Shonda Manuel, partner and assistant creative director at Healthy Image Marketing/Thrive Magazine was recently appointed by the City of Lake Charles to serve on the board of directors at Visit Lake Charles, representing the Arts & Humanities of Southwest Louisiana.
A graduate of McNeese University with a B.A. in Visual Arts, Manuel has a multifaceted career spanning casino resorts and advertising agencies to marketing in the hospitality industry, including working at Visit Lake Charles. She began her career as a graphic artist at Coushatta prior to joining the O’Carroll Group advertising agency. She worked as the advertising coordinator/electronic media specialist at L’Auberge Casino Resort before coming aboard at Visit Lake Charles as the publications manager/graphic designer. Currently in her position at Healthy Image Marketing/Thrive Magazine, she develops and oversees the creative aspects of integrated campaigns in addition to photography, web and social media, client development and representing the company at various events.
Manuel has also dedicated time to the community serving on the board of directors and past president for the Southwest Louisiana Arts & Humanities Council, past board member of Fusion Five, the LaGrange Athletic and Educational Fund co-chair, Family & Youth Counseling Kids Can board member, board member for SOWELA Community College Art Department, visiting lecturer for the McNeese State University Art Department, Lake Charles Cotillion Board events chair and Southwest Louisiana Youth Foundation board member. She is also a certified Les Mills body pump instructor.
“With Shonda’s wide array of interests, community involvement and experience with marketing and creative development along with a large portion of career spent directly in the hospitality industry, I have no doubt that she will lend invaluable insight to the board of directors. The staff and board of directors are looking forward to working alongside Shonda to promote Southwest Louisiana,” said Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles.
Additional board members who were recently reappointed by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury to serve include Jonathan Ringo, representing the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, and Mike Buckley, serving on behalf of the Southwest Louisiana Lodging Association.
The CVB is governed by an 11 member board of directors. Ringo will serve as the chair for the 2021 board. Willie Mount, representing the Chamber Southwest, was selected to be the vice chair, with Nick Zaver, representing the Southwest Louisiana Lodging Association (City of Sulphur) serving as secretary/treasurer.
For more information on Visit Lake Charles, log onto www.visitlakecharles.org or call 337-436-9588.
