Monique Thierry

Monique Thierry

• Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Monique Thierry is vice president of the Congressional and Public Affairs Southwest-South Central Regional office, which represents eight states. She leads  the region’s efforts in developing and implementing a strategic agenda to strengthen operational initiatives and relationships with elected officials, chambers of commerce, member businesses, and associations.

Thierry collaborates with diverse communities within the region to cultivate long-term solutions. Accordingly, she works with entities, member organizations, and elected officials on pivotal policies and programs that are relevant to local and national solutions. This requires her to develop and maintain legislative, political, and grassroots resources that advance the U.S. Chamber’s public policy goals.

 In addition, Thierry is a believer in the art of diplomacy in policy and communication and frequently serves as an instructor to empower chamber partners to build effective foundations that include advocacy programs.

Thierry brings to her position strong roots and a wealth of experience in the business community. Previously, she served as vice president of government affairs for the Chamber Southwest Louisiana. There she used her platform to reach state and federal agencies and elected officials on behalf of the five parishes she represented. Thierry developed a blueprint for its first-ever advocacy program and helped secure its first five-star U.S. Chamber Accreditation.

Thierry was at the forefront of revitalizing the area after Hurricane Rita. She earned statewide and national recognition while advocating for policy issues benefiting the economic interests of Southwest Louisiana. Under her guidance, the area earned recognition as a vital region of the state. Her philosophy of inclusive leadership resulted in pioneering legislation that has had far-reaching positive significance.  Working with the CEO of the Chamber Southwest Louisiana, she helped develop long-term regional strategies for environmental and energy issues, offshore oil revenue sharing, taxation, infrastructure, hurricane recovery, and coastal protection and restoration.

To elevate awareness of the regional and national economic importance, she created the Southwest LA and Southeast Texas first anniversary trail ride events, which brought together the governor, the White House federal recovery coordinator, the U.S. Defense Department General Commander of relief operations, and congressional and state leaders. Her vision as creator of Legis Gator, the preeminent comprehensive legislative wrap-upin the state, and Chamber SWLA Day/Shrimp Boil helped cement her reputation.

During the 2011 redistricting process, Thierry led advocacy efforts to keep the historic Acadiana region along the Louisiana I-10 corridor intact as one congressional district. The region was the only area in the state to retain a majority of its original district. For this, she has been recognized for her professional excellence and commitment to service.

Throughout her academic and professional careers, Thierry has been committed to service, community development, and diplomacy working with like-minded organizations and entities. She has been successful in building partnerships across different ideologies and bridging deep divides to drive policies that benefit everyone.

Before joining the Chamber Southwest Louisiana, Thierry held various leadership roles in state and federal politics, including serving in the administrations of former Governor Kathleen B. Blanco and current National Urban League President and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial. She also served as a member of Governor Bobby Jindal’s transition team.

A graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, she is also an alumna of Leadership Louisiana and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management and the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s Education and Workforce Business Leads program.

Additionally, Thierry  was one of a few instructors selected by Coca-Cola Enterprises to advance its diversity, equity, and inclusion culture in select Louisiana plants.

She previously served on the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Council and Energy and Environment committees and was a founding board member of Ellevate Louisiana. Thierry currently serves on the board of directors of the Council for a Better Louisiana and is a member of the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians and an adviser to the U. S. Chamber Women Taking the Lead Initiative.