this year. This event, convened by Gov. Landry, brought together key decision makers across the nuclear value chain to put Louisiana’s Nuclear Strategic Framework into action and advance the state’s nuclear priorities.
In his earlier position as deputy secretary, Davidson helped lead the department reorganization, coordinating and consolidating the functions, powers, duties and responsibilities of the executive branch dealing with natural resources and energy.
